Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week Resources
The resources prepared by the Bishops' Conference for Catholic Schools Week (this week!) deserve a plug. Not all the prayers and resources chosen are quite to my taste, but it's important that we affirm our commitment to Catholic education.
Incidentally, it's a shame that this hasn't been better promoted on the ground. I only received news of these resources during the week. A little more notice would have enabled me to prepare a lot more work.

A Recent Debate
There's been a lot of nonsense in the media about the Church's control of schools, but thankfully, there've also been some solid refutations of those opinions.
In particular, there's been quite a debate recently about a recent opinion poll suggesting that a majority of Irish adults think that the Catholic Church should give up 'control' of primary schools. When the question is asked like that, the answer is bound to be somewhat skewed. However, no one seemed to bother checking whether we did in fact control the schools at all! I certainly don't 'control' the schools I'm involved in. They are Catholic schools, yes, and have a Catholic ethos, but to suggest that the Church or clergy 'control' the schools is misleading.

Church Control?
Most primary schools in Ireland are under the patronage of the Diocesan Bishop and are run by their Boards of Management. The Bishop nominates two members (including the Chairperson), two members represent the school staff, two represent the parents (normally elected by the Parents' Council) and two represent the local community. Whilst they operate with a Catholic ethos, I think you'll find that most Boards of Management are controlled more by the State than by the local Bishop. After all, it is the Department of Education who lay down the curricula, who pay the teachers, who set down the regulations under which schools run on a day-to-day basis, etc, etc...
Within that framework, however, it's important to cultivate our Catholic ethos. That is something which goes beyond the assigned periods of religious instruction (from which parents are entitled to withdraw their children). Catholicism teaches some fundamental truths about the value of the human beings, the purpose of education and a holistic understanding what growth is. As De Lubac affirms, true Christianity must be a humanism - a philosophy which contains within it a strong and affirmative vision of humanity which is committed to its development. Within that context, it should be clear that our Catholic schools can respectfully welcome those of other faiths.
Part of what we need to do as a nation is to recognise how much of our humanism - the value we place on family and community, our commitment to the physical, moral, spiritual and educational growth of our children - is rooted in our Catholic ethos. We need to recognise that a purely secular vision of education operates from a different ethos, and we need to ask whether such an ethos sustains similar or conflicting values.

Incidentally
Did you know that there's actually a legal definition of the Catholic ethos agreed between the State and the Patrons of Ireland's Catholic Schools? It's called the 'Schedule of a Catholic School' and is a useful thing to know about when questions arise about 'Catholic Ethos' and 'Church Control'. It reads as follows and should (by law) be displayed in all our Catholic primary schools.

The Schedule of a Catholic School
A Roman Catholic School (which is established in connection with the Minister) aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil: intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual, including a living relationship with God and with other people.
The school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Catholic school provides Religious education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and promotes the formation of the pupils in the Catholic Faith.

This PDF document provides some useful addenda:

The Schedule indicates that a Catholic Primary School:
o is one established in connection with the Minister and therefore recognised as a national school for public funding
o is a denominational school under the patronage of the local Catholic bishop
o strives to be a good school committed to the ‘full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil’
o sees full human development as including a living relationship with God and other people
o provides Religious Education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church
o promotes the faith formation of the pupils in the Catholic faith including the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, First Communion and Confirmation
o seeks to let pupils experience a religious way of life by being part of a faith community, the values and practices of which model a living relationship with God in Jesus Christ.
The Schedule does not state that a Catholic school is a school only for Catholic pupils.
Neither does it state that the Catholic school provides what may be called a ‘common’ or ‘multi-denominational’ religious education programme open to pupils of all religious faiths and none. The Catholic school is a welcoming and inclusive school.

The Unfortunate Tertullian

I mentioned 'the unfortunate Tertullian' over at Enbrethiliel's comment box a couple of days ago, and got my wrist slapped because she thinks that Tertullian was 'pretty cool'. And I must confess to having an affection for him, and thinking that he could indeed be pretty cool, even if I still insist that he was 'unfortunate'. I mean, if you start off being an exceptionally talented orthodox Christian polemicist and apologist, then drift into the somewhat murky waters of Montanism, and then find that the Montanists are too soft for you and become a Tertullianist, then you're unfortunate. If you break away from the Church, become a Tertullianist and you yourself are called Tertullian, you should probably realise that something's gone awry with your spiritual life.

But, as Enbrethiliel herself reminded me, Tertullian was pretty cool. He was certainly the earliest theologian of talent who wrote in Latin (late 2nd and early 3rd Century AD) and we can thank him for much of our Latin theological vocabulary. Speaking of the 'Trinity' as 'one substance' and 'three persons' is something that we can thank Tertullian for. His fellow North African St Cyprian of Carthage used to simply refer to him as 'the Master', and Pope Benedict devoted a Wednesday Catechesis to him back in 2007. Tertullian is as good an example as any as to why we shouldn;t confine our reading to those who have managed to stay within the confines of orthodox thought.

That being said, he is an essentially tragic figure, one whose talent and high moral standards, led him on an increasingly individualistic spiritual journey, ultimately cutting himself of from the societas permixta, the Church of saints and sinners. As Pope Benedict points out:

This great moral and intellectual personality, this man who made such a great contribution to Christian thought, makes me think deeply. One sees that in the end he lacked the simplicity, the humility to integrate himself with the Church, to accept his weaknesses, to be forbearing with others and himself.

And yet he did the Church some service. So many of the important insights and thoughts which would prove crucial in the development of Christian thought find early and robust expression in Tertullian. The principle that only the Church can soundly interpret scripture finds a typically lawyerly expression in Tertullian's Prescription of Heretics:

Thus, not being Christians, they have acquired no right to the Christian Scriptures; and it may be very fairly said to them, "Who are you? When and whence did you come? As you are none of mine, what have you to do with that which is mine? Indeed, Marcion, by what right do you hew my wood? By whose permission, Valentinus, are you diverting the streams of my fountain? By what power, Apelles, are you removing my landmarks? This is my property. Why are you, the rest, sowing and feeding here at your own pleasure? This (I say) is my property. I have long possessed it; I possessed it before you. I hold sure title-deeds from the original owners themselves, to whom the estate belonged. I am the heir of the apostles. Just as they carefully prepared their will and testament, and committed it to a trust, and adjured (the trustees to be faithful to their charge), even so do I hold it. As for you, they have, it is certain, always held you as disinherited, and rejected you as strangers— as enemies. But on what ground are heretics strangers and enemies to the apostles, if it be not from the difference of their teaching, which each individual of his own mere will has either advanced or received in opposition to the apostles?"

Even though Tertullian at his best is 'punchy', his writing wasn't all polemic. He also wrote a very early exposition of the Lord's Prayer describing it as a 'summary of the entire Gospel'. Some hold that he was one of the proto-protestants. Whatever one might make of that assessment, I think that unfortunate is the best word for one who lapsed through rigorism and enthusiasm.

What's the Irish for 'creeping secularism'?

A priest friend has made me aware of the fact that Raidió na Gaeltachta - a radio station which serves the Irish-speaking communities of Ireland - has stopped broadcasting weekly Mass. Mass is now being broadcast one week in four, with the readings of the day being broadcast on the other four Sundays.

Christmas Night Mass Homily

[This is still in draft form, so please forgive my infelicities of thought and style.]

After the passage of countless centuries from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created heaven and earth and formed man and woman in his own image, and very many centuries from the time when after the flood the Almighty had set his bow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant and of peace; in the twenty-first century from the migration of Abraham, our father in faith, from Ur of the Chaldees; in the thirteenth century from the departure of the people of Israel from Egypt under the leadership of Moses; in about the thousandth year from the anointing of David as king according to the prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; in the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the City of Rome; in the forty-second year of the rule of Caesar Octavian Augustus; while the whole world was at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the Eternal Father, desiring to consecrate the world by his most gracious coming, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed after his conception, is born as man in Bethlehem of Judah from the Virgin Mary: the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. (Christmas Proclaimation)

Throughout the world, on ‘this holy night’ (cf. Opening Prayer), parishes gather together to hear the Christmas proclamation and celebrate the great feast of Our Lord’s birth. Individuals and families make their way out of the cold and darkness, into the warmth and light of our Christmas celebration. It’s no coincidence that we gather in the darkest time of the winter to hear how the true light of the world came in our midst.
The Door of Humility
And as we think of millions who gather, like us, to celebrate this feast, let us turn our minds in a particular way to the City of Bethlehem, where Christian memory has preserved the place where Christ was born of Mary twenty centuries ago. A church has stood on that spot for the past 1,700 years, and beneath the Church is the grotto itself, the cave-stable where the Word of God came into this world. The spot is marked a silver star set into the floor, with a Latin inscription: Here Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. But to reach that that star, to go into the grotto one must first get into the Basilica of the Nativity itself. The main entrance of the Church is called the Door of Humility – and is less than 4½ feet high! It’s not possible for anyone – no matter how great or good – to get to Christ’s birthplace without bending down! Of course, it was God Himself who bowed down first, coming among us in poverty to share our condition.
The Mind of a Child?
Because God has bowed down, to come among us, let us too bow down in humility and spend a little time at the crib. Have you ever seen little children being brought to look at the crib? They’re fascinated by it – the angels, the shepherds, the Kings, the animals, Mary and Joseph, and at the heart of it all, the baby Jesus – so small, and yet the centre of attention. Christ tells us that we must be like little children (cf. matt 18:3), and this is – I think – especially true at this Christmas celebration. Children are filled with wonder and joy at Christmas. The Christmas story is one that a child can grasp. But it’s not just a children’s story. It’s not just something for children to wonder at. Our wonder and joy should be just as great as that of the smallest child learning about the crib for the first time. Our adult faith should be continually astonished that our God has come among us in such humility – as a small baby, in a cave, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger, cared for and dependent on a carpenter and his young wife. We who have seen something of life should renew our amazement and joy this night – because God Himself has come among us, has put Himself at our mercy, has come to show His love and win our love in the greatest humility. If anything, we should be even more astonished than the children!
Not a Children's Story
This is no fable or fairy story. There is no history or life more real than that of the little child, born in poverty, coming into a world of darkness. There is still much darkness and poverty in the world – in the Bethlehem of today, and in so many other places. There is a darkness and poverty in the corners of our own lives too. And yet, the true light has come into the world and we are invited to welcome Him.
Venite Adoremus
Come let us adore Him. Let us take the time to truly worship Him this evening. Let us be joyful and grateful this night. If we do not take the time to adore the child in the manger, we cannot know God or His peace. True peace and true communion are offered to the world through that little child. If we bow down and worship Him, turn our hearts and minds to adoration of Him, we will know that God is truly among us. If we worship Him in His innocence and humility, we will become what we worship. God has come among us as a child, has shared our life and our struggles so that we might have a share in His life, His peace and His glory.

Introduction to Creed
Let us stand for the Profession of Faith – and because it is Christmas, we genuflect at the words “and was made man” in honour of God's humility in coming among us.

Prayers of the Faithful
With joy and confidence in the power of God who came among us as a man, let us make our prayers for the Church and the World:

We pray for the Church throughout the World – that the faith and joy of Christians everywhere may be renewed.

We pray for peace in the world – between nations and peoples, and within families – may the Infant Jesus bless us with His peace.

We pray for all those who suffer – from poverty, ill-health, and despair – through the power of the Holy Spirit and the help of those around them, may this season bring them hope.

We pray for our own intentions – I offer this Mass this evening for all our parishioners – especially for those who find it difficult to celebrate this Christmas.

We pray for our dead – especially those who died during the past 12 months – May the Lord welcome them all into His presence.

Let us Pray
Lord God, you sent your Son among us as our Saviour. May our celebration of His birth deepen our faith and strengthen our hope. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

On the Road to Bethlehem

I happened to be reading GK Chesteron's Irish Impressions recently, and was very stuck by something he wrote:

The Irish Catholics, like other Christians, admit a mystery in the Holy Trinity, but they may almost be said to admit an experience in the Holy Family. Their historical experience, alas, has made it seem to them not unnatural that the Holy Family should be a homeless family. They also have found that there was no room for them at the inn, or anywhere but in the jail; they also have dragged their new-born babes out of their cradles, and trailed in despair along the road to Egypt, or at least along the road to exile. They also have heard in the dark and the distance behind them, the noise of the horsemen of Herod.

One of the typical Christmas decorations here in Ireland is a lit candle in each window of the house throughout the Christmas season. These are intended to light the journey of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. In some parts of Ireland it was the tradition to take the candle from the window on Christmas Eve and place it in the middle of the kitchen floor. The door of the house would be left unlocked as an invitation for the Holy Family to stop for refreshment on their journey. Sigerson Clifford's Kerry Christmas Carol refers to this custom:

Brush the floor and clean the hearth,
And set the fire to keep,
For they might visit us tonight
When all the world’s asleep.

Don’t blow the tall white candle out
But leave it burning bright,
So that they’ll know they’re welcome here
This holy Christmas night.

Leave out the bread and meat for them,
And sweet milk for the Child,
And they will bless the fire, that baked
And, too, the hands that toiled.

For Joseph will be travel-tired,
And Mary pale and wan,
And they can sleep a little while
Before they journey on.

They will be weary of the roads,
And rest will comfort them,
For it must be many a lonely mile
From here to Bethlehem.

O long the road they have to go,
The bad mile with the good,
Till the journey ends on Calvary
Beneath a cross of wood.

Leave the door upon the latch,
And set the fire to keep,
And pray they’ll rest with us tonight
When all the world’s asleep.

Thanks to Fr Philip...

His post on 'Five Hard Truths' provided the back-bone to my homily this Sunday. As Advent draws near and we remember the Holy Souls during this month of November, he gives a very fitting reflection.

Anglicanorum Coetibus

The Holy See has issued the Apostolic Constitution which sets up new structures enabling Anglicans to enter into full communion with Rome. My brief reading of it suggests that they're essentially getting mini-dioceses - personal Ordinariates - giving them quite an amount of autonomy to preserve their Anglican heritage.

IV. A Personal Ordinariate is entrusted to the pastoral care of an Ordinary appointed by the Roman Pontiff.

V. The power (potestas) of the Ordinary is:

a. ordinary: connected by the law itself to the office entrusted to him by the Roman Pontiff, for both the internal forum and external forum;

b. vicarious: exercised in the name of the Roman Pontiff;

c. personal: exercised over all who belong to the Ordinariate;

This power is to be exercised jointly with that of the local Diocesan Bishop, in those cases provided for in the Complementary Norms.

Interesting... and one wonders if this is a possible structure which could be used to reconcile the SSPX?