Category: Uncategorized

FASCISM

Fascism is marked by hate, nationalism, and repression of dissent.

ELEMENTS THAT DEFINE FASCISM
1. The rejection of democracy in favor of a strongman
2. Stoking rage against cultural elites
3. Nationalism based on superior race and historic bloodlines
4. Extolling brute strength and heroic warriors
5. Disdain of women and LGBTQ people

    Gethsemani Retreat

    The Abbey of Gethsemani is a Trappist monastery about 50 miles from my home in Louisville. It was the home of Fr. Thomas Merton (known as Father Louis by the Trappists), a famous spiritual writer and mystic, and is the mother house of all the Trappist monasteries in the United States.

    This is the cemetery where all the monks who have died in the past 150+ years have been buried.
    Fr. Thomas Merton’s grave is on my right, simple and unremarkable like the graves of the other monks and priests buried there.
    Thomas Merton’s history and legacy brings many people to the abbey, and many of the visitors leave objects on his grave. His most famous work is his spiritual biography, The Seven Storey Mountain.

    National Catholic Office of the Deaf

    Pastoral Week (Thursday)

    Every year the National Catholic Office of the Deaf has a pastoral week to bring together people who minister in religious formation programs for Catholic deaf people. I am attending this year’s gathering in Portland, Oregon, and got this photo on the way here, changing planes in Denver.

    You want me to check the oil, too?

    Christmas Preparation

    Last week the Christmas nativity scene was set up at St. Boniface Church and I was introduced to all the figures for the scene, gathered at that time out of sight in the sacristy. The oral lore is that these figure were ordered from Germany when St. Boniface was established so they are approximately 125+ years old. They are about 3-feet tall and really detailed and with real character.

    MKLM Anniversary/Friday

    The first-floor dining room used to be the seminary library but now it has become a large room for meetings and is a dining room for our group.
    Kathy and Flavio from Brazil led a meditative morning prayer in the Asia Room.
    Then there was a recognition of the anniversaries of earlier lay mission classes, and those present received a memento.
    Our former director and one of the founders of the present Maryknoll Lay Missioners, Sam Stanton, is dying, and we had an unscheduled mass before lunch to pray for him and his family.
    Bishop John Stowe, OFM, of Lexington, Kentucky, is the main speaker tomorrow and one of my heroes for his strong stands on issues like working for peace and respecting the LGBT community.
    In the evening Marie Dennis spoke on hope in the modern world. Marie is one of the pillars of the American Catholic church for her advocacy on issues of justice and peace. She is currently a director of Pax Christi International.
    Many members of the larger Maryknoll community came to Marie’s talk along with all of us there for the anniversary.