December 29, 2014

The first reading, from Sirach 3, is always especially moving for me-

"God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even is his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of hour sins
- a house raised in justice to you.

These words are especially meaningful to me, reminding me of my son's care for his father when he was brought low by illness.

December 29, 2014

You may have a point re problems from cultures, but

I don't think that has to be. I wasn't taught to dislike or disdain other religions in my education, and in my working and professional life, I never had problems concerning religion.
However, coming to this and other forums on DU does help give me a window into the thinking of others' beliefs (or unbeliefs) that I might not get in everyday life.

December 29, 2014

I am a "cradle Catholic" who had sixteen years of Catholic education.

Both my father, of Irish descent, and my mother, of French-Canadian descent, were Catholic, and my social milieu has always been largely Catholic. My husband was also a life-long Catholic. So the religion becomes as much a cultural factor as a spiritual one. And I am content with that and expect to live out the remainder of my life in the manner by now a part of my identity.

I am interested in many aspects of religion, still seeking to find greater meaning in all life and the world present itself day by day.
I'm not interested in arguing re religion or much else for that matter, but do enjoy reading others opinions on religion and other topics presented.

December 29, 2014

When my pastor first introduced himself to the congregations

He quoted his mother re sermons:
Remember the 3 B's - be brief, be brief, be brief. He has pretty much stuck to 5 minute sermons, which leaves more time for the choir, which might be a good thing.
The pastor of another parish I frequently attend always begins with a joke - some good, others groaners. I don't think he preaches more than about 7-8 minutes, because we're invariably finished with Mass, there in about 40-45 minutes.

I believe Protestant ministers put more emphasis on sermons, and that they are trained in seminary on that aspect of worship more than R.C. candidates.
My personal opinion re R.C. priests and preaching is that we cannot expect all who are called to the priestly vocation to have the gift of eloquence and we should appreciate the their service for whatever talents they bring to it.

December 27, 2014

Based on his subsequent comments, the writer of the OP

does not advance his cause when he isn't familiar enough with his subject to refer to the words of Jesus he would have others adhere to.
A simple google pulls up the biblical accounts of the young rich man who obeys the commandments but turns away when Jesus suggests that he sell all he has and follow Jesus. Jesus then gives the "eye of the needle" parable, as recounted by several gospel writers.

December 25, 2014

Maybe eat a few chocolate chips right out of the bag.

Then imagine your Dad smiling about that.

December 24, 2014

One has to wonder why there aren't car imported from Europe, Asia, etc.

- countries which do not have an embargo on Cuba.

I understand that certain products have been imported.- cheese comes to mind, for one.
I also understand that the average Cuban could not afford an imported car under the low Communist pay scale.
Still, one would think that for the tourists who come from Canada and Europe, modern automobiles would be available.

December 24, 2014

You have to wonder what was the charity

that benefitted from this "performance."

December 23, 2014

My son married a woman born in Poland,

who belongs to a Roman Catholic Church for Polish people.
One of the side altars honors St. Faustina.
Although I had heard of Sr. Faustina and the Divine Mercy devotion, I wasn't aware of its depth among so many until my son's connection to it.
I attribute the growth and spread of the devotion to St. John Paul II.
It likely is more practiced in the parishes that are religiously conservative; those same parishes may also be more conservative politically.
One of the beauties of the Catholic church is the variety of cultural practices; we can choose which most closely fits our own beliefs and feels most comfortable to us.

December 23, 2014

Thanks for all you do for DU, Justin. nt