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C
ommunio . . .
September
26, 2004
To strengthen our shared life in Christ
through mutual participation and the free exchange of ideas.
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Community
of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380.
www.stmalachi.org
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Communio
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PREPARING TO VOTE
BY DR. MEGAN MCKENNA
(This article is an excerpt from the July/August PaxChristi USA newsletter, The Catholic Peace Voice. Introduction is provided by Fr. Tony Schuerger. Fr. Jim O’Donnell first found the article. The article is reprinted here with permission. Thanks to all!)
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[In their recent statement, Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility, our U.S. Catholic Bishops wrote: “In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation. All believers are called to faithful citizenship, to become informed, active, and responsible participants in the political process.” (#8) Perhaps the most fundamental way to participate is by voting. Responsible participation means informed voting. In the July/August issue of The Catholic Peace Voice, Dr. Megan McKenna offers some thoughts about how a person might prepare to vote in this year’s election. The following is an excerpt from her reflection article “We need to ask whether we are pro-birth or pro-life.” Originally printed by Pax Christi USA,
www.paxchristiusa.org; used with permission.]
Today U.S. Catholics and every U.S. citizen must look at the world in which we live – its massive ills, dwindling resources, greed and violence, wealth and misery, its many religions and nation-states, the work of the United Nations and the needs of the common good (usually defined as the largest number of people in the greatest need immediately) – and look at a candidate’s values and their overall record; and only then, vote for a candidate that one believes is the best hope for the human race, inclusive of the U.S. and every other country in the world.
Perhaps a number of things to keep in mind when deciding how to vote:
First, you must vote. Second, vote for the person you think will do the most amount of good (or the least amount of harm on all issues). Third, vote for the person you think will allow you to do the most good.
Fourth, look at all the issues – do not use one [issue] to decide what makes one a good human being in today’s complex world. Look at war and peace issues – the monies being spent on new nuclear weapons, destruction and killing as opposed to nation-building and debt reduction of poor nations. Look at poverty, especially its effects on children and women. Consider universal health-care and medication costs; unemployment and underemployment and a living wage; immigration and refugee laws; low-income housing and education. Find out the candidate’s position on working with the U.N. and allies and seeking non-violent solutions, in conjunction with building a safer society for all. Look at the environment, pollution, waste, clean air and water; natural resources and the responsibilities of wealthy nations for their tariffs; hard capitalism, global warming and debt. And then look at the more individualistic issues of same-sex marriage (affecting less than 3% of the population), euthanasia, stem-cell research, the death penalty (we are one of only 4 countries left in the world that practice it, even on children and the mentally retarded), abortion and the issue of pro-choice under existing U.S. legislation.
Fifth, remember that no government is really about the coming of God’s kingdom of peace with justice for all. We must become a Church that offers alternatives of hope, under existing legislation, for those who need our help in living their lives according to the Church’s values and beliefs. No government will ever abide by Jesus’ sermon on the plain, forgiveness of all (including enemies) and making sure that the least are taken care of first. This is our task at hand.
Sixth, talk to others about what you believe should be the priorities for all those in our country, and across the world as well. The judgment scene in Matthew 25 reminds us that we will be judged as nations and as believers in community and as individuals on what we have done for the least of our brothers and sisters, specifically in regards to food/water, shelter/clothing, medicine/healthcare, and prisoners; and whether we treated all 6.5 billion of our neighbors as we would Jesus, the Son of God.
And, finally, pray alone and with others, after reading and studying records and budgets to see if candidates actually did anything connected to what they campaigned on – (i.e. all the years that Republicans or Democrats against abortion have been in office – all but the last 8 years, did any of them change any laws or was it rhetoric repeated year after year?). Discernment takes time and input from others. Do not decide to vote on anyone’s say – not a bishop or buddy, a politician or a pope.
However, do read the Scriptures of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and observe carefully how Jesus deals with issues of marriage, poverty, the need for health and healing, aggression and living by the sword, forgiveness, living without harm to anyone – especially one’s enemies. Remember that justice is love expressed in terms of sheer human need and we are called to “love one another as I, your God, have loved you,” and those words are in the plural.
Are we pro-birth, pro-pre-birth, or are we pro-life, the life of everyone, from the womb to the tomb, rubbing shoulders with the survival needs of everyone? It has always been the case that we determine the way the largest number of human beings are treated by the way those least visible and least useful are treated, not the other way around. The task before us is staggering, but it is the task of everyone who believes in the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus – it is to love one another as we would love the person of Jesus – the way we love each and every person born and living in our world and those who come after us for the next seven generations. We must, in the end, be for LOVE, without violence or harm, with justice and mercy, with forgiveness and reconciliation and with peace on the earth for all.
Love, stretch your heart and mind and then….go vote!
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GETHSEMANI: AN OASIS IN THE MIDST OF A BAPTIST DESERT
BY FRANK SCHIROS
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(Frank is a member of St. Malachi Parish.)
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When Father Mathew Kelty, the resident scholar and historian, addressed us at an orientation, he described the settlement and origin of the monastery as a Catholic oasis in a Baptist desert. And so it is.
Every time I’m directed to my room, I put away my clothes; take a sigh of relief, and go to bed until dinner. I feel that I’m removed from the busy outside world and can attend to my spiritual and interior needs without feeling guilty that I’m leaving important responsibilities unattended. I’ve come here several times in the past few years with Phil Daley and other friends. We are all affected by this mystical solitude in the same way.
After the first day, we follow the Benedictine order of work and prayer that starts at 3 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Although we’re excluded from the work part of making cheeses and fruit cakes (which is the main industry of the monastery), we follow in the church the prayer routine of the monks.
There are several breaks in prayer hours and many attendees take personal quiet time to pray alone; contemplate the order of their lives; wander in the 2000 acres of monastery land, survey the library materials or find refuge in several quiet places on the grounds.
If you come with a troubled soul, there is always Father Kelty to talk to. He has a non
judgmental ear and perceptive mind. He doesn’t have a mean or judgmental
streak in his body.
If you attend his evening presentations after 8 p.m., you will be regaled by inspired quotations and readings of old scholars and pithy but humorous comments.
If you’re looking for a gourmet menu, forget it. The food will get you through the day with satisfactory meals – including a lot of cheese and cake. This refuge’s primary mandate is to feed and nourish the soul and not the body. There are no time limit restrictions for the day because many would prefer to pray and meditate late in the evening. There are night lights (quiet lights) all over the hostel and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is available all night. If you’re hungry, fruit and crackers are set out in the kitchen.
I was surprised to see as many women as men attending the retreat from Monday thru Friday. Masculine chauvinism is not practiced here. Arrangements are made for married couples as well. One of my friends even speculated that it would be a great place for couples contemplating marriage to come here and meditate on a marriage life commitment.
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A MALACHI MOSAIC
BY KAY VINE
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(Kay is a member of the Community of St. Malachi.)
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A church building holds a history of its people and its neighborhood. So, too, the church grounds. St Malachi’s is no exception.
During the past ten years the property surrounding St. Malachi Church has become a mosaic of memories. From the area of the original St. Malachi Church steps facing north on Washington Avenue, and Mary’s shrine just behind them to the front of the current St. Malachi Memorial Church facing west, as well as the area to the south of the garages and at the east end of the convent, annual flowers, shrubs, trees, perennial plants, and a bench honor many named and unnamed members.
These pieces of the mosaic come from many sources: collections among family, friends, donations from local greenhouses and garden centers, and gifts make as a ‘give back’ to the church and its people who give so much. Many plants came from inside the church where they beautified the altar for a wedding, funeral, memorial service, or holiday celebration. Others were given to designate a space such as the west side of the rectory grounds where the Lent/Easter Cross or Christmas crèche are placed. Some ground cover is from members’ yards to help fill in bare spaces. The peace pole too, is part of the planted mosaic. It represents the prayers and work of children of St. Malachi’s who chose 12 different languages and groups of people for a witness to peace in both the immediate neighborhood and our world.
Those who tend the grounds help keep the mosaic alive. They are church members, special volunteers and community service workers. They are friends from the rectory back door as well as far away suburbs.
To walk the church grounds and see the beauty and variety of God’s creation is a way to pray in thanksgiving for all that we have been given, to pray in remembrance of those who have gone before us and be reminded that the mosaic of greenery, colors and symbols outdoors at St. Malachi’s is a testament to the picture of life that we all create with the tiles of time, talent and treasure shared with others at our church.
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RECONCILING RELIGION, POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
BY FRANK SCHIROS
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(Frank is a member of St. Malachi Parish.)
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When running for president of the United States, the late John Kennedy declared, “I am not the Catholic candidate for president”. He said, “I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president who happens to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters – and the church does not speak for me”
It was a worthy statement for someone who wanted to represent all the people of America and not just Catholic voters. It is also noteworthy for Catholics to note that Kennedy won 78 % of the catholic vote in 1960.
Let us consider what’s at issue in the coming election for president in 2004.
However imperfect the Democratic Party is, it has represented the better interests of the people. When the party supported civil rights for Blacks, they lost the South. When they supported feminist rights, they lost some more votes. When they supported workers suffrage—as did the Pope—they lost big business. When they supported environmental, educational, national healthcare, fair taxation, and other issues, they not only lost corporate support but business went to war against the party.
It is up to Catholics and non-Catholics alike to consider the moral dimensions. It is also important to note that the issues raised by Roe vs. Wade were favored by a majority of Americans. What is more noteworthy is that a Catholic survey indicated: (1) by more than 2-to-1 that Catholic voters believed that bishops should not tell them how to vote; (2) 8 out of 10 Catholics do not believe that politicians who are Catholic are obligated to vote on issues the way Catholic bishops recommend; (3) 3 out of 4 Catholic voters disapprove of bishops denying Communion to Catholics who support legal abortion.
Isn’t it time for some Catholics to quit beating up on the Democratic Party for its stand regarding social concerns?
No one is demanding that the Church back down on its’ moral obligations and strictures regarding Catholics, but simply to consider the moral obligations of politicians who must represent all Americans and quit making “political mileage” out of the next election as the fundamentalist denominations have so expertly done.
Let’s consider the history of the Republican Party. However it has contributed to the economic power of the country, it still represents the corporate motto “WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE.” I think Herbert Hoover once said that.
Republicans want to play around with Social Security; they don’t protect the environment; they were very quiet about civil rights and workers suffrage; they didn’t consider that it was very manly to support the Feminist cause; and the corporate lobbyists always seem to run to Republicans screaming about national healthcare.
How then, have Republicans gained so much public support? They did it by insidious implication such as – “you can’t give n*****s the vote, they’re too ignorant”; “don’t listen to the feminist cause, they belong in the kitchen”; “why complain about low wages when you have a job”; “if you’re unemployed it’s the economy, stupid”; “polluting the environment – you have a job don’t you?”; “we’ll give you a tax break but THE RICH WILL GET AN EVEN BIGGER ONE”; “national healthcare? – but aren’t the healthcare corporations doing it cheaper?; “voters should watch Fox channels to find out what a good job Republicans are doing!!!”; “this is a dangerous world, everyone should keep an automatic gun in the house” – and so on and so on.
An interesting note is that my close family network includes at least five millionaires on our roster—all Republicans—and they all come from humble beginnings but they claim the laissez- faire Republican party made them rich!!!
A final commentary is – I’m an independent, liberal/conservative democrat and I’m tired of rainbow colored warnings of impending doom; I’m sad that a 1000 young men shed their blood in a pre-emptive war and thousands of killed civilian Iraqis will never experience democracy; I’m angry that my grandson (a marine) was injured in Iraq but the service is trying to fix him up so they can send him back to Iraq; and I’m really tired of seeing our selected President leap from a plane in an outlandish jump suit and declare, “WE HAVE WON THE WAR.”
P.S. for positive commentary, my e-mail at zorba2wo@aol.com and Republicans can complain to my cousin Nelson.
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Community of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380
216-781-3110 www.stmalachi.org
Sunday Community Mass 11 a.m. Parish Masses Sat. 4:30 p.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Holy day: Vigil 5:30 p.m., 7 a.m., noon. Weekday: 7 a.m., noon. Legal Holiday: 9 a.m.
We celebrate Children’s Liturgy of The Word every other Sunday, please see the Calendar.
For information on the Sacraments, please call the Community Office.
THE COMMUNITY OF ST. MALACHI is a lay-directed, non-territorial personal
parish of the Diocese of Cleveland. Although separate from the Parish of St.
Malachi, we join together for many worthwhile activities. All are welcome to
worship at the 11 a.m. Community liturgy on Sunday. Community members are
expected to actively contribute of their time, talent and treasure.
Communio is a monthly publication of the Communications Committee of the
Community of St. Malachi. Deadline is the second Sunday before publication. You
ease our task by submitting materials by E-Mail or on disk. All viewpoints of
interest to our Community in the context of our journey of faith are welcome
here. Viewpoints are those of the writers and not necessarily the teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church.
For e-mail delivery of Communio or Newsletter through CSM’s E-Subscription service, write
dasas@nccw.net
© 2004 Community of St. Malachi. Reprinting of articles originating in Communio
is encouraged – please contact the Editors for permission. |
Newsletter: Mary Englert
216-228-8417,
fax 216-861-5340,
14921 Lake Ave # 10, Lakewood 44107.
E-mail mtenglert@juno.com
Communio
Chief Editor: Joe Pulizzi
216-941-5054
E-mail joe_pulizzi@yahoo.com
Editor: OPEN POSITION
Please Contact Joe Pulizzi if you are interested in volunteering.
Volunteers to collate and staple:
Pam Pulizzi 216-941-5054
Volunteers to hand out after Mass:
Patrick Hornung 216–221–2949
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Copying and attachments: Kimberly Kramer, Ellen McIntyre and
Carol Lavelle
216-781-3110
St. Malachi Web Site: Mike May
Email stmalachiweb@catholic.org
Prayer Request: If you have a prayer request, please contact Carol Lavelle
216-781-3110
To receive CSM e-mail prayer alerts, contact Dolores Sullin at dasas@nccw.net.
Ron Perger
chairs
the Communications Committee.
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