tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post5596641097336686170..comments2024-03-05T14:07:28.062-08:00Comments on Ask Sister Mary Martha: When in RomeSister Mary Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580244097177195453noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-68581893984902399752012-08-30T20:59:50.029-07:002012-08-30T20:59:50.029-07:00"We need strong priests willing to defend the..."We need strong priests willing to defend the church, especially in times of evil. Not denounce it from the pulpit, then go and celebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist.<br />I have thought a lot about "turning the other cheek." It has been on my mind a lot lately. But are we not also called to be warriors of Christ? If we continue to turn the other cheek, people start to believe things that aren't true. If we never defend ourselves we are giving the Devil the power to destroy us. We should always forgive, true, but never roll over and let evil have its say."<br /><br />What you typed interpreted as best I can is also "purpose." I have had years to think on sins I have committed. This is purpose. I have seen some extremely wonderful things in life up till now. This is purpose. Without *your purpose Sister Mary Martha and those with her would be wordless at this Blog. The very Church itself you sit with Sunday will start to respond to your purpose. You trust Sister Mary Martha, well then she is a channel. She and those with her are female channels for God's word as I am sure the confessing Catholic Father is. Mankind's purpose fuels even the Angels, our guardians. I do not think you were "hurt" by any of this ( "At the time I wrote you I was so hurt and disappointed." ) but rather given a little more love by the example. Not as great as charity, but in the same sentence. You are right, dangle a specific blessed medal around your neck and be in Church.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263815150394027688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-64840718395372555922012-08-30T07:12:18.528-07:002012-08-30T07:12:18.528-07:00Hi sister, I am the one that wrote the question. ...Hi sister, I am the one that wrote the question. I suppose I didn't go into details as I was afraid of being a tattle-tale. And much of what you said is eerily on my mind as we transition through this time. I also want to stress that perhaps conservative was not the right word. Just a way of saying a priest who upholds and defends the faith, even if it goes against popular thought. I meant conservative in the sense of being willing to uphold the faith, even in times of trial. Willing to say those unpopular things, because that is what people need to hear, but love all sinners anyway.<br /><br />The priest I mentioned, other than running off a beloved associate pastor and offending some other congregation members with gossip, addressed the sex scandal facing the church that one Sunday. He stood on the pulpit and said he could not teach us the Catholic faith, specifically saying, "I cannot teach the Eucharist." He then proceeded to apologize. "We are sorry for abusing you." <br /><br />I think that sometimes the evil that persists in the world, yes, even in the church, can be overwhelming. But that is when we need to trust God more. That is when the Eucharist becomes necessary! To strengthen us in our battles. <br /><br />I was so deeply saddened to see him list off numerous Catholic teachings and then proceed to say he could not teach us those in the light of the scandal. I understand that even he suffers from the pain of these mentally ill priests, we all do. But it is not something that is solely in the Catholic church, either. The Catholic church does not have the monopoly on child abuse. It is in every church. I am a convert and I can assure you that I saw it in different churches growing up. <br /><br />We need strong priests willing to defend the church, especially in times of evil. Not denounce it from the pulpit, then go and celebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist.<br />I have thought a lot about "turning the other cheek." It has been on my mind a lot lately. But are we not also called to be warriors of Christ? If we continue to turn the other cheek, people start to believe things that aren't true. If we never defend ourselves we are giving the Devil the power to destroy us. We should always forgive, true, but never roll over and let evil have its say.<br /><br />At the time I wrote you I was so hurt and disappointed. I have realized that it may not be convenient to go to mass far from home, but that is what we will do. Just as St. Monica had to travel the world to look after her son, we will travel our corner of the world to find Jesus; not expecting perfection, that is only found in heaven, but at least a place where the faith is taught without regret.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-50689962815227419402012-08-30T06:25:09.685-07:002012-08-30T06:25:09.685-07:00Is this just a culture shock situation or is the p...Is this just a culture shock situation or is the priest truly breaking from Catholic doctrine in the pulpit? I would try to reach out to the priest, after much prayer for peace, calm and understanding, by speaking with him about specific issues with the attitude of 1)finding out what he actually believes and why and 2)gentle correction using the Catechism. Pray a ton for him because priests are constantly under attack by the devil to be lead astray so they will be ineffective shepherds of their flocks. Dejanetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-77237541801402804002012-08-28T16:06:46.276-07:002012-08-28T16:06:46.276-07:00And today is St. Augustine. How appropriate that h...And today is St. Augustine. How appropriate that he follows his mother in the calendar.Katneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13399336885633739593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-11232015029124364612012-08-28T15:16:15.328-07:002012-08-28T15:16:15.328-07:00“When I am here, I do not fast on Saturday, but I ...“When I am here, I do not fast on Saturday, but I fast when I am in Rome; do the same and always follow the custom and discipline of the Church as it is observed in the particular locality in which you find yourself.” Thank you Sister. I am certain one, two or three Angels watch over you, if not a small and ample crowd. They have knowledge, they gain strength from your witnessing :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263815150394027688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-3648357978627736222012-08-28T04:54:35.607-07:002012-08-28T04:54:35.607-07:00Hi Sister Mary Martha. Say a prayer for me if you...Hi Sister Mary Martha. Say a prayer for me if you can. I have a demanding job, I'm a little depressed, and spiritually confused. I live in Houston, and I was actually praying the hurricane would come here so I could get away for a few days. Thanks, one of your loyal readers. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com