Tips for Sunday School teachers

Anyone who undertakes to teach a Sunday School class should first be aware of the awesome privilege and the solemn responsibility of the task. Jesus himself directed his followers:

Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it
is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Matt. 18:20

You have been entrusted with this vital mission; you are to lead this particular group of children to Jesus. This is a ministry which requires dedication and effort. Here are a few suggestions you may find helpful.

* Pray to the Good Shepherd, asking for his help in leading these lambs to his side.

*Example is the best teacher. Let the children see that you have a close relationship with Jesus, and often talk about how you much you love, trust and depend on him.

* Be well-prepared for each lesson. Try to deliver it without reading from the Manual. You'll be more convincing if you maintain eye contact with the children.

* Remember that the children's first experiences with God and the Church community should be pleasant. Try to include a fun activity or game in every lesson.

* The greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. Firmly discourage any acts of unkindness, arguments, or name-calling, as soon as you notice them. Promote self-respect, acceptance and respect for others.

* Keep a written record of any health problems or allergies the children may have. Arrange treats for special occasions, keeping these in mind. For children, sharing food with friends is equivalent to a party. Fruit for harvest time, candy for Hallowe'en, pumpkin cookies for Thanksgiving: all have potential to engender enjoyable seasonal celebrations.

* Try to develop a good rapport with the parents. They'll give you hints about what which lessons were most successful and carried over to the home scene. They'll also make you aware of any problems an individual child may be having. You could then follow up with a prayer or a group discussion, if you think either would be helpful.

*Look for ways the children could be made to feel that they are a part of the larger Church community. Perhaps they could act as greeters or ushers one Sunday. They could pass plates of cookies around at a tea or a concert. They could pass out bulletins as the congregation leaves the church. These little jobs give them a chance to meet the adult members, to develop a sense of responsibility, and help the Sunday School group feel that they truly belong to the larger community.

*Try to give generously of your time when you are involved in a Sunday School activity. Arrive early and be prepared to stay a little longer than might be expected. There could be an unexpected emergency, a parent with a question or one who wishes to ask your advice. The priest or minister may wish to speak to you. Someone may wish to see more than the flap of your coattails as you rush to get home. Remember, God will not be outdone in generosity.

*It is helpful if the children have something to take home to spark a discussion of the lesson with their parents. It could be a Bible picture to color, a photo of themselves with a friend, a picture on the current theme, cut from a magazine and glued on a lacy paper doily. The possibilities are limited only by your resources and your imagination.

You should now be ready and indeed anxious to proceed with your Sunday School ministry, encouraged and empowered by the Spirit of him who was himself often called "Teacher", and who continues to inspire all teachers with these words:

Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest
In the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such
child in my name welcomes me. Matt. 18:4-5

Should parents make moral judgements for their children, based on their own beliefs?

Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." Proverbs 22:6

Conscientious parents have little choice but to make moral judgements for their children based on their own beliefs. Unless they are going to allow the child to run wild and learn everything through experience, there must be rules of conduct laid down, by which all members of the family abide.

For Christians, and Western society in general, the basic codes of behaviour are derived from the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.

Children whose parents are religious will be introduced at an early age to God, their Father in heaven. Through Bible stories and hymns, they will learn that he is the Creator and that he cares and watches over everything he made, including them.

They will be taken to God's house on earth to honour him on his special day, Sunday. They will be taught their first prayers, because they know their heavenly Father likes to hear from them often.

Younger children, as were the early Israelites, are usually first introduced to the prohibitions contained in the Commandments. They are admonished not to swear or use bad language, to respect their parents, not to steal, lie, kill or injure another person.

As they begin to interact with siblings and other children, they must be taught to share, to respect the belongings of others and to overcome inclinations to jealousy.

Parents who fail to instil these basic rules of conduct in their child will endure a household full of chaos themselves, and produce a child who is not welcome in the homes of others, who has no friends and who will have trouble in school from the moment he sets foot in the door.

Sometime during the primary grades, usually around the age of seven, children reach the "age of reason". Now they can weigh right and wrong and they are beginning to make judgements for themselves, but they still need their parents' guidance. They are capable of logical reasoning and can usually be convinced that a particular behaviour or course of action is good or bad based on reason and previous instruction.

Around this time a child is ready for the more positive admonitions contained in the Beatitudes. Wise parents will use events from the everyday life to help him realize that the world is a better place when people are generous, unassuming, compassionate, merciful, pure of heart, and workers for peace.

Children need to learn that they can make a difference. Their decisions are important; they affect the family, the school community, the local society, the country and ultimately the world. It's important that every decision, every project, every enterprise they undertake be done to the best of their ability. In this way, they develop confidence, initiative, and a good self-image.

These few years, when parents can pass on their own moral code to their children are vitally important. Once the young person is legally an adult, he'll be exposed to contemporary values and standards which are often directly opposed to those of his parents.

After age eighteen, he'll begin to learn from experience. He'll make mistakes; nobody's perfect. To the parents, it may seem as if he's forgotten every precept and moral value he was ever taught, but he hasn't. He's testing, he's learning, he's growing, he's acquiring wisdom. As he matures, he'll probably conclude that mom and dad knew best, after all.

From the earliest times, parents have been making moral judgments for their children based on their own beliefs. In doing so, they also pass on their faith, and their code of ethics and values to the next generation. This is one of the primary functions of the family unit. Children are not nurtured by food alone.

As long as there are traditional families, the majority of children will be set on the proper path to promote the continued progress of a just, honorable and compassionate society. For this fact, we should all be grateful.

Can Catholics have tattoos and body piercings?

Good grief, what next? If someone starts a rumour that we can't wear make-up, colour our hair or wear jewellery, we're really in trouble!

Catholics can have body piercings or tattoos just the same as everybody else. Of course, they should take care to go to a reputable establishment to have the procedure done, to avoid infection and nasty diseases which can be spread through infected needles, but that advice applies to everyone.

In some European countries, where the populations are predominantly Catholic, parents have baby girls' ears pierced shortly after birth. At one time, I thought it was strange to see my Italian friend's beautiful baby daughter already sporting tiny diamond earrings. Then the mother explained that it was part of their culture and it spared the child the discomfort of having it done when she was older.

The misinformation about piercing and tattoos may arise from the fact that Catholics believe that the fifth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" has extended implications. Of course it is wrong to kill another person. It is also wrong to kill ourselves. We need to respect our bodies and take care of them. We should eat properly, get sufficient exercise and a reasonable amount of sleep. If we become ill, we should go to the doctor.

It might be argued that smoking, drug addiction, alcoholism are wrong because they do permanent damage to the body. Alcoholism damages the liver, and too much alcohol destroys brain tissue.

I haven't smoked in twenty-five years, yet when I went for a lung-capacity test several months ago the technician was able to spot damage that was caused by the years of smoking in earlier times. That damage is permanent.

I regret smoking now but when I started in the 1950s, we didn't know how harmful it was, and it became an addiction very quickly. I suspect alcohol does also, especially for people who have a gene which predisposes them to that addiction.

Perhaps people who suffer from addictions shouldn't be judged as harshly as those are aware of the risks and participate in the questionable behaviour anyway. Addictions are very difficult to overcome. I've been struggling with an overeating problem all my life, and I expect to have it until my take my last breath.

Although I have my ears pierced, I am presently a grandmother, and am no longer tempted to get additional piercing or tattoos. I admit that I don't like to see beautiful young people with things that look like nails in their faces, but I understand the holes heal over when the nails are removed, so no permanent damage is done.

Tattoos are more permanent, but they can be removed with a laser, I think. It's probably very painful, but it would be embarrassing trying to explain some youthful motto such as " I'm a screamin' demon!" when you're my age. I'm glad I never indulged in that particular activity.

Catholics are just like everybody else, imperfect people trying to do their best to please their Creator in the midst of an imperfect society, in an imperfect world . When you think about it, there are a lot worse things we could be doing than getting tattoos and piercings.

Now, it you'll excuse me, I'll put on some make-up, change my earrings (these don't match my outfit) and go to the store to get some hair colouring. I don't want all this grey showing when I go to Mass on Sunday.

Should every Christian preach the Gospel?

There are many ways to preach the Gospel. It is not necessary, and maybe not even advisable, to knock on doors in the middle of a busy day, or to harangue passing crowds from a street corner. These approaches probably alienate more people than they attract.

Rather, Christians should preach the gospel primarily through their lives and lifestyles. The most effective lessons are delivered through example.

When neighbors watch a Christian family faithfully arise every Sunday morning to attend services at their Church, unbelievers will wonder what causes them to forgo the attraction of a relaxing in pyjamas with a late breakfast and a second cup of coffee.

When faced with serious issues, such as an unexpected teenage pregnancy, Christian parents will support their daughter and do their best to see that she gives birth to a healthy baby. This will lead to questions from friends and acquaintances as to why the family did not opt for a safe and face-saving abortion. What an opportunity to share Christian values on the sacredness of human life, from birth to natural death!

It is from the defining moments of life that the best opportunities for sharing faith often emerge. Confronting a serious illness with courage, asking for prayers, yet showing the ability to accept the will of God, whatever it may be, is an eloquent example of the strength that the Christian faith bestows on believers.

After the birth of a baby, family and friends, Christian and non-Christian, who attend the Baptism or Christening, and the reception following the ceremony, will note the Christian joy that the new addition has become a member of God's family. The atmosphere of happiness and celebration will not be lost on unbelievers, and they may ask why it was felt that such a ritual was necessary. Opportunity knocks again.

It is at the death of a loved one that the opportunities to share the Christian faith are most abundant. Non-Christians cannot help but envy the atmosphere of peace and acceptance that envelops the Christian family at such a time. It is an ideal time to share the faith with other mourners and visitors.

The Christian family, comforted by the prayers of their priest or minister, have surrendered their loved one into the welcoming arms of a Loving Father, secure in the knowledge that Jesus Christ has paid the debt due to sin, by His sufferings death on the cross. If the deceased was repentant, he or she is already safe in care of Almighty God.

Every day, Christians witness to their faith simply by living the life Jesus advocated. They volunteer in their community, they give a fair day's work for a a fair day's pay, they do not curse, swear or take the Lord's name in vain, they care for their families, and contribute to charity. They do their best to love God and their neighbors.

Are Christians perfect? Of course not, but they do their best to follow the teachings of Jesus. In these days especially, when so many in society have strayed far from their Christian roots, Christian lifestyles are very noticeable.

In the grand scheme of things, living good Christian lives probably gains more converts than knocking on doors or preaching on street corners will ever do, and it annoys no one, except maybe the devil himself.
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Should we try to make "designer babies"?

Ultrasound has made it possible to peer into the sanctuary of a mother's womb and see the developing foetus moving about in the amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis, whereby a needle is inserted into the womb, and some of the fluid surrounding the baby is withdrawn, is another prenatal test sometimes performed. The fluid can be checked for genetic birth defects in the child. Occasionally one or both of these tests will reveal a foetal abnormality. What happens then?

The answer usually depends on the spiritual faith of the parents. If they believe in the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death, they will continue with the pregnancy, ensuring that the mother has the best possible physical, emotional and spiritual care, and preparing as well as possible for the birth of their child. If, on the other hand, they believe that the foetus is just a blob of tissue, the likely result will be abortion.

In actual fact, by the fourth week after the egg is fertilized, often before the mother even realizes she is pregnant, traces of all the body organs are present in the embryo. It is only 1/4 inch long, but its face is beginning to take shape. Bulges that will become ears and nose appear.

By the seventh to eighth week of pregnancy, the head can be identified. It contains a developing brain. Amazingly, the tiny heart has already begun to beat. Fingers and toes appear.

By the end of the third month, nails form on the fingers and toes. The bones begin to calcify. The foetus begins to make breathing movements. Skeletal muscles and muscles in the intestines begin to contract and relax, already preparing for life in the outside world. Because the developing child is recognizable as a human baby, abortionists will keep the ultrasound monitor turned away from the mother, as they perform the procedure. If she saw her baby, recognizable as it tries move away from the lethal instruments, she might well change her mind.

In the near future, science may progress to the stage where parents can produce designer offspring. They may be able to choose the sex, hair and eye color, intelligence, athletic ability, and every other feature that will form their child's physical appearance, character and levels of natural abilities. Will this be a beneficial progression? I submit that it will not.

We humans have no right to play God. Choosing a new car is one thing. Wanting to possess a designer child is quite another. The all-wise Creator knows exactly what child will be best fit into each family situation, and He will not give any family a burden with which it cannot cope. The disabled person is no less valuable than the able-bodied. A quick study of the life and contribution of Stephen Hawking will bear out this fact.

Modern technology, such as ultrasound, should inspire in us emotions of wonder and awe. We are now privileged to witness the creative action of God in the very process of creating a new human being. It should definitely not be used to aid in the destruction of His unfinished handwork.

There is great value, beauty, and fascination for all of us in the diversity of people inhabiting our planet. God has been doing a great job designing humans thus far. We should not usurp His undertaking. If we try until eternity, we'll never be able to even approach His talent.

Is euthanasia ethical?

The dictionary defines euthanasia as "the painless killing of a patient suffering from a terminal illness". The operative word here is killing. Euthanasia is most definitely unethical.

The Bible says, "Thou shalt not murder". Deut.5:17.

Even if this command were not written down in Scripture, it has been written by God on the human heart. It is part of the natural law. People of all races and creeds recognize instinctively that it is wrong to deliberately take a human life. In North America, this truth is enshrined in law.

People of faith recognize the Creator is the author of life. The Psalmist phrases it this way: "For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made". Ps. 139: 13-14.

God gave us life and He has a definite plan for each of us. He knows exactly how long our bodies will last. For any human to presume to step in and alter God's divine plan is wrong. The time and circumstances of each person's death should rest entirely in the hands of the Almighty.

That is not to say that we must use extraordinary means to prolong life when there is no reasonable hope that the patient will recover. Relatives of a patient are not obliged to continue the use of a heart-lung machine, a respirator, or other extraordinary means to prolong life. When a doctor determines that the person would die without the machines maintaining vital functions, and there is no reasonable hope of recovery, the machines may be unplugged. As my pastor once termed it, "Get out of God's way!".

Nor must relatives and friends sit helplessly by and watch the patient suffer severe and intractable pain. A sufficient amount of medication should be given to keep the patient comfortable and able to spend his final days with loved ones, mending relationships, winding up his affairs and saying his final goodbyes.

It sometimes happens, that as the illness progresses, the amount or the strength of the medication needs to be increased, to keep the patient from suffering. If the side effect of the increased dosage is that the heart stops or the respiratory system ceases to function, the resulting death is not euthanasia.

The all-important difference is in intention. In the case of euthanasia, a substance is administered with the express purpose of killing the patient. In the second example, the express purpose of the medication is to relieve pain. As long as there is any hope of recovery, the attending physician would, of course, be obligated to maintain the strength and amount of medication within a safe range.

There are many reasons to sustain life as long as possible. Medical science is coming up with new treatments and cures every day. If the patient survives until tomorrow, he may be able to try out a new medication which will result in improvement in his health and extension of his life.

If euthanasia ever becomes generally acceptable to society, we embark on a slippery slope. When human life is no longer considered sacred, many groups of people who are considered "less than perfect", will be endangered. What about babies born with deformities? What about people diagnosed with inoperable tumours? How about our elderly, those over 65, who no longer make a significant contribution to society? How about those with chronic diseases who put a strain on the health care system? How about whole families on welfare who drain our social assistance resources?

Euthanasia is not only unethical, it threatens to destroy the very fabric of our existence as a righteous and civilized society. The practice must be opposed by people of good will wherever and whenever it becomes necessary.

"Euthanasia is a long, smooth-sounding word, and it conceals its danger as long, smooth words do, but the danger is there, nevertheless." Pearl S. Buck

Tips on achieving contentment

The dictionary defines contentment as being "peaceful, happy and satisfied". Through many years of living, I have found that contentment comes from within oneself. Depending on others to provide your contentment is useless. Others have their own lives to lead. Their concerns will and should claim their primary attention. Here are a few suggestions for attaining containment that I have found helpful:

1. Develop your religious faith. Attend services. Do some spiritual reading. Recall all the "close calls" you've had in life thus far, when you avoided misfortune by the skin of your teeth. Meditate on the fact that you are the precious child of a loving Father, who is the King of the universe and in charge of all the circumstances of your life. Turn everything you can't handle over over to Him, and trust Him to take care of it.

2. When you find yourself becoming worried or upset, count your blessings. They always outweigh the problems of the moment. If you have clean water to drink, a roof over your head and you know where your next meal is coming from, you're already more fortunate than many people in the world.

3. Remember the people in your life whom you love, or who love you. Each one is a treasure to be cherished. Plan to do something to enrich the life of each one within the next few days. Bake cookies to share, write a cheery letter, make a thoughtful phone call, invite someone to lunch. Show each one you appreciate their presence in your life.

4. Take up a hobby, one that is creative and gives you a sense of accomplishment: knitting, crocheting, sketching, wood-working, writing, even paint-by-number sets will produce items in which you can take pride, display in your home, or use as gifts.

5. Volunteer in the community. Each of us of has special gifts which were meant to be shared with others. Working in a soup kitchen, with an "Out of the Cold" program, visiting the sick or shut-ins, reading or writing letters for the blind, all of these and similar activities will reward the volunteer with well-deserved feelings of satisfaction and contentment.

6. Work on making your immediate environment a haven of comfort, attractiveness and tranquility. Even if you only have one room, it should boast comfortable furniture, a pleasant blending of your favourite colours, pictures of your loved ones, and a collection of books, puzzles and your current project or hobby. Your private area, though small, will ward off depression and that old " there's no one to care and nothing to do" mood.

7. Be aware of local and world events, via television, radio and/or newspapers. Even if your life is uneventful at present, matters of great import are probably occurring elsewhere. If you are lucky enough to have access to a computer you can "put in your two cents worth" at network news sites, where your views will be read by thousands of people, and maybe more.

All of us have periods of discontent. Spouses are thoughtless, children ignore you or treat you as an unpaid servant, friends come and go, and the pup you thought was house-trained has regressed, but you can possess contentment nevertheless. Use some or all of the above suggestions and work towards being perfectly comfortable in your own skin and within your own little universe. Then you'll be ready to reach out and share your peace and tranquility with others when they are sorely in need of it.

Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress. Epictetus.

How to make a difficult decision

We all have moments in life when we must make difficult decisions. Which job offer should I choose? Should I marry this person? Should we have another child? Shall I buy or sell my home? Shall I divorce or try to save this marriage? Is it time to move a parent to an assisted-living facility?

These can be times of indecision and acute stress. You honestly don't know what to do. How can you solve the dilemma? Are there steps to take to ensure that you will make the best decision possible? Many people have found the following procedure to be invaluable.

1. Pray

You may not know the best answer, but God does. He is all-wise. Being outside of time. He sees the past and the future at once. He is aware of the outcome of each of your possible choices. Acknowledge your confusion and ask for His help. The Bible says, "Ask and it will be given you." Luke 11:9. Take God at His word, He can be trusted.

It's fine to request a sign showing the right way; God is a loving parent, anxious to help.

2. Consult

Speak to knowledgeable people, the best experts you can find in the area that's troubling you. It may a doctor, a social worker, a psychologist, a clergy person, an accountant, a lawyer or several of these. Read up on the subject. Consult the Internet. Gather all the relevant information your can find.

3. Discuss

Speak with two or three trustworthy friends, preferably those who know all the people involved in your dilemma. State the problem clearly in an unbiased manner. Ask for their opinions. Listen carefully. Often God speaks through other people.

4. Paper and pencil

Divide a piece of paper into two sections, or more if necessary. At the top of one column write: "Option 1- Advantages". At the top of the second column: "Option 2-Advantages". If you have more choices, add more columns. List every advantage you can think of under each possible option. One column will probably have more items than the others.

5. Consider

By now, you probably know which course of action is best. Take a few minutes to plan the next steps you need to take, to implement your decision. It's a good idea to write them down while you have the time and are thinking clearly. Don't forget to thank God for His help.

6. Act decisively and without hesitation.

 Be assured that you have done everything possible to make the right decision. Trust God and trust yourself. Together, you make an unbeatable team.

Can an interfaith marriage work?

Can a cradle Catholic ever find happiness with a dedicated Presbyterian? That was the question I asked myself thirty years ago. The answer was of vital importance because, besides myself, I had to consider the future welfare of my four children, ages 11 to 17.

They had already been through the trauma of a nasty divorce and the recent deaths of their beloved grandparents. They needed a stable and secure home environment if they were to weather these turbulent events and grow up to become well-adjusted adults.

That was thirty years ago; this is now. My husband and I are still married, the children have grown up. No one is in jail, and they are all steadily and gainfully employed. Three are married to their original spouses and one has a steady "friend", a relationship which may or may not work out in the long run.

How did this happen? It took love, faith, openness, and tolerance. And, to be truthful, at times it took just plain hard work. I suspect that most marriages take great effort, though sometimes the areas of disagreement may be different from those we expected.

Have I suggestions for other couples embarking on the same path? Here are some guidelines we found helpful:

(1) Decide on major issues before marriage. My children were settled in Catholic schools. It was important to me that they remain there. My husband agreed, even though there were tuition fees involved. My children would attend Mass with me, his could attend services with him.

We both needed annulments in the Catholic Church, because it was a second marriage for each of us. This must have been annoying for a non-Catholic, but again, he agreed. I'll be forever grateful to his first wife for cooperating in the process.

We decided our family was large enough. With my four and his two, whom we hoped would be visiting often, we had six children.

We decided that, when discipline was necessary, each of us would discipline his or her own children. The other adult would contribute moral support only, but as far as the children were concerned, the spouse would aim only for the status of a trusted friend.

Of course, the stepparent was to be given the respect due any other adult in a supervisory capacity. I think we compared it to the respect they would give to another teacher on staff at school.

(2) "Love and do what you will," said St. Augustine. This enterprise requires a lot of love. First of all, the couple must pledge to each other undivided love. I believe that being married, and taking vows, is an important factor in the process, because each spouse has made a serious commitment to make the union successful.

This love must extend to in-laws and to any children involved in both families. For me, it was relatively easy. As I teacher I loved kids anyway, and my husband's children were easy to love. He was great when dealing with mine. I think that the fact that he came from a family of five boys himself was a very helpful factor.

(3) Marriage is the closest relationship into which two people can enter. A mixed marriage requires openness and understanding of the other's faith. We made it a point to worship at each other's churches, several times a year.

When I took a Master's degree in Religious Education, I was allowed, in the interest of Ecumenism, to do the field work component at my husband's Presbyterian church. When he was kind enough to type all my essays, he gained a greater knowledge of the Catholic faith.

( 4) A mixed marriage takes tolerance. My husband has sat stoically through four Confirmation ceremonies, eaten numerous meatless meals on Fridays, driven me to Mass on snowy Sundays, and sat through a number of long Midnight Masses on Christmas Eve. I have worked at the "Out of the Cold Program" at his church, attended services with his faith community, joined their prayer group, and attended a series of Bible study classes as well as dinners, bazaars, and other social functions.

(5) Finally, a mixed marriage takes faith: faith in an all-loving God who has provided this person who is willing and able to share your life, faith that your new partner will have the love, patience and perseverance to live up to the marriage vows, faith that together, that you'll be able to overcome difficulties, and faith that the future will bright for the two of you as members of a family.

There is one important rule we have always followed: never attempt to convert a spouse to your religion. In the normal course of events, the practice and precepts of the other's faith will become familiar. The rest is up to the Holy Spirit and the other's free will. Each of these determinants must be allowed the freedom to work as they will.

I have found a short reflection, by an anonymous author, given to me during one of my courses, to be very helpful when dealing with people of different faiths and cultures:

                                            Take Off our Shoes

Our first task in approaching another people, another culture, another religion

Is to take off our shoes, for the place we are approaching is holy,

Else we may find ourselves treading on another's dream;

More serious still we may forget...

That God was there before our arrival.

What if you knew you would die tomorrow?

A story is told about a devout monk who had lived in the monastery for many years. He had long ago been assigned to set the tables before meals, clear up afterward, and sweep the floors in the kitchen and refectory several times each day. He became a familiar sight to his brothers as they came and went from meals, his head bent over his broom, his eyes carefully scanning the gleaming hardwood floor for any stray crumbs, and his lips moving silently in prayer.

One day, his Superior asked: "Tell me Brother, if you knew you were to die tomorrow, and I could grant you a wish, how would you choose to spend your last hours?"

"Well, I would just keep on cleaning up and sweeping these floors as well as I could. This is where the good Lord placed me, and I want Him to find me hard at work when He comes to get me."

This has always seemed to me to be an excellent attitude. However, not being as saintly as the monk in the story, I would have to attempt to mend some fences, and make several apologies before I got back to work!

The meaning of Advent

The Advent season is observed for four weeks before Christmas. It begins on the feast of Christ the King, usually the last Sunday in November or the first in December, and ends on Christmas Eve. The word Advent comes from the Latin word "adventus" which means coming.

Christians are challenged to reflect on three realities during this season, realities that encompass the past, the present and the future.

WE LOOK TO THE PAST.

On the first Christmas, over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God and Second Person of the Blessed Trinity came to earth as a baby, to live among us, to show us what God is like, and finally to suffer and die on the cross to atone for our sins, so that we might live forever with Him in Heaven.

Why did the Creator of the universe choose to arrive on earth as a impoverished child, without even a bed to call his own? Everyone loves a baby and that is what God desires of us, that we return the great love He has for each of us. He does not want obedience motivated by fear, but by love.

We cannot love what we do not know. Our human brains are just not equipped to comprehend the essence of the Creator of the universe. Jesus came to put a human face on God. He showed us God's power, His wisdom, His compassion and love. Jesus was God in a human body.

After the resurrection, Jesus sent the disciples out with power, wisdom and eloquence to proclaim the good news of salvation and to work for the coming of His kingdom on the earth.

WE LOOK AT THE PRESENT.

The celebration of Jesus' birth has become a secular festival of over-indulgence, extravagance and flamboyance. Many Christians hesitate to even say "Merry Christmas" for fear of being politically incorrect. Santa Claus is much more in evidence than Baby Jesus.

Our world is in a sorry state. Hostilities, conflicts and intolerance dominate international relations. Weapons of mass destruction are spreading to an increasing number of rogue nations. New diseases are appearing and pollution and climate change threaten the very survival of the human species.

Society itself seems to be in a downward spiral. The traditional family structure is under attack. Christian congregations are shrinking and churches are closing. In too many cases, those called to be pastors, role models for the young in the present day, are revealed to have feet of clay.

Whatever happened to the coming of the kingdom?

WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE.

The Son of Man is going to come with his angels in His Father's glory, and then He will repay everyone according to what he has done. Matthew 16: 27

When Jesus returns, He will not be a sweet, innocent baby. He will come as an all-just judge. He will look each of us in the eye and ask, "What have you done to promote the spread of My kingdom on the earth?"

Unfortunately many of us, Christians included, may have to lower our gaze and whisper, "Really not much, Lord."

Many present-day disciples have been distracted by the customs, the behaviors, and the priorities of the post-Christian society in which we live. Advent is a time for returning to our roots and to God's friendship. We need to divert our attention from the hustle and bustle of the world around us and to focus, at least for a while, on eternal realities.

Advent, then, is a time for reflection on the first coming of Jesus, on the present state of our souls and of the world, and on Jesus' return to earth. No one knows exactly when that day of reckoning will be, but considering the signs of the times, many people agree that it can't be far away.

Advent is a brief but important annual observance in the calendar of the Christian church. Wise persons among Jesus' contemporary disciples will take full advantage of the insights and graces it has to offer.

Pro Life

I moved today, though
No one was aware of it,
Except the One
Who first ordained my life
Short weeks ago,
And I hear sounds:
A rhythmic heartbeat echoing
Through my snug growing place,
Voices, music, muffled to be sure,
But reassuring promises
Of my future world.
My elders have misnamed me:
Zygote, embryo, fetus,
But I am none of these,
No more than cat or dog
Or fox or tree!
The Creator does not confuse His works.
I am a human being.
I plead to share my mother's space
For nine brief months.
Then, if she so wishes,
Or pressing needs dictate
I'll live apart, for
Many empty hearts and homes
Would welcome me with joy!
Yet I would leave with her
A priceless gift-
Enduring pride in knowing
Deep within that, for a time,
She generously co-operated
With the Almighty One,
Serving steadfastly as vehicle
For His creative role
In launching forth
A brand new human life.
And should she live
For many years hereafter
She never will surpass
This noble deed.

Is there such a thing as "happily ever after"?

This will come as a huge disappointment to all those idealistic young people with starry eyes and hopeful hearts, but no, that Utopian state of "happily ever after" is not to be found on Planet Earth.

Think about it. When you were a child, and your parents ruled your world, you couldn't wait to grow up. You thought then, you'd be as free as a bird, free to soar like an eagle and to do all the activities you were prevented from doing because other people considered you "too young".

The teenage years brought a little more freedom, but also more responsibility. The load of homework increased and it was difficult; there was never enough money to buy items you considered absolute necessities, but Mom and Dad still called the shots because they paid the bills, and as you were reminded many times, they weren't "made of money!".

Like most young people you thought: " Just wait until I finish school and get a job. I'll get my own place, spend my own money the way I want to, and have a blast!"

However, the early twenties weren't perfect either. You might have been out on your own, but the bills took up most of your salary. You were probably into the dating scene, but you found out it's not easy to find the partner of your dreams. Your probably had your heart broken a few times and you learned that cooking, washing and cleaning for yourself was not fun.

And you thought: "Just wait until I find my prince, (or princess), my soul-mate. We'll get married, buy a little house, start a family and live happily ever after." Wrong again.

The little house had annoying neighbors and always needed some repair or other. The children came with dirty diapers, worrisome illnesses, school problems, and seemingly endless whining and complaints, miniature replicas of you, yourself as a child.

Your soul-mate might put on a little weight, may not carry their fair share of the load of housework, may expect things from the relationship you're not prepared to give. Half of all marriages end in divorce these days, you know. Remaining married to one person can definitely not be considered " happily ever after". It takes hard work and dedication.

And you think: " Just wait until the kids are grown up. We'll recapture the romance we used to enjoy; we'll retire, we'll enjoy our grandchildren, we'll travel, we'll cash in our investments and finally be able to enjoy life. We'll live happily ever after".

Somehow, it never seems to work out that way. There may be elderly parents who need care, one of the children loses a job and moves back home, the stock market crashes, either you or your spouse may develop a chronic illness and not be able to enjoy retirement as much as you both had hoped. There may be a tornado, a tsunami or an earthquake that devastates your environment. Rest assured, it won't be "happily ever after".

Oh, there will be little islands of joy and fun along the way, but "happily ever after" does not exist in this life. Have you ever wondered why?

If we were perfectly happy here, we would have no need of a Supreme Being. We always need something to pray for, so we don't forget God. Whether it's a new bike, good marks on an exam, a suitable job, a loving spouse, healthy children. or a long and happy retirement, there are many things that we can't achieve on our own. We weren't meant to be perfectly happy on earth.

The catechism I studied as a child had a question: "Why did God make me?"

We had to memorize the answers in those days and I still remember this one. "God made me to know, love and serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him in the next."

That's where "happily ever after" will be found, living with God in heaven for all eternity. If we manage to manoeuvre all of life's pitfalls and temptations successfully, if we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves, if we ask with faith for what we need and accept with humility and gratitude what God sends, then we have a good chance of living happily ever after in the next life.

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you will get neither."  C.S. Lewis

St. Patrick

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in Wales, in Great Britain, about 385 A.D. When he was sixteen, he was kidnapped by pirates and carried off to Ireland, where he was sold into slavery. He worked there as a shepherd for six years, often suffering from cold and hunger, but during all his difficulties, he found solace in his religious faith. During his captivity, he learned the Celtic language, and became familiar with the Druid religion, the prevailing faith of the country at that time.

After Patrick escaped, he went to Gaul, and studied in a monastery under St. Germain, for twelve years. During his years of study, he felt an insistent call from God to return to Ireland to convert the natives to Christianity. After being ordained to the priesthood and then becoming a bishop, Patrick's wish was granted. He was sent back to Ireland, as a missionary, by Pope Celestine I.

Patrick labored for thirty years, travelling throughout Ireland establishing churches, monasteries, and schools. Tales of miracles accompanied his ministry. He was arrested several times but always escaped. He is credited with driving all the snakes out of Ireland into the sea. To this day, it is impossible to find a serpent of any kind in the land.

Patrick succeeded so well in converting the natives from paganism to Christianity that Ireland became a Roman Catholic country, and most missionaries during the Middle Ages came from the Emerald Isle. St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, died on March 17, 461 A.D. In County Down.

The Irish have observed this day as a religious holy day for thousands of years. Lenten restrictions would be lifted during the afternoon and evening hours and the people would dance, drink and feast on traditional dishes like corned beef and cabbage.

As Europeans came to the New World, they carried their traditions with them in their hearts and in their memories. Accordingly, the first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in New York City on March 17, 1762. It was planned and carried out by Irish soldiers serving in the English military. It helped them connect and socialize with their countrymen and celebrate their common heritage and tradition.

When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, Irish-Catholic immigrants poured into America to escape starvation. At first they faced severe discrimination by the American Protestant majority, because of their funny accents and religious beliefs. The new immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs.

However, soon the Irish-Americans realized that, because of their great numbers, they were a significant political force. They began to organize, and their political block was dubbed the "green machine". Attendance at the annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a necessity for serious politicians of all parties. In 1948, President Truman attended the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City. Soon it became fashionable for everyone to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, no matter what their heritage.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is observed by people of every ethnic background, not only in United States, Canada and Australia but also in many other locations far from Ireland, such as Russia, Japan and Singapore. One can readily imagine St. Patrick, smiling down with pride and pleasure on the festivities, distinctly Irish, although far from land where God sent him to spread the Gospel message.

Biography: Nebuchadnezzar

Do you remember the Biblical tale of the three young Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were forced into a fiery furnace as a means of execution ? The king who ordered their punishment was Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This is his biography.

Nebuchadnezzar II came from a tribe of warlike people in the ancient lands of the Middle East. He was born c. 630 B.C., the eldest son of Nabopolassar, a Chaldian chieftain who had freed his land from the rule of the Assyrians and declared himself king of Babylon.

As crown prince, Nebuchadnezzar was given command of the Babylonian army. His first victory occurred in 605 B.C. when he defeated the Egyptian king, Necho, in a battle at Carchemish, thus gaining control of the kingdoms of Syria and Phoenicia.

Later that year, his father died and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to claim the throne. In an astute political move, he married Amytis, the daughter of Cyaxares of Media, thus uniting the Median and Babylonian empires.

He soon returned to the west in order to secure the loyalty of Syria and Palestine and to collect taxes; among those who agreed to pay were the rulers of Damascus, Tyre, Sidon, and Judah.

In 601 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar attempted to invade Egypt, but was unsuccessful, and the defeat encouraged to a series of rebellions in neighboring areas.

In time, Judah rebelled and refused to pay tribute. In 597 B.C., the rebellion was quashed and King Jehoiakim and his court were taken to Babylon. Eight years later, another Jewish rebellion broke out. This time, Jerusalem was levelled, Solomon's temple was destroyed and most of the population were transported to Babylon.

This dark period in Jewish history is known as "The Babylonian Exile". Among the captives was a devout young man named Daniel. Because of his ability to interpret dreams, he became an advisor in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar.

In 568 B. C., Egypt was captured and Nebuchadnezzar he was able to greatly extend the Babylonian Empire, because of his military strength. He then turned his attention to improving his own kingdom and to recreating a magnificent capital city, Babylon.

No expense was spared in the restoration. There were elegant temples constructed with an abundance of gold, silver and precious stones, impressive buildings, and a splendid stone bridge across the Euphrates River, which bisected the city.

He is credited with constructing hanging gardens, judged to be one of the wonders of the ancient world, to remind his wife Amytis of Media, her homeland.

Throughout the empire he rebuilt cities, repaired temples to the gods, constructed reservoirs, canals on a scale of grandeur and magnificence which surpassed anything previously seen in the ancient world.

The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament is a source of some of the knowledge we have about King Nebuchadnezzar.

In Chapter 3 of the Book of Daniel, the author relates an incident in which the king erects a large golden idol. When Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to worship it, they are thrown into a fiery furnace to be burned alive. However, they are protected by an angel and come out unscathed, not even tainted by the smell of smoke.

Again, because of his pride and materialism, while boasting about his achievements, Nebuchadnezzar is punished by losing his sanity. He leaves the palace to live in the wild like an animal for seven years.

After this period, he renounced the false gods of Babylon and honored the God of Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar survived his recovery for some years, and died in 562 B.C. at about 83 years of age. He reigned for forty-three years, and was succeeded by his son, Evil-merodach.

The Council of Trent (1545-1563)

The Council of Trent, the nineteenth Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church was held at Trent in northern Italy between 1545 and 1563 AD. It was convened to address two basic issues: a response to the challenge of the Protestant Reformation, and the enactment of measures to end widespread crime and corruption among the clergy and hierarchy of the Church.

The purpose of the Council was to define and reaffirm Catholic beliefs, so that Catholics and Protestants alike would know exactly what the Church taught about disputed doctrines. It was also meant to enact rules of conduct for church leaders and clergy which would put a stop to immoral conduct and abuses of power that were prevalent among Renaissance priests, bishops and popes.

Decrees Dealing with Doctrine

-The articles of the Nicene Creed were reaffirmed.

- Both Scripture and tradition were given equal authority.

-The Latin Vulgate translation, including the Apocrypha, was declared the official Bible of the Church.

-The Church had the sole authority to interpret Scripture. This decree reinforced the position of the Magisterium, the teaching office of the Church.

- Trent upheld the validity of the seven sacraments. The Church was a sacramental church, with God's grace bestowed on the faithful through the sacraments.

- During the celebration of Eucharist, the faithful could receive only the bread, not the wine.

- Justification of an individual depended on the sacrament of Baptism and on the person's co-operation with infused grace. It did not depend on faith alone, as the Reformers taught.

- The doctrine of transubstantiation was affirmed. In the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of  Jesus Christ.

-The doctrines of purgatory, the invocation of saints, and the veneration of relics were reaffirmed.

-The efficacy of indulgences as dispensed by the Church according to the power given her by Christ was reaffirmed, but some cautionary recommendations were added.

- The sacrament of Holy Orders was declared to imprint an indelible mark on the soul. The priesthood of the New Testament replaces the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament.

-In the decrees on marriage, the excellence of the celibate state was reaffirmed. Concubinage was condemned. A valid marriage had to be performed before a priest and two witnesses. In the case of divorce, the innocent party could not remarry until the death of the other party.

Decrees Dealing with Discipline

-Bishops must live within their dioceses. There was to be no buying and selling of religious offices (simony). Each bishop had to establish a seminary within his diocese.

-Bishops or priests who committed immoral acts, simony, or other serious offences were automatically suspended and removed from office.

-Candidates for the priesthood had to have theological knowledge, training, stability, and lead a virtuous life.

Results of the Council

-No new doctrines were established, but earlier teaching was reaffirmed and explained. The decrees restated traditional beliefs clearly and established disciplinary laws that guided the Church for the next four hundred years.

-Parish priests began to live virtuous lives, thus setting a good example for ordinary Catholics. Immorality in society seemed to gradually decline.

-The Council left to the Pope the preparation of a Catechism , the revision of the Breviary and the Missal, and the preparation of a list of forbidden books. ( Index Librorum Prohibitorum)

-The Council rejected the Protestant Reformation. The Reformers were convinced the moral problems in the Church were the result of false teachings. The Council rejected this analysis by reaffirming the Church's former teachings.

On adjourning, the Council asked the Pontiff to ratify all its decrees and definitions. Pope Pius IV complied on January 26, 1564, in the papal bull, "Benedictus Deus".

The Essenes

Jews and Christians of the twenty-first century have reason to thank the first century Essenes. They have bequeathed us a priceless legacy, evidence that the Bible has arrived in our hands virtually unchanged from its original form.

The Essenes were a sect of Judaism composed of many separate but related religious groups, existing in Israel from the second century B.C., to the first century A.D. Although there were groups in most cities, the most well-known was the community which settled at Qumran, a plateau in the Judaen Desert along the Red Sea.

The Essene community consisted of adult males who followed a rigorous schedule of self-discipline. They lived a monastic lifestyle, refusing to eat meat or offer animal sacrifices. They held no slaves, but believed in serving each other. They swore no oaths and owned everything in common. Tempers were strictly controlled, and each Essene sought to be a channel of peace in all his dealings. To join the community, a man had to, first, spend three years as a novice. Total obedience to a series of authorities in the group was expected, but members of the community could be assured of being looked after as long as they lived.

Flavius Josephus, (37-c.100A.D.) a Jewish historian, described the Essenes as being charitable, devout, totally honest and trustworthy. They were non-violent, and carried weapons only as a defense against robbers.

These peace-loving Jewish vegetarians believed that they were the only true followers of God. They no longer worshiped at the temple in Jerusalem because they believed it had been defiled by the animal sacrifices that were offered there. They believed that all life was sacred and they had great respect for the earth. They had no use for the Pharisees, the Sadducees or other Jewish sects, and viewed society in general as having become so corrupt that they wished to separate themselves from it. The Essenes were isolationists who believed they were living in the end times.

They expected the world to end in a final battle of cosmic proportions. The Sons of Light, themselves, with the help of angels who would hasten to fight with them, would do battle with the Sons of Darkness, aided by the forces of evil. Of course, they would be victorious.

They expected not one Messiah, but two. The Messiah of David would come to lead their number in the final war. The Messiah of Aaron would a priestly figure who would restore the sanctity of the temple in Jerusalem. Since the Essenes could not recognize Jesus in either of these roles, they probably faded into obscurity as Christianity gained more followers among the Jews and other peoples in the Middle East and later, the Western World.

The scholarly interests of the Essenes have had a profound impact on the faith of present-day Jews and Christians. In caves near their community in Qumran, these first century men stored multiple copies of the Old Testament in the original Hebrew language, along with other ancient manuscripts.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, as they are known, discovered in 1946, confirm the accuracy of the Bible as it has been handed down over a period of two thousand years. While they followed their dedicated, self-sacrificing lifestyle, the Essenes have bequeathed to us an invaluable legacy which has served to bolster the faith of many, thousands of years later. We owe them a heartfelt vote of thanks.

Was Pope Pius XI assassinated?

A sudden, unexpected death is shocking, especially when the victim is well-known, young, and apparently healthy. Some find it hard to believe that, in the normal course of events, a person can be here one day and gone the next. When President John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana passed away, it wasn't long before conspiracy theories began to appear.

Oddly enough, the mantle of religion is no guarantee that a death will be peaceful, natural, and unquestioned. The Vatican itself has been host to a number of suspicious deaths, such as that of Pope Pius XI in 1939.

Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti was born near Milan, Italy in 1857. He was ordained a priest in 1879. A brilliant scholar, he worked in the Vatican library, becoming its head in 1914. It was at this time he came to the attention of Pope Benedict XV.

In 1919, Father Ratti became a cardinal and he was sent to Warsaw, Poland, as Papal Nuncio. There, he developed effective diplomatic skills. He returned to Italy in 1921 and became cardinal archbishop of Milan. In 1922, as Benito Mussolini marched toward Rome, Achille Ratti was elected Pope. He chose the name Pius XI.

During his pontificate, he negotiated the Lateran Treaty with Italy , through which the Vatican became a fully sovereign state. He successfully negotiated peaceful relations between Church and state in Mexico. He signed a concordat with Germany, which that country quickly violated. He increased the number of diplomatic missions around the world.

In the closing months of his reign, he became more closely associated with democracies in the West, realizing that they were all threatened by the militant regimes of Hitler, Mussolini and the Soviet Union.

Pius XI spoke out against all forms of racism, anti- Semitism, nationalism and totalitarianism, under which one leader or one party holds complete control of a government. He promoted human dignity for all people. He believed in the brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God.

On November 25, 1938, the Pope suffered two heart attacks within several hours. Following these he had breathing problems. In February, 1939, his condition deteriorated. He had pain and difficulty walking. Soon, he was unable to leave his bed because of serious breathing problems.

He was extremely ill, and his team of doctors announced to Vatican staff that his prognosis was poor. He died at age 81, of a third heart attack at 5:31 A.M. (Rome Time) on February 10, 1939, shortly before WorldWar II broke out.

Supposedly, before his death, he was writing an encyclical condemning all forms of totalitarianism, including Nazism and Fascism. His successor, Pope Pius XII chose not to deliver it exactly as it had been written, since hostilities were already at a peak and, in fact, World War II had begun.

Soon, talk of assassination surfaced. The Pope's chief doctor was Francesco Petracci, the father of Claretta Petracci, who was Mussolini's mistress. The doctor possibly had motive and opportunity to inject the already frail pontiff with a lethal dose of some drug, causing immediate death.

Had Pope Pius lived to deliver his encyclical, popular support for the enemy powers would have been weakened just as the Nazis and their allies were launching aggressive invasions. Enemy commanders needed complete dedication and high moral among their troops to subdue the citizens of invaded countries.

Despite the distinct possibility that Pope Pius XI was assassinated, I would argue that it was unlikely, for these reasons:

* A team of doctors had already declared that the Pope, 81 years old, to be gravely ill.

* It was doubtful that he had the strength to finish writing the encyclical, let alone deliver it.

* Had his death been in any way unusual or unexpected, one of the other physicians would have spoken up.

* Doctor Petracci would only have had to wait a short time and the Pope would have died of natural causes, sparing him the danger of being discovered and prosecuted.

President Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana were young, vigorous people when they died suddenly and unexpectedly. Had they lived their normal life span, they might have caused serious problems or become major obstacles for other people, some of whom may have been completely unscrupulous.

In contrast, Pope Pius XI was a frail, sick, old man already at the point of death. Would any doctor be foolish enough to risk his freedom and reputation to kill a Pope, even to accomodate his daughter's love interest? I sincerely doubt it.

On this occasion, at least, it seems unlikely that an assassination was carried out in the papal apartments within the walls of the Vatican