It occured to me today that Fr. Piotr might not be in Poland for a vacation.  I wonder if THIS isn't what he went for.  Granted, my overactive imagination could very well be at play, but considering each diocese is required to have one on stand-by as part of Canon law...

*Grin*  I love Fr. Piotr. 

Anyway, since Fr. Piotr is in Poland for the rest of this month, we've had a wonderful little monastic priest offering the Mass in his stead.  He is very soft-spoken, slow and deliberate in his speech.  I have no doubt this is very much due to his monastic lifestyle.  However, his homilies have grated on the nerves of parishoners around me.  They complain they can't hear him, that he doesn't make sense, or that he talks for too long.

Honestly, I can't help but smile when he gets up there anymore.  At first, I was taken a bit aback by his reiteration of the Gospel because I always look to a priest to expound rather than regurgitate.  However, it soon dawned on me that he wanted us to REALLY listen to the words of the Gospel and find deeper appreciation and understanding within them.  Sure, his homilies are upwards of 15 minutes, but I also realize this is probably the one shot he gets each week to actually speak to a congregation!  He's probably overjoyed with his blessing of filling in for Fr. Piotr!  Ha ha ha.  That thought alone makes me so happy, because I know what it is to yearn for connection through communication.  So my heart is happy for him throughout his homilies, and I'll make it a point to thank him for his time after each Mass until Fr. Piotr comes back.

I should also remember to be thankful for these lengthy homilies, as I'm given more time to sit in the Presence of the Tabernacle, which contains God, Himself.  Though unable to take part in Adoration (our parish doesn't currently offer that), adoring Him through the Tabernacle is the next best thing... akin to St. Joseph's adoration of the Christ-Child as he knelt before the pregnant Blessed Mother. 

Sometimes we forget that priests need love as well.  They're not simply there to pass out Communion for us so we can say "See, God?  I came to see You this week, now please grant all my requests."  They, too, are human with human needs, and we must be mindful that they, too, have struggles and pains like the rest of us.  Hug priests always tightly within your heart, and if ever you grow upset about the length of homilies or your inability to hear / understand his words, pray to the Holy Spirit that He may shower His Grace upon the homilist, or that He opens your ears and heart to his message. 

St. John of Nepomuk, pray for confessors.  St. Patrick, pray for Ireland, now entering into a frightful battle with Satan for the souls of its priests. 

Blessed Mother, pray for the Church, now enduring a temporal punishment for the grievous transgressions against her children. 

Holy Spirit, give us strength, comfort and protection. 

300 of Austria's 4,200 priests decided to sign a document stating they aim to misbehave.

Firefly references aside, this is again symptomatic of the growing epidemic of disobedience acting as a cancer within our Church.  Priests like this are the reason why there is so much confusion regarding Catholic teaching anymore.  How long have priests like this been speaking out against the Church from pulpits, in classrooms, in the confessionals?  How many souls have they confused with their willful disobedience to the Holy See?  I shudder to think of it!

Now all priests are entitled to their opinions on the workings of things.  If they see errors within the Church, it is their right to address those things that give them pause.  This defiant act of arrogance, however, is an entirely different beast. 

If I took issue with workplace policies, I wouldn't write up an essay decrying offenses and my personal path to rectify the issues, posting it for everyone to see.  I'm relatively certain I'd be fired (and rightly so!) for causing so much trouble when a simple conversation could've been had between myself and my superiors.  Instead, these priests are encouraging others to accept disobedience as acceptable on the basis of pride... arrogance!  This is EXACTLY the problem I have with the whole Fr. Corapi debaucle.  Shameful... these men need prayers, as do their superiors who are faced with the question of what to do with them.  I pray they have the guts to excommunicate every single one of them for firing off such blatant heresy. 

Again, people want to change the Catholic Faith to fit their own whims.  That's NOT how Catholicism works.  Accept that you're not Catholic and move on.  Don't drag others into your hellish cycle, please.

I find it interesting, however, that folks refuse to just leave the Catholic faith.  I think somewhere, deep inside, they know the Church of Rome is the True Church of Christ.  As a result, they want to constantly alter teaching to validate their own beliefs while "staying true to the Church."  Again, the Church cannot and will not ever change teachings on faith or morals.  Why?  Because the Church ever echoes the Word of God, and His Word never changes.  Thus, our teachings on faith and morals will never change either.

SO STOP TRYING!

Our pastor is away this month, visiting family in Poland.  We had a visiting priest this weekend, and he melted my heart before Mass!  I arrived very early because I wanted to spend some time in prayer before the Tabernacle.  Since we don't have Eucharistic Adoration, the time before the Tabernacle (or during Communion) is the closest I get.

Anyway, when I arrived at the church, I noticed our visiting priest sitting in the Sanctuary dressed in his alb and stole.  I thought for a second that he was there awaiting anyone looking for Confession.  So I found my pew and knelt in prayer. 

A few minutes later, I glanced up and noticed Father was still sitting in silent contemplation.  He was taking part in adoration as well!!!  That made me so happy!  He, too, wanted to bask in the Presence of Jesus.  I haven't seen a priest "prep" for Mass like this in such a long, long time.  It made me happy.  I hope all of them often get a chance to sit with the Lord in contemplation.  :)

Fr. Corapi, how do you intend to lead a flock towards Christ when you show no example of walking in the Light yourself? 

You are now disobeying DIRECT ORDERS from your superiors because of prideful arrogance.  Please, Father Corapi, do not forget this is exactly the first sin that Adam and Eve bestowed upon humanity. 

I truly do understand your anger and frustration regarding the methods of the Church, but they're put in place for a reason.  They exonerated Padre Pio, they glorified the work of St. Faustina, and even Jesus gained immense glory in humbling His Divinity before the chair of Pilate, remaining silent as horrible accusations were paraded before Him. 

You are leading faithful Catholics away from the Church.  These people are misguided, following you because the words you once spoke, the ones that were unified with the Church and endowed gracefully to you by the Holy Spirit, once filled them with love for Christ.  Now?  Due to your credibility with them, the foundation you've laid, it is so easy to lead them astray under the guise of justice.

This is NOT justice!  This is arrogance.  This is disobedience.  This is SIN.  Turn away from this path of self-aggrandizement.  Please!  For the sake of not just your own soul, but the souls of those who blindly follow you into discord with Christ's Church.  I beg of you.  Turn back to the Mercy of Jesus while there is still time to do so.  Don't become so far removed that you lose sight of the way Home.

And please, cease this foolish "Black Sheepdog" business.  I understand you fancy the term because it sounds so smart... so layered with metaphoric meaning.  You know what it represents, though?  It represents your WILLINGNESS to turn your back on the title chosen for you by God, Himself.  You would rather be known as a dog?  An ANIMAL?  Father Corapi, you were called to be a PRIEST - a FATHER.  How can you cast away such dignity?  How can you endure the darkness after having lived in the light? 

Fr. Corapi, come back, and take the rest of your wayward "flock" with you.  These people turned to you because you promised the Way of Christ.  This is NOT His Way.  Do not continue on this path.  Please.  The Blessed Mother and Christ cry out to you.  Heed their call!

You get two today simply because I finally read the SOLT press release concerning Fr. Corapi.  Prayers are needed for this currently misguided priest. 

I once again direct you to my Open Letter to Fr. Corapi.  *Shakes head*  This is a sad situation, indeed.  Heartbreaking not only to the thousands of converts and followers he's amassed, but for those he's leading astray and those who see where that misdirection is really headed.  Mary, Mother of Priests, please storm Heaven with your Angels in a fervent intercession for Fr. Corapi's enlightenment, obedience and repentance. 

Fr. Corapi, Jesus weeps for you and those you are leading away from Him.  Even though these are difficult times for you, do not turn away from His love and mercy.  Even if these allegations be false, God expects MORE from you than just arrogance and pride.  Obey your superiors, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you humble yourself to their wishes.  God cannot work through hardened hearts, so open yours to His Will and He will set the record straight in His time.  Do not continue on this path - come back, and bring with you those you've misled.  How can you not see the damage you are doing?  This goes against everything you once stood for. 

You're trading in your title of Father (given to you by Blessed Pope John Paul II, mind you!) for this "Black Sheepdog" concoction you relish in.  You are content to cast off your priestly ministry in order to follow your own path... in order to do things YOU see fit?  May Padre Pio and St. Faustina be your guides right now. 

Fr. Corapi, my prayers are with you.  They are especially with those are have been mislead and confused by your response to this situation.