Jim Mahoney's Blog - Sacred to Etc.

Sorry We're Closed - We're Open - May 28, 2012

These are the two signs that have appeared in our churches during the past year of the pandemic. Both expressed a message to support public health. Generally, people followed the messages when churches were closed. Now that they are open, people seem a little cautious, but hopeful.

The "Sorry We're Closed" sign set off a tremendous amount of activity in parishes. Each parish had to increase its connection with their people if their people did not physically enter their building. Parish music programs were uprooted, although some used creative ways to continue their music ministry. Parish programs quickly morphed into on-line experiences. People that had never picked up a computer manual in their lives suddenly become experts at ZOOM and a host of other things on the internet.

Although this is speculative, it does make sense that those parishes that had the most contact with their people found their people supporting their parish at levels almost approaching pre-pandemic. Parishes that do not do much to reach out to their people  - well, let's say - their results were predictable. Sigh.

I was intrigued by the quick shifts people made in order to at least have some experience of prayer and worship through live-stream liturgies. This happened far more quickly than I would ever have imagined. Now, with the "we're open" signs rapidly appearing in most parishes, we will face another phenomenon. What does it take - what must we do - so that people will feel comfortable in returning to buildings that were pretty much closed for the last few months.

As I look at what has happened in various segments of everyday life, it seems reasonable to suggest that the return will be staggered.  Because a bishop announces that the churches will reopen and that people can return to their parish church, while it might be nice, it does not generally mean that people will instantly change the habits formed during the pandemic and just return to church.

We look at the types of enticements being offered to people to get their vaccines - and the great success they have had in increasing the number of people being vaccinated.  Regardless of the approach that is used, it is not going to happen quickly or automatically. What will cause people to change their routine formed over the past year and return to the churches. Pastors and church ministers need to reach out to their people - and ask them - what can they do to make possible their return to church.

If it takes 20-50 days to build a habit, then how many days to help extricate themselves from the pattern of watching Mass on live-stream - and actually gingerly (sorry, atrocious grammar) head into church.

I'm going to start thinking about this  - why don't you do the same and share it with your parish leaders.  We are all in new territory here. The Eucharist is the heart of the Church - certainly the heart of being Catholic. How can we restore the exerience of worship and prayer that our people have missed for the past year? Easier said than done. Practical insightful minds need to figure this out.

Minimally, I figure it will take until the fall to see an appreciable difference. I would love to be proven wrong.

 

 

This is Jeopardy (but not mine - sigh) - May 21, 2021

 

I never was drawn to watching Jeopardy until I was fully retired. Not sure why, but that was the way it was.  I now tape and watch the episodes whenever I can.  In customary humility, I think of what  wonderful contestant I might be - a chance to easily $100,000 to help with rent, food, and everything else.  As with most of my imaginings, I am somewhat like a little kid at the midnight smorgasbord on an ocean cruise. Look at all the wonderful foods, especially the desserts. Must take as much as I can carry without calling too much attention to myself.

As you know, there are two versions of Jeopardy available: one are the reruns which still feature Alex Trebek as host. What a master of the experience. His light touch makes it look easy. Of course, it is not, but I can dream, or at least casually speculate that I could do that.   The version is more of a prime-time version - where, at present, different persons are trying out as guest hosts. I tape them all - and watch them quickly.

I have disabused myself of the idea that I could be a contestant on Jeopardy. Periodically, I keep score for myself. Sometimes, I do pretty good. Other times, shall we say, a little or even a los less good! (so much for good grammar)

The humiliating time is when I watch and, once in a while, do not get one single answer correct. Clearly, something is wrong with the TV. But it is fun. 

Next move is to load the app onto my phone to see how I do with that version. I have a hunch that another champion will not emerge.  As in many other experiences where I think something would be easy, it just is not. These contestants are really good. They often have a breadth and depth of knowledge that is impressive.  I can often answer a number of the questions, but never enough to be a contender. 

With my luck, I would be a contestant - the category would be religion - and the question would be:  Was Jesus a Cubs fan? I probably would receive not one cent. But the knowledge learned through watching Jeopardy is just fun and far more compelling than other things I could be doing.

What does this have to do with my field? Simple, there is a whole body of knowledge about Jesus and the Church that we each really need to try to know. I wince when you ask someone "what do you have to know to be a Catholic, and they answer confidently, The Ten Commandments. They should only be given partial credit because the answer is correct, but doesn't it make you wonder why they could not mention something Jesus said in the New Testament rather than something in the Old Testament? We do need to know the message of the Old Testament, the history of our salvation - and the message of the New Testament involving Jesus and the growth of the Church. Excuse the very inadequate example: it would be like breathing with just one lung and we have too lungs to use.  

I do perk up when one of the Jeopardy categories is Religion.  I'm pretty good at that area, thank goodness! But I['m also not perfect when it involves religions outside of our Judeo-Christian tradition.

Knowledge is good. We can all learn more. We can even discover that the more we learn, the deeper our faith.

So, if you're watching Jeopardy, know that I'm watching with you. And if you answer more questions than me - good for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nattering Nabobs of Negativism - May 14, 2021

There are certain words that are interesting to say. Here is one special phrase written by "William Safire and used by Spiro Agnew in a speech in 1970: nattering nabobs of negativism. This was a wonderful phrase. It was fun to say. Sadly I have never used this in a talk or homily, but this does not mean that it might not suddenly appear sometime. My hunch and hope would be sooner rather than later! Safire used words to paint pictures. Agnew used words to skewer.  Both were good at it.

You would be excused for questioning the purpose of the above paragraph in this post.  But I do have a point to make that occurred to me a week or so ago.

As I get older (and I apparently am getting older - and know a large number of people who are getting older as well - go figure!) I find that I resist being around negative people.  I can get sucked into their line of thought; they go over and over the same negative stuff and I just don't like it anymore.  While, in the past, I was never wild about all the negative talk on things, but I just can't take it anymore. It may be another welcome benefit of practicing transcendental meditation.

I'm seeing more clearly now. Since I fully retired from my two jobs, I realize that there now has come a time in my life when I have choices about what I do, who I see, whom I talk with, what I read, and all sorts of things. I even have choices about what I eat, what I watch on TV, and more frequently, what I think about. What is highly important on the list of things mentioned in the paragraph - is that I just do not want to spend time with negative people. They cannot totally be removed from my life - but I can take steps not to be around them if possible - and, most importantly - shield myself from letting their negativity overwhelm me and remain with me.  Being rather polite, I typically can look interested when I really hate to be in the presence of such people. I am quietly calling them a whole variety of names which at least amuses me a little!

I am especially sensitive to the really negative people who keep putting other people down. Must be nice to be perfect!I realize that I have been on my soapbox (a well-used soapbox at times) while pontificating about negative people. But in writing about nattering nabobs of negativism, it also brings me up short when I am negative. It is so unnecessary. Often it is so unkind. I have to avoid this in myself - and maybe this might nudge others to do so as well.

 

 

 

  

 

Mother's Day - Honoring our Mothers - and Mary, the Mother of God - May 7, 2012

 

Mother's Day is a day to honor our mothers and to honor Mary, the Mother of God. Pope Francis and other recent popes were known for their devotion to Mary. It is a great part of family life to honor our mothers on Mother's Day. (I am such a good son and member of the Church that I thought last weekend was Mother's Day.  I guess it is a good thing do make mistakes like this, lest I forget that I'm human - which seems to be happening a little more as the decades go galloping by.)

Mother's Day is a necessary and warm reminder of the role that our mothers play in our lives. There is no such thing as a perfect mother, a perfect priest, a perfect father, a perfect son or daughter, well, you know the drill. We are all human - some more than others! But it is a reality,

I would just like to suggest that we use this weekend as a time to really honor our mothers. If your mother has gone home to God, then pray for her. If she is still with you, pray for her. If needed, forgive your mother - as has probably forgiven you many times over the years. Thank God for all the sacrifices which she made for you - probably more than you ever realized.

True confession: I am much more appreciative of my mother now than I was decades ago. It has been a long time since I used to think of myself as the perfect child. I actually did think this until one day I just recognized that it was stupid, silly, and in no way accurate.

The connection with Mary, the Mother of God:  I believe that Mary shows us the passionate tenderness of God. It is a beautiful thought - and somehow our devotion to Mary is also linked with our prayers to God. 

Mary has been given a veritable plethora of titles in the history of the Church. Why do I mention this plethora? Simple, I like the word. I have not done much lately that I have found fun over the last several months. So why not indulge myself with using the word "plethora?"  Plethora. Plethora. Plethora. Then, I finally have it out of my system!

A few years ago, Mel Gibson produced a powerful film, the Passion of the Christ.  In that film, Maia Morgenstern, a Romanian actress, portrayed the role of Mary, Mother of Jesus.  While there are certain problems with the film's authenticity from the Gospels, there did not seem to be any problems with her acting. She was a phenomenal actress who brought to the role of Mary the power, the grace, the wisdom, the love, and the suffering all mentioned in the Scriptures. Most reviewers agree with me so I must be right!  She is an extraordinary actress who helped everyone appreciate in a much more complicated, yet direct way, the reality of the Mother of God.

 

Happy Mother's Day, everyone.  In the insightful words of Charlie Brown, "Survive!"