Actual Catholicism in a Parish Bulletin

A west-suburban Milwaukee parish managed to rid itself of a Liturgeist-pestilence and now offers the following thoughts on the month of August:

The days of summer have provided a welcome change of pace. However, while vacations afford us the time to relax and refresh, the change of habits and routines can also have a negative impact on our spiritual lives.

As if to re-ignite us, the Church offers us in the plethora of August feasts vivid examples of the virtue of perseverance: six martyrs — two who are named in Canon I of the Mass and two who were martyred during World War II; seven founders of religious congregations, as well as three popes and two kings; the apostle, St. Bartholomew; the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine and St. Monica, his mother; the humble patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, and the patron of deacons, St. Lawrence, who joked with his executioners while being roasted alive.

It is never too late to begin — as the life of the reformed sinner, St. Augustine teaches us— nor too difficult to begin again, as demonstrated by the conversion of the martyr, St.Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). We present-day members of the Mystical Body are certain of the reward to which we are called, for Christ’s Transfigured body (August 6) is a preview of that glory. Moreover, in the Assumption of his Mother (August 15), Our Lord has demonstrated his fidelity to his promise. Her privilege is “the highest fruit of theRedemption” and “our consoling assurance of the coming of our final hope — the glorifi-cation which is Christ’s” (Enchiridion on Indulgences).

Now THERE'S a plateful which surpasses your basic summer barbeque menu. I'll take bets that the former Liturgeist could not even SPELL "Enchiridion"--much less having actually seen (or read) it.

Wait for it: the ADL will be writing protest letters about the description of Edith Stein.

Some parishes have all the luck.