We should never underestimate the importance (or power) of practicing what we preach.

“When Unbelievers hear the words of God on our lips, they are amazed at their beauty & power, but when they see that those words have no effect in our lives...they dismiss such words as myths.” (From a 2nd century Homily). To what degree does that commentary apply to our lives? (Bishop Paul Bradley)

Bishop Paul Bradley of Kalamazoo, MI, is a friend from our school days at Saint Meinrad. He has always had a keen love for the poor, and he serves his diocese with grace and humility.

The Benedictine Way—my new book. Coming soon. In it, I offer personal reflections on the way of life taught by St. Benedict and lived by Benedictine men and women for 1500+ years.

Here is an excerpt:

My  first encounter with the Benedictine way of life happened nearly 50 years ago in August of 1967. I arrived sight unseen at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana as a college freshman totally unprepared for what I was about to experience. My time at Saint Meinrad as a student (1967-71), a novice and monk in temporary vows (1971-75), and a development staff member (1979-88) changed my life, slowly but surely teaching me how to live a reasonably happy and productive life the Benedictine way.

Now, five decades later, I can see more clearly how I was formed intellectually, emotionally and spiritually by Benedictines.  They helped me deal with, but not totally eliminate, the chaos inside me and all around me.  They  taught me how to live in a loving, unselfish way as a disciple of Jesus Christ. And they helped me accept myself as a sinful man who had been forgiven and redeemed by a merciful, all-loving God.

Like  all my books, The Benedictine Way was a labor of love. It was also a way of expressing my deep gratitude and appreciation for all the gifts I have received from men and women living the  Benedictine way.

Special to The Criterion
November 13, 2017

100th Anniversary of Bishops’ Conference urges “looking forward” as well as “looking back”

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson’s first fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as Archbishop of Indianapolis was an historic occasion, the 100th anniversary of the bishops’ conference. One hundred years ago, in response to the immense human suffering and displacement of people brought about by the First World War, the American bishops came together as never before to bring the Gospel message of hope and joy to immigrants who came to the New World seeking security and a better life.

Much has changed in the past 100 years, but the bishops’ mission is the same: To be the welcoming arms of Jesus Christ for all who come to this country seeking freedom, justice and economic well-being. The bishops’ stance toward immigration was not always understood, or popular, a century ago. But it was grounded in the Church’s absolute conviction that every human person is made in God’s image and is, therefore, worthy of dignity and respect.

As Archbishop Thompson reflected on this anniversary, he noted, “Our celebration of the centenary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops marks a wonderful milestone in the collegiality and unity of the U.S. Bishops with one another and the Holy Father.  Marking the 100th Anniversary of our Conference, noting that each bishop is a successor to the apostles, impresses upon me the link of my own ministry with all those who have gone before, are currently serving and to come after me.  The Church in the United States has known some incredible shepherds, not the least of which include Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget of Bardstown and Bishop Simon Brute of Vincennes.”

Pope Francis’s personal representative in the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio, brought greetings from the Holy Father. But he also brought a challenge. Quoting Pope Francis’s remarks during his recent trip to Colombia, the Nuncio said, “The essential things in life and in the Church are never written in stone, but remain a living legacy.” Archbishop Pierre went on to remind bishops—once again in the Holy Father’s words—that their mission requires passion:

“We need to have the passion of young lovers and wise elders, a passion that turns ideas into viable utopias, a passion for the work of our hands, a passion that makes us constant pilgrims in our churches…I ask you for passion, the passion of evangelization.”

These stirring words, and the experience of this historic meeting, prompted Archbishop Thompson to say: “ I am also reminded of a prayer found in the Church's Liturgy of the Hours, imploring the Lord to not leave the shepherd without a flock nor the flock without a shepherd, which only increases my gratitude for the wonderful clergy, religious and laity that make up the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  Together, as members of both the local and universal Church, we are the Body of Christ called to give witness as missionary disciples to the joy of the gospel.”

There was plenty of passion on display as the American bishops discussed at length the challenges we face today in the areas of abortion, immigration reform, racism, gun violence, physician assisted suicide, protection for the rights of conscience among healthcare providers and employers and other “headline issues” of our time. Political advocacy is crucial but so is the moral education of our people and, above all, the conversion of hearts.

As the Apostolic Nuncio reminded the bishops, Pope Francis urges all of us to beware of “the gray pragmatism of the daily life of the Church, in which all appears to proceed normally, while in reality faith is wearing down and degenerating into small-mindedness.” Once again, passion, not pragmatism, is what should characterize the ministry of bishops, successors of the apostles called to be in “a permanent state of mission.”

Archbishop Thompson’s reflections on his own call to passionate ministry on behalf of the people of central and southern Indiana says it all: “Perhaps a personal renewal to the universal call to holiness and mission is the best way for me to celebrate this grand centennial moment in  the history of the Catholic Church in the United States.  To that end, I ask all to please pray for me.”

Daniel Conway

Archbishop Paul Etienne, Cardinal Joseph Tobin and Archbishop Charles Thompson

I’m in Baltimore attending the annual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It’s always a fascinating experience. These are the successors of the apostles, a motley crew of middle-aged and older men who, I believe, are doing their best to shepherd the Church in the United States. In spite of their human weakness and sinfulness, they are working hard to preach the joy of the Gospel to a weary, doubting world.

Whenever I attend bishops’ meetings, I think of the late Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly who I worked for in Louisville and who I loved and deeply respected until he died just a few years ago. +TCK was a flawed human being (he would freely admit) but he was also a passionate man who cared for his people and for his Church. He told funny stories that always hit home in powerful ways. He loved the poor and was keenly aware of the suffering of others. He didn’t put up with foolishness and he could not stand being in the company of egotistical people who were only interested in their own agendas.

He had served as Secretary of the bishops’ conference before Pope John Paul II sent him to Louisville. He loved the body of bishops and was keenly interested (and involved) in their affairs long after his years of service were ended. At the annual meetings, he would walk up and down the aisles passing out notes to brother bishops. (This was before texting was an option.) He would remind them of past discussions or point out things that others might not know. He didn’t want to be in the spotlight, but he definitely wanted to contribute to whatever the issues of the day were.

I imagine that if he were here in Baltimore this week, +TCK would relish the 100th anniversary celebration. But he would also remind his brothers that the issues being discussed are far from new and that we are nowhere near addressing them completely. Immigration, gun violence, racism, life issues and the challenges of religious education and evangelization are challenges that are never solved once and for all.

The most bishops can do is reaffirm the absolute importance of human dignity as the bedrock principle of the Church’s moral and social teachings. That message needs to be heard over and over again along with the Gospel call to conversion, a radical change of heart.

Thomas Cajetan Kelly, O. P., pray for your brother bishops and the whole Church as we seek to follow Jesus on the path to life!

Archbishop Charles C Thompson of Indianapolis is attending the annual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. 

As we celebrate the centennial of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I take this moment to express my deepest admiration for so many wonderful brothers in Apostolic service to the Church. Please pray for your bishop and our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

From the pope’s representative to the United States:

On the opening day of the US bishops' plenary assembly, Archbishop Christophe Pierre addressed the gathering, encouraging them to prioritize youth, the mission of evangelization, and Christ himself.

 “I offer you the example of the patroness of your country, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as someone who went forth with a sense of urgency” to share the joy of Christ with her cousin, Elizabeth, the apostolic nuncio to the US said Nov. 13 in Baltimore, Md.

 The archbishop noted that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and urged that in addition to remembering the past, they must look to the forward, avoiding “small-mindedness” and recommending three things about which to be passionate: the youth, the mission of evangelization, and the Lord himself.

Father Mark Spalding, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Louisville, is an outstanding preacher. In his homily last night, he told us three things (my paraphrasing, not his exact words):

1. Take death seriously.

2. Choose your friends carefully.

3. Know that “no” is often the most loving thing you can say.

I have been thinking about these three things (itself the mark of a good homily), and I can offer the following brief reflections:

1. I am not ready to die. Is anyone really? But I am eager to be with my deceased parents, grandparents, family and friends. I miss them and pray for them every day. I refuse to believe that they have vanished and are no more. They taught me to believe that love is stronger than death and that hope springs eternal. If that not’s not taking death seriously, I don’t know what is.

2. I don’t take any credit for choosing them, but I have been blessed with amazing friends my whole life. My oldest friend, DJ Champion, is no longer with us, but our friendship endures. I still have friends from elementary and high school days, from college, from my professional life and from the places I’ve lived. They are a joy, a precious gift to be treasured and a real comfort especially during hard times. I thank God for my friends. Always.

3.  I don’t say “no” very well— especially to the people I love. I guess that’s a problem for them and for me. If the best love is “tough love,” I’m not doing very well. You might say that I am a pushover, an old softy. I give in almost immediately and, so, have a hard time saying “no.” Something to work on in my old age!

Thank you, Father Mark. As always, you’ve given me much to think about—and much to be grateful for.