Writing... What! I have a blog?

Yesterday, whilst the clouds overshadowed the Capital, I was reading a book on how to effectively write and write with better quality. I know... reading how to write... But if you lower the gaze of judgment, I will proffer my explanation: I was quite inspired to write, yet again, with renewed vigor. In the midst of this sudden lux caeli shinning on my intellect, from the cobwebs of my psyche a feeble voice cried, "Look unto me!" Slowly turning, my eyes gazed upon my weak, emasculated blog. And so, new wine is being poured into this old wine skin, with the hope that it will not burst. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini!

Go West, Young Man... or East...

Home Sweet Home

Well, I am home. Having completed my first year of formal theological studies at Catholic U. in D.C., I made my way home. The mountains, hills, lakes and streams have been most refreshing. However, none so refreshing as breathing in the air of the Hills than that of the city. I have gained a new appreciation for actually being able to see the stars at night, knowing they are not planes or satellites or helicopters. Its also much more quite. No ambulances, or cars racing (at least on my street).

This however is in no way to denigrate the fine city of Washington in the District of Columbia. It has nice architecture, beautiful churches, many museums and monuments, and many good friends. But nothing is so fine as coming home to the prairie and the Hills. The cool weather, familiar faces, and outdoors that are not hazardous to my health really swing the meter to beautiful Western South Dakota. Freedom is truly found here.

New Bishop!

Yet when speaking of the blessings of being home, I must proclaim: Habemus Episcopum! Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has blessed the people of South Dakota with the appointment of Msgr. Robert D. Gruss of Davenport, Iowa to the office of bishop in our great diocese. I met with him this morning and am filled with joy and hope for our diocese as we continue to grow in and towards the Kingdom of Our Father. Bishop-elect Gruss struck me as a humble and holy man. He spoke with sincerity and complete trust in the Blessed Trinity's Providence in his life as well as in ours. His exhortation to prayer as the mainstay to relationship with God and a flourishing vocation were inspiring, evidencing a man deeply in love and in tune with God. Our prayers have been answered, thanks be to God for a new shepherd! Let us continue our prayers that Our Lord will bless Msgr. Gruss and our diocese abundantly.

Summer Assignment

And finally I ship out tomorrow for my summer assignment from the See. I have been posted on the Standing Rock Reservation to be under and assist Father Ron Garry and Father John Lule. There will be much to learn and much to take in during my time there. In the beginning of June, I will also be attending Basic Directions for Native Ministry to appropriate means to effectively serve those on the reservation. There are multiple parishes in the McLaughlin cluster. I am not sure quite what to expect, but be assured that there will further postings and pictures. There should be ample time to engage in such matters, I believe.

Well... Enough for now, packing must be done, books gathered and goodbyes said. Pray for me and know of my prayers for you.

What to do...

What does one do when bored in class? Think, think, think... I KNOW! I will post on my blog. Hooah! Two birds with one stone. Not only do I get to stick it to boredom, but I also post on my blog that I haven't had a chance to in a few months. Hope all is well. God bless.

Quamdiu Domine?!!!

The Green Bay Packers just lost in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs. How disappointing! This is the second game in a row to have lost because McCarthy cant keep the team from throwing  themselves into a penalty coma. Come on!!! Pull it together, lads!!!

Round Two... Ding, Ding! And other matters...

I just want to address something here. I recently read somewhere where a person asserted that Catholic theology teaches that Pope is simply "first among equals." I trust that this person simply has not done an in depth study of the Catholic understanding of the Papacy. The Catholic Church has always taught that the Pope is the supreme head of the Church, ruling over all, clerics and faithful, with absolute power. Nowadays this sounds very foreign to many Catholics. However, the Second Vatican Council states in Lumen Gentium 22 (with my emphasis and comments):

"But the college or body of bishops has no authority unless it is understood together with the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter as its head. The pope's power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful, remains whole and intact. In virtue of his office, that is as Vicar of Christ and pastor of the whole Church, the Roman Pontiff has full, supreme and universal power over the Church. And he is always free to exercise this power. The order of bishops, which succeeds to the college of apostles and gives this apostolic body continued existence, is also the subject of supreme and full power over the universal Church, provided we understand this body together with its head the Roman Pontiff and never without this head (This supreme power of the college of bishops is derived not from the college, but from the Supreme Pontiff, under whom they are united)."

Furthermore, we see that this reaffirms the reaffirmation of this power made in Vatican Council I, which itself reaffirmed the decision of the Council of Florence (with my emphasis and comments):

"So, then,if anyone says that the Roman pontiff has merely an office of supervision and guidance, and not the full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole church (This jurisdiction means that he has immediate power over individual dioceses, as stated in paragraph 2 of the same document), and this not only in matters of faith and morals, but also in those which concern the discipline and government of the church dispersed throughout the whole world; or that he has only the principal part, but not the absolute fullness, of this supreme power; or that this power of his is not ordinary and immediate both over all and each of the churches and over all and each of the pastors and faithful: let him be anathema." - Pastor Aeternus Chapter 3, section 9

This quote from Vatican I states in the negative what Vatican II teaches in the positive. I only address this because of the reoccurring nature of this opinion and of the current dialogue of the Holy See with the Orthodox churches, the power and place of the Papacy being one of the topics discussed. These talks are quite exciting in that it has be centuries since the Orthodox have been this close to unity with the Church. However, we as Catholics must be aware of our faith before we encourage others to enter into the fullness therein. Part of this Faith is the doctrines and dogmas of/concerning the Papacy. 


Well, have to back to writing my paper for Moral Theology, God bless and have a wonderful Sunday!

Up, and Running?...

If you have made that glorious attempt to follow my previous blog, I applaud you and offer my apologies. It was a good blog, always doing what it was told, never messing on the carpet... But in the end it just got old, and so I did what I had to do... I got a new shiny one! After multiple failed attempts to keep my blog together, I have decided to commit the old to the ground and try something a little different. I shall do my best to have this rockin your socks off! I hope you all enjoy!