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WE SHARE THE MAIL
Fr. Connolly:
Just wondering: Can a Catholic cheer for the Colts to win over
the Saints in Sunday’s Super Bowl? Or should we cheer for
the Saints when they come marching in on Sunday evening?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
I have always been suspicious of people who call themselves “Saints”.
That seems just a tad presumptuous to me. It makes me think
of the Pharisee who went up to the Temple to pray. So, with
that in mind, I think I’m on safe theological ground when
I say that I don’t think a Catholic has any obligation to
cheer for the New Orleans Saints when they come marching in on
Sunday evening. As for me, I’ll be rooting for the Colts.
You are, of course, free to do as you wish in this regard.
However, if you choose to root for the Saints, prepare to be
disappointed!
EBC
Dear Father:
I know you are familiar with the Mother Theresa quote, because
I saw it first in your bulletin. Perhaps you’re also familiar
with the quote from Pope John Paul II that appears lower in this
e-mail.
I got it off of the Catholic Answers website, www.catholic.com.
Jim
When Mother Teresa of Calcutta
was asked by Fr. Rutler, "What do you think is the worst
problem in the world today?" without pausing a second she
gave the reply: "Wherever I go in the whole world, the
thing that makes me the saddest is watching people receive Communion
in the hand." She stated that to her knowledge, all
of her Sisters receive Communion only on the tongue.
During his visit to Fulda (Germany) in November 1980, His Holiness
Pope John Paul II, responding to a reporter from Stimme des Glaubens
magazine, said the following: "There is an Apostolic
Letter on the existence of a special valid permission for this
[Communion in the hand]. But I tell you that I am not in favor
of this practice, nor do I recommend it."
I thought I would share these quotes with you, inasmuch as I
have shared them with my family. I myself believe this manner
of receiving the Eucharist shows the reverence of the faithful.
Dear Jim:
Many thanks for sending me this.
I do remember reading what Pope John Paul II said about “Communion
in the hand”. As I recall, I included that quote in a bulletin
many years ago, when I was in Pottsville. I’m glad you
reminded me of it, so that I can include it in this bulletin.
Just this past Friday (05 February), I celebrated Mass for the
Trinity Academy children (and a few adults) at Annunciation BVM
Church, Shenandoah. I asked the children (and adults) to allow
me to give them Holy Communion on the tongue instead of on the
hand. All of them cooperated admirably.
A few of the children were familiar with this manner of receiving
Communion. I’m sure some were not.
A number of years ago, whenever I celebrated Mass for the children
of All Saints School, I did the same. Later on, two little boys
(about 9 or 10) asked me, “Father Connolly, how come you
give us Communion on the tongue instead of the hand?” I
said, “Because I think that’s a better way to do it.”
One of the boys, entirely unprompted by me, said, “You
know something, Father? When you do that, it makes it seem holier!”
I thought to myself: Out of the mouths of babes!
The defense rests!
EBC |
Saturday,
06 February