June 5, 2016
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
2
Views From The Pews
Views From The Pews continued
Anonymous writes, “I am writing this
letter on behalf of my family. We have
attended Visitation for many occasions.
We are not parishioners but visitors.
Every time we have attend something,
whether it be 8th Grade graduation, communions or
baptisms, Father Mike Kettenring...is always talking about
his wife...I believe there is a time and place for this
sermon but it is not for these occasions. As visitors...we
are thinking twice about going because of this experience.
It took everything in my power not to stand up and say
something. I understand he has been talked to about this
issue before, but evidently he is not listening. We have
many friends that also go to this church and have the same
feeling and it has been brought up to him.”
“It is an extraordinarily rare occasion that I
recall being criticized for telling stories about my wife.
In fact, we just recently sent a survey to all parishioners
asking for their comments about how Visitation of Our
Lady might improve. I am not aware that even a single
person suggested I stop telling Kacky stories.
In the first five months of this year, I have told
only one story about Kacky in my weekend homilies. I
did not mention her in this year’s Graduation Homily
nor in my First Communion Homily.
I do tell Kacky stories in most of my funeral
homilies. I believe those stories make essential points
about understanding death in a Christian perspective. I
also tell Kacky stories in my Baptism Homilies. I believe
Baptism is the sacrament of love, and Kacky taught me
most of what I know about Christian love. So, once
again, I believe Kacky stories help me to make essential
spiritual points.
I am a blessed person. Thanks be to God, I am
one of the few who have ever lived who has received all
seven sacraments. When my experience with any of the
sacraments, including my 30 year experience with the
Sacrament of Marriage, helps me as a priest to make a
spiritual point, I talk about that experience regardless of
the liturgical occasion.
I received a copy of Anonymous’ letter. The
original was sent to the Archdiocese. If Archbishop
Greg Aymond wants to talk with me about it, I would be
happy to do so. However, I do not expect the Archbishop
to bring it up.
I respect the right of all persons to express their
opinions, even if their opinions are critical of me. In
this case, though, I don’t understand why Anonymous
believes as he or she does. Talking about love in a
sacramental context is always a good thing.
Anonymous, if you read this response and would
like a further explanation of what I have said here, I
would be happy to talk with you, face to face or
anonymously on the phone.
Continued above...
Father Mike
Did You Know?
The state with the most Catholic colleges and
universities is Pennsylvania. It has 26. To the best of my
knowledge, Louisiana has six: Loyole University, Notre
Dame Seminary, St. Charles College (The Jesuit Seminary
in Grand Coteau), St. Joseph Seminary, Sacred Heart
University and Xavier University. Have I missed any? If
so, please let me know.
Father Mike
Days of Mercy every Wednesday
at Visitation of Our Lady Church
5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Confessions & Divine Mercy Chaplet
6:30 pm
Evening Prayer or Mass*
7:15 pm
Adult Faith Formation
*Mass will be celebrated on the following evenings:
June 29, September 14, November 2 & November 16