A correction…

It was brought to my attention that I may have made a typo in this posting. (I know, I’m in a retreat, and should be away from my computer, but I check emails and voice mails in the PM due to family things going on, and I need to be in the loop…)

In that post I said that I do not believe that Pope to be infallible. When it comes to the dogma and teachings of the Church, I do believe he is infallible when he makes a declaration on such things. What I mean by him not being infallible is on things not related to the faith and beliefs of the Church.

For example, approving of the Crusades, which was not an issue dealing with what the Church believes and teaches, but was an attempt to regain control of religious items and of trying to mass convert other faiths, was something that the Pope approved of and gave his blessings on.

There have been other non-faith interpretations, non-dogma and non-teaching related events and issues in which the Pope may have made the wrong choice on, with or without the help of his Cardinals and Bishops.

So, what I should have written was that I believe that the Pope is human, may make bad business moves, but when it comes to the Faith of the Church, he has the backing of our Lord and God, and his teachings are infallible.

So, I guess I do believe that he is infallible, but I also believe that he is human and may make mistakes and sin in life. His teachings are true though.

Words from our current Pope, Pope Benedict:

Why the Catholic Church for me?

Over the last year and a half, as I have told people about my decision to convert to the Catholic Church as my faith center, I have had many people ask me “WHY?” (and in some cases “shouting it”!). So, after some thought about sharing why, I decided to write this, and schedule it to release while I am away on a 30 day prayer and contemplation retreat (returning on the 8th of June 2008).

When I turned 15, for 3 years every night, I had a dream about being a monk. I can remember trying to change my habit from that of the dream to an all black or all brown habit and white rope of the Roman Catholic Monks I had seen on TV or of the orange habit of the Buddhist Monks. I kept going back to the brown on white habit with a blue rope in the dreams, no matter how hard I tried to change it.

As many of you know (and if you read the whole blog, it’s here already), for the past 20 plus years I have been a Shaman (or priest) of the Mescalero Tribe of the Apache Nation. At the time of my life when I was introduced to this Nation, through what is now my Blood Brother George, I felt that the beliefs of the Tribe and Nation very closely followed what I felt in life. I learned the stories of the Nation, their love for the planet earth and all that the Great Spirit/Giver-of-Life (God) gave them, etc. During this time in my life, I felt there was still more out there to learn.

Every time I drove by the Knights of Columbus Halls out there, I had a strong desired to go inside and see what it took to become a Knight within their Halls. Over the last few years before converting to the Catholic Faith, I had a strong feeling that I would become a Knight through the Knights of Columbus… It was a STRONG feeling.

For most of the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 I did a lot of research into religion and faith systems. I looked into the Jewish faith, which was the faith of Moses, Abraham, David, and most of those God chose to his side in the Old Testament which is used by the Christian faiths and the Jewish. I looked into the Muslim faiths, which are an offshoot of the Jewish faith from a line of descendants from Abraham. I looked deeper into the Buddhist and other Eastern faiths. I looked into the Orthodox Catholic cult. (Cult to me is not a bad word in this case, all religions are cults in the original sense of the word. It is only “today” that cult has a bad meaning behind it, and wrongly so in my eyes. SOME cults are bad, some aren’t, and all religions are, by definition a cult.) I looked into the various Protestant church, especially the Methodist, which is what I was raised as until I turned 20ish.

In all of this research, I read at the Bible. (I didn’t REALLY start reading it until January of last year when I finally settled down and began studying the Catholic Church under Father Francis at Saint Henry Roman Catholic Church in Pompano Beach Florida.) In my readings, I found that I was leaning more and more towards the Catholic Church, as I was getting the feelings inside me that it was the Church that was initially founded on the actions and words of Jesus Christ, who I was earnestly coming to believe was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament in no uncertain terms.

As I looked at the various Protestant Christian systems out there here in the US, I found that each had be created by someone that had been wronged or didn’t like something that was happening in the Roman Catholic Church, which they were a member of. For example, the Methodist Church, which I was most familiar with was created by John Wesley, who was originally a Priest with the Anglican (or Church of England) Church, but had a desire to make changes, which the Church did not accept. So, he split off and formed the Methodist Church. (A lot more than that happened, and lead to the split, but that’s a rough, and I do mean rough, summation of it!)

The same appears to be true for most of the other Christian faith systems.

While I do not believe that the Roman Catholic Church is infallible, I do believe that PEOPLE within the Church, including Priest, have made some bad choices, probably listening to themselves, and not open up to the Word of God, and done some wrong things. I do feel that Jesus appointed Peter to lead Jesus’ flock in the pursuit of love and the will of God. I do feel that he assigned the other Apostles of Christ to create the basis of the “leadership” of the Church, or the Bishops. I do believe that the Pope sits in the position of the first Pope, Saint Peter.

I do not believe that the Pope is infallible, but then again, nor does the Roman Catholic Church, contrary to the popular belief of others! I do believe that a good Pope will listen to his Flock as well as to God through Prayer, reading the Word, and consultation with his fellow Bishops.

In my research, I feel, strongly, in my heart that the over all dogma of the Roman Catholic Church is correct and follows the intent and Word of the Bible. I like that it is one of the few Churches that has services seven days a week. That the Priest are dedicated to the Church and do not work in any other capacity. (Yes, some teach, some work in offices, etc., but in all cases, they are religious related postings.) That you can go to any Mass/Service on the same day anywhere in the World and know what is happening and know in advance what is being read and said (minus the Homily or “speech” by the Priest, which is always individual for the most part). That over a three year period, if you go to Mass seven days a week, you will have had the entire Bible read to you and explained to you. (Many of the Protestant Church get fixed on one or two or three Books in the Bible and go back to the often through out the year, and they leave out books that they don’t understand or like or ….)

Upon looking at the various faith systems out there, I felt a sense of relief as I grew closer and closer to converting to the Roman Catholic Church and the few times I moved in directions towards other faiths, I felt a sadness of heart. At each point this past year, as I was accepted as a Postulate with the Order of Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation last year, as I was accepted into and confirmed in the Catholic Church earlier this year , and as the Order accepted the past year as my Novitiate year and accepted my initial Vows as a Full Religious Brother/Friar in the Order, I felt that relief intensify.

As I go to the Eucharistic Mass daily, participate in the rituals and readings, help others settle their issues with the Lord, pray daily and often in a day, I feel more and more that I have done the right thing in life.

Speaking in Tongues.

Over the last few weeks I’ve heard several comments from people that they have heard people speaking in tongues through the Divine Will of God. When these people are “speaking in tongues”, they are speaking in gibberish to those listening and no one knows what is being said. Often the speaker seems to be in a trance and when they are done, they say that God was directing them and what they had to say.

Now, I’ve read the Bible now a few times. And it does in fact talk about speaking in tongues. But this is how I read that part of the Bible. When the Disciples were talking to the Masses, they spoke in their native language, but each listener heard it in theirs. For example:

I am a native English (ok American English for those Brits that may be reading this) speaking/listening person.
The person to my right is Spanish speaking.
The person to my left is German speaking.
You, the speaker are Russian speaking.

None of us speak the other’s language. When you speak, you speak in Russian, I hear it in English, the person to my right hears it in Spanish and the person on my left hears it in German.

THIS is speaking in tongues! When God wants someone to speak on His behalf, I’m pretty sure He wants EVERYONE to understand what is being said, not just the speaker… In Acts 2:7-8 [show]Acts 2:7-8 [7]And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8]And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? (ESV)
it is said: “And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” This leads me to more and more believe that when God speaks to us through others He wants us to understand Him.

When I hear someone “Speaking in Tongues” via gibberish, I automatically start walking away, as it is far from real in my eyes and ears.

Busy Few Weeks…

Ok, now that Christmas is over, it is time to dig in and get back full force into my studies and future plans! I FINALLY finished the book on the Catholic Canon Law today when flying back from Ashland Kentucky, was visiting a good friend, and am back to reading the Vatican II letters/etc. I received a few books (many actually) on theology and philosophy, so my reading list will be growing in the next few days. Once I finish the current books on my “now reading” list, I will be going over my to read list, updating it, and working with my Spiritual Director on which one I should be reading and reporting on next… All list will be updated by the 6th of January.

Christmas was good to me this year, and I had an interesting week away. But it is definetely time to dig in!

Native American Belief systems..

I had someone tell me that I needed to have an Exorcism because I use to follow the Apache belief system and now follow the Roman Catholic faith system (for the rest of my life…). This floored me and took me back in a big way!

I tried to explain to the lady that the North American Natives followed God, pre-Jesus, just like the Christians did. They just didn’t know Jesus as Jesus didn’t make himself known in what is now called the States… So, to give each of you a bit more information about the belief system of the Apache nation as I understand it, I present this:

Yes, I would like to tell you about Shamanism as it applies to the Native Americans. It can be and is different for those overseas that are called Shaman though! Shamanism was a name “tagged” to the those that lead a belief system different than the “tagger”. The Indians call the person Wakan, which roughly translates to Blessed. Wakan Tanka is “The Blessed Spirit” or “The Great Spirit”, which is personified in Father Sky and Mother Earth, as created by “Wakan Tanka”.

In the Nations, a Wakan/Shaman is a “Holy Man” or “Priest” to the Nation. They are the Keepers of the History of the Nation and “the world” as they knew it. The Native Americans of the old days, and even today some are thought to, at least those I have had close dealings with over the years, are strong believers that Wakan Tanka talked to the Wakan (Shaman) and helped them understand illnesses and how to cure them, provided them with the History of the world, which by the way included the parting of the waters, the Great Flood, and many other stories of the Jewish and Christian Bibles, and ways on how to live. Most nations started out as very peaceful, but there was always the rivalries and “stealing of women and horses” to grow and improve the Nation. Most of the Nations were very animal and nature oriented.

Near the end of 1800s and early 1900s, the Wakan in most nations became less a “physical healer” and tried to spend more of their efforts on the “spiritual” healing side of getting the Nations to go back to Peace taking care of their lands, animals, and crops, which the “White Man” had taught them how to raise.

One of their early stories talks about how after the Great Flood, Wakan Tanka split the peoples up and moved them all over the world. The Nations (of North and South America) were one of the “prized people” with whom Wakan Tanka went with in Peace. Aside from inter-Nation horse stealing and spouse stealing, until the early 1800s most of the nations were peaceful. In the early 1800 the Apache Nation as well as other Nations wanted to travel more broadly around the Northern Continent and the other Nations did not want it, so the Apaches began fighting stronger battles to expand their
nomadic way of life. As they grew into new areas, they would leave a Tribe behind to “watch over that area”, typically a water hole or grazing area. The Tribe I was associated with is the Mescalero Tribe of the Apache Nation, which was based out of New Mexico in the mountains, which had a great elk and deer herd, as well as a great water source. This tribe was less nomadic, but did provide warriors for the Nomads.

If you look DEEPLY into the Apache Nation belief system, you will find that they believe that Wakan Tanka, by way of nature through the animals and plants teaches them how to get along in life. They fought for what was theirs, but in most cases would rather live in peace. Very similar to the Catholic Church over the years in protecting our (I’m Catholic now) belief system.

A Wakan of the Nations job is to “preach” the Stories of the Nation to his or her People, to remind them of what the Great Spirit wants them to do, which is to live in peace and harmony with those around them. This is done in Sweat Lodges, where the “sins” are washed off in steam, at campfires in dance, and on “Journeys”. In the Old days the Journey consisted of living on the land for up to a year, learning how to survive in the Great Spirit’s world.

To somewhat equate that to the Catholic Church, you have the Church building where we gather and sing and pray to God. In the Sweat Lodge, you chant and pray to the Great Spirit. Some of the chants of the Nation are actually very similar to the Psalms, but the names are different, and the “location” is different. Many of the songs deal with great harvest, strong herds, and strong Nations.

Part of the reason that the Christian Churches condemned the Native American Belief system was they were not familiar with it, and would not nor did not take the time to understand it. (Now mind you, if they had sat down and learned about the Ways, they still might have condemned it, but we will never really know…) When these “heathens” came to their camps dressed in loin clothes, carrying crude weapons, offering peace, the “immigrants” were initially frightened. The “Red Man” helped them get over the fright, and for a short time there was Peace. “White Man” wanted to grow out and take over more land, and the Indians did not want to give up their lands. Strife grew and the “White Man” became more negative about the “Red Man”, which was not a name given to the skin color, which was more a dark brown, but to the way the Indians live in a communal way, to include their faith and belief system. This same happens now with “unknown” faiths, and even “known” faiths that are different.

The other “Shamanistc” faiths are another story and I would not be able to describe them or answer the question there.

It goes to show how closed people are to what they don’t know.

Everything Catholic Religious Articles

A new friend of mine, Br. Norman Embree has a pretty good religious articles store that I would like to bring to your attention.

It is based in Fort Lauderdale Florida area at the SE corner of NE 38th Street and Dixie Highway between Oakland Park and Commercial Boulevards, in Oakland Park Florida. (Phone number of 1-866-339-8884.) And he has a web site at http://www.everythingcatholicfl.com/.

His prices are great, his attitude is outstanding, and he knows his stuff.

So, if you need those religious books, crucifixes, First Holy Communion items, etc., please do check him out!

A MAJOR life change happening…

For the past two years I have been digging deep into my “religious” belief system. For the past 27 years, I have been an active, mostly, Shaman. This changed as of February of this year.

For various reasons, I am converting to Catholicism, which due to my bad timing will not be 100% until Holy Week (Easter Week) of 2008.

Well, it may not be “bad timing”, it just means I have more time to more fully understand and embrace my change in faith and understanding of spirituality and religion. I have a lot of new things to learn, and in some cases re-learn.

During the last three months I have started that learning, including reading the New American Bible, which is the current preferred Bible of the Catholic Church in the US. I had thought that all “Bibles” were pretty much the same in content, but was surprised to find out that the Catholic Bible has a few extra books in it!

This has been an interesting and rewarding experience for me on many levels.

Enjoy life!