EAGLES FLY AT ST ED’S

Over the last years, quite a few of our parish young men involved in scouting have become Eagle Scouts. This is a real accomplishment which only a small minority of scouts achieve. Our latest Eagle is Kris Johnson. As his Eagle Scout project he did some environmental enhancement around the pond on our grounds. He organized fellow scouts from Troop 473 to remove over 9 trailer loads of invasive, non-native plants such as buckthorn. Kris also built and installed some composting bins for parish use. They are beautifully crafted out of cedar wood. Thank you so much, Kris, and fellow scouts, and congratulations on your achievement.


THE COMING DEMOCRATIZATION OF THE CHURCH CONFERENCE

If you have ever wondered whether the present structure of the Catholic Church has existed since its earliest days, then Call To Action-Minnesota's Fall 2009 conference will offer you plenty of food for thought.  And what about the church in America?  How has it evolved?  And do all institutions currently functioning within the church reflect the same leadership style? These questions and many more will provide material for lively discussion when CTA meets at St. Edward’s on Saturday, October 31. Doors will open at 8:00 for check-in and a light continental breakfast.

The day's presentations will start at 9:00 am with Dr. Robert McClory, whose most recent book, As It Was in the Beginning: the Coming Democratization of the Catholic Church, provides the theme for this day's gathering. Dr. McClory will talk about the structure of decision-making in the early Church. Robert McClory is an associate professor emeritus of journalism at the Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is a recipient of Northwestern's Excellence in Teaching Award and a member of the Medill Hall of Excellence. His work has won many awards, including the first place award in 2007 in the history category from the National Catholic Press Association.

The second speaker, Dr. James O'Toole, wrote the book, The Faithful, which examines the historical development of Catholic identity, practice, and culture from colonial times to the present. O'Toole speaks of the six ages of American Catholicism, and describes vast differences in Catholic expression at various periods of the nation's history. The church, O'Toole points out, has changed a great deal since Catholics settled in American, and it can continue to change. James O'Toole is professor of history at Boston College. For many years he worked as an archivist, including eight years as archivist for the Boston Archdiocese. The recipient of a Mellon Foundation Research Fellowship, O'Toole has written ten books and numerous articles.

The day's third speaker will describe the way in which an institution flourishing for centuries within the church models an alternative leadership style. Cecelia Prokosch, OSB, is a member of St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN. She has served for many years in leadership capacities within her community. The Benedictine process of decision-making derives directly from the ancient Rule of St. Benedict and is still implemented in all Benedictine monasteries around the world.

Rounding out the day will be lunch and a question and answer session featuring all three speakers. If you are interested in attending, you must call Bill or Judy McGuire, 612-927-6825, by October 27 so that we have an accurate lunch count. On the day of the conference, you can then register at the door, pay a special fee of $10 for the lunch, and pick up your nametag.

It should be a great day. 

BAH HUMBUG UPDATE

As I wrote last month, the Archbishop has issued a dictate that parishes cannot have their Christmas Eve Masses earlier than 4:00 pm. For some 20 plus years, St Ed’s has had a 3:00 pm celebration but this must now be changed. No exceptions. Our Masses will now be at 4:00, 6:00 and 11:00 pm. I did get a response from the Archbishop's office:

"Your pastor's page concerning the time for Christmas vigil Masses recently came to the attention of the Archbishop, who asked me to send to you a brief word of response addressing some of your comments.

"It is my understanding that the universal law of the Church is clear that Vigil Masses are not to be celebrated prior to 4:00 pm. This is a law that in most cases a local Ordinary simply doesn't have the authority to change. The fact that some pastors were either not aware of this law or choose to ignore it necessitated a reminder to all, far enough in advance to the Christmas season, so that necessary accommodations could be made to schedules. Thus, a letter on Christmas Vigil Masses in the midst of the summer. "Perhaps I am presuming, but your column seemed to insinuate that this decision was made without consultation or promptings from pastors. Both Father Michael Skluzacek and Father Donald DeGrood had asked for a clarification on this very issue, prior to the release of the notice."

I did respond:

I am not sure where you get your understanding from, but this "universal law" can easily be handled by a simple dispensation from the local Ordinary. You might want to consult Rev. John Huels on liturgical law ("The Pastoral Companion," 4th edition). It was ironic that the weekend that my article (which has been well received) was in our bulletin the gospel had Jesus being criticized about various ritual infractions. There was such a concern over pots and pans. We have a regular pots and pans theology.

For pastoral reasons we celebrated the Mass at 3:00 pm (this practice has been going on for  probably more than 30 years.) It harmed no one. It was of some benefit to our parish families. I do not consider two priests with qualms to constitute consultation. This could have been a great discussion at the gathering of priests this past summer. Some of us have our own understandings and, yes, they are rooted in gospel and law.

If you would like to discuss this further I am always open to meeting over coffee or a beer.

"FOREVER PLAID" AT JEFFERSON THEATER

Bloomington Jefferson High School Theatre Company will stage ‘Forever Plaid’ on Wednesday, October 7 through Sunday, October 11 in the school's auditorium, 4001 West 102nd Street. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 pm on October 7-10, and 3:00 pm on October 11.

‘Forever Plaid’ is an off-Broadway musical comedy about four high school boys with a dream of becoming like their 1950s "guy group" idols - The Four Aces, The Four Lads, The Four Freshmen, The Hi-Los and The Crew Cuts. This group of clean-cut guys eventually forms their own group called, ‘Forever Plaid,’ to symbolize the boys' traditional values of family, home and harmony. Sadly, this quartet's dreams ended too soon after a tragic bus collision. The play begins with ‘Forever Plaid’ returning from the afterlife to perform the show they never had the opportunity to do in life.

‘Forever Plaid's’ four-man group are seniors Tom Ward, Adam DeGonda, Dan Larson and Peter Ehlinger. Adam and Dan are parishioners. Additional song selections will be performed by Natalie Schmit, Bridget Roepke and Bryce Wildenauer.

Tickets are now available at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/76884 or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Adult ticket prices are $10 and $7 for students and seniors. A special performance for senior citizens (over age 65) will take place at 4:00 on Tuesday, October 6 for a discounted ticket price of $5. I am going to this performance.

ANGELIC COMPUTERS

Parishioner Sue Kellett sent me the following news item: The Vatican's Web site is powered by three host computers named after archangels Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel.

RESPECT LIFE CLIMATE CHANGE

The month of October is Respect Life Month and we will have our annual baby shower and other activities connected with the Archdiocesan program of Communities Caring for Life. Pope Benedict has expanded the understanding of respecting life in his words and example on respect for all creation.

Because of his environmental concern, Benedict is often tagged the "Green Pope" in the media. This concern is anchored in a religious and ethical vision of the world which is central to our Judeo-Christian tradition going back to the first words of the Bible, the divine blessing pronounced over the world, "it is good."

"Indeed, the pronouncements on the protection of the environment, on the safeguarding of creation, are more frequent and -- we can say -- almost continuous," commented Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See's press office.

In his weekly editorial on the Vatican Television program "Octava Dies," the Jesuit priest observed that "humanity is becoming more and more aware and preoccupied with the effects of its activities on the planet's fragile equilibrium."

The Vatican spokesman's remarks anticipate a one-day climate summit at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday that will seek to revitalize negotiations on a U.N. climate pact that would be proposed at a U.N. climate change to be held in Copenhagen this December.

"In this context the Pope offers a framework of solid religious, rational and moral references for programs of effective action and for new behaviors and lifestyles adapted to a responsible development," Father Lombardi noted.

He said the Pope's latest encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate," amply treated the theme, commenting on "the exploitation of non-renewable resources and justice toward poor populations, the questions of energy consumption, responsibility toward future generations, the relationship between ecology and respect for life."

However, the spokesman added, "one must first of all, the Pope tells us, learn 'to see in creation something more than a mere source of wealth and exploitation in human hands,' to see it truly as it really is, that is, as 'expression of a project of love and truth that speaks to us of the Creator and his love for humanity.'"

He noted that this is where "the 'Green Pope' and the Church" can be of service.

CONGRATULATIONS ST. EDWARD’S

On this Feast day of St. Edward’s weekend we have much to be thankful for and to celebrate. One beautiful sign of this is a special recognition that the parish received from the Family and Children's Service. Our tithing supports their work at their local office. Their "Every Family Matters Award" given to us earlier this summer states that it is given, "In recognition of your long-standing commitment to the well-being of children and families."


THINKING OF CHRISTMAS?

I am not too sure about how many shopping days there are until Christmas, but our Archbishop apparently has been thinking about Christmas and specifically about Christmas Eve services. In a letter to priests dated August 11 he informs us that we can no longer have Christmas Eve services before 4:00 pm. I was not aware of any problems in this area (which is probably why I am not a bishop) or of any consultation about the change. The Archbishop states that he was prompted to make this change by his own concerns and "the encouragement of pastors who have asked for clarification on this matter." I would like to meet some of these pastors. Bah hum bug.

Our practice of Christmas Eve vigil masses at 3:00 and 5:00 pm seemed to work well. Most likely we will have to move them to 4:00 and 6:00 pm. I know this will cause some disruption of family gatherings. I probably will not be able to spend some time that evening with my own Mother.

It must be great to have a Diocese where this is a major concern in the middle of the summer.


INSURANCE GOOD NEWS

Yes, my car insurance went up but our Archdiocesan General Insurance for the parish actually went down by 20% or about $8.000. We had the option to join the PACE/PRISM program this year. With additional staff training and updated procedures our insurance premium will be reduced. Our administrator, Rena Chrysler, is responsible for implementing this. Thank you so much, Rena. Also our staff had to make some special efforts to make this happen.