LGBT Spirituality and Church attendance

A recent article appearred in Politics Daily and is referenced below:

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/08/10/gay-christians-discord-in-the-pews/

"Why Gay Guys Are Churchier Than Their Straight Brethren"

The article finds from research done that LGBT persons have a very high rate of Church life and practice despite long held stereotypes to the contrary. As a priest and pastor of a church that is inclusive, the findings do not surprise me as our most active and dedicated parish members are, by a majority, LGBT persons.

As my spiritual director once taught me, the spirituality of LGBT persons is deeply rooted in the desert and Exodus experience: A faithful God walking with us and leading us through a wilderness requiring of us deep trust, faith, and hope. From this faith, God's love can be experienced in a transforming way.

"One is that gays and lesbians are drawn to ministering to others as a result of their own experience, and that the Christian journey of forgiveness and redemption and acceptance resonates deeply with them. "One reason that homosexuals are drawn to service in the church is that many of these people have been wounded themselves. They know what it's like to feel broken, and they want to help others in whatever way they are hurting," said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author, who knows gays and lesbians who work in ministry despite the fact that they cannot openly identify as homosexual. "The Christian paradigm of the scapegoat -- the marginalized one, the one who suffers unjustly -- is quite powerful, especially for gay people."

Also as a formation director, I can testify to the threefold calling of all: the call to be, to live, to do. LGBT persons are confronted like no other group to really discern the first question that makes the others possible: Who am I?/How did God create me?/Why did God create me this way? Only then can one really answer: how am I to live my life and what am I to do with it?

"In a similar vein, others cite Christian de la Huerta's powerful book on gay religiosity, "Coming Out Spiritually," and his argument that gay people are, among other things, forced to mediate across the gap between their sexuality and spirituality, a divide straight Christians do not have to negotiate. So that makes LGBT people especially adept at helping others navigate a world of binaries, in particular the frontier between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Moreover, the process of coming out as a homosexual is often seen as analogous to the Christian pilgrimage of self-discovery and acceptance. "I have a theory that once you discern one call -- that God has created you to be gay -- that you are more adept at understanding God's call in other ways, as into ministry," said Kansfield."

Perhaps something for all congregations to consider is the vast riches that are there waiting to be fully appreciated in their LGBT brothers and sisters to make their communities more alive in worship, deeper rooted in integrity and faith, and grerater sharing in charity.

Uniting our Prayers with the People of Iran

Below is a letter a wrote today to the Order regarding the moral and civil crimes against humanity perpetuated this weekend by the Iranian Leadership:

Sisters and Brothers,

The unrest this week in Iran has turned from hopeful protests to bloody crackdown. A government's role in the name of Faith and Humanity is to provide security, organization, protection, public service and peace to its people. There are many forms of government that are morally good, even forms of theocracy or monarchy can fit these definitions.

This letter is written not to condemn the form of government in Iran, but to question the moral actions of the current government and leadership. Civilians have a legitimate human right to organize and protest. The weekend crackdown by the Iranian government on the vastly peaceful organizing of the civilians is reprehensible and deserved condemnation by all people and leaders of faith.

Let us unite our prayers with those of the Iranian people and ask God to grant them freedom, courage, and peace. Eternal rest on the brave martyrs who have already given their lives this week. Please make it your special intentions tomorrow, Our Lord's Day, at Mass and Hours.

I will offer a Mass for the same intention uniting all of our prayers from the altar.

Yours, one in mind and heart,

Joseph Augustine+

St. Mary of Grace Parish Fifth Anniversary

May 31, 2009 marked the fifth anniversary of the founding of the parish, the feast of the Visitation of the BVM and the Vigil of Our Lady of Grace, the patronal feast of the Parish. Our Lady of Grace is the oldest of the Augustinian devotions to Mary remembering the woman who so filled with God's Grace she said yes to God's call for her to give humanity to Christ. This anniversary marks in all of us in the parish, order and jurisdiction, a reminder of what God's tremendous Grace can accomplish in us as well. God has given us all that we need to bear much fruit in advancing our own life with our God and God's reign in the world.

Below is the address Bishop Timothy gave to the parish at the Eucharistic celebration of the anniversary on Saturday, May 30.

"My warmest congratulations to St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church. I have had the privilege of being associated with the parish for four years, beginning with the first public Mass in June, 2005, and it became part of the Independent Catholic Christian Church in September of that year.

When I think back over the history of the parish, the key quality I see is that of faithfulness. Faithfulness to Augustinian values, as a parish that started and has continued as a ministry of the Order of Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Faithfulness to the Augustinian value of fostering a spirituality of serving Christ with all of one’s heart and all of one’s mind, and faithfulness to the Augustinian value of community, as is taught in the Rule of St. Augustine. The parish has also shown faithfulness to the values of the Independent Catholic Christian Church – adhering to the Christian faith as taught in the historic creeds, proclaiming that the world was created by the Triune God, that God became incarnate in a human being in the person of Jesus Christ, and that Jesus Christ has won victory for us over sin and death through the Atonement made by his death and Resurrection. Faithfulness to the values of being deeply prayerful and joyfully sacramental, fostering the life of prayer in its members by offering a number of opportunities to pray together, with the Eucharist at the center of its life. Faithfulness to the value of being radically inclusive, opening its doors to all who seek God or a deeper knowledge of God regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The parish has been faithful in good times and in bad. There were times when we did not have a home for our Sunday Mass and had to meet in each other’s homes. In the beginning, it was often just Fr. Joseph and I. But we didn’t give up. We continued to be faithful to the vision, knowing that God could do through us greater things than we could ask or imagine. There have also been times of great joy and celebration – but we did not use those as an excuse to coast, but continued to focus on the values and vision that we hold dear, believing it to be the mission that God has given us.

And so, here we are today, celebrating this wonderful anniversary, and rejoicing in the many great things God has done in our midst. It is my prayer that the parish may continue serving God faithfully in the coming years, decades, and centuries! Ad multos annos!

+Tim"

Holy Week Reflection

Our new postulant asked recently if there were any specific Augustinian traditions for Holy Week.
I am not aware of any specific Augustinian traditions for Holy Week that differ from the Roman usage. Our "parent" Order, the OSA was unique in its founding being erected directly by the Holy See in 1256. As such it is very much Roman Rite, with less diversions in its own rites unlike the Benedictines, for example.

But, I like what Lyngine pointed out regarding the why and how. As Augustinians our spirit flows from the intimate love made manifest in God's incarnation. Thus, the love of Jesus in obedience to the Father is what we focus upon. Jesus went to the cross because he loved the Father and loved us and knew that this act of total self sacrifice was necessary for our return to God, our reconciliation to God, and our return as chosen children of God.

It was love that enabled Jesus to endure all of this for US. We in turn do all, suffer all, edure all, for love of God by loving each other. This love is not a cheap sentimental love, but real love by giving to each other, epsecilaly when you feel you have nothing left to give. That is the Augustinian tradition...simple and quiet giving from the heart in especially the little things in life. How can we love God whom we do not see if we do not love our brothers and sisters whom we do see? So, think of those in your life who need love and offer your penenace and sacrifice for them, not only this week, but always.

Conversion and Vocation: It's never ending

Brothers and Sisters,

Today is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Our Sunday readings (http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/012509a.shtml) continue on the theme from last week regarding God's calling to us to be redeemed and share in the coming of the Kingdom.

This week we hear how Nineveh was saved by Johna's obedience to God's will in going there to preach a message of repentance. The Ninevites listened, turned back to the Lord, and were saved by His mercy. Paul reminds us of how this world and the next life are not the same and for us to be on gaurd from loving this world too much and not remembering we are called to an eternity with God. Finally, Jesus continues to call his disciples together by knowing their hearts' desires.

Remember that we as religious, whether professed, oblate, or in formation, are answering God's call. First we are called to our own redemption through vigilance to prayer, penance, and integrity of heart. BE WHO YOU ARE! That is where God's call begins. Then allow God's Word to permeate you, pound your doubts and fears to sand by your living each day in your call wether in married life, single life, or celibacy. Then and only then can God's mercy effect a change in you to go out and minister as He wishes. Once you, yourself, have experienced God's transforming love, God's abundant mercy, God's radical acceptance of you, then you are ready to do His will and lead others, through intercessory prayer, example, preaching, or good works to the same journey and conclusions.

Ours is not an easy life, but it is one we live day by day. Paul's conversion was begun when he was knocked off the horse, it was completed the day he entered heaven to hug and greet his master. Our Holy Father Augustine began his conversion in Milan and completed it in the same way as Paul. We never have all the answers or should feel completely comfortable in our vocation because we are called to radical conversion EACH and EVERY day! God has placed this journey before us and He will see us through...just keep holding his hand and the hand of your brothers and sisters in community.

Yours, one in mind and heart, and yes, often confused, but ON THE WAY TO GOD with you,

Joseph Augustine+

Happy Birthday to the Augustinian Order in the Church

On December 11th, 1243 the decree, Incumbit Nobis was issued by Pope Innocent IV, and it called together a number of monastic communities in Tuscany. The Augustinians owed their formal existence to the policy of Popes Innocent IV (1241–1254) and Pope Alexander IV (1254–1261), who wished to counterbalance the influence of the powerful Franciscans and Dominicans by means of a similar order under more direct papal authority and devoted to papal interests.

The Augustinian Hermits became the last of the great mendicant orders to be formally constituted in the thirteenth century. It is historically verifiable that Innocent IV, by the bull issued 16 December 1243 united a number of small hermit societies with Augustinian rule, especially the Williamites, the John-Bonites, and the Brictinans.

Alexander IV (admonished, it was said, by an appearance of Saint Augustine) called a general assembly of the members of the new united order under the presidency of Cardinal Richard of Saint Angeli at the monastery of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome in March, 1256, when the head of the John-Bonites, Lanfranc Septala, of Milan, was chosen general prior of the united orders. Alexander's bull Licet ecclesiae catholicae, confirmed this choice. The new order was thus finally constituted with Italian, Hungarian, French, English, Belgian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swiss, Austrian and German Augustinian friars united into one international order.

The teaching and writing of Augustine, the Augustinian Rule, and the lives and experiences of Augustinians over 16 centuries help define the ethos of the order, sometimes "honored in the breach".

As well as telling his disciples to be "of one mind and heart on the way towards God" Augustine of Hippo taught that "Nothing conquers except truth and the victory of truth is love" (Victoria veritatis est caritas), and the pursuit of truth through learning is key to the Augustinian ethos, balanced by the injunction to behave with love towards one another. It does not unduly single out the exceptional, especially favor the gifted, nor exclude the poor or marginalized. Love is not earned through human merit, but received and given freely by God's free gift of grace, totally undeserved yet generously given. These same imperatives of affection and fairness have driven the order in its international missionary outreach. This balanced pursuit of love and learning has energized the various branches of the order into building communities founded on mutual affection and intellectual advancement. The Augustinian ideal is inclusive.

December 16

Incumbit Nobis

The founding of the Augustinian Order

GATHERING PRAYER

Almighty and eternal God,

In the fullness of time,

you called together, the many Augustinians,

to become a single community,

united in faith, and in the observance of the Holy Rule.

Through the intercession of our Father, Saint Augustine,

may all who follow his rule of life,

become one in mind and heart,

intent upon the Kingdom of God.

Through our Lord.

Thanks to Fr. John, SSA for this information.

Our Lady of Consolation

As our community of AIHM celebrates its fifteen years of growing and serving, we have decided as an Order, to give thanks to God by making a special effort to teach and perpetuate Augustinian devotions this year. We have a special love for Our Lady of Consolation, whose feast was Friday, September 4.

Legend (not history) holds that Mary gave a shining leather cincture from her own tunic to Monica as a sign of her consolation with Monica's struggle to teach Augustine the Catholic faith and love of God. Upon his conversion, Monica gave it to Augustine who then gave it to his community. The above painting shows Mary giving the cincture to Monica and Augustine. Beyond the pseudo history of this, the image is important. As Augustinians we are called to share the consolation God has given us in Mary's arms with those we meet. It is a part of our call and spirit.

The Gospel for this feast reminds us of Mary at the Cross. She suffered with her son and knows the pain of loss. She also knows more than any the love and joy of God's promise. She shares this with us all, especially as Augustinians. When Augustinians gird themselves with her cincture they should remember this.