While I now regret using people who identify as transgender (which Wikipedia defines as people whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with the sex they were assigned (or people of faith would say "that God them when they were  conceived in their mother's womb), I have decided to use this pastor's column to present in short form some of what the "Church" says about this issue. Firstly, as disciples of Jesus Christ we are call to "Christ-like" love for all people. We must not look with disdain or worse toward these or any other people who, like us, were formed by God in their mother's womb. the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the sexes are meant by divine design to be different and complimentary, each having equal dignity and made in the image of God. I also like and recommend what I read from "Catholic Answers" when it says "we should help people discover their true identities as children of God, not support them in the disordered attempt to reject their undeniable biological identity." In March the USCCB (United States Bishops issued a 14  page statement directed firstly to Catholic health care institutions named "Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Bidy" which can be accessed online at the www.USCCB.org website. In summary, it says Catholic hospitals "must not perform interventions, whether surgical or chemical, that aim to transform the sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex, or take part in the development of such procedures." I believe the bishops would speak against such action in ANT hospital or health care institution. The Church, as far as I know, will not give direction on terminology when addressing a person who identifies as transgender, nor will it comment on other practical issues that have made the news. namely the use of public bathrooms and competitive sports situations (unless it involves Catholic facilities or Catholic institutions that offers sports for its students). Bishop Taylor has spoken about the freedom of people not to participate in certain ceremonies and activities (i.e."Pride" parades) as "not being discrimination against the persons involved in such gatherings not is it an expression of hatred towards the persons involved". (April 3, 2015). If I have any more to add about this subject (especially after reading the 14 page document listed above) I'll bring it up in a future pastor's column.

When a sports season has ended (at least on the professional level), the athletes normally take a break from practicing (andplaying and rest). Those who win a championship (which I would imagine creates an emotional and psychological "high") have time to ponder what they have accomplished before getting back to it with the first practice before the next season starts. With regard to our life as disciples of Christ, we have just completed the church Season of Easter. During the 40 day Lenten season we "practiced" prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and, hopefully, heeded the call to examine our life in relation to Christ, and acknowledged, repented and asked forgiveness of our sins, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We then joined in the solemn celebration of the Paschal Mystery through the Paschal Triduum which culminated in the renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday. Then came the 50 days of celebration of Christ's victory over death through his Resurrection and pondering our call to spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ as did the apostles and others who were filled with the Holy Spirit (as were we at our Baptism and Confirmation). After we all shared in the celebration of the "Victory of all victories," the victory of Christ over sin and death, the Easter Season). We come to "Ordinary Time" which is the longest season of the Church year. The priests of Arkansas will take a short rest and break from ministry to go on retreat on the grounds of Subiaco Abbey this week. I ask your prayers for me and all the priests who will be there during the week. What, then, is Ordinary Time for priests and all baptized believers have in store for us? The Church says we cannot speak of Ordinary Time without speaking of Sunday. It is the basic structure upon which the Church Year is built. The great liturgical seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter are more expansive celebrations of particular aspects of the one paschal mystery which we celebrate every Lord's Day. (Ordo pg. 36). Since I have more reflections from the Church and myself about Ordinary Time, please plan to read more about it in the next Pastor's Column. Since we've just finished the 8th week in Ordinary Time (and there are 26 more weeks of it to be observed and celebrated), there's plenty of time to hear more about AND MOST IMPORTANTLY live it to the fullest in Jesus Christ and with the members of the Body of Christ  here at Sacred Heart Church!!

When I or any priest talks about the importance of preparing for ones' funeral, the one thing we normally take for granted is that there will be a funeral for every baptized person, and "normally" there is. I hope everyone who is reading this pastor's column agrees with "the Church" that the funeral rites that the Church provides, though varied in their form (Vigil or no vigil service, funeral Mass or funeral liturgy outside of Mass) it is presumed that there will be a public gathering for prayer for the sake of the deceased, the family, and the faithful (brothers and sisters in Christ) and anyone who wishes to be there. There are certainly instances and opportunities for gathering before or after a funeral liturgy to have a "Celebration of Life" of a person who has died to remember the person through descriptions and stories. In some (hopefully very few) instances, such a gathering might, in fact, be the only gathering of family, and friends for the person who has died. For the baptized believer, however, who "went into the tomb with Jesus, through the waters of baptism, with the pledge and promise that he or she might live in this world AND BEYOND with Christ, a faith-filled and faith-focused gathering is stronly encouraged and revered. "At the death of a Christian, whoe life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites, with the comforting Word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist." (Order of Christian funerals #4). Immediately following, it states that "Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebrations of teh Christian funeral." (Order of Christian funerals #5). It seems clear that the funeral rites, in addition to being of benefit to the baptized believer who has died, commending the dead to God's merciful love and pleading for their foooorgiveness of sins (Order of Christian funerals #6), also for the living as it brings conslation and hope to them (#7). I hope you would agree with me that it is appropriate (and for some who die without much if any biological family and/or friends, practical) that we offer a Mass for some of the deceased at one of our regularly scheduled times for Mass, for the Church says in these gatherings (or those at other times) each member fo Christ's Body rightly participates in the "ministry of consolation"; to pray  for the dead and comfort those who mourn. I will continue to encourage everyone in our faith community to join me in our funeral liturgies whether you personally knew the person who died or not. As I (and I hope others) invite and encourage all of you to respond to your baptismal call to service according to your gifts and talents (and interests), the ministry of consolation which is best shown at funeral liturgies is something for "ALL OF US" to do for our deceased brothers and sisters in Christ and for their families (and also for the blessings it brings to us) as such liturgies look beyond what we see to what we can't see, but that exists for eternal happiness and peace with Christ for all his chosen ones!!