Area clergy, among others, met in Pilgrim Baptist Church in Detroit Thursday, calling for intense dialog to solve Detroit's woes.
Pastor Sidney Griffin, host of the ecumenical gathering, pushed for "a march that shows our solidarity and unity as leaders."
"People will see us together walking as one to get things done," shouted the former Wayne County, MI., point person for faith-based issues.
Rabbi Dorit Edut agreed.
"I'm shopping at the new Meijer Market on 8 Mile in Detroit tomorrow as a sign of solidarity with the City," Edut said.
Alex Potyok concurred.
"We have to stop trying to be right, and we need to show that it's OK to be different, even poor and without any money," said Potyok, 23, of Detroit. He aims to help produce a U Tube video on dialogs such at Thursday's meeting.
Plans for a march from Detroit to Warren are in the making, according to organizers.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Saint Christina the Astonishing
Her feast is July 24th each year.
Saint Christina is patroness of mental health therapists.
She was born in Belgium in 1150 and orphaned at 15.
At 21, she had an epileptic seizure and seemed to have expired.
A funeral was held, and, during the service, Christina levitated to the roof of the church.
She was asked to come down and obeyed.
Christina lived as a homeless woman who was dressed in rags and found sleeping on rocks.
She acted as the people's conscience.
In fact, she told the Count of Looz every sin he committed as he lay dying.
Some thought that Christina was insane, yet, others venerated her and respected her very much.
In 1224, she died in a convent, dubbed as an obedient Christian despite her condition.
I turn to her to intercede for those I visit in counseling.
At Saint Christine Church, located in Detroit, MI., where I was a young pastor, I would tell people about Christina, and they would laugh, for the most part.
Saints are like us, I think.
We are unfinished works of art.
We are made by God.
Saint Christina is patroness of mental health therapists.
She was born in Belgium in 1150 and orphaned at 15.
At 21, she had an epileptic seizure and seemed to have expired.
A funeral was held, and, during the service, Christina levitated to the roof of the church.
She was asked to come down and obeyed.
Christina lived as a homeless woman who was dressed in rags and found sleeping on rocks.
She acted as the people's conscience.
In fact, she told the Count of Looz every sin he committed as he lay dying.
Some thought that Christina was insane, yet, others venerated her and respected her very much.
In 1224, she died in a convent, dubbed as an obedient Christian despite her condition.
I turn to her to intercede for those I visit in counseling.
At Saint Christine Church, located in Detroit, MI., where I was a young pastor, I would tell people about Christina, and they would laugh, for the most part.
Saints are like us, I think.
We are unfinished works of art.
We are made by God.
Sunday's Sermon: July 28, 2013 Genesis 18:20-32, Psalm 138, Colossians 2:12-14, Luke 11:1-13
When I ask, I receive.
Really.
I do.
Jesus advises us to "ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
I ask for just enough money to pay my bills, put food on the table for my four-legged Bichon Frise, Woofie, and me.
For health, for God's will in my life, and how to spend the limited time God gives on this earth.
For all of that I ask, and, in reflection over time, I discover that God answers prayer.
God does.
We're assured in the scriptures that God knows well how to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask."
It's when I forget to ask that I grow weary, doubtful and despairing.
And, in a culture when independency seems to rule, asking may be something I refuse to do. After all, "I'm an American, I can do it myself, thank you."
The other day in prayer, I asked God to help me to know how to serve amid volumes of violence daily, injustices all around us, and a sense of helplessness to assist in the change of hearts that it will take to revisit the "I Have a Dream" speech and march that fascinated this Nation 50 years ago August 28, 1968.
That day, a clergyman stood up and steered a march on Washington, D.C., for quality health care, education, housing, and more for the most vulnerable among us.
In my wrestling with God these days in prayer, I find myself staking everything on God's future for the world today.
And, I engage the imperatives in Luke's Gospel today.
"Hallowed be," is an imperative. It is not something we do, but, rather that God does through us.
"Your kingdom come," is an imperative. We are ordered to tell God to bring on God's dominaton-free order.
We can demand our daily bread from God.
We can.
I can insist that I be forgiven and safe from temptation.
Alone at home, or here with others in Holy Communion, I can let the imperatives begin!
May the imperative force be with you!
Really.
I do.
Jesus advises us to "ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
I ask for just enough money to pay my bills, put food on the table for my four-legged Bichon Frise, Woofie, and me.
For health, for God's will in my life, and how to spend the limited time God gives on this earth.
For all of that I ask, and, in reflection over time, I discover that God answers prayer.
God does.
We're assured in the scriptures that God knows well how to "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask."
It's when I forget to ask that I grow weary, doubtful and despairing.
And, in a culture when independency seems to rule, asking may be something I refuse to do. After all, "I'm an American, I can do it myself, thank you."
The other day in prayer, I asked God to help me to know how to serve amid volumes of violence daily, injustices all around us, and a sense of helplessness to assist in the change of hearts that it will take to revisit the "I Have a Dream" speech and march that fascinated this Nation 50 years ago August 28, 1968.
That day, a clergyman stood up and steered a march on Washington, D.C., for quality health care, education, housing, and more for the most vulnerable among us.
In my wrestling with God these days in prayer, I find myself staking everything on God's future for the world today.
And, I engage the imperatives in Luke's Gospel today.
"Hallowed be," is an imperative. It is not something we do, but, rather that God does through us.
"Your kingdom come," is an imperative. We are ordered to tell God to bring on God's dominaton-free order.
We can demand our daily bread from God.
We can.
I can insist that I be forgiven and safe from temptation.
Alone at home, or here with others in Holy Communion, I can let the imperatives begin!
May the imperative force be with you!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Alcoholism
It's a help.
A big help for people attached to alcohol, and more deadly, toxic process or substance addictions.
Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross of Spain addressed attachment long before the dawning of modern psychology, or, Sigmund Freud, for example.
It's a blue book with a blue and white cover.
Blue is the color for depression, although on this feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, blue refers to the sky, The Best of the Blues, the deep blue sea, the Queen who reigns above and beneath the heavens, the Stella Maris on the trek of life, and much more.
The contents of this tome first appeared in a series of Blue Books about treatment and alcohol.
The blue ribbon book!
It is.
Really.
It is the fruit of the labor of the likes of Catholic priests: Fathers Kennedy, Pfau, Popielarz, Quinn, and many more.
Alcoholism: A Source Book for Priests has advice for divinity and seminarian students, and, it treats psychiatry, the predisposition to alcohol, sobriety, the sociopath, recovery, the 12-step spirituality, AA, Abstinence, the alcoholic priest, the disease, and health, among other topics.
Some pastors tell me they have no time during the day or at night to treat such attached persons.
Others deny that the 12 steps have anything to do with religion.
Some say that alcoholism is a moral failure not a disease.
So. . .
Shepherds help steer those heading toward destruction.
They do.
Father Edward Popielarz helped others with this disease. He did. Many of them.
He saved David Johnstone's life, for example, a metropolitan Detroit leader who facilitates Fr. Pops' class in acceptance. That weekly class help others accept their demons.
Of course, God is the Divine Physician.
Shepherds help with support groups for those facing the struggle of addictive behavior. This family disease demands help from the Body of Christ, the Church.
One lost lamb of God, one wayward sheep, is worth the search to lift up with hope.
A big help for people attached to alcohol, and more deadly, toxic process or substance addictions.
Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross of Spain addressed attachment long before the dawning of modern psychology, or, Sigmund Freud, for example.
It's a blue book with a blue and white cover.
Blue is the color for depression, although on this feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, blue refers to the sky, The Best of the Blues, the deep blue sea, the Queen who reigns above and beneath the heavens, the Stella Maris on the trek of life, and much more.
The contents of this tome first appeared in a series of Blue Books about treatment and alcohol.
The blue ribbon book!
It is.
Really.
It is the fruit of the labor of the likes of Catholic priests: Fathers Kennedy, Pfau, Popielarz, Quinn, and many more.
Alcoholism: A Source Book for Priests has advice for divinity and seminarian students, and, it treats psychiatry, the predisposition to alcohol, sobriety, the sociopath, recovery, the 12-step spirituality, AA, Abstinence, the alcoholic priest, the disease, and health, among other topics.
Some pastors tell me they have no time during the day or at night to treat such attached persons.
Others deny that the 12 steps have anything to do with religion.
Some say that alcoholism is a moral failure not a disease.
So. . .
Shepherds help steer those heading toward destruction.
They do.
Father Edward Popielarz helped others with this disease. He did. Many of them.
He saved David Johnstone's life, for example, a metropolitan Detroit leader who facilitates Fr. Pops' class in acceptance. That weekly class help others accept their demons.
Of course, God is the Divine Physician.
Shepherds help with support groups for those facing the struggle of addictive behavior. This family disease demands help from the Body of Christ, the Church.
One lost lamb of God, one wayward sheep, is worth the search to lift up with hope.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Prayer for Our City
With my Motown's moment of "going under," Detroit will rise again.
Prayer helps, however, as we fall, and give way to something new and fresh, vibrant and whole!
With the Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment, our rational mind was intrigued by what modern men and women could do.
In turn, prayer took a back seat to our whims and ways.
As usual.
That's how contemplation, also, was reduced, and thinking without pausing and praying pervaded the cultures.
Yet, this was not always true.
Monasteries, and more, taught praying and pausing before thinking and acting, or, reacting to situations, or others, in conversation.
Current cultures want to restore contemplation, however.
It is the better way.
Really.
Contemplation enables one to accept reality.
It affords one a better life with less stress and the frenetic pace of our society today.
Twenty minutes of contemplation twice a day works wonders when I am faithful to it consistently.
When I am not, what a mess of things I make.
Sound familiar?
"Beloved" becomes my litany word to focus on when distractions come during a pause to ponder with the all-Powerful One.
Simply going back to "beloved" ensures calm and contemplation.
Without any panic, I give little energy to the programs of the current moment, and life's unfoldings.
God enters then, and the "rat race" of life passes by without energy.
Contemplation.
Union with God happens in the final few, if at all, as all the "gunk" and negativity of life falls away.
A pause and prayer for my Motown gives way to possibilities of God's way governing in integrity and truth again.
Prayer helps, however, as we fall, and give way to something new and fresh, vibrant and whole!
With the Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment, our rational mind was intrigued by what modern men and women could do.
In turn, prayer took a back seat to our whims and ways.
As usual.
That's how contemplation, also, was reduced, and thinking without pausing and praying pervaded the cultures.
Yet, this was not always true.
Monasteries, and more, taught praying and pausing before thinking and acting, or, reacting to situations, or others, in conversation.
Current cultures want to restore contemplation, however.
It is the better way.
Really.
Contemplation enables one to accept reality.
It affords one a better life with less stress and the frenetic pace of our society today.
Twenty minutes of contemplation twice a day works wonders when I am faithful to it consistently.
When I am not, what a mess of things I make.
Sound familiar?
"Beloved" becomes my litany word to focus on when distractions come during a pause to ponder with the all-Powerful One.
Simply going back to "beloved" ensures calm and contemplation.
Without any panic, I give little energy to the programs of the current moment, and life's unfoldings.
God enters then, and the "rat race" of life passes by without energy.
Contemplation.
Union with God happens in the final few, if at all, as all the "gunk" and negativity of life falls away.
A pause and prayer for my Motown gives way to possibilities of God's way governing in integrity and truth again.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Communion
Coming together.
Union. United.
One family.
Surveys shows that families who gather for dinner daily are less likely to have children ending up addicted to drugs, and, living promiscuosly.
Of course that makes sense.
Time together means sharing moments of joy and grief, sad times and events that are satisfying.
Dinner and feeding people is a sure way to keep households happy, or, at least wholesome and steering well.
To that end, our all-family reunion of merged households gathers in Cheboygan, MI., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013.
The 2012 reunion was attended by many members of the family I still am coming to know better.
The lounge at the Knights of Columbus Hall was full.
It was beaming with smiles from my Uncle Chester who walked into the hall with the help of his walker. He knew nothing of the surprise birthday party. Others marking birthdays joined in the singing of "Happy Birthday."
I look forward to this year's re-union.
Although it is a struggle to get people committed to help, let alone participate, the effort merits attention.
We need to gather as family, like a church, or, any other group.
Time together is a strength.
Union. United.
One family.
Surveys shows that families who gather for dinner daily are less likely to have children ending up addicted to drugs, and, living promiscuosly.
Of course that makes sense.
Time together means sharing moments of joy and grief, sad times and events that are satisfying.
Dinner and feeding people is a sure way to keep households happy, or, at least wholesome and steering well.
To that end, our all-family reunion of merged households gathers in Cheboygan, MI., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013.
The 2012 reunion was attended by many members of the family I still am coming to know better.
The lounge at the Knights of Columbus Hall was full.
It was beaming with smiles from my Uncle Chester who walked into the hall with the help of his walker. He knew nothing of the surprise birthday party. Others marking birthdays joined in the singing of "Happy Birthday."
I look forward to this year's re-union.
Although it is a struggle to get people committed to help, let alone participate, the effort merits attention.
We need to gather as family, like a church, or, any other group.
Time together is a strength.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Third Wednesdays Monthly, A Class in Acceptance Meets in Big Jack's Bar-B-Q Grille, Roseville, MI.
Acceptance is an agreement of freedom according to founder of the class, the late Edward D. Popielarz, a popular pastor who I met at my home parish of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Detroit.
He taught the class weekly in a few parishes in the metropolitan area, and, although I was too young to appreciate it in high school, now, I have learned to respect his notes that he left me.
In fact, I lead his class the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm in Big Jack's Bar-B-Q in Roseville, MI.
Fr. Pops, as he's been called over the years, helped numerous people who attended.
His blend of spirituality, religion, psychology, and the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, makes for an interesting class. High school students, and more participated.
His wisdom has me leading the class currently, along with Father Fred Klettner who led it for decades.
The class is for people who are coping with issues and want to learn to accept them.
In a group setting, participants glean from the ways and wisdom of Fr. Pops along with those in the group. Attendees are able to discover how to deal with problems of possessiveness, for example, among other concerns.
Entire families attend.
If you have questions, or, are curious, give a call at (313) 530 2777.
We'll be there Wednesday, July 17 at 5:30 pm for an hour, followed at 7 pm with "Serving Supper Well: The General Instructions of the Roman Missal," with Dan McAfee of the Worship Office of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Give a call, or write alphaomega2049@yahoo.com to reserve a spot, and, to set up the room.
He taught the class weekly in a few parishes in the metropolitan area, and, although I was too young to appreciate it in high school, now, I have learned to respect his notes that he left me.
In fact, I lead his class the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm in Big Jack's Bar-B-Q in Roseville, MI.
Fr. Pops, as he's been called over the years, helped numerous people who attended.
His blend of spirituality, religion, psychology, and the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, makes for an interesting class. High school students, and more participated.
His wisdom has me leading the class currently, along with Father Fred Klettner who led it for decades.
The class is for people who are coping with issues and want to learn to accept them.
In a group setting, participants glean from the ways and wisdom of Fr. Pops along with those in the group. Attendees are able to discover how to deal with problems of possessiveness, for example, among other concerns.
Entire families attend.
If you have questions, or, are curious, give a call at (313) 530 2777.
We'll be there Wednesday, July 17 at 5:30 pm for an hour, followed at 7 pm with "Serving Supper Well: The General Instructions of the Roman Missal," with Dan McAfee of the Worship Office of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Give a call, or write alphaomega2049@yahoo.com to reserve a spot, and, to set up the room.
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