ONCE A MISSIONARY, ALWAYS A MISSIONARY

I started off my priesthood as "home missionary" down in southern Kentucky. As they say, "Once a missionary, always a missionary!" Right after retirement, I volunteered in the Caribbean missions of Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Knowing of my interest and experience as a volunteer missionary in the Caribbean, Father John Judie (a retired priest of our own Archdiocese of Louisville), who volunteers in a couple of African countries brought Bishop Filbert Mhasi of Tanzania over to my condo for coffee and tea on July 26. 

I was especially interested since a good friend of mine, (Father Steven Brown of the Diocese of San Jose, California), had been a Maryknoll Associate in Tanzania for several years. 

I was also interested in giving him a few copies of my book, Intentional Presbyterates: Claiming Our Common Sense of Purpose As Diocesan Priests, which had been translated into the Swahili language. 

We had a wonderful discussion and found that we shared similar experiences growing up and in our lives serving as priests. Father Judie helped moderate our lively discussion about seminary training, presbyteral unity and missionary needs. 

 Bishop Filbert Felician Mhasi - Diocese of Tunduru-Magasi - Tanzania

Bishop Filbert Mhasi's diocese has an area covering 22,730 square kilometers.

The diocese is in the extreme southern part of Tanzania close to the border with Mozambique.

There are now 24 local priests and 19 parishes.

________________________________________________

My last visitor from Africa (July 2019) was Abbott Romain of the Benedictine Monastery of the Incarnation in the French speaking country of Togo. He was a former student of mine at St. Meinrad Seminary over in Indiana. I helped a few of his monks who also studied there when I was a staff member.

Archbishop Jason Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, when he was the Bishop of Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was the one who first invited me to be a volunteer missionary in his two dioceses, with special emphasis on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, when I first retired.

When he was elevated to Archbishop of Port of Spain in Trinidad, I attended his installation. I even addressed the Antilles Bishops Conference in Trinidad after he was installed at the invitation of the Archbishop of the Bahamas who was President of the Conference at that time.

On July 7, Archbishop Gordon called me and asked if I would come to lunch the next day over in New Harmony, Indiana, where he was making a presentation at a religious convention he was attending. I gladly accepted and made the four hour driving trip. He used to stay at my condo overnight, when he would visit his seminarian from Barbados studying at St. Meinrad Seminary, so I could take him to the airport early the next morning. I also helped him get a few of his books published. We remain friends.

ONCE A MISSIONARY, ALWAYS A MISSIONARY

A GOOD FRIEND'S FUNERAL HOMILY

 

     My good friend, Richard Douglas “Dubby” or “Dick” Thurman, born on April 8th, 1937, passed away peacefully at 87 on July 4,  2024, surrounded by his loving family.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

Over the Christmas holidays, a couple of years ago, I got Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. It is about the opportunity to watch the 2007 movie, The Bucket List, starring two terminally ill men on a road trip with a “wish list” of things to do before they “kicked the bucket.” Since I had just officially retired, it struck a chord with me.

In one of my very favorite scenes, they are both sitting on one of the pyramids in Egypt. Morgan Freeman’s character says to Jack Nicholson’s character, “You know the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven…the gods asked them two questions. Their answer determined whether they were admitted or not. “Have you found joy in your life?” “Has your life brought joy to others?”

When Faye Thurman asked me to preside and preach at Dick’s funeral Mass today, I thought these two questions would be two great questions I imagine Dick being asked when he arrived at the gates of heaven.  “Did you find joy in your life?” “Did your life bring joy to others?” Jesus, of course, put it this way! Has God’s love for you brought you happiness? Has God’s love for you inspired you to share that happiness with others? I am confident that he is able to answer both questions with a resounding “yes.” I know from talking to him in depth that his life, especially after he “discovered his new religion,” has certainly brought joy to his life and, from what I heard around the bed right after he died, his life has certainly brought joy to the lives of his family and friends!  I heard Faye says more than once, “I am going to miss him so much!” I am sure his children feel the same way! I heard his grandchildren say, and all verbally agreed, “He was the best grandfather any grandchild ever had!” How good is that? I got an e-mail from a friend of Faye’s to whom Faye said about me, “Dick loved Father Ron!” After so many breakfasts, health crises, prayers shared, support for my projects and laughs together, talking about our humble beginnings and our Honorary Doctorates from Bellarmine, I can truly say he brought joy into my life as well. It was great to hear that my life had enriched his!  

What we are talking about here, with those two questions, is the living out of the Great Commandment. The "great commandment" of Jesus says, "Love your neighbor as yourself," not "Love your neighbor rather than yourself!" In other words, if you have no love for yourself, you will have no love to share with your neighbor!  You cannot give anybody else anything, if you don't have anything to give! As I learned in High School Latin class, "Nemo dat quod not habet." "If you ain't got it, you can't give it!" Only those who have joy in their own lives are able to bring joy into the lives of others. Only those who love themselves can love others. Only those who know how God’s loves, are inspired to love another, as they are loved!

Only those who know how God’s loves can love another as they are loved! How does God love? From 54 years of preaching, I have learned sadly that many so-called “religious” people don’t know squat about how God loves! That’s why I picked the story I read from the gospel today. Religious people who don’t know how God loves, usually mis-name this story. They call it the story of the Prodigal Son! The better name for it is the story of the Loving Father! The wayward son is not the hero of this story simply because he shaped up and came crawling back home. Neither is the uptight and pouting “perfect” son the hero simply because he stayed home, kept the rules and did what he was obligated to do! The real hero of this story is that love-crazy father who loved both of his sons – the one who got down with the pigs and the one who stayed home and did what was expected of him! You and I are one or the other of those two sons – either the wayward son who wasted his money on prostitutes and had to get a job feeding pigs or the self-righteous, uptight, religious conformist who stayed home but probably wanted, in his heart of hearts, to do some of the wild things his little brother did while he was gone!

The father in this parable stands for God! In other words, Jesus tells the people who heard this parable that God is just like the father in this story. That is why the rejects and marginalized of society flocked to Jesus! He preached the “good news” of God’s unconditional love! That is why the religious conformists hated Jesus and had him killed for this kind of talk! They preached the “bad news” of God’s conditional love, which caused people to run away from them!

So, who does God love and how does God love? God loves everybody and he loves everybody, no ands, if or buts about it! No, God does not love the evil we do, but like a good parent, he doesn’t quit loving us and abandons us when we do bad things! If the whole Bible was lost except this one story, we would still have the essence of all that Jesus came to this earth to tell us! The good and the bad alike are loved by God and we too are called to love each other, our friends as well as our enemies, as God loves us! Remember that, because there will be a test at the end of the homily to see if you heard what this story is teaching us! I believe Dick knew this truth and he would want you to know it as well!  

Dick came into my life toward the end of his life. He admitted that was not a “religious” man early on, he might have even compared himself to the prodigal son, but he “discovered” religion when he was faced with kidney disease. He told me he was inspired by his sister’s faith. He and Faye started coming to the Cathedral with Jim and Dot Patterson. I remember praying with him for a “miracle” kidney donor and looking for printed prayers to give him to encourage him. Friends, our prayers were answered and a ‘miracle” was granted! I received him into the church and I have been privileged to give him 4 of our 7 sacraments: confirmation, holy eucharist, penance and anointing of the sick! He was already baptized and married or he would have received all of them except ordination! We met regularly, talked about spiritual things, shared prayers and throughout, he took his new catholic faith very seriously! It brought him joy! Yes, it brought him joy! He brought me joy, as well, watching his spiritual life take root and grow!

Finally, friends, the parable today, applied to Dick, is this! Just like the father in that gospel story who loved both his sons, the good one and the bad one, God love the old Dick and the new Dick. Dick may have discovered religion at the end of his life, but God had been there all along - loving him all the time – both while he was away and when he came home! Today, I can imagine Jesus saying to him these familiar words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master!” ‘Enter into my joy because you welcomed that joy into your own life and you passed that joy on into the life of your family, your friends, your neighbors and your fellow men and women!’

Congratulations, Dick! You made it across the finish line! Like Faye kept saying at the hospital, we are really going to miss you, but someday we hope to see you again! In the meantime, pray for us and we will pray for you! We say that because he used to say the Creed with us every Sunday when we all professed together that “we believe in the communion of saints,” which is to say that we believe in a holy and unbroken connection between the living and the dead! 

Finally, let me say this – something I try to say at every funeral. Friends, if there are any slights, hard feelings or neglect between you and Dick Thurman or between Dick Thurman and you, let it go! God has forgiven him! God has forgiven you! He did his best and so did you! He is at peace and so can you be at peace! Let it go!

Now for the test! So that you won’t flunk, I am going to give you a hint! It’s one word and it begins with an “e!” Here goes!

FATHER KNOTT: Who does God love?

CONGREGATION: Everybody!

FATHER KNOTT: Correct! You get an A+! Now, go love each other as God loves Dick Thurman and you!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEN THE THOUGHT OF THESE SCENES BREAKS MY HEART

 I am sure most of you know of Hurricane Beryl that ripped through the Caribbean Islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (where I made 12 trips as a volunteer Caribbean missionary) and caused damage as it made its way all the way up to Texas and beyond. 

While the damage in the islands of SVG goes far beyond this blog-post, completely destroying many homes and some churches, I want to focus mainly on two small churches on two islands where I had led an effort to provide several improvements. At least two churches were completely destroyed in the recent Hurricane Beyl and the other was destroyed in a volcano eruption on St. Vincent in 2021. Other destroyed or damaged churches, school roofs and homes we helped update are not included in this post.   

At least two churches, maybe three, were outfitted with red chairs that had come out of our Louisville Cathedral as part of a major renovation of  island churches: chairs, new ceiling fans, liturgical equipment and, in one case a new fence, gate and floor make-over.      

THE TRAGIC LOSS

of our

OLD CATHEDRAL CHAIRS, NEW FANS, NEW ROOFS AND MANY OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

#1

PRE-HURRICANE BERYL 

Immaculate Conception Church on Mayreau Island is part of a three-island parish cluster called Holy Family Parish. The other two churches are Our Lady of the Assumption on Canouan Island and St. Joseph Church on Union Island. 

Notice the large ceiling fans that we installed inside that church! 

 

Easter Vigil 2022 with visitors and Bishop Gerard County.

THE POST-HURRICANE BERYL DESTRUCTION

ACTUAL DESCRIPTION OF BEING CAUGHT IN HURRICANE BERYL

MORE IMPROVEMENTS LOST

New entrance, right before the new tall wrought-iron gates were installed. 

New fence to keep roaming goats out of the parish gardens. 

Thank God, none of these people, of the 50 who took refuge in the church during the hurricane, were killed! 

Parish kids with their Easter Baskets that we sent down. They are holding a sign that says "Thank You Father Ron" meant for all who donated and helped send things down to them. 

THE OTHER TWO CHURCHES OF THE THREE-ISLAND HOLY FAMILY PARISH

The Our Lady of the Assumption on Canouan Island with Cathedral chairs was not destroyed. Both sides of the altar have Cathedral chairs. 

The St. Joseph Church and Rectory on Union Island with some Cathedral chairs and our new ceiling fans with lights was totally destroyed. Photo of that destruction is not available at this time. The new roof and other improvements on the St. Joseph Retreat House, up the hill from the church, suffered severe damage.  

Our new roof on St. Joseph Retreat House being  installed a few years ago was totally ripped off by Hurricane Beryl. 

 

#2
PRE-VOLCANO

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church On Saint Vincent Island - Top Floor 

(Episcopal Church - Bottom Floor)

Tim Toms, part of a group from Louisville who made a trip down to the islands and who helped with this project and others, standing in front (above) and sitting in the newly renovated church (this photo) - pre-volcano. 

                 

Notice the new ceiling fans, Stations the the Cross and Statuary and refinished floor. 

POST-VOLCANO 

You can see the very bottom tip of the crucifix (above) in the yellow wall opening in the center of this picture. 

18 inches of volcanic ash on the roof crushed the new ceiling fans, the Cathedral's old red chairs and most of the liturgical furnishings as it fell in from the weight. It's all crushed under that volcanic ash!

MOTHER TERESA'S "ANYWAY" POEM

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

         Inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta.

 

I thought I had "retired" from work in the Caribbean Missions, but this hurricane breaks my heart. It destroyed much of our work. I feel I have to do something "anyway." If this moves you to help in "anyway," you can send a check made out to ST. BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH - SVG MISSION FUND and I will see that it is deposited in their account at a local TRUIST BANK. I still have some of their deposit slips.  Don't make checks out to me, just send them to me for deposit:

Rev. Ronald Knott

1271 Parkway Gardens Court

Louisville, KY 40217

FIDELITY - TODAY'S UNCOMMON VIRTUE

       

GIVEN AT THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR HOME FOR THE AGED

May 20, 2024

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

John 19:25-34

Everybody has a “bucket list” of sorts of things they dream of doing before they die. It may not be an official list, but simply some dream they hold in their hearts of something they would like to do or a place they would like to visit before they die! For me, it was a cruise through the Greek islands! In 1995, for my 25^th ordination anniversary, the Cathedral parish gave me that trip. To walk up the very wide main street from the port that St. Paul himself walked, was moving indeed!  Another of the highlights of that stop in Ephesus was a bus trip to the top of the hill where St. John and Mary, the mother of Jesus, is believed to have lived out their final days.

When today’s gospel reading comes up where Jesus basically hands the care of his mother to his beloved disciple, I remember that visit. The tiny community where they are believed to have lived, overlooking the great city of Ephesus, is not that impressive. What is impressive was their fidelity to Jesus as they stood there at the cross to the very end! Their fidelity is much more important than that tiny village overlooking Ephesus. It is their fidelity I want to talk about today, not my trip!  

Fidelity! We have a whole lot of names for it: keeping a promise, carry through, doing what you said you'd do, keep your word, putting your money where your mouth is, putting up and shutting up, being faithful, to name a few.

When I was ordained a priest, 54 years ago last Thursday, I made a promise to remain faithful to my ministry till death, very much like the Sisters, priests and married residents. Let me share with you a few things I have learned about fidelity.

(1) Fidelity is not static, but dynamic. By that, I mean you don't just commit in some ceremony and "puuuf," fidelity is guaranteed. It is always a way of life, rather than a fact of life. Fidelity is something that must be freely and consciously chosen every morning you put your feet to the floor, whether you're a marriage partner, a Sister or a priest. In a day’s time, life offers innumerable opportunities to be faithful or unfaithful. In fact, many of those around us today will actually encourage us and entice us to be unfaithful, rather than faithful. In other words, opportunities for infidelity, as well as some very convincing rhetoric will try to entice us to be unfaithful. Like love, fidelity can often be demandingly harsh, especially when you have to say "no" to things that look good, smell good, taste good and feel good - all for the sake of a higher good.

(2) Those who make commitments to fidelity must count the cost before they make it and be able to pay the price after they make it. In marriage, you must not just be able to remain faithful yourself, you have to marry someone else who has what it takes to remain faithful. One should never make a lifetime commitment without having what it takes to keep it. Before one takes such a serious leap as a life-time commitment, one must be able to take baby steps before big steps. Before one makes a lifetime commitment, it is a good idea to see if one can make small commitments and keep them. If you never keep your word, never follow through on even small promises, always take the latest best offer no matter what you told someone else yesterday, never finish a project, never can be counted on to show up, then you are not ready to be a priest, Sister or get married. 

(3) Fidelity is often presented as a horrible cross to bear with rewards only in the after-life. Very little is said about the payoffs of fidelity. I believe that fidelity has pay-offs similar to regular exercise and a good diet. It's not easy, but it is ultimately good for you and for society.  God knows we have seen the pain that uncommitted partners, infidelity, latest best offers, grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence thinking have inflicted on innocent marriage partners, families and especially children. Fidelity teaches you a lot about yourself. It teaches you to work through problems, rather than run from them. It helps you focus your energy in a more effective way.

(4) One does not just make a promise of fidelity and hope for the best or merely tough it out. One must tend one's garden, pay attention on a daily basis and do all one can to protect one's commitment from compromise and contamination. I have learned one thing from hundreds and hundreds of failed marriages. They were not killed. They simply starved to death, day after day, from lack of care and feeding! 

One of my heroes is Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit and a scientist. Because of his new ideas, he was silenced by Rome in 1926. He was urged by many to leave, not only the Jesuits, but also the Church. He decided rather to "go on to the end and with a smile if possible." Why? He said, "When I took my vows, I committed myself. To break them would be an offense against honor." "One must work from within," he said. "Those who leave no longer have any influence. The ideas now considered revolutionary will be generally accepted...The day will come; there can be no possible doubt about it."

These words of Father de Chardin have always challenged me on my personal journey of fidelity especially the part where he says, "One must work (for change) from within (the Church). Those who leave no longer have any influence.”  How true! How very true!

 

CELEBRATING IN MEADE COUNTY THIS WEEKEND

St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi Church 

On Saturday evening, Father Bob Ray and I will be in Meade County celebrating (2 years delayed) the 150th anniversary of the founding of the partner parish of St. Theresa of Avila, St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi in Payneville.

St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi Church was founded off of St. Theresa of Avila Church in 1872 by its pastor Father Jule Pierre Raoux, an immigrant from France.  Since my mother was baptized and raised in St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, my parents were married there. Today, both parishes share one pastor, Father George Illiikkal, an immigrant from India.        

                       

St. Theresa of Avila Church 

On Sunday, Father Bob Ray and I will be at St. Theresa of Avila concelebrating the Confirmation Mass with Archbishop Shelton Fabre. We are both from this parish. St. Theresa of Avila Church was founded in 1818, a log church on the banks of the Ohio River not far from the present church,  by Father Robert Abner Abell. 

Last year, to celebrate the opening of the new St. Theresa Family Life Center, shared by both parishes, I wrote the lyrics of a new hymn to celebrate our common histories and to celebrate our working together as sister-parishes today. 

 

ON THIS DAY 1970 - 54 YEARS AGO

 

Minutes before leaving the house to go to the Cathedral for ordination to the priesthood.

A reflective moment before entering the Cathedral for the Rite of Ordination to the Priesthood.

A moment during the actual Ordination to the Priesthood. 

This ceramic statue of a priest was given to me on my ordination day 54 years ago. For me, it symbolizes my 54 years of ministry. It's hat has been cracked and part of it is missing during one of my moves. One of it's eyes has been knocked out in a another move. I keep it because, in spite of  all it has been through, like me, it is still standing tall! 

LESSONS LEARNED 

The biggest thing I have learned is that not getting what you want can actually be the best thing that can happen to you! 

Take risks! Always choosing safety can be deadly! Be ready for, and open to, surprises! 

Life is not something that happens to you and all you can do is make the most of it!  You have to be pro-active in creating the life you want! 

People are basically good, especially if you are good to them! Give and it will be given back to you! 

I am simply amazed and forever grateful for a wonderful 54 years of priesthood!  

_______________________________________________

This song was sung at my first Mass on May 17, 1970. I have played it, or had it sung, on every ordination anniversary since. 

Another Version 

THE PROMISE BEHIND THIS YEAR’S PRIEST CHANGES

At our Priest Assembly in 2012, the priests of the Louisville, one at a time, were invited to renew their Promises of Obedience to then Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly OP

THAT OTHER PROMISE

A few selected ideas from an article I wrote about the Promise of Obedience in 2010 for Our Sunday Visitor Magazine. 

The priests, who make up the majority of every diocesan presbyterate, make two solemn promises: celibacy and obedience. (It might be good to remind ourselves here that religious priests working under a diocesan bishop are full members of that presbyterate as long as they are working in that diocese. They are not just visitors or mere associates.)

Rather than negatives, the promises of celibacy and obedience are meant to free us up for ministry. Celibacy makes it possible for us to become that ''intimate sacramental brotherhood for the purpose of ministry'' that the Church speaks about.

Of the two promises, the only one we ever hear much about, after we make it, is celibacy. We never hear too much about ''the other promise,'' the promise of obedience. It, too, makes it possible for us to be that ''intimate sacramental brotherhood for the purpose of ministry.''

The older I get, the more I appreciate the wisdom of our two promises. Regardless of all the pious exaggeration written about the beauties of celibacy, I agree that, if embraced and lived freely, it can be freeing. It can free one up for a greater good, for full-time service to the People of God. The only time I have ever thought much about obedience, or needed to, was when I got my first assignment after I was ordained.

As one who was born in the country, but urbanized quite well by the seminary system, I had my heart set on being an associate pastor in a large suburban parish in Louisville, where restaurants, theaters and friends were all around. What I got was an assignment to the ''home missions'' of our diocese, on the edge of Appalachia, a parish the size of the state of Delaware with a Catholic population of one tenth of one percent, as far away from Louisville as one could get. My family and friends were three hours away.

I cried, I pleaded and I even took to my bed to no avail! I had to go ''out of obedience.'' I was a bit like those people who join the National Guard in peacetime, not imagining that they would ever have to fight a war! I balked at first, but with God's help, I was able to turn my mind around.

Since I didn't get what I wanted, I decided to want what I got. That, I believe, is part of the true spirit behind the ''promise of obedience.'' I went because the bishop has the ''big picture'' and said he needed me there. I went because I promised him and his successors that I would go where the Church needed my gifts.

Yes, I was upset and disappointed. Yes, I tried to change his mind, but in the end, I knew that it was me who needed to change my mind. I did change it, not grudgingly, but with as much good spirit as I could muster. (By the way, that assignment turned out to be fabulous, one that led directly to later assignments that were all the loves of my life.)

Over the years, my understanding and appreciation of ''obedience'' has evolved. It has matured. I have come to see that the ''promise of obedience'' has implications beyond the person of the bishop. It includes a promise to fellow members of my presbyterate. Rather than making me a slave to the whims of one particular person, the bishop, it is really a promise to be a ''team player'' with the bishop and the other members of my presbyterate for the sake of the common purpose we share: effective ministry to the People of God. It is this understanding of the ''promise of obedience,'' a promise to be a ''team player,'' that I believe will lead to a renewal of our presbyterates. The theology is quite clear: we are not priests, one by one. We are priests in a presbyterate under a bishop. ''Lone rangers'' and ''priests in private practice'' are heretical!

Remember these promises? You made them! I made them! We meant them, didn't we? Didn't we? (1) ''Are you resolved, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discharge without fail, the office of the priesthood in the presbyteral order as a conscientious fellow worker with the bishops in caring for the Lord's flock?'' (2) Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?'' How do those promises sound to you after all these years? How do those promises sound in one’s retirement years!

Priests do not carry out their own ministry, they are fellow workers in helping the bishop carry out his ministry! For the bishop to carry out his ministry of caring for the Lord's flock, his team of fellow workers must be on the same page with him! That is why respect and obedience is needed! All this is beautifully put in Eucharistic Prayer I for Masses of Reconciliation, ''Keep us all in communion of mind and heart with our Pope and our bishop.''

At a time we need to work together as a team, we seem to be growing further and further apart. As Lily Tomlin would put it, ''We are all in this together, by ourselves.'' A new look at, and a new appreciation of, our promise of obedience, I believe, can be the beginning of the reversal of that trend.

An expansive understanding of ''promise of obedience'' is the only thing we have in our arsenal as diocesan priests to ritualize that group resolve because, in it, we promise each other to be ''team players.'' We cannot have a healthy, unified presbyterate when everyone is self-focused. We are an orchestra, not a loose association of soloists. We are one body with many parts, each with gifts the whole body needs. Like the original twelve, Christ calls us to resist those things that threaten that unity, especially working alone, working too much and working against each other.

 

 

IT'S BABY GEESE SEASON ON THE CONDO POND

ONE COUPLE LOST THEIR BABIES

Due to an unfortunate location to put her nest, this mother had three eggs (one more than in the photo) that were not able to hatch because a cat or other animal got to them and even destroyed the nest. 

ONE COUPLE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE FIVE BABIES TO MAKE IT

This mother was able to hatch five of her eggs and was out showing them around. However, I only saw them one day. Maybe they are hiding away and will show up again or maybe they were victims of other animals? 

                             

BAD NEWS FROM MY HOME PARISH - HISTORIC ST. THERESA

Two Juveniles Charged In Church Vandalism

APRIL 10, 2024 BY MABLE CUNDIFF

Two juveniles are facing charges after a burglary and vandalizing of property at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Rhodelia.

On Tuesday (4/9), deputies and detectives from the Meade County Sheriff’s Office responded to the church about a vandalism complaint.

Deputies met with church staff who were able to provide video of two juvenile subjects on the property vandalizing the exterior of the buildings. Deputies entered the church building and observed extensive damage to the inside. It appeared the juveniles had dispersed several fire extinguishers inside the church and destroyed numerous religious artifacts. The juveniles spread holy oil over the floor of the building destroying the carpet and turned the cross upside down on the altar. The damage to the church and Parish Hall is estimated at this time to be well over $10,000.

Detectives processed the scene at the facilities and collected numerous items of evidence. Deputies also took notice and processed additional damage to headstones at the cemetery across from St Theresa Church that were damaged the previous day.

Detectives were able to identify two juvenile suspects who are in custody at this time.

The suspects are being charged with Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. The investigation will be turned over to the County Attorney and Commonwealth Attorneys Office for prosecution.

NOTES FROM FATHER KNOTT

Thank God, they did not enter the new St. Theresa Family Life Center (old Cross Roads grade school) that we had just completed renovating several months back. However, our new security cameras that I had insisted on installing caught them on the videos. Neither did they enter the new Guest House (old rectory). They also did extensive damage in the Parish Hall. However, they did destroy several old tombstones in the old St. Theresa Cemetery including pushing over the headstone of Matilda Hurd Chisley that I had just recently had cleaned and reset. It was not broken completely, thank God, and is already being reset. 

Matilda is the grandmother of the Venerable Augustus Tolton who was the first black Catholic priest ordained in the US and will hopefully soon be declared a saint by the Pope. Both Matilda and her daughter Martha Jane (mother of Augustus Tolton) were enslaved members of St. Theresa Parish. Martha Jane was moved to Missouri at age 17 by her "owner." Augustus Tolton was born enslaved until his mother escaped with him and his siblings from Missouri to the free state of Illinois as a child. Father Augustus Tolton attended seminary and was ordained in Rome because no US seminary would accept a black seminarian at that time!