The Dark Side of the Internet (part II of II)

11-26-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

(Excerpts from a homily on pornography by Fr. Richard Doerr, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Carmel, IN)

What is the response in dealing with an addiction to pornography?

The first is honesty. Admit that the dark side of the Internet is a problem in your life if it is. Most importantly, through thoughtful reflection, when you have fallen into sin, determine what emotion triggered it. Addictive behavior of any kind is self-medication. Somehow, we are hurting and we are looking for ways to “check out” when we engage in addictive behaviors like the dark side of the Internet. If this is you, get to counseling and be at peace with yourself and your past.

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The Dark Side of the Internet (part I of II)

11-19-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Most Rev. Paul S. Loverde, the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, wrote: “In my nearly fifty years as a priest, I have seen the evil of pornography spread like a plague throughout our culture. What was once the shameful and occasional vice of the few has become the mainstream entertainment for the many—through the Internet, cable, satellite and broadcast television, smartphones and even portable gaming and entertainment devices designed for children and teenagers. Never before have so many Americans been so tempted to view pornography. Never before have the accountability structures—to say nothing of the defenses which every society must build to defend the precious gift of her children—been so weak” (Bought with a Price: Every Man’s Duty to Protect Himself and His Family From a Pornographic Culture).

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Vocations

11-12-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The nurturing of vocations to the priests, deacons, consecrated men and women and the lay faithful and sacramental married life are vital to the mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ. To be clear, Our Lord asked us to “GO MAKE DISCIPLES… OF ALL NATIONS.” We have had many couples receive the Sacrament of Marriage at St. Joan of Arc. We have many lay faithful seeking to become saints. St. Joan of Arc has never had a priest or religious from our parish.

We know that God calls many young men and women to serve as priests and religious sisters. There is still a shortage of priests and religious in our diocese. Why? There are many reasons for this problem. I would say that the main issue has to do with listening to Our Lord. I believe there is a “crisis of listening.” I often wonder how many people have entered into the wrong vocation and are living a life that is not God’s will for them.

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What Is More Important Than God?

11-05-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our Lord prayed that His followers would all “be one” (John 17). We read in John 17:3 where Jesus addresses his Father, saying, "And this is eternal life, that they know You - the Only True God." Our Lord is very clear about His hope that all God’s children would be truly one and that all would come to know Him. Our Lord’s prayer needs to be our prayer too.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that our mission as followers of Christ is to lead others to the one Teacher, the one Doctor, the one Father who is Lord of all. God is our goal and really the purpose of our existence. Our Lord sets our priorities when He says to call no man "Rabbi" or "Teacher" or "Father." We have only one Master, one Teacher, one Father - God himself.

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