Pastors, Help Us Become Saints
- Reverent liturgy, including well-prepared homilies firmly rooted in biblical wisdom made accessible. We really and truly meet Jesus and the saints in the sacred Liturgy. Rendered beautifully, mindful of the connection between the earthly and the heavenly Liturgy, we are formed by the Eucharistic Jesus for an eternity with him.
- Confession: supply formation to assist the examination of conscience, refinement of judgement, clarity of purpose, development of virtue, and dependence on God's grace. God provides the medicine of mercy through Holy Mother Church to help us grow in holiness. We need what the Holy Ghost provides: perspective. Without the grace of God, we can flounder in scrupulosity or wander in indifference. The Light of God is necessary for us to remain vigilant and ready to repent of our sins. If we become full of ourselves, there is no room for God in our lives.
- Fellowship and a rich devotional life: study and discussion groups that support formation for mission, evangelization, and works of mercy; Rosary; Divine Office; Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus drew around himself his apostles and disciples, witnesses to his life, death, and resurrection. Before Scripture was the community of the redeemed, the Church, with Peter as the visible head of Christ's Church, that handed on the Faith undefiled.
- Publish bulletins and other modes of communication that explain liturgical worship and propose authentic leadership for mission. Social media can be used to great effect to "get the word out," to support evangelization, and to build community by inviting people to "come and see." Social media, beyond pitching bits and pieces of upcoming events, can be used to establish a conversation among parishioners that, with the right guidance from pastors (e.g., homiletic content, Advent and Lenten lectures), can intensify commitment and foster the realization of spiritual and corporal works of mercy that bring Christ to those in most need of his mercy.
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Cecil B. Hartley is the male alter ego of Florence Hartley, author of The Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness and The Ladies' Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work. Hints For Gentlemanly Deportment from The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness (G.G. Evans, Publisher, Philadelphia: 1874); being a complete guide for a gentleman's conduct in all his relations toward society. Containing rules for the etiquette to be observed in the street, at table, in the ball-room, evening party, and morning call; with full directions for polite correspondence, dress, conversation, manly exercises and accomplishments. From the best French, English and American authorities. By Cecil B. Hartley https://archive.org/details/gentlemenquotsb00Hart/page/n3/mode/2up Excerpt from Chapter XI: p.198. One hundred hints for gentlemanly deportment 22. Perhaps the true definition of a gentleman is this: "Whoever is open, loyal, and true; whoever is of humane and ...
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ST AUGUSTINE
The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.
JOHN DONNE
Sleep with clean hands, either kept clean all day by integrity or washed clean at night by repentance.
MARCUS AURELIUS
There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
MARK TWAIN
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
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