A Restatement

It has come to my attention that I need clarify my position on the Holy Family Cathedral situation. Last night at my house, we recited the Rosary with over 20 faithful. One of our main intentions was the Holy Family Cathedral Parish, the Archbishop, and the Dominicans. After a night of prayer and contemplation, I have come to the realization that my clarification can best be done by restating what I have already said.

Therefore the following are unedited  portions of my previous posts on the subject. From the beginning I have been fully supportive of the Archbishop, his call for a visitation, and the process and method in which it is occurring. I have also stressed the need for prayer and unity. There are a few that feel that I have said otherwise... and for their sake, and others, I wish to re-post my previous statements:

First and foremost, we must pray. We must pray, fast, and do penance. We are not worthy to receive Him, but He only says the Word and we are healed. Personally, I am placing this issue up high on my intentions list for Holy Hour tonight. I suggest that you do something similar. Whether it be a day fast, a Holy Hour, or a Daily Mass offering... we must center ourselves on God. Only through him are things possible... without Him the pursuit is pointless.

Next, this process, the visitation, is not intended to be nor is it canonically a "democratic process." As the Archbishop states,

"The current situation involves the staff of the parish and the visitation will be primarily with them. It is not intended as a process that will involve the whole parish."

Although the catalyst for this situation is more than likely a group of faithful that presented petitions [eg complaints?] to the Archbishop, he is doing the right thing and not making this a "popularity contest." The Church is hierarchical, and it must be run according to Canon Law.

Thirdly, Alaska is very much set apart from the rest of the country. What I mean when I say that is, that although there is a continuity of the Bishops, clergy, and hierarchy here as it is anywhere, there is still a Catholic-Cultural element to the parish life of the Alaskan Catholic Church that is unique and distinct. As is true with other Alaskan things, there is a sense of self-reliance and particular ideas that attach themselves to the hearts and minds of the parishioners of Alaskan Catholics. That is, people come to Alaska or are here for a reason and the mindset of the people is particular to this area and permeates to all facets of life. It is correct and honest to say, that parishes in the Archdiocese of Anchorage as very unlike those in the lower 48. As someone that grew up in the dioceses of the lower 48, I bring to my statements a different perspective than many Alaskans; this is contextual statement and not one establishing authority or expertise.

Finally, the Dominicans are a religious order. They have been entrusted to run not only an diocesan parish, but the Cathedral parish, that is a the Metropolitan seat at that. This is a big task, and one that is unique, and in the very least uncommon. Religious orders bring to the table their own unique charisms and hierarchy. This is not to say they aren't "made" for diocesan life. In fact, many parishes that are ORDER run, are in fact the most vibrant in a diocese. Yet, it does add a unique flavor to this situation, that must be considered when evaluating the overall situation.

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Now, it is very possible that the complaints that have required the Archbishop to institute the visitation are well founded and are true regardless of the "state of the parish." That being said, HFC seems like a parish most of the rest of us in the Archdiocese would love to have. Sure there are problems in every parish. If you look around the Archdiocese there are lots of parishes that have deficiencies. There are parishes millions of dollars in debt, churches that are lacking in material needs, parishes without priests, parishes that are lead by lay persons, and parishes that have little or no substantial ministries or apostolates.

As I said earlier, I want to proceed here carefully, so I want to reiterate that I am not casting judgment on the situation through my comments; more plainly, I am not inferring that I think that the Dominicans are "innocent" or "guilty." I am only making statements to the state of the parish from an outsiders point of view. As someone that goes to a parish without a canonical pastor, I would welcome a religious order coming in and establishing a more rigid and orthodox parish life. I would also welcome the ministry and apostolates that often are part of Order lead parishes. It is difficult for someone like myself, that longs for a vibrant parish life to see a place that seems so full of life, promise, and spiritual vitality to be calling into question the means that are providing those things. Yet, it is unclear what the underlying issues are, and the genesis of this situation.

In the meantime, Holy Family Cathedral needs to unite around Christ and not divide over this issue. Hearts and emotions will be bared in all of this, and the faithful need to be mindful that we must try and get one another to become Saints, and not do so for ourselves, at the expense of our neighbor. That being said, this situation can blossom many fruits, if the parishioners choose to unite over the issue, as opposed to draw lines in the sand, and pick sides. This doesn't mean conceding Catholic Dogma, for personal preference, but it means a thorough examination of ones heart and actions to ensure that they are in line with the Will and Commands of God.

Hopefully, at the end of this process, which from the Archbishop's letter appears to be sometime near the end of August, we will have clarity on the issues at Holy Family Cathedral. It would be a shame to see them "go" because of all the wonderful fruits that they have brought to their parish and the diocese as a whole. It is very unclear what plan of action is slated to occur if hard decisions are required, but if they need an area to place the Dominicans, the Peninsula can always use more priests. That being said, I want to go back to what I said early on in all of this. I am not trying to pass judgment - for or against them. I think the the Archbishop is taking appropriate steps, basing this statement on the information I have seen, and pray that he and the others involved in the visitation will prayerfully come to the best decision for the Bride of Christ, His Church at Holy Family Cathedral.

In closing, remember that our jobs in all of this is to be good members of the Church Militant. That means we should adhere to the 3 Eminent Good Works of PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING. Do not give way to rumor mongering, hearsay, or "stories." There will be much that is said in the following days about this, and the best we can do, is all that we can... and that is to live our lives as good Catholics, with all that it entails.

I was going to "Restate" what I felt about the situation, but this says it all. I have edited this in no way, and have only added emphasis. I did take down two other posts, because they created confusion, and for those that they confused I am truly sorry, it was never my intention.

Some Updates:

Ora et Labora
Join the HFC Parish in the recitation of the:

 Rosary at 6pm this Thursday at the Cathedral.

The faithful will gather to join in unity of prayer for the intention of their parish, our Archbishop, the Dominicans, and the parishioners.

PACK THE CATHEDRAL! Those of us local on the Peninsula joined together to recite the Rosary last night, and between those that joined us physically, and those reciting in their own homes we had over 30 participants. I want to hear that Thursday night, the Cathedral had triple that!
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Finally, moving forward, I am going to focus less on this issue, mainly because I have said all that I think I have needed to. This blog wasn't started to focus on HFC, and so that will not be my main focus.

This blog was started because there are those of us that face attack. Pope Benedict XVI in his inauguration to the pontificate homily said:

Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another.

I pray daily that God gives me the strength to carry myself and at least one other. Sometimes I take on too much, contrary to what God calls of me... and I stumble. I look for my "Simon of Cyrene" and carry on.

Please continue to pray for the Archbishop. You can find the link to Rosary for the Bishop on the left sidebar.
Please continue to pray for the Dominicans.
Please continue to pray for Holy Family Cathedral.
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If you have anything left... pray for me.

Saint Michael - Ora Pro Nobis.