Lloyd's Pursuit

Reading Reflection for 9/13

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:24:40 +0000

Eric Plumer’s The Development of Ecclesiology: Early Church to the Reformation documents the historical path of the Church and the many responses to external and internal assault upon the faith. The assaults generally took the form of heresy, schism and persecution1. The Patristic writings in the early Church, including Clement 1, show that we began to seek unity as a response to many movements against heresy and schism inside the church and persecution from outside the church. Initially the drive towards unity helped to solidify the universality of the true Church. As Plumer wrote: “For Irenaeus, the unity and uniformity of Catholic doctrine stands in vivid contrast with the mutual contradictions of the competing Gnostic systems2.”

This sought after unity and uniformity later created difficulties in the development of the papacy. Unfortunately, the tragic errors involved in reaching too far towards uniformity caused deep and lasting schisms with both the Eastern Churches and the Reformation movement. As characteristic of all of the readings in this course of study to date, he also points out that in the midst of all of this turmoil and tragedy there exists a certain spontaneity, vitality and creativity of the Spirit in the Church3.

Michael J. Himes continues the historical account in The Development of Ecclesiology: Modernity to the Twentieth Century. He notes that throughout our history the Church’s self identity takes portions of the dominant societal structures of the world4. He heavily documents several critical attacks against centralized Papal authority. As each of these attacks fall, the definition of our ecclesiology is further refined and we are exemplified as the continuous presence of the incarnate Christ in history5.

Despite repeated internal attempts at further uniformity of polity6 culminating in the council of Vatican I, our faith continues to refine itself with an inexplicable, yet palpable “creative tension”. As the church developed a balance between Christological and pneumatological ecclesiology, it also prepared a re-awakened knowledge of patristic studies and liturgical history which were cultivated in response to the overreach towards uniformity.7 Vatican II then helped restore the original roles of all members of the Body of Christ, with a new strength of purpose and understanding. As Himes’ correctly stated, “There must always be images and models of the Church held in creative tension with one another.8” Truly this message is singularly important for all future ecclesiological development.

1. Eric Plumer, “The Development of Ecclesiology: Early Church to the Reformation” The Gift of the Church A Textbook on Ecclesiology (2000) 24.
2. Ibid. 27.
3. ibid. 43-44.
4. Michael J. Himes “The Development of Ecclesiology: Modernity to the Twentieth Century” The Gift of the Church A Textbook on Ecclesiology (2000) 50.
5. ibid. 58.
6. ibid. 60.
7. ibid. 65.
8. ibid. 66.

Reading Reflection

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:14:40 +0000

I will be posting a weekly reflection here. I have begun my first class toward the Diaconate and we are required to write a weekly reflection, based upon readings. If you are interested in reading the book, it is available on Amazon.

Father Gerard Austin’s contribution to The Gift of the Church travels widely through early church councils, the Catechism, Scripture and several texts from Yves Congar and Blessed Pope John Paul II to express a Trinitarian representation in our Church when it engages in worship. He expresses an image of the body of Christ by showing the deep importance and uniqueness of every baptised member and their individual action¹. Austin compellingly argues the importance of maintaining the proper balance of ministerial authority and creative energy in the structure of the church. By highlighting the interaction between the three priesthoods² Austin illustrates the Trinity at work in the community during worship. Lastly by tying in Liturgy, Eucharist and the everyday walk of the Christian together³ he provided yet another picture of the trinity and a glimpse at the concept of Communion ecclesiology.
Matera’s Theologies of the Church in the New Testament provided a brisk walk through New Testament. He explored the existence of ecclesiology in the Gospels, Acts, the Pauline writings, and the books of 1 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation. Ultimately he showed that many human authors all revealed ekklēsia, but did so with individual effort that is held together in a creative tension⁴ that expresses another echo of the Trinity. These various creative forces, when examined with reason, work together to declare our Trinitarian God’s own creativity and desires for the Church in a uniquely human way. Our very existence as the Body of Christ on Earth echos the loving interaction of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The creative output of our Church that is very real and measurable in the world, is an echo of that love which spawned all of creation.

1. Gerard Austin, “The Church as Worshiping Community” The Gift of the Church A Textbook on Ecclesiology (2000) 177-184.
2. Ibid. 184-187.
3. Ibid. 187-190.
4. Frank J. Matera, “Theologies of the Church in the New Testament” The Gift of the Church A Textbook on Ecclesiology (2000) 20.

BBQ Success!

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:09:46 +0000

Special thanks to the Knights of Columbus, Council 2596 for putting on a very successful BBQ. Great food and a great time! I can’t wait until next year.

Parish Mission April 4-6

admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:05:31 +0000

Our Parish Mission is THIS MONDAY – WEDNESDAY, April 4th-6th from 6-8p.m. in the church.

Join Deacons Eddie Ensley and Robert Herrmann on a contemplative journey… learn to pray as Jesus and the early Christians prayed even in our very busy lives.

There is no charge for this mission, so be sure to invite your friends.

All are welcome!

Faith and Ale, Fort Myers 6 PM Thursday

admin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:53:33 +0000

One of Faith & Ale - Naples’ most popular and powerful speakers, Father Robert McTeigue, S.J., Ph.D., will make his Fort Myers debut! The title of his message is “Take a Hike, Take a Stand, Take Charge: Man as Pilgrim, Warrior & King.” We first met him when he spoke at our Faith & Ale Board of Directors meeting last August. Our entire Board was spellbound by his wisdom and ”down to earth” delivery!

God Bless & Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Mike Lancellot

Church of the Resurrection
8121 Cypress Lake Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33919

I hope to see you there!

From the Archbishop of Japan

admin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:49:19 +0000

Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga SJ, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, has asked all Catholics to pray this prayer for his stricken country:

Merciful God, you never depart from us even in the worst of times; be with us in both our joy and in our sadness. Grant your aid and encouragement to those who suffer in the face of this great calamity. We, too, continue to offer you our prayers and sacrifices for their sake. Bring us with all possible haste to the day when all can live in safety. May all those who have lost their lives in the devastation find peaceful repose in your presence. Mother Mary, pray for us.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayers going out to all affected by the earthquakes in Japan.

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:17:38 +0000

Originally posted to CatholicLane:

Litany for Japan

Our Lady of Akita, pray for us.
St. Peter Baptist, martyr and patron of Japan, pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier, patron of Japan, pray for us.
St. Paul Miki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Anthony Dainan, martyr, pray for us.
St. Anthony Ishida, martyr, pray for us.
St. Francis Nagasaki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Francis of St. Bonaventure, martyr, pray for us.
St. Gabriel Jusuke, martyr, pray for us.
St. Gaius Francis, martyr, pray for us.
St. James Kisai, martyr, pray for us.
St. Joachim Sakachibara, martyr, pray for us.
St. John Kokumbuku, martyr, pray for us.
St. John Soan de Goto, martyr, pray for us.
St. Leonard Kimura, martyr, pray for us.
St. Leo Tanaka, martyr, pray for us.
St. Louis Ibachi, martyr, pray for us.
St. Louise of Omura, martyr, pray for us.
St. Matthias of Meako, martyr, pray for us.
St. Michael Kozaki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Paul Aybara, martyr, pray for us.
St. Peter Shukeshiko, martyr, pray for us.
St. Romanus Aybara, martyr, pray for us.
St. Thomas Danki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Thomas Kozaki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Vincent Kaun, martyr, pray for us.
Holy Martyrs of Japan, pray for us.

God our Father,
you guide everything in wisdom and love.
Accept the prayers we offer for the nation of Japan;
by the wisdom of their leaders and integrity of their citizens,
may their suffering be lessened,
may harmony and justice be restored
and may there be lasting prosperity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Catholic Relief Services Can be reached at the following:

Web Donation Form.

Donate by Phone
Call 1-800-736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

Donate by Mail
Mail your check or money order to:
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090

The following Text Message Donations work as well:

To donate to American Red Cross Relief, text REDCROSS to 90999
To donate to Convoy of Hope, text TSUNAMI to 50555
To donate to GlobalGiving, which focuses on “grassroots projects in the developing world,” text JAPAN to 5055
To donate to Save the Children, text JAPAN to 20222
To donate to The Salvation Army, text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888
To donate to World Relief Corp., the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, text WAVE to 50555

2011 Spaghetti Dinner – Thank You!

admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:46:23 +0000

What a journey! It was a week of cooking, peppered with all sorts of challenges and obstacles. In the end, we raised over $9,000 for the CFA. Thank you so much to all who attended, all who volunteered and all who donated.

2011 Spaghetti Dinner Volunteer Form

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:13:54 +0000

If you can assist with the St. Francis Xavier 2011 Annual Spaghetti Dinner, please visit this form and enter your information there. http://goo.gl/lr5K8

All volunteers and donations are welcome!

A Christmas Prayer

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:17:50 +0000

A beautiful prayer for Christmas that I just had to share. May you all have a blessed, wonderful and very merry, Christ filled Christmas.

I pray you will kneel with me this Christmas beside the manger of a very tiny, harmless Baby. See His little hands. They will not harm you. See His face, gentle and peaceful. He accepts you. Now look up at the Cross. See his hands, bound and open. They will not harm you. See his face, gentle and merciful. He accepts you. At the pinnacle of mankind’s sin, when we were ignorant of Him (as at his birth) or we deliberately sinned against Him (as at His crucifixion) He never struck back. This is the Christ who leans over the world today. Stricken with grief for His lost lambs, He holds open his arms to gather every one of us.

The entire original article is here.

Grace and Peace!