The Wisdom of Msgr. William J. Awalt

I am slowly deciphering some of the written materials left by the late Msgr. William J. Awalt. For review and comments, they are being posted at my BLOGGER PRIEST site.

http://bloggerpriest.com/category/awalt-papers/

Msgr. Awalt was the pastor of St. Ann’s Church in NW Washington , DC for just over 30 years, retiring in the year 2000. I was honored to preach at the Mass celebrating his 60th anniversary as a priest in 2007. His pastorate was marked by a deep devotion to the Eucharist and a never-ending preoccupation with preaching the Gospel and teaching the Catholic faith.

Read Full Post »

NOMINATED AS A PRO-LIFE BLOG

Here is a picture of me and the Knights of Columbus who set up 721 crosses that represent the children lost to abortion in one hour of one work day.  This MEMORIAL OF THE INNOCENTS will remain up at Holy Family Church in Mitchellville until January 17, when it will be transferred to Sacred Heart Church in Bowie, MD.  Together, we wanted to also make it a preparation for the annual march for Life in Washington, DC.  We have received a lot of support although there have been a few complaints.  One lady argued against putting such a thing up at Christmas time.  I explained that Advent and Christmas was the perfect time.  During Advent we recall the Christ-child in the womb and on Christmas he is born.  We are reminded that every child is a reflection of the Christ-child.  Another person argued that it was insensitive as she was a pro-choice Catholic.  I told her that she was deceived.  There is no such thing as a pro-abortion Christian, abortion attacks the central mystery of the Incarnation.  Abortion is murder and as such it is a repudiation of Christ’s Gospel of Life. 

Goodness, I am humbled that someone nominated my Blog for recognition as a PRO-LIFE Blog. I think there are some far better ones, but I am glad that the message here is clearly on the side of human life and the dignity of persons!  Follow this link to see what I mean:

http://prolifeblogawards.com/

The contest is sponsored by the American Life League, one of the best pro-life organizations around.  They will not compromise the Catholic faith or the pro-life cause for anyone.  God bless them!

One of my favorite memories is working with A.L.L. back in 2005 and the CRUSADERS FOR LIFE.  Here is an abbreviated copy of the post on this Blog:

A.L.L. Crusaders Come to Washington

A dozen young people from colleges across the country walked from Augusta, Maine to Washington, DC in “Defense of the Catholic Church” and to spread the message that you cannot be Catholic and pro-abortion. Nevertheless, while many have applauded young people for taking up the “right to life” cause, this group of remarkable crusaders were banned from speaking in churches by several dioceses like Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Myself, Dr. Grier & a Crusader

The American Life League ran a series of stinging ads challenging the American bishops to enforce canon law and to protect the Eucharist from sacrilege when pro-abortion politicians and others (who have made such “public” stands) take it upon themselves to receive holy communion. The young people have shown no spite or anger, only sadness that the nation’s shepherds have largely chosen to remain on the sidelines. One priest remarked that the ads in protest were so severe that the American Life League owed the leaders of the Church an apology. However, others thought that these good men should at least have shown the same respect and hospitality to the young marchers for life as they have in the past to the high profile anti-life politicians.While they were able to find lodging in the city, Holy Spirit Church had offered them a place to stay if needed, thanks to the generosity of parishioners. They attended 9:00 AM Mass on Friday, July 30 and were invited to say a few words afterwards– an invitation that no other Washington pastor made. (It must be stated, to his credit, that despite the tension with the A.L.L., Cardinal McCarrick did not formally forbid the young people to speak in his churches. Throughout, nothing the young people said violated the archdiocese’s rules against participation in partisan politics– they did not name politicians by name, did not tell people for whom they should vote, and spoke with respect in regard to the Church’s shepherds.) Following the celebration, a reception was held in the Parish House were the young people had a hearty breakfast and got to meet parishioners. Also in attendance was Reginald Grier, a parishioner, a Knight of Columbus at Fletcher Council and volunteer member of the archdiocesan Office for Black Catholics. John Stakem, a Knight of Columbus from St. Pius X Council, and past parishioner was present, too. John Stakem and Joseph Markauskas are long-time pro-life volunteers and are involved with the local pregnancy center. Joe and Betty Markauskas had even offered to give the young people housing while in town. We were very pleased that the director for the Forestville Pregnancy Center was present, Chyllene McLaughlin, along with her assistant. We wanted to communicate to these young people that they are not alone. Holy Spirit Parish, the Knights of Columbus, and the Pregnancy Center in the larger pro-life community, was very much behind them.

ALL Crusaders at Holy Spirit Parish

May God bless them for their sacrifices and may their witness bear fruit.

Here are some past links to PRO-LIFE posts on my site during the past year or so:

CEMETERY OF THE INNOCENTS

PRO-LIFE RESOURCES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON

PLANNED PARENTHOOD: XMAS GIFTCARDS & BARREN WOMBS

BUSH SQUEEZES OUT PRO-LIFE MEASURE, OBAMA UPSET!

WHAT IS COMING NOW THAT OBAMA HAS WON?

ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT ON KMIEC & OBAMA

A PRIEST SAYS NO COMMUNION FOR OBAMA VOTERS

SK CARL ANDERSON, SENATOR BIDEN & KNIGHTS FOR OBAMA

VP JOE BIDEN:  NO RIGHT TO IMPOSE MY VIEW?

OBAMA & ABORTION:  ARE AMERICANS PRO-LIFE?

AN OBAMA HALLOWEEN

PLANNED PARENTHOOD HIDING CHILD RAPE

OBAMA TRANSITION: BUSH REVERSAL, ABORTION FOR EVERYONE!

STOP THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT!

CAN A CATHOLIC VOTE IN SUPPORT OF ABORTION?

BISHOP HOLLEY:  BLACK COMMUNITY MUST OVERCOME ABORTION

OBAMA & McCAIN DEBATE ABORTION

SENATOR OBAMA ON ABORTION

USING LANGUAGE TO DECEIVE & MISDIRECT

VOTING AS FAITHFUL CITIZENS

BIDEN FALLS INTO PELOSI’S ABORTION HOLE!

HOLOCAUSTS & CULPABILITY:  WHERE DO WE STAND?

USCCB DENOUNCES PELOSI’S WORDS ON ABORTION

DENVER BISHOPS ON CHURCH’S STANCE AGAINST ABORTION

ARCHBISHOP WUERL ON THE CHURCH & ABORTION

CARDINAL EGAN’S ON THE UNBORN

FACE THE TRUTH TOUR PARTICIPANTS ARRESTED!

PLANNED PARENTHOOD:  FRAUD, MINORS & BIG BUCKS!

ABORTIFACIENT BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

PLANNED PARENTHOOD & RACISM #1

PLANNED PARENTHOOD & RACISM #2

BORN ALIVE INFANTS PROTECTION ACT

PLANNED PARENTHOOD SELLS SEX

ABORTION & BLACK GENOCIDE

ARGUMENT WITH A PAID BABY KILLER

BABIES, ADOPTION, PURCHASE, ABORTION

BABY WITH TUMOR BORN TWICE

FIRST PREGNANT MAN REALLY A WOMAN!

UBI CARITAS – CHURCH TEACHING ON ABORTION

Read Full Post »

CHRIST’S MINISTRY FROM POPE TO DEACON

• Acts 6:1-7
• Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
• 1 Pt 2:4-9
• Jn 14:1-12

The first reading gives us the origins of the diaconate. Appointed by the Apostles to care for the needs of the Greek widows, who were evidently being neglected, their social mission would quickly append to itself that of evangelization and proclamation of the Gospel. Among the listed deacons chosen we find the name of Stephen, “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.” We may recall that later in the Acts of the Apostles it is noted that he was stoned by certain Jews for witnessing to the word of God. Like our Lord, he sets a pattern for martyrs by forgiving his murderers. The deacons represent the third and final tier of Holy Orders that comes down to us in succession from Jesus and the Apostles. Full apostolic jurisdiction would be given to the bishops. The presbyters or priests would assist them in the ministry of reconciliation and in the re-presentation of the Lord’s Supper. The deacons, yesterday and today, proclaim and preach the Gospel, assist at the Eucharist, witness marriages and perform baptisms.

While the foundation stone for the Church is Jesus Christ, the community of believers itself is made into a “chosen race” and a “royal priesthood”. Baptismal priesthood refers to our imitation of Christ and of his sacrificial love. God’s people participate with their consecrated and ordained priests in offering the sacrifice of the Mass. Bishops and priests most importantly signify Christ at the altar and in the sacraments. They are priests because Jesus is the High Priest. Jesus extends something of himself and his authority to the Church. He does not want us to feel abandoned. Jesus does NOT orphan his people.

This past week we were privileged to have Pope Benedict XVI in Washington, DC. Many of us saw the successor of the Fisherman with our own eyes. He is the Vicar of Christ. He is Peter. He is the visible head of the Church while Jesus remains the invisible head and our grounding hope. This forcefully realizes for us the continuing presence and ministry of Jesus in the universal Church. While the accidentals may change, the core truths and the deposit of faith remain the same. We see in the Acts of the Apostles the early expressions of faith and ministry that still prevail 2,000 years later. That might seem like a long time, but I had an aunt who lived to be 124 and my paternal grandmother was 99 plus years (almost 100) when she died. If one such person who lived a century were to be born at the moment that another died, we would only be 20 people away from the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Maybe it is not so long after all?

While asserting again his unity with God, indeed, his role as the revelation of the Father, Jesus makes a pledge to his Church. He says:

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.

Here is proof-positive, that Jesus intended for his bishops, priests and deacons to perpetuate his saving works. All the extraordinary claims of the Catholic Church are for real- we trust our Lord and take him for his word. We are members of the House built and sustained by Jesus Christ.

Read Full Post »

FATHER JOE versus ORTHOMETER

http://orthometer.blogspot.com/2008/02/nominate-me-or-else.html

 

The competition this year was steep, especially for BEST PRIEST’S BLOG, and I do not advertise the blog in the parish.  However, even in my passivity about the blog lately, I fared well against my rival from last year.  When you’re done reading my blog, you can take a look at his. 

I am not number one in any category, but there is one consolation, neither is my competition. Alas, I think he has paid a heavy price for his road kill comedy. Ah, how low the great have fallen. Head to head I beat ORTHOMETER in all but one category.

Best Apologetic Blog – FATHER JOE (16) / ORTHOMETER (7)

I hate to gloat, but heck anti-Catholics run from me afraid for their lives, thinking I will take their bibles away from them!

Best Blog by Clergy – FATHER JOE (23) / ORTHOMETER (11)

Okay, I might not be at the top of the list, but look, I beat Father Erik! Does anyone want to kiss my hand? Um, only my hand…

Best Designed Blog – FATHER JOE (14) / ORTHOMETER (5)

Subjects are arranged by both category and dates, it is truly an impressive site, even if I do say so myself. One hardly needs to look elsewhere on the Internet.

Best Individual Blog – FATHER JOE (11) / ORTHOMETER (3)

How was it that ORTHOMETER competed in both BEST GROUP and BEST INDIVIDUAL Blog? That was one way for him to win, to pick categories where I could not compete.

Best Overall Blog – FATHER JOE (9) / ORTHOMETER (1)

Cough, cough, and excuse my dust.

Best Political Blog – ORTHOMETER (11) / FATHER JOE (10)

Pretty close, given that I try not to be political. Okay, I will grant you this one shallow victory.

Best Written Blog – FATHER JOE (13) / ORTHOMETER (3)

Just call me the Shakespeare among the clergy!

Funniest Blog – FATHER JOE (12) / ORTHOMETER (6)

Hahahahahahahahaha!

Most Spiritual Blog – FATHER JOE (10) / ORTHOMETER (2)

Excuse me while I levitate. Amen!

Hey, what’s that sound, I think ORTHOMETER terrorists are at the back door. I have to run get the holy water! See ya!

Father Joe

TO THE AUTHOR & READERS OF ORTHOMETER:  “Have a happy and blessed Easter season!”

Read Full Post »

VOTE FATHER JOE BEST BLOG!!!

This year I am nominated in a number of categories.  If you like my Blog, vote for me!  If you do not like my Blog, but really don’t care, vote for me!  If there are other Blogs you like better, remember I am a priest and asked you personally where others did not, so vote for me!  If you are a spammer, heck, vote for me!  If you are a Protestant and think this award thing is silly, emphasize your point by voting for me!   If you are an anti-Catholic and think my apologetics poor, a vote for me will will direct surfers from more effective sites, so vote for me!  If you like all the religious instructions and apologetics and think they’re great, vote for me!  If you like the music, vote for me!  If you think the jokes and stories and pics are sometimes funny, vote for me!  If you feel like an underdog who can never win, then vote for another underdog and maybe we will make a difference– VOTE FOR ME!  PLEEEEEASE!  JUST CLICK THE LOGO ABOVE OR THE LINK BELOW, AND MAKE AN AGING PRIEST HAPPY.

http://www.catholicblogawards.com/

Voting will begin on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 12:00 Noon CST and end on Monday, March 17, 2008 at Noon.

Thankyou!

Read Full Post »