 |
 |
|
|
EDITOR'S
ROUND-UP
|
|
|
Why did Jesus have to be crucified? Dear friends, Cindy tells a poignant story this morning about how she learned very late in life something about some suffering in her mother's past. She wished she had learned it much earlier in her own life as it helped her to come to a better appreciation of her mother. On the Katholica list in America I came across a similar story written about a priest. I'll omit the personal identifying details as I don't have time to get permission at this hour of the morning in the States but I find this story equally poignant. The writer was responding to the question: "How do these ordained guys sleep at night?" "[A]fter sleeping in rectories for 25 years I can't give you an answer. I take for granted that they sleep in beds , perhaps on their sides or their backs. I know that one of the pastors I worked with had not slept in a bed for 22 years; he came home from being a chaplain in WW2 shell shocked and psychologically ill, his bed covered with newspapers etc. while he slept on the floor in front of the TV reading his breviary at midnight. He had me removed from my parish [because he disagreed with my opinions on certain matters]. 25 years later he asked two young priests to find me at a post-funeral reception. When I approached him, he had been in AA for ten years, crippled he reached out his hand with a smile and that was enough. AA was more than likely the only community he belonged to. He died soon after, somewhat healed and this by loyal and loving parishioners. My heart goes out to the old priests; I am well aware of the harm many have done, including myself, and I encouage a sense of forgiveness as we were so poorly trained and in no way prepared for the massive changes in the church by Vatican Two." The telling of our stories is important! That's what Cindy is saying. In a different way, Ian is telling our bigger Christian story. And one final reminder about our competition which closes at midday tomorror. Entry is free and by email. See the full details on the front page of our website. Six bottles of excellent Australian wine up for grabs to be sent anywhere in the world you nominate and a copy of a special cd of Amanda McKenna's music.  |
|
|
|
|
|
OUR
COMMENTARIES FROM THE PAST WEEK...
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life, and in our world, Brian Coyne Catholica Australia |
|