Edward Prus is into his eighth decade of life.
This Catholic priest smiles widely while he tells a couple of dozen of participants, including Jewish, Christians, and Muslims, of how he prays.
From River Rouge, MI., Father Prus, a retired priest who spent years in Recife, Brazil, tells of how he grew up learning to pray formal prayers at his bedside, and, with his parents.
Walking daily through the streets of Ferndale, Ed recites the rosary prayers, while one resident, for example, wondered if he lost his dog.
"You never know," the pastor says.
Prus tells of how he grew up Polish, proud, and confident about God. He speaks of being a pastor who never though he'd make it through the seminary that taught only in Latin. "I made it; they didn't kick me out," he announced with pride.
"People want to be independent these days but they long for connections which is what prayer is all about," he believes. "Prayer is communion with God."
How his prayer evolved over his rich and long life had rabbis, imams, and other clergy listening at the iconic Detroit Focus:HOPE, April 29th, that Fr. Cunningham founded in 1968 after the riot.
These clergy, and their supporters aim to stand with Detroit, and, to follow the mandate of Jesus, to love your neighbor as your self.
They'll walk with thousands of others on Sunday, Oct. 13th when Focus:HOPE hosts it annual walk of four miles through Detroit streets.
They'll listen to Michigan Chronicle editor, Bankole Thompson, June 6th at 11:45 am at Focus:HOPE as they continue to find ways to assist the fledgling Detroit where most of them grew up.
They're standing together.
With each other.
With hope.
And, a bit of help from heaven and the late founders of Focus:HOPE, FatherWilliam Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Family
Family is the foundation of our society.
It is.
When culture has vibrant and secure households, it has less poverty, research proves.
Why is it that few speak up for strengthening family? For firmer families and stronger marriages?
I don't know.
What is known, however, is that when families were firm, there was less poverty that sparked more crime in the city.
Accountability kept families together. Neighbors watched. And, kids behaved less their parent find out from the neighbor next store.
It worked for my family as we grew up on Lynch Road at Van Dyke on Detroit's east side.
My neighbors watched. Where our parents couldn't always be, Mr. Kowalski across the street was watching us. Or, Mrs. Lewandowski, the neighborhood nurse, would glance out and watch how we behaved as we played two-hand touch football on Arcola Street near our two-family, aluminum-sided home.
It does take a village to raise a child, let alone seven of us in my home.
When will leaders step up to the plate and stand up for firmer families, and, a firmer society?
When?
It is.
When culture has vibrant and secure households, it has less poverty, research proves.
Why is it that few speak up for strengthening family? For firmer families and stronger marriages?
I don't know.
What is known, however, is that when families were firm, there was less poverty that sparked more crime in the city.
Accountability kept families together. Neighbors watched. And, kids behaved less their parent find out from the neighbor next store.
It worked for my family as we grew up on Lynch Road at Van Dyke on Detroit's east side.
My neighbors watched. Where our parents couldn't always be, Mr. Kowalski across the street was watching us. Or, Mrs. Lewandowski, the neighborhood nurse, would glance out and watch how we behaved as we played two-hand touch football on Arcola Street near our two-family, aluminum-sided home.
It does take a village to raise a child, let alone seven of us in my home.
When will leaders step up to the plate and stand up for firmer families, and, a firmer society?
When?
Friday, April 26, 2013
On Strengthening Marriage and Ending Poverty
Jim Wallis' latest tome, On God's Side, suggests that we help strengthen it.
Wallis writes:
"Marriage is actually on the decline now around our country across all classes, but especially among low-income people. Research from across the political spectrum - from the liberal Brookings Institution to the conservative Heritage Foundation - shows that marriage is one of the most critical factors in assessing the well-being of children and the common good-period. Children from marriage households do far better in life than children from unmarried households in regard to success in education, avoiding substance abuse and crime, and staying out of poverty."
A crowd of All Faiths Festival clergy crafted and held a press conference to Strengthen Marriage and Family over five years ago.
The document for Macomb County, Michigan, has as its sole purpose the strengthening of marriage.
It has been met by opposing and supportive clergy, among others, of all sorts and positions. It was dismissed by some clergy and other faithful.
It was publicly signed with the support of leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, among others, and, is available on large posters to stand in your gathering place at worship.
Is it time to revisit this document?
Wallis' subtitle of his book is "What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn't Learned About Serving the Common Good."
The New York Times best-selling author quotes Abraham Lincoln:
"My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side."
Wallis writes:
"Marriage is actually on the decline now around our country across all classes, but especially among low-income people. Research from across the political spectrum - from the liberal Brookings Institution to the conservative Heritage Foundation - shows that marriage is one of the most critical factors in assessing the well-being of children and the common good-period. Children from marriage households do far better in life than children from unmarried households in regard to success in education, avoiding substance abuse and crime, and staying out of poverty."
A crowd of All Faiths Festival clergy crafted and held a press conference to Strengthen Marriage and Family over five years ago.
The document for Macomb County, Michigan, has as its sole purpose the strengthening of marriage.
It has been met by opposing and supportive clergy, among others, of all sorts and positions. It was dismissed by some clergy and other faithful.
It was publicly signed with the support of leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, among others, and, is available on large posters to stand in your gathering place at worship.
Is it time to revisit this document?
Wallis' subtitle of his book is "What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn't Learned About Serving the Common Good."
The New York Times best-selling author quotes Abraham Lincoln:
"My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side."
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Darkness and Light
Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.
How true.
When I think that revenge will satisfy this human heart I quickly come to my senses to affirm that on God's light will rid the world of evil.
Evil seems everywhere these days.
It does.
The recent Boston Marathon bombers come to mind.
The darkness in my own heart where sin sits. In homes where violence in all its forms reside.
Sacred Scripture, nonetheless, assures of the lone force that can rid this world of darkness and dreaded deeds.
Light.
Mahatma Ghandi's words swell within also when I weaken and lose courage to doubt.
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall," Ghandi assures me.
There's hope.
Always.
With a glimmer of light.
Even a little light will do to drive out the darkness.
How true.
When I think that revenge will satisfy this human heart I quickly come to my senses to affirm that on God's light will rid the world of evil.
Evil seems everywhere these days.
It does.
The recent Boston Marathon bombers come to mind.
The darkness in my own heart where sin sits. In homes where violence in all its forms reside.
Sacred Scripture, nonetheless, assures of the lone force that can rid this world of darkness and dreaded deeds.
Light.
Mahatma Ghandi's words swell within also when I weaken and lose courage to doubt.
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall," Ghandi assures me.
There's hope.
Always.
With a glimmer of light.
Even a little light will do to drive out the darkness.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Unleashing the Power Within
Pentecost follows the Easter season of fifty full days of celebrating a vigorous life.
Pentecost is a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit in one's life.
It is.
Really.
Yet, fear can be an obstacle to reveling in the Spirit.
And, in Pentecost.
Unleashing and unlocking doors that block one's best self is a challenge these days.
While one often lacks a plan or an aim with lowered expectations, the power one has can beautifully unfold anew with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
It can.
Back in the 80s I participated in a transformative experience, walked across a bed of hot coals near Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, and renewed living where it was less that it could be.
I learned to live with passion and ardor.
Enthusiasm was unlocked.
And more.
One can break through limits and live a quality of life one desires in faith.
Anthony Robbins led the experience.
Another priest invited me to join him.
Fear about the experience was overcome.
TonyRobbins.com/Chicago, 800 331 2046.
Pentecost is a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit in one's life.
It is.
Really.
Yet, fear can be an obstacle to reveling in the Spirit.
And, in Pentecost.
Unleashing and unlocking doors that block one's best self is a challenge these days.
While one often lacks a plan or an aim with lowered expectations, the power one has can beautifully unfold anew with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
It can.
Back in the 80s I participated in a transformative experience, walked across a bed of hot coals near Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, and renewed living where it was less that it could be.
I learned to live with passion and ardor.
Enthusiasm was unlocked.
And more.
One can break through limits and live a quality of life one desires in faith.
Anthony Robbins led the experience.
Another priest invited me to join him.
Fear about the experience was overcome.
TonyRobbins.com/Chicago, 800 331 2046.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Care for the Sick is Katera Tekakwitha's Aim
Born in 1656, she died in 1680 after dedicating her life to prayer, chastity and care for the ill.
The first Native American saint in the Catholic Church, Kateri Tekakwitha is called the Lily of the Mohawks, and the Apostle of the Indians.
Her father was a non-Christian Mohawk Turtle chief, while her mother was Algonquin, a Christian native. Her parents and brother died when she was 4 of a smallpox epidemic. She was impaired.
Jesuits motivated her to be baptized with the name Kateri in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Many of the Natives were destroyed in her community by French conquerors.
Michiganders can appreciate this New Yorker.
(This blog will continue after a parish mission, and some vacation, by April 24th).
The first Native American saint in the Catholic Church, Kateri Tekakwitha is called the Lily of the Mohawks, and the Apostle of the Indians.
Her father was a non-Christian Mohawk Turtle chief, while her mother was Algonquin, a Christian native. Her parents and brother died when she was 4 of a smallpox epidemic. She was impaired.
Jesuits motivated her to be baptized with the name Kateri in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Many of the Natives were destroyed in her community by French conquerors.
Michiganders can appreciate this New Yorker.
(This blog will continue after a parish mission, and some vacation, by April 24th).
Friday, April 12, 2013
Believing
People who want me to spell out my beliefs that only engage the mind is futile.
Faith is far from reason alone.
It involves one's total being of the spiritual, emotional and rational.
Faith is deeper than knowledge alone. It is indeed a leap into the realm that some only want to know.
Yet, knowing alone won't work when it comes to faith.
Of course, religion have done inspiring and miraculous deeds. It has also done, however, terrible things in the name of God. Where people are, there will also be virtuous and less than that.
My faith is reasoned, balanced, fair and fruitful, it seems to me.
It has served me well through decades of life in desolation and consolation. Faith is a good beyond price or even eyes of systems that move to extremes without moderation. Systems can move to attachment disorders in their addictive and venture needs.
Out of control thoughts and deeds without balance are usually bad for us.
My faiths runs through my being like blood pours through my heart each moment. Faith assures me that God is the ultimate being who lets be.
God runs the world.
When I want to be the driver, deeds go awry and I fall flat. With God's guidance I let my ego and self go, and rely on the Source of satisfaction, of the good and true.
Beauty rests there.
Faith fulfills every dream, hope and prosperous purpose.
It is like that.
For sure.
Faith is far from reason alone.
It involves one's total being of the spiritual, emotional and rational.
Faith is deeper than knowledge alone. It is indeed a leap into the realm that some only want to know.
Yet, knowing alone won't work when it comes to faith.
Of course, religion have done inspiring and miraculous deeds. It has also done, however, terrible things in the name of God. Where people are, there will also be virtuous and less than that.
My faith is reasoned, balanced, fair and fruitful, it seems to me.
It has served me well through decades of life in desolation and consolation. Faith is a good beyond price or even eyes of systems that move to extremes without moderation. Systems can move to attachment disorders in their addictive and venture needs.
Out of control thoughts and deeds without balance are usually bad for us.
My faiths runs through my being like blood pours through my heart each moment. Faith assures me that God is the ultimate being who lets be.
God runs the world.
When I want to be the driver, deeds go awry and I fall flat. With God's guidance I let my ego and self go, and rely on the Source of satisfaction, of the good and true.
Beauty rests there.
Faith fulfills every dream, hope and prosperous purpose.
It is like that.
For sure.
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