Growing and Growing Catholic

Wonder why?

Why one is a Catholic?

Then, you'll want to join in the session, Sunday, Oct. 9th at 9 am before the 11 am Mass in Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church at 629 Jefferson in downtown Detroit, across from the GM Ren Cen towers. Rite of Christian initiation of adults (RCIA/C) who are now Catholic will address why they're Catholic. Invite the agnostic, curious, and those questing for the Maker with concerns, to come. Breakfast will be served and you may want to reserve a spot at (313) 961 8077 ASAP out of courtesy and for planning purposes. Join others and me for the Foucs:HOPE walk immediately at the 11 am Mass. The walk starts at 12:30 on the campus of Focus:HOPE. Register at http://www.focushope.edu/, or call 313 494 5500 today. Later the same day at 7:30 pm Mass is set. You may want to join in and invite others to visit this historic church. I'll be returning to the edifice immediatley after the walk and a bit of food. Call me if you want to walk together (586) 530 7576.

Why am I Catholic?

Hmmmm.....

Growing up amid an immense edifice and huge church bell tower of Saint Thomas Church at 8333 Townsend Avenue, Detroit 48213, descriptions and feelings like, awe, wow, generosity, big and abundant grew in me as I grew as a Catholic.

The life-size stained-glass windows of saints engaged my little eyes at 8 am Mass before our school day started after the miles-long trek from Lynch Road and Van Dyke south to Miller Avenue not far from Harper and the I-94 expressway. Sunlight shined through the colorful glass. Radiance that surrounded halos of saints amazed this tot then.

DSR transported us on bus when we had twenty-five cents. The walk kept us slim, however, and converesant with passersby when people talked with each other more, it seemed.

Pagan babies to sponsor in foreign lands occupied the teaching sisters plea for pennies constantly. Consequently, social awareness and Catholic social policy was heightened, and, still is for me these days while we wage war, help victims of natural disasters, and work with corporal works of mercy organizations like, Focus:Hope, for example, enhancing the dignity, diversity and needy households who are fed with food and virtues, like hope, faith, love.

Prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance got more attention as I grew older, than when these virtues, or strengths did when I was a kid. Bishop Ken Untener pushed them up in my memory as he'd act as if he didn't remember them and have other clergy fetching books to recall their importance for Catholics today. Connections with outstanding humans is paramount as I recall heroes, saints, and outstanding citizens who inspire.

Burning smoke from incense filled my nostrils. The smell is unforgetable. Still at funerals and grand celebrations. The olfactory nerve gets the aroma initially. And, worshippers cough especially when "cheap" incense is used for ritual services.

As the incense rises to the heavens, so may my heart, thoughts and soul rise. . .be enhanced, be kinder, be better beyond bitter, above all beat out mean-spiritedness that surrounds us as one tries to out-class those who only seem to put down and refuse to lift up . . .

Always thriving to be better, to change this heart and mind, to repent full circle, to give, forgive and give again and again. . . over and over as Jesus insists in the urgency of the Gospels passed on to followers. "Reform your lives and believe in the Gospel" and "Remember you are dust and unto dust you will return" keep me grounded, humble and in need of growing again and again daily.

All that, and, the abundant living that Jesus, our fearless leader, calls us to from those early tot days 'til today, has me glad that I'm still a practicing Catholic at 62. People make it all worth it.
Ideals as much to stay connected with each moment as I strive to be a better human being.

Why I'm Catholic.

Catholic with a small "c" or big "C." Universal. Big, abundantly living large in Christ in giving, forgiving, and, in joy.

Come and hear more Sunday or connect with the living church and walk with others and me at Focus:Hope.