Saint Aidan Catholic Church - Livonia, MI
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Catholic Politicians Abetting Abortion & the Reception of Holy Communion

11/28/2021

 
The beginning of the Season of Advent is an especially good opportunity to explore one of the most contentious issues the Church in these United States is wrestling with right now: should Catholic politicians that publicly declare their support for abortion, and even actively promote it, receive Holy Communion?  Quite frankly, it is a sad state of affairs that we even have to contemplate such a question, but such is the state of the Church, riddled as it has been by decades of complacency and a squeamishness to give witness to the truth, regardless of the cost.  But I digress.  If ever there was a time for us to set about rebuilding our integrity as a Church on this matter, Advent is the time.  First, the theme of the first half of Advent is the Second Coming of Christ, when we will all have to give an accounting of what we have done, or not done, for the least among us.  Second, in the other half of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord.  The joy of Christ’s birth, as St. Pope John Paul II wrote in “The Gospel of Life”, is reflected in the joy at the birth of every child.

​The fact of the matter is, when Catholic politicians willfully promote objectively immoral actions, in this case abortion, they are denying an essential truth the Catholic Church has the responsibility to protect and promote: the inalienable dignity of every human being.  When Catholic politicians publicly advocate for abortion, they are declaring that they are not in full communion with the Catholic Church.

This is the objective reality; it is not a judgment on the state of these Catholic politician’s souls.  We don’t know if the politicians in question were properly catechized, or truly ignorant of the truth, or even cognitively impaired.  “Are they in a state of mortal sin?” is not the essence of the matter when determining whether or not they should receive Holy Communion.  A Catholic politician who promotes what Pope Francis recently called the “homicide” of the unborn (September 15, 2021) is objectively in a state of serious estrangement from the Church, regardless of the state of their soul.  They should not act like they are in full communion with the Church.  For the sake of their own integrity, Catholic politicians who support and promote abortion should not present themselves for Holy Communion.  If they persist in their stance even after instruction and counsel, they should be denied It, for what is the act of receiving Holy Communion but a visible expression of an internal unity between oneself and Christ and His Church?

There are a number of issues at stake here, one being scandal.  What message are Catholic politicians who support and promote abortion sending to their co-religionists when, having taken a public stance that places them outside of full communion with the Church, nevertheless insist on receiving Holy Communion, which is the visible expression of a union they themselves eschew?  This is scandal, a stumbling block for others, and may even cause some members of the Church to lose their faith.  Jesus says, Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6).

Another issue at stake here is the efficacy of the sacraments.  While it is true the Church here on earth is not a gathering of the saved but a refuge for sinners, the Church has a priority right to the integrity of its belief and practice.  Yes, the sacraments possess a supernatural power that brings sinners to salvation, but sinners are only saved when they acknowledge their sin.  Christ extends to us salvation, but it is on His terms, not ours.

Finally, I have three more matters for consideration.  First, taking a definitive stance on withholding Holy Communion from Catholic politicians who support and promote abortion begins the restoration of our Church’s tattered integrity.  Truth lives, and it must be proclaimed. Doing so is a good in itself, even if the results we would like to see are not immediately forthcoming (in the near term we won’t see positive results).  Second, this whole matter is for all of us a swift kick in our complacency.  With around 70% of Catholics not knowing, or outright denying, Christ’s Real Presence in Holy Communion; with each of us also being sinners, and perhaps harboring stances that are at variance with what the Church teaches - but who have the luxury of them not being public - are we really in a position to be receiving Holy Communion, or at the very least, as often as we do?  Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.  That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.  But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged (1 Corinthians 11:28-31).  Third, this is not a matter of the Church imposing religious beliefs on anyone, or compelling Catholic politicians to do the same in the legislative choices they make.  That every human being has inalienable dignity is not a religious belief.  A legislator who votes for the legality of abortion and abortion rights is the one who is actually doing the imposing.  “To claim that one has a right to act according to conscience, but without at the same time acknowledging the duty to conform one’s conscience to the truth and to the law which God himself has written on our hearts, in the end, means nothing more than imposing one’s limited personal opinion” (St. Pope John Paul II, Respect for Conscience: Foundation for  Peace - 1991 World Day of Peace Message).

David J. Conrad

Mass for the First Sunday of Advent - 11/28/21

11/28/2021

 

Blameless in Holiness

11/28/2021

 
This First Sunday of Advent, all three of the Scripture readings speak of the coming of Christ. The Old Testament reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah talks about the first coming of Christ: “I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land.”

​Both the New Testament reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians and the Gospel of St. Luke talk about the second coming of Christ: “to be blameless in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones…” and “then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory…” Both of these readings exhort us to be ready and vigilant; to conduct ourselves to please God and “pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent…” to be ready for judgment. I am guessing that this is what it means to be “blameless in holiness…” The answer is to live all our now moments as if they were our last—as if now is the moment of final judgment. This moment, this place; here and now is the time of relationship with God. Here and now are the present and the future of our salvation.

In thinking about Christs’ coming again we may also consider a third coming: His arrival in the Paschal Mystery⎯in the Word and Sacrament and in the members of the Assembly (we, the Body of Christ). We participate in this “coming” every day of our lives. The coming of Jesus into our hearts is a life-long process by which we are eventually judged.

We know that Christ has come; we know that in history God made His presence known in His love for us, but we also await His return at the end of time. Jesus reminds us today to be vigilant and alert in our waiting. We are called to live between the already and the not yet. So, what do we do while we wait? Be blameless in holiness…

The Psalm today tells us clearly what to do: “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul; to you, I lift my soul.” This is a prayer of plan and method, a way and an attitude of waiting for His next coming. In the meantime, in the here and now, we experience the presence of Christ in the mystery of the Word and Sacrament, in Eucharist and in Community; in a relationship with God through relationship with each other. We raise our voices together in thanks and praise, believing what we sing and singing what we believe. May we always and in all ways lift our souls to the Lord!

Last weekend we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. The image of the Crown of Christ comes down from the cross to become the symbol of the next season: The Advent Wreath. Today we light the Advent Wreath⎯an image of a circle of light. Many things may be represented by this Advent circle-symbol: enduring union, rings (God’s everlasting love), safety (the circle of family and friends), protection, (circle the wagons!). The circle of the Crown of Christ the King converted into the circle of the Advent wreath⎯one circle becoming another⎯with all the symbols (enduring love, safety and protection) that this circle implies. One season flows to the next; everything is made new. This is the hope of our belief in the face of future judgment.

We await the final coming of Christ In the Day of the Lord; we celebrate His first coming at Christmas, and we live His coming in our hearts every day. As we light our Advent wreaths in Church and at home, we praise God for all the advents of His son: yesterday, today and forever. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, God with us!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just a note: Don’t forget to start the new liturgical year by attending our St. Aidan Music Ministry’s Christian Service Project to refill the food pantry for Christmas: “An Advent Pageant: Cradle, Cross and Crown” takes place on Sunday, December 12 at 4: 00pm.This is a great way to prepare for our King’s coming celebration of Christmas. Come to listen, sing and pray together as we support our parish project to feed the poor and needy. See you there!

Another Note:   Here is a song about wanting holiness, faithfulness and righteousness.

God Ruling Nations From a Tree

11/21/2021

 
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Here is a rather striking and powerful crucifix in a side chapel of the Cathedral of Salamanca, Spain.  I share this image with you this weekend because we are celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and on this crucifix we see Christ wearing a crown and looking out upon us all.  Christ sees all; He embraces all as He works our redemption.  In our second reading this weekend from the Book of Revelation, we read that Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5).  Nothing better highlights and celebrates all of this (in my humble estimation) than an ancient hymn entitled: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt - Abroad the Regal Banners Fly.  The hymn was composed by Venantius Fortunatus in 569 and has been called one of the grandest hymns in the treasury of the Latin Church, and “one of the most stirring strains in our hymnology.”  I pray that this image of the crucifixion, as well as the hymn, will help us “render Christ’s majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim His praise.”

David J. Conrad

Abroad the Regal Banners fly,
Now shines the Cross's mystery;
Upon it Life did death endure,
And yet by death did life procure.

Who, wounded with a direful spear,
Did, purposely to wash us clear
From stain of sin, pour out a flood
Of precious Water mixed with Blood. 

That which the Prophet-King of old
Hath in mysterious verse foretold,
Is now accomplished, whilst we see
God ruling nations from a Tree. 

O lovely and reflugent Tree,
Adorned with purpled majesty;
Culled from a worthy stock, to bear
Those Limbs which sanctified were. 

Blest Tree, whose happy branches bore
The wealth that did the world restore;
The beam that did that Body weigh
Which raised up hell's expected prey.

Hail, Cross, of hopes the most sublime!
Now in this mournful Passion time,
Improve religious souls in grace,
The sins of criminals efface.

Blest Trinity, salvation's spring,
May every soul Thy praises sing;
To those Thou grantest conquest by
The holy Cross, rewards apply. Amen

Mass for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - 11/21/21

11/21/2021

 

The Truth

11/21/2021

 
In our day and age, and according to Scripture, there is much contention to what is truth. I looked up “truth” in Webster and here is what it says: sincerity in action, character and utterance; a transcendental or spiritual reality; the quality or property of keeping close to fact and avoiding distortion or misrepresentation; in accordance with fact. Lots of food for thought in those definitions for truth—most especially these days…

​Jesus is Christ the King because “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” We follow Him and name Him King because He is the truth. This had to be confusing to Pilate because Jesus did not claim royal lineage or military power and might, but He claimed a kingship based on His being a witness to the truth. What is this truth? God loves the world; God wants all persons to love Him; God loved us so much He became human, God wants us to act always in mercy and love.

​Our liturgical year “crescendos” in this Feast of Christ the King. We celebrate a different kind of king—one Pilate and many others don’t understand then or now—a king who “testifies to the truth.” There are no “alternative facts” in our truth as believers: you either believe and act in love as you are called to do, or you are a hypocrite. We are called to walk the walk—not to just talk the talk.

The beauty of our Catholic Christian faith is how we celebrate this truth about God in our whole liturgical year. Our liturgical year helps us to seek the truth, to rediscover and deepen this truth of Jesus Christ every day. We start our year next weekend with Advent: we are encouraged to listen; to wait expectantly for that voice that summons us to a deeper awareness of God who entered our human history as a baby. In Christmas we celebrate the Gospel of Jesus born into the world to save us; He is the manifestation in flesh of God.

We follow a path of prayer, penance and self-giving during Lent to prepare ourselves for the great Paschal mystery of Easter. At Pentecost we renew our belief in the activity of the Holy Spirit in our world, and our empowerment as Christ’s Disciples. In the long stint of Ordinary Time after Pentecost, we try to delve more deeply into the truths of our beliefs and to find them present in our daily lives and choices.

So, who is your King? To what do you testify? What is your truth? The truth about God must enter us and possess all aspects of our lives. We gather each weekend of our liturgical year to celebrate and to remember that we belong to the truth, and that we acknowledge Jesus as King of our hearts and minds and all that is created. As we celebrate this Feast today, pray that we may live and witness the truth of Christ, our King. Strive for that sincerity of action, character, and utterance every day and always. Be “truth” in the world.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Doom

11/14/2021

 
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Doom!  Doom, I say!  Prepare for your doom!  Our Gospel reading this weekend is all about our doom, a reminder that we will all have to give an accounting of our lives; that Christ will come again as Righteous Judge.  The word “doom” originates in the Old English dóm, Old Saxon dóm, and Old Norse dómr, meaning a formal judgment or sentence.  “All unavoided is the doom of destiny,” says Richard III.  “What, will the line stretch out to th’ crack of doom?” asks Macbeth.  We dread doom, of course.  Yet we are also fascinated by it.  That we know it is coming is an unavoidable certainty; that Christ warns us not to get caught up in determining when it will occur is a certainty too.  Christ doesn’t specify when God’s kingdom will come in its fullness.  Instead He warns us to persevere in following Him, no matter how difficult discipleship becomes.  We must be ready for God’s kingdom without presuming to know exactly when and how it will come upon us.  Let us pray for the grace of perseverance in the faith to the end.

David J. Conrad

Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)

​Day of wrath! O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophets' warning,
Heaven and earth in ashes burning!

​Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth.

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth;
Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth;
All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking,
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.

Lo, the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded,
Thence shall judgement be awarded.

When the Judge his seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?

King of Majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Think, kind Jesu! – my salvation
Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation;
Leave me not to reprobation.

Faint and weary, Thou hast sought me,
On the Cross of suffering bought me.
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution
Grant Thy gift of absolution,
Ere the day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning!

Through the sinful woman shriven,
Through the dying thief forgiven,
Thou to me a hope hast given.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying.

With Thy sheep a place provide me,
From the goats afar divide me,
To Thy right hand do Thou guide me.

When the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me with Thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart's submission,
See, like ashes, my contrition,
Help me in my last condition.

Ah! that day of tears and mourning,
From the dust of earth returning
Man for judgement must prepare him,
Spare, O God, in mercy spare him.

Lord, all-pitying, Jesus blest,
Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen.

Mass for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - 11/14/21

11/14/2021

 

End Times

11/14/2021

 
You only need to glance at the readings for today—the Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time—to realize that the liturgical year is drawing to a close. We hear visionary texts describing end times, the rapture, the apocalypse (which means revelation or unveiling), when Jesus returns in glory. The Prophet Daniel in this week and next weeks’ First Reading writes about the “Son of Man” coming at the end of time. As we near the end of this long period of Ordinary Time, the readings also reflect “end times.” As we think of the end of our time on earth─after all we just celebrated All Saints and All Souls─we know that for us there are two end times: one at the end of our physical lives; and one at the end of time: the Parousia. In Catholic theology we understand this as a time of redemption, a gathering of the elect into God’s arms.

​The vision of judgment from the Book of Daniel may strike as much fear as hope in our hearts. “Some shall live forever, but others shall be in everlasting horror and disgrace.” Wow! However, the reading continues, “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” We know the end will come, that we should face it with confidence and in the sure hope of our reunion with God in eternal life. If we are wise… This First Reading and the apocalyptic imagery of the Gospel should be a “wake-up” call in our earthly lives and choices.

Yet, we who believe are called to live in hope. It is hope that shapes our lives. Today we sing the Responsorial Psalm (#16): “You are, O God, my inheritance; I have all I need.” With that in mind, in our hearts and on our tongues, we need not fear. It is important that we live “resurrected lives” that reflect the hope and joy of which Daniel writes. Our worship should also reflect the anticipation of this hope and joy; and that we witness our commitment to this belief by what we say and do, both in church and out. Every time we celebrate the Mass, we remember the Christ who came, who died and rose, and who will return to gather all of us for a new existence in the new and eternal Jerusalem. We have a foretaste of the heavenly banquet right here and now; and we are joined to heaven in the Eucharistic prayer.

As always, we understand that the ending of one thing is the beginning of another. We see the advent of Advent, the coming ending of Ordinary (counted) Time. We know that the change in seasons is upon us (how many shopping days left?).  We will soon light the Advent Wreath, expand the Kyrie, leave off the Gloria, change some acclamations for the new season and sing different—Advent—hymns. We will prepare for the annual celebration of the historical birth of Christ and for His birth in our hearts, and we continue to prepare for His return at the end of time.

Today, however, we gather to give Glory and Praise to Our God, to Taste and See the Word and Eucharist in Community. In the Day of the Lord The King of Glory, our hope of eternal life, will return. In the meantime, here is some advice: be busy about your mission here and now. “The King Shall Come When the Morning Dawns, and light triumphant breaks, When beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes!” O God, we look forward to the “fullness of joys in Your presence.”

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

You Are All We Have

11/10/2021

 
Today in the First Reading and in the Gospel, we hear two stories about widows—the most poor and vulnerable in the society of Jesus’ time—persons without resources, influence and power. The Hebrew word for widow is almanah, which means: “unable to speak” or “to be in pain.” Widows were silent and helpless and lacked legal status exposing them to oppression and harsh treatment.  Jesus makes the contrast between those who have (the scribes with seats of honor and places at banquets) and those who have not (the widow).  In contrasting the gifts given by the rich and by that of the poor widow, Jesus teaches His Disciples (and all of us) a powerful lesson about generosity of heart, and the nature of true “religion.” This is a very timely lesson nowadays; ask yourself: Who are the scribes and who are the widows of our society?

​There was a story about a man who had heart bypass surgery. For recovery they have you do an exercise program, and it was emphasized that he must do this program “religiously.” He goes to the doctor who asks him if he has been exercising. He replies, “Yes. Religiously.” “How is it going?" the Doctor asks. He said, “Well, at first, it was kind of tiring doing all those exercises once a week ...” “Once a week!” the Doctor exclaimed. “Yeah,” he replied, “you know, you said to exercise ‘religiously.’ So just like church, I do them every seven days.”

Christ is the pattern the example and paradigm of true and complete generosity and sacrifice, in that He gave Himself as atonement for our sins. (We sing: “We Remember how He loved us to His death…”) Today Jesus speaks of the widow who contributes from her poverty and not her surplus wealth. She must have understood that all she had came from God, and how could she not share!

There is a hymn I love: ‘You Are All We Have.’ The refrain words are: ‘You are all we have. You give us what we need. Our lives are in your hands, O Lord, our lives are in your hands….Verse: ‘All good things, Lord, all good things that I have come from you…How wonderful are your gifts to me, how good they are!’ In the light of understanding that all good gifts come from God, how can we dare to turn from generosity and give back our time, talent and treasure? (Do you have a Ministry yet?)

We are all dependent on God, and it is up to us to be His arms, His hands, His feet and His hugs for those around us who need our care, solace, empathy and generosity. Living ‘religiously’ is a 24-7 proposition—not just on Sundays where we can be seen in “seats of honor.” As we near the end of this liturgical year, we are challenged to think about end times—our own and this world’s—so there is no room or time for procrastination or excuses. We better get busy!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc
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    Authors

    David J. Conrad, M.A. Theology. Our Director of Faith Formation.

    Paul Pyrkosz. Our Youth Minister & Bookkeeper.

    ​Elizabeth Dyc. Our Director of Music Ministry.

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St. Aidan Catholic Church
17500 Farmington Rd. 
Livonia, MI 48152
Phone: 734-425-5950
office@saintaidanlivonia.org

Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m.

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