Please pray for the priestly newsletter and for the intentions on the prayer list at the
end of the message.
Contemplating them may aid us in our relationship.
You may consider these questions yourself or talk about them with your spouse.
We include the following chapters. (Chapters 38, 40, 27-30)
Excerpt from The Pain and the Joy, by Father Edward Carter,
S.J.
38
Marriage
Marriage is an
especially intimate union in which man and woman pledge to share each other's uniqueness
in a way which is as awesome as it is beautiful. If a marriage is to be this awesomely
beautiful union, the partners must be willing to love authentically. Authentic married
love is much more than a warm, romantic glow. This may or may not be present at any given
moment of married life, but what should be consistently present is a willingness to give
of oneself to the other in order to promote her or his real good. This is true love. This
is authentic love. This is the kind of love which prevails in the midst of myriad types of
experiences.
All sorts of
experiences will mark the path of a married couple as they walk the way of life in a
togetherness formed by their mutual love. As their love for each other has initially
created this unique togetherness, so will it likewise establish a unified and meaningful
existence comprised of happenings and experiences spanning a rich and diversified spectrum
of life within the human condition. Their love for each other thus provides a common basis
for all kinds of experiences. Ecstatic happiness and deep anguish, such different
experiences in one sense, are in another sense similar experiences for husband and wife
united in love. The similarity arises because it is the same love which makes the two
consistently, tenderly, and beautifully desire to share all experiences. Similiarity thus harmoniously blends with dissimilarity.
This extremely
close, unifying love of man and wife is expressed in a most special manner through
sexual intercourse. The sexual act is the outward, culminating sign of the partners'
pledge to give themselves as completely as possible to each other. It is obvious then,
that the sexual act is more satisfying in proportion to each partner's willingness to give
of self as much as possible. The woman is usually the more perceptive in this since,
compared to the man, it is generally more difficult for her to separate love and sex. If
there are, consequently, significant problems with the marriage outside the times of
intercourse, this negatively affects the woman's attitude toward the sex act itself. In
other words, if her husband is seriously and consistently lacking in giving himself to her
in the varied aspects of daily married existence, she intuitively sees the problem with
the sexual side of the relationship. Intercourse, ideally the outward sign of the desire
of both to give themselves as perfectly as possible to each other in all areas of married
existence, certainly suffers when one or both are significantly lacking in this self-gift.
A satisfactory sex life is therefore contingent upon the partners' readiness to work
effectively at promoting the marriage's growth in all its other aspects. Among other
things, this requires a willingness to engage in consistent and meaningful communication.
The marriage union
gives a basic orientation to one's stance before God. Ideally, it is a question of
approaching God in various ways with another person. This does not mean that a married
person does not often approach God singularly. The undeniable truth, however, does
remain—married people in many ways stand together before God in love, and together
receive God's love.
Married people
relate in love not only to God, but to each other, and to their children. They are also
meant to relate in love to all others. Here again, marriage is a school of love. Husband
and wife, in their mutual sharing of love, grow in their knowledge of how to give and
receive love regarding those outside the family circle. They should thus realize their
responsibility in contributing to the building of a better world. Man and wife, precisely
because of their married love, have their own special responsibility to the secular world.
Married love obviously is intimately connected with procreation—with the continuation
of the human race, with life upon earth. Life in this world has a quantitative
aspect—population numbers—and a qualitative aspect—the kind of life this
population lives. There is a connection between the two, because the dignity of the human
person requires that the quality of life be fundamentally sound. Consequently, in assuming
responsibility to help populate the world, married people are also assuming responsibility
to help make this world a more fitting place for their children and others to inhabit.
Our day is
witnessing an unusually large number of unhappy and broken marriages. This is a tragedy.
It is a tragedy that what is intended to be a uniquely beautiful union often never becomes
that, or, once that, disintegrates, and there remain only the ashes of a burnt-out beauty
that once was, but now is no more. We mourn these unhappy marriages. We thank God for the
happy ones, the beautiful ones, ones which are a testimony to marriage's capacity come
what may, to unite husband and wife in loving and tender concern. The world desperately
needs it.
One common thread of
advice from couples who have enjoyed many years of marriage is to pray together. Begin
that way, and stick to it.
40
Friendship
One of the grandest
forms of love we can show for someone is that of friendship. One of its beauties is that
it is available to persons of all ages and all vocations. Each of us belongs to a
particular state of life and gives and receive love according to the basic dictates of
that special vocation. Single and married
people in the world, religious, clergy—all of us are meant to love and be loved.
Although many of the experiences of love are the same for all, others are indigenous to
the particular state of life in question. For example, the celibate cleric is closed off
from the experience peculiar to married love just as man and wife, in turn, are not
exposed to the pains and joys of celibate love. However, one of the common experiences of
love we can all share is that of friendship.
In the course of our
daily lives we deal with many people, and some of these we meet rather regularly. We can
thus establish amicable relationships with a number of people. We can develop many friends
in the process. Deep friendship, however, friendship in the stricter sense of the word, is
another matter. For various reasons it seems we establish this type of relationship with
only a relatively small number of individuals. Whatever may be the degree and kind of
friendship, it is a special gift of God. It indeed plays a treasured role in the Christian
life. Christ Himself has shown us this; He, too,
had friends, such as Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
What is friendship,
this special, close friendship? It is a mutual self-giving in love. Through this gift of
self, friends desire to promote the good of each other. In one's love for a friend, he or
she desires that this person becomes everything the friend can become according to God's
designs. Through the love of friendship we give ourselves in a very direct, personal, and
intimate manner to help achieve this growth.
The desire to give
ourself to a friend in such an intimate fashion necessitates that the other also love in
return with the love of friendship. You cannot give to another on such a deep level unless
that person reciprocally and similarly loves and accepts you as well. The love of
friendship, consequently, means a decision to love and be loved in a similar fashion on
the part of both.
One of friendship's
most distinctive qualities is this mutual acceptance which is given in complete freedom.
Friends are radically free to desist loving each other with the love of friendship at any
time; yet the fact that they continue to love is one of friendship's glories. Obviously,
this is not to say that each and every friendship perenially endures. Sometimes one or
both decide for various reasons to end the relationship. Nevertheless, ideal friendship is
forever. This demonstrates the necessity of not entering into such a union unless
sufficient thought and reflection concerning the responsibilities of friendship have
preceded. Full, deep friendship is an important human relationship, and we should treat it
in a commensurate fashion.
Friends look at life
together and they live life together. This is why there must be a basic affinity between
the two, a basic set of common values and ideals. Otherwise, the close union of friendship
does not seem possible. On the other hand, this basic affinity does not exclude all
differences. Each person in the friendship is unique and will give his or her
individuality to the other with the inevitable differences which distinguish one person
from another. These personal differences, properly blended into the unity of friendship,
help to enrich the relationship, and each other.
Since friendship is
a form of love, it is a life, and as with all life, it must be properly nourished;
otherwise, it will wither and die. Each person must realize his or her responsibility in
keeping friendship alive and healthy. Notice, we are not saying friends should be morbidly
anxious regarding the future of their relationship. We are merely stating that friends,
while resting secure in their mutual love, can never afford to take each other for
granted.
Friendship is a
school of love. Through it God intends to make us Christians who love more sincerely, more
deeply, more selflessly.
Since friendship is
a school of love, it is evident why it cannot be exclusive. A friendship which makes me
less loving toward others needs examination. Although I have a special love for my
friends, I cannot neglect a loving concern for all. Jealousy and neglect of duty emanating
from a friendship are other indications that not all is right with the relationship. These
and other possible negative characteristics should not overly surprise us when they
appear, especially if they occur in a minor way. They are simply a sign that we are still
learning to love, and that at times we fail to a lesser or greater degree. Negative
characteristics of a serious nature, however, should either be eliminated or basically
controlled. If there is a serious disorder which is not rectified, the course of action
seems obvious. The friendship—or what was a friendship—should be terminated, for
the relationship has ceased to be a fundamentally sound form of love.
As always though, we
should stress the positive. We should be optimistic about our friendships, confident that
with God's grace they will remain what they should be. Christ is the mediator of this
grace; it is in His presence and in His assistance that our friendships are to be rooted.
In this manner they will flourish and become more beneficial, more profound, and more
beautiful.
27
Limitations
We are finite creatures. By this very fact we have
limitations of various sorts. We must, however, distinguish between false
limitations—those which need not be—and those which legitimately emanate from
our finitude.
False limitations are those which, for various reasons, we
wrongfully inflict upon ourselves. Let us consider some of these.
There is that limitation with which we are burdened when
we waste time comparing ourselves with others. We say that if we possessed the talents of
this or that person, well certainly then we could achieve great things. All the
while, we partially waste the gifts we do possess. We miss numerous opportunities for
serving God and others because we foolishly squander time and attention bemoaning the fact
that we lack this or that talent.
We also needlessly limit our possibilities for achievement
when we choose a type of work for which we are ill-suited. Many times necessity does not
demand we choose such occupations or remain in them. It is rather our failure to use
reasonable means to ascertain what occupations will best utilize our talents.
We also suffer unnecessary limitations when we fail to
generate the proper motivation which would allow for the reasonable development and
implementation of our gifts. Properly motivating ourselves is something we must
consistently strive for. The kind of motivation that thrusts us forward at one stage of
our life and in one set of circumstances may well not be the particular motivating factor
we need at other points of life's journey.
There are numerous limitations which need not be. There
are also limitations which are inevitable. There are, for instance, situations which limit
the use of the talents we actually do possess, and there is little or nothing we can do to
change these circumstances. At other times when we do have the opportunity to exercise our
talents we realize, sometimes with painful awareness, that there is only so much time and
energy. We realize we must leave much undone precisely because of such restraints. There
are also those situations in which, despite our own good will, we are limited in what we
can accomplish because of the disinterest and even hostility of those we are trying to
serve.
Let us pray for the gift to be able to distinguish between those limitations
which need not exist and those which are inevitable. Let us also pray for the strength to
eliminate those limitations which need not be. Finally, let us ask for the courage to
endure patiently those restrictions which are beyond our power to remove.
28
Past, Present, and Future
We are past, present, and future persons. There is a
certain connection between these three dimensions of our existence, but, very importantly,
there is also a distinction.
We are past persons. This we cannot deny. The past, to a
certain extent, shapes our present and our future. For example, the past can be a good
teacher. Aware of past mistakes and successes, we can now guard against the former, and be
in better position to repeat the latter.
We must also guard against the negative influence of the
past. We must, for example, avoid the morbid dwelling on past mistakes and missed
opportunities. Such an exercise only lessens our capacity for present accomplishment and
future planning. Yes, let us learn from the past, but let us not be held its captive.
We are also future persons. This future includes the time
yet remaining for us here upon earth, as well as that absolute future which is full union
with God in eternal life. Looking ahead to our absolute future includes thoughts about our
future days upon earth. We must plan for this future with a sense of Christian purpose and
prudence. Also, we must allow ourselves to be motivated continually by goals not yet
achieved, but which beckon us with an enthusiasm to achieve still more for God and
neighbor.
If we are past and future persons, we are also present
persons. This may be the most difficult. We can dwell too much on the past, a process
which robs us of energy for present accomplishments. Disproportionate thinking about the
future can also detract from the attention the present deserves.
I believe one of the persistent temptations which we must
confront regarding the present is the tendency to underestimate the importance of our life
here and now. For example, we can be tempted to think that our time for significant
accomplishments has not yet arrived—an attitude which detracts from the attention and
commitment we should give to the task at hand.
One of the greatest challenges of the spiritual life is to give ourselves as
fully as possible to the present situation. Indeed, one of the best criteria for judging
spiritual progress is one's ability to attach to the present the importance it deserves.
Traditional spiritual literature has often discussed this critical attitude toward the
here and now as the concept of the sacrament of the present moment.
Giving proper attention to the present demands a consistent expression of the
various Christian virtues. For example, it requires the exercise of faith, hope, and love.
Faith shows us that each day, as ordinary as it may outwardly appear, is a new and
marvelous opportunity to be and to become for God and others. Love, in turn, eagerly
embraces this faith-vision and propels us to loyal service within the prosaic framework of
everydayness. Hope in the Lord must also accompany us each day—trust that He will aid
us in coping with various difficulties which, if not properly confronted, hinder our
fulfillment of present obligations.
Patience is also necessary to successfully cope with
everydayness. We can be tempted to withhold proper devotion to the present because some of
its tasks involve commitment over an extended period of time, whereas we would prefer the
quick arrival of successful results. Let us remember that many before us initiated the
works we now enjoy in their finished stage. Those who began these enterprises had to labor
at them knowing that they would not see the culmination of their dedicated efforts.
To properly give ourselves to the present necessitates
that we also exercise a spirit of forgiveness. Harboring bitterness and hatred toward
those who have wronged us only robs us of the serenity and energy we need for present
accomplishments.
Humility must likewise accompany us in our dedication to
the here and now. We can be tempted, however subtly, to think the present task is not
worthy of our best effort. Humility reminds us that whatever God's will puts before us
each day does indeed demand our full commitment.
Without further extending our discussion of the Christian virtues, it is
obvious that giving proper attention to the present challenges our spiritual capacity in a
variety of ways.
We are past, present, and future. Let us allot each of
these dimensions its proper role. Let us remember that we can best respect the past and
prepare for the future by the proper utilization of the present. St. Paul tells us: Behold,
now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor.
6:2).
29
A Sense of Being Overwhelmed
Sometimes life can seem to overwhelm us, at times with
surprise and suddenness, at other times with clear signs that we are now about to
experience human existence as a sort of massive deluge. During these times of seeming to
be overwhelmed, we obviously feel more than uneasy, and at times deeply anxious. We lack
that sense of being in reasonable control of things.
There are various factors contributing to our sense of
being overwhelmed. People, various circumstances, places, happenings—all these help
shape the situation.
Moreover, it is not only the unpleasant side of life which
is always the causative factor. Sometimes the joyful, the happy, the ecstatic dimension of
human existence can produce the sensation of being overwhelmed. There is the instance of
great happiness coming into our lives. In the midst of overflowing joy we begin to wonder
how long it will last—it all seems too good to be true. We feel somehow incapable of
properly handling and assimilating such a huge portion of life's happiness. Similarly,
occasions of outstanding and astonishing success can also overwhelm us. We feel partially
at a loss on how to cope with such extraordinarily good fortune. We feel ourselves being
on unfamiliar ground. The way to react to such success seems to elude our thinking, and
life suddenly is filled with various uncertainties.
Very obviously, the darker and more somber side of life also makes us feel
overwhelmed. There is the situation involving crucial decision-making. We wish the
decision were not ours; but the more we engage in such unrealistic thinking, the more the
anguish of the situation presses upon us. Suddenly it seems as though the whole of life
hinges upon what we choose to do. The magnitude of the decision and its consequences can
make us feel almost helpless. We feel so alone, so overwhelmed.
Certain individuals, those very precious persons in our
lives, can bring about this experience of life-seeming-too-big-to-handle. It may be the
loss through death of one deeply loved. The lost one was such a part of us, so deeply
ingrained in us, that we feel that a major part of our own self has perished along with
the loved one. Confronting life now seems like such a threatening proposition and there
seems to be hardly any psychic energy or inclination for the struggle. At times people
precious to us can create this burden, not by physically dying, but by dying in another
fashion. It can be a case of alcoholism, or drug addiction, or serious moral depravity, or
insanity. "How can I go on living?" we ask ourselves, and the answer comes not
from our feelings, but from the fact that we actually do make it through another day.
Life also overwhelms us at those times when devastating
failure so harshly visits us. The failure destroys a large portion of our life's hopes and
dreams. Whatever the type of crushing failure, life, temporarily at least, seems like a
burnt-out vessel, and the remaining ashes only serve to remind us bitterly of happier
days.
Whatever may be the cause of our being especially aware of
the awesomeness, the overwhelmingness of life—and we have mentioned only a few of the
possibilities—we can best confront the situation if we deepen our realization of a
most consoling truth. We engage in life's journey, so frightening at times, not alone. We
have the support of those we can reach out and touch, those who are walking the path of
life with us. We also have the support of the One, who, although we cannot physically
touch, we can contact through our faith, hope, and love. This One is our friend, Jesus. He
wants to share life with us. He wants us to realize how closely present He is to us. He
wants us to draw upon His loving presence at all times, especially on those occasions when
the burdens in life seem to be engulfing us.
30
Avoiding Mediocrity
Even after years of close friendship with Jesus, a
Christian can decide to make a radical break and go his or her own way. In the mysterious
depths of our free will, we can decide, for whatever reason, to no longer walk side by
side with Jesus. This Jesus, who inspires to the greatest heights, who manifests an
overwhelming mercy, who whispers His loving and tender concern—this Jesus is now
rejected. Indifference replaces commitment.
On a lesser scale—and perhaps this is what happens
much more often than does outright rejection of the Lord—a Christian can refuse a
deep closeness with Jesus while still fundamentally maintaining the friendship. In other
words, the person opts for mediocrity. Jesus keeps calling the person to a more dynamic
Christian existence, but the person keeps resisting.
To choose mediocrity is to choose immaturely. The only
mature choice is to strive to live out the full implications of being a follower of Jesus.
In making such a choice, we experience our share of suffering. At times this suffering
tests our love and our courage to the utmost. The suffering, however, is for the positive
purpose of extending Christ's kingdom, and an aspect of this is our own closer union with
Jesus.
If we are to avoid mediocrity, we must avoid that attitude
which says, "I will go so far with you Jesus, but no farther. I want to come close to
you Jesus, but not too close. If I come too close, you might ask something of me which is
very difficult." We know in the depths of our hearts that this is a foolish
attitude—for when has Jesus ever asked anything of us and not given us the grace to
accomplish it? When has Jesus ever asked anything of us which was not intended for our
greater happiness?
(End of Excerpt from The Pain and the Joy)
Letters included in the Shepherds of Christ -
A Spirituality Newsletter for Priests.
I read with deep interest your edition of Shepherds of Christ. It is
spiritually based, neatly organized, and very readable. Again, congratulations on a
beautiful ministry.
Rev. Joseph F. Brennan Pastor, St. Genevieve Church
LaFayette, Louisiana
Thank you for sending me the newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. I loved it. I
need all the help you can give during these confusing times. I must not lose sight of my
objective—a true salesman for Our Lord. I must be sold first to love Him before I
bring others to Him.
Fr. Sabbas R. Christ the King Rectory Commack, L.I., New York
A blessed New Year—and a quick note of thanks for the excellent bulletin,
Shepherds of Christ.
Eamon Carroll, O. Carm. Chicago, Illinois
I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I enjoyed reading Shepherds of
Christ. I found it good spiritual reading—and refreshing. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Eugene P. Hruska, V.G. Great Falls, Montana
Dear Ed,
I just wanted to take this chance to thank you for sending to me the Shepherds of Christ
Newsletter. I have appreciated it very much, both to keep in touch with what you are doing
and to enjoy the rich variety of topics needed for priestly reflection today—topics
like friendship, prayer, and the Holy Spirit (a subject close to a Paulist’s heart)
in recent issues.
Sincerely,
Larry Boadt, CSP Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ
I like your newsletter very much. Shepherds of Christ gave me plenty of food for
prayer!
Fr. Michael A. Becker St. Rose of Lima, Altoona, PA.
Dear Fr. Ed,
From nowhere I received a copy of your newsletter. Reading it was a source of simple
delight as is anything buoying up our priesthood these days. The folksy “Joys of
Being a Priest” (by Fr. Philip Hamilton, March-April issue) brought a smile. I think
of these fifty-one years with their ups and downs as something very special. As life moves
quickly and relentlessly on I am sure of this: It Is Great To Be a Priest. To have spent
this one life on anything less would appear to this simple soul as a great waste. Please
keep the newsletter coming—and thank you for the lift!
Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. Charles Mallen, C.Ss.R. Venice, Florida
Dear Ed,
It is slow in coming, but I want to add my voice to the praise your newsletter for priests
must be getting. I find the material good for reflective, meditative reading and praying.
Heaven knows we priests need that.
In the Heart of Christ,
Bob Harvanek, S.J. Loyola University, Chicago
Dear Fr. Ed,
Of all the stuff that comes cascading into my mailbox every day, “Shepherds of
Christ” really stands out. To me it exemplifies one of the great strengths of
Catholicism—its spirituality. I use the newsletter for my prayer after Mass. It has
brought me closer to God through Christ by focusing on the basics of Catholic-Christian
spirituality in a way that enlightens and inspires.
Fr. Bill Zimmer Chicago, Illinois
It gives me special pleasure to share the following letter. It comes from my doctoral
dissertation director, Fr. Ernie Larkin, O. Carm. He is one of the leading experts on the
spiritual teaching of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. He has also been one
of my most influential teachers, and for this I am most grateful to him.—Editor
Dear Ed,
I am embarrassed not to have been one of the first to congratulate you on your obviously
successful newsletter for priests. It is…solid, inspirational, and founded in the
best of our tradition. I am very proud of you. May the Lord touch many of our hearts
through this ministry. All the best to you!
Ernie Larkin, O Carm. Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Father Ed,
Prayer is truly the food of faith and faith is the foundation of our priestly lives.
Through your Shepherds of Christ newsletter you remind us through your insights and
prayers that emotion does indeed feed devotion and that we are all only a heartbeat away
from the face-to-face presence of the Father through the Son in the Spirit! Thanks for all
your letter means to all of us.
Fraternally,
Msgr. Jeremiah F. Kenney Baltimore, Maryland
Dear Father Ed,
The enclosed is a small way of thanking you for the articles in Shepherds of Christ.
The article “Thoughts on the Eucharist” (July-August) reminds me of the
overwhelming love of Christ for me, fellow Catholics and the world. I pray in the vein of
St. Peter Eymard that I might return my all and answer Christ with “this is me for
you”.
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Kenlon, O.F.M.Cap New Paltz, New York
Dear Father Ed,
I must sincerely tell you how enjoyable your newsletter is. I find it spiritually
uplifting. Many times in our earnestness to be of help we forget our own spiritual needs.
You are doing a great service to the American priesthood. May God bless you and sustain
you in your endeavors. My prayers are with you, because I (and I am sure many other
priests) feel enriched every time I read your newsletter. Thanks.
In Jesus’ love,
Rev. William Bonnici Clinton Township, MI
November/December 1995 Issue
Dear Fr. Ed,
Thanks for the Shepherds of Christ newsletter. I enjoyed the July-August one. 'Twas very
good and uplifting. May the Holy Spirit pierce your mind with ways to encourage your
brother priests. Fraternally in Christ,
Rev. John Turk
Warren, Ohio
Dear Father Ed,
With all the misquotes and the twisted interpretations of the Catholic Teachings in our
daily Press, it is enjoyable to pick up Shepherds of Christ and read some solid Catholic
Teaching. Keep up the good work. Thank you for the Newsletter.
Fr. Werner Verhoff, C.PP.S.
Dear Fr. Carter,
I appreciated very much that you wrote to me. I can imagine the amount of work you have in
publishing a newsletter for 45,000 priests and preparing to send it to priests in other
countries. I congratulate you that you send it free of charge…
I received only two issues. I would love to get every issue. Your newsletter is a mine
of thoughts and inspirations…
…in my humble opinion, encouragement is what priests need the most today.
Everybody should show them their appreciation…for bearing the burdens of those who
left or are not coming. I admire the great majority of young priests for their beautiful
spirituality. Yours respectfully in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Leonard Currieri, M.SS.CC.
Linwood, New Jersey
Dear Ed,
In the true spirit of St. Ignio you have captured the essence of some very great saints in
the Church. I found your selections truly inspiring and reinforcing of the beliefs that
must be at the center of every priest's life. Thank you and keep up this long needed
newsletter.
Father Jim Wysocki,
Marine City, Michigan
January/February 1996 Issue
Dear Father,
Your publication is most welcome; a breath of fresh air and wisdom.
All the best in Christ,
Don Derivaux
St. Alphonsus Church
McComb, Mississippi
Dear Ed,
Your current Newsletter, December issue, is simply exceptional. Very solid food. I'm
reading it very slowly. I especially liked Basil Pennington's image of the Christic self.
In Christ Jesus
John Wetmore
Church of St. Stephen, Protomartyr
St. Louis, Missouri
(Dear Father Ed,)
Thank you for the great newsletter. I use it for spiritual reading. It's a great help.
Fr. John Le Voir
Church of the Holy Trinity
South St. Paul, Minnesota
Dear Fr. Ed,
I always enjoy the newsletter. It is always full of such a broad range of solid spiritual
and doctrinal authors and topics. Very inspiring! As someone rather newly ordained (Oct.,
1993), I'll take all the support and inspiration I can get!
In Christ,
Glenn Eftink
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
March/April 1996 Issue
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thank you for your valuable newsletter of spirituality for priests.
Fraternally,
Msgr. Walter Schroeder
Church of the Magdalene
North Tarrytown, New York
Dear Ed,
I've read every issue of Shepherds of Christ, which is rather rare, because I've received
a ton of junk mail every day. Thanks for taking time out to share your inspiring
reflections with us who are "too busy."
Just a token to defray some of your costs.
In Christ,
Msgr. Domenic M. Luong
Mary Queen of Vietnam Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
Dear Father Ed,
Thank you for your Nov/Dec Newsletter. Some paragraphs are clearly gifts of the Holy
Spirit for me. Keep up the great work for Jesus Christ.
In JMJ,
Gus Biehl, S.M.
East St. Louis, Illinois
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thank you for your most welcome newsletter. I read it gradually, one section at a time, so
I can sit with and let sink in the penetrating thoughts you have gleaned from a wonderful
variety of sources. If it weren't for this well-chosen digest I would not meet some of the
spiritual writers you feature. Yours is an excellent resource for contemplatives on a
tight schedule.
In Christ's peace,
Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.
St. Paul's College
Washington, D.C.
Greetings!
I am enclosing a donation for Shepherds of Christ which I find uplifting and inspiring.
Rev. Gino Dalpiaz, C.S.
Scalabrini Mission Center
Stone Park, Illinois
Dear Fr. Carter,
I just received my first newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. I am very grateful for this
publication. It provides some wonderful reflections and it is possible to read them even
with a busy parish schedule.
Thank you for providing this wonderful service. Please accept the enclosed donation as
a token of my appreciation.
Gratefully,
Rev. Gregory F. Hoppough, C.S.S.
Sacred Heart Church
Waltham, Massachusetts
As we are establishing the newsletter in an increasing number of countries, we are
beginning to receive letters from our brother priests in different parts of the world.
This helps all of us to be more aware of our fraternal union with all priests throughout
the Universal Church. Here is a letter from a priest in Uganda, Africa:
Dear Father,
I am writing you to thank you for a well-done job for the renewal and growth of priests
through the spirituality newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. I am also grateful for the copy
I received recently, the Nov/Dec 1995 issue. How I wish I had received all issues. The
articles are nourishing, supportive, informative and challenging. Thank you very much for
your work and generosity.
I am wondering whether it is possible for me to continue receiving a copy of Shepherds
of Christ regularly. As a person involved in giving renewal courses for priests,
seminarians, and religious men and women, I have found it helpful.
Fr. Albert Gavamukulyo
Kisubi, Uganda
Dear Fr. Carter,
Deo Gratias and also to you for your Shepherds of Christ newsletter-a
gem. Your articles always have solid meditation material and an inviting way of leading us
priests on that path of holiness to which we are called.
May your work be graced by the Lord.
Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Eugene Golas,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
My dear Fr. Carter:
Many thanks for the March-April issue of Shepherds of Christ. That is
the first issue I ever saw or received. May the good Lord bless you. It is a wonderful
newsletter. I am enclosing a small donation. May God love you.
Sincerely,
Fr. Charles Jirik,
Minneapolis MN
Note: If you know of other priests who have not been receiving the Newsletter, please
tell them we would be very glad to add them to our mailing list upon receiving their names
and addresses.
-Editor
Dear Ed,
I recently ran across your publication. As a newly ordained priest, I
found it most refreshing and affirming. Please subscribe me at the above address. We are
all grateful to people like you who help people like us.
Gratefully,
Fr. John Kennedy,
Monroe, Louisiana
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thanks so much for the spirituality newsletter. I'll be using the Sept.-Oct. issue for
meditations for the rest of the year and beyond.
I was a little down due to the fact that there are four terminal cancer patients in the
parish and it is hard to cope-with them, their families, and oneself. Then your lovely
newsletter came and truly lifted my spirits.
Please accept the enclosed to support your grace-filled ministry.
In Christ,
Fr. Walter E. Heinz
Pomeroy, Ohio
Dear Father,
Using your reflections is like making a retreat-great for reviewing.
God bless you,
Fr. Edmund Schreiber
Franklin Park, Illinois
Dear Friend,
I want to thank you for publishing Shepherds of Christ. I really do appreciate your
thoughtfulness of helping us pastors to keep our mind's focus on Jesus.
Thank you,
Rev. Gerald Cernoch
Shiver, Texas
Dear Fr. Carter,
I want to thank you for sending me a copy of Shepherds of Christ. This Spirituality
Newsletter for Priests contains very nourishing food for priests. Reading through it
lifted up my "drooping spirit." May you be blessed in this ministry.
And I have a request: There are 78 Diocesan priests in the Diocese of Darjeeling, India,
in the foothills of the Himalayas, working in the remote missions. A copy of Shepherds of
Christ to each one of them would be very enriching. May I request you to send to me about
80 copies of Shepherds of Christ regularly so that I can send each priest in the Diocese a
copy.
Thanking you in advance,
Yours fraternally in the Lord,
Fr. Thomas DiSouza
Diocesan Administrator
Darjeeling, India
My dear Fr. Carter:
Just a short note and a small donation to support the wonderful work you are doing for the
Lord. May He bless you and your spiritual ministry to His priests throughout the world. I
read all that you have been writing with care and prayer.
In your charity, please remember me and the Church in China.
Fr. Bernard Hwang
Oregon City, Oregon
Dear Rev. Fr. Ed Carter, S.J.,
Thank you very much for providing us with rich
spiritual literature.
The Shepherds of Christ Newsletter has been
very useful to us and I have received positive response from a good number of priests.
Thank you for the good work and we shall be happy if you continue sending them to us.
Fr. John Bazimenyera, St. Augustine's Institute, Kampala,
Uganda.
Dear Fr. Carter,
It took me such a long time to answer your
letter of over a month ago. I am sorry for this delay. I have just received your issue of
SHEPHERDS OF CHRIST for March/April 1997 for which I heartily thank you. I have already
distributed quite a lot to our Gozitan priests, and they want to thank you as they find
your newsletter very enriching spiritually. I am sending some copies to the Seminarians in
Malta and to other priests there.
By the way, I have some good news for you, I
think. A little over a month ago His Lordship, the bishop of Baton Rouge was our guest at
Manresa Retreat House. He came over to visit the families of three Gozitan priests who
work in his diocese. I have introduced the SHEPHERDS OF CHRIST newsletter to him, which he
appreciated greatly. I also passed over some copies to the Spiritual Father of the
American College in Rome who was accompanying His Lordship.
God bless you with His love and peace. Rev. Joseph M. Galdes,
S.J., Gozo, Malta.
Dear Fr. Ed Carter,
Thank you very much for your kind letter and for the enclosures.
Congratulations for the wonderful work that is being done to animate the Shepherds. I
believe such material is very essential these days to nourish and strengthen the Ministers
of the Word and the Sacraments.
I would like to give a copy each to every Priest working in the diocese
and to the seminarians in their final stages of formation. I will be happy to receive 100
copies of Shepherds of Christ for that purpose.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Robert Kerkerketla, SDB DD
Bishop of Tezpur, India
Dear Fr. Ed Carter,
Peace be with you!
My name is Joseph Grima and I am a seminarian studying theology at the
Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria, Gozo-Malta. I was handed a copy of your Newsletter not
long ago and was very impressed with the spiritual information you provide for priests.
I would like to ask you, if it is not too much trouble, if you could
send some copies for us here at the seminary. At the moment we are 15. Also, in that issue
there was a note for those interested in obtaining the first 12 issues in book form. I am
very interested in your spirituality and would like very much to have it.
Continue the good work. The modern world is in much need of spiritually
prepared priests.
God Bless and may the New Year be for you a year full of joy, blessings and service in the
Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Sem. Joseph Grima
Dear Fr. Ed Carter,
Thank you very much for your kind letter. Sorry for the long delay in
answering. I was always on the move.
I found the Newsletter very much spiritually enriching. Congratulations
for this very meaningful apostolate. I have some 80 priests and 60 Major Seminarians. I
would like to give to all, so kindly send 150 copies.
Once again I congratulate you for this noble effort and the trouble you
take for the Church.
Yours in Our Lord,
Bishop Gregory Karotemprel, CMI
Gujarat, India
Dear Fr. Carter,
I would like to thank you for the first issue of l998 of Shepherds of
Christ which you have sent me.
I have found your newsletter thought-provoking and spiritually
enriching. I have handed four of the five copies you sent me to the two Rectors of our
Minor and Philosophy seminaries, to the priest in contact with our young priests and with
vocations, and to our cloister at Carmel. I am sure that they will appreciate it as much
as I do.
I shall be grateful if you could send me 75 copies. You can be sure
they will be read avidly and greatly appreciated. Also, I shall be extremely grateful if
you send me 3 copies of the first l2 letters that have appeared in book form.
Congratulations on this excellent apostolate. Keep up the good work you
are doing. May Mary, our blessed Mother, bless this spiritual apostolate of yours. I have
appreciated very much the quotations you put from Fr. Angelo Amato, S.D.B. and from
Cardinal Newman regarding our blessed Mother.
Thanking you once again,
In caritate Christi
Armando Trinidad
Archbishop of Lahore, Pakistan
Dear Father,
I have been asked by His Excellency Bishop Frances Gerard Brooks, D.D.,
to thank you for your recent letter.
At a recent diocesan conference our bishop informed the priests of the
diocese of your recent letter and provided for their perusal the samples of your
newsletter. The response was very positive, with many priests indicating a desire to
receive your newsletter on a regular basis.
His Excellency has asked me to confirm with you the possibility of
ordering 60 copies of your newsletter. This will allow for a copy to be given to every
priest, deacon and seminarian of the diocese. It will also facilitate "sample"
copies to be distributed further afield.
Rev. Niall Sheehan
Cathedral Presbytery
Newry, Northern Ireland
Dear Fr. Carter,
A priest friend of mine has introduced me to your excellent
publication, Shepherds of Christ.
I would be pleased if you could include me in your mailing list.
With every blessing on your special work,
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Daniel Barr
Lifford, Ireland
Dear Fr. Carter,
I got your newsletter, Shepherds of Christ from a Jesuit friend in
Kampala. It has been a service of inspiration, not only to me, but also to those with whom
I shared it. I would appreciate it if you could avail me of some of the issues.
God Bless,
Yours,
Fr. Michael Canuroma Opoki
Awasa, Ethiopia
Dear Fr. Carter,
God Bless you for your kindness in sending me the 1998, Issue Two, of
your Newsletter.
How I love to receive those copies. The priests to whom I distribute
them want to thank you too as they find in your newsletter a useful spiritual guide. Even
the Seminarians are appreciating your kindness. We have all to thank you prayerfully,
especially at mass.
Please thank also your Shepherds of Christ Associates for their prayers
and good work. I am offering a Mass for all your intentions. God bless you all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Joseph, M. Galdes, S.J.
Victoria, Gozo-Malta
Dear Father,
This date two copies of your Catholic newsletter reached my desk. I put other mail aside
and read your publication.
It sold itself. Therefore I would ask for 60 copies that can be spread among our
priests, brothers, sisters, deacons and catechists.
I am sure they will appreciate what you send.
Blessings and best wishes.
Your servant in Christ,
Cardinal Pio Taofinu'u
Archbishop of Samoa-Apia
Dear Fr. Edward:
Thank you for the Shepherds of Christ Newsletter. You are putting in the hands of our
priests timely materials for spiritual reading and for allocutions and homilies. I myself
will find this helpful for my apostolate of giving recollections and retreats to
seminarians and priests.
I will be glad to have 60 copies of each issue of the Newsletter starting with the
forthcoming newsletter.
Permit me to extend to you and your companions in the apostolate my appreciation and
gratitude for extending your help to your fellow priests in the ministry.
God bless you.
Sincerely yours,
Angel N. Lagdameo
Bishop of Dumaguete, Philippines
Dear Fr. Carter,
I have just finished reading issue Two, 1998 of Shepherds of Christ.
I really enjoyed it. It had real spiritual depth. I especially enjoyed the piece on
Spiritual Freedom and John of the Cross. Really all the pieces were worthwhile. I liked
the mix of traditional pieces (the two consecration prayers and Anima Christi) and your
quoting of contemporary writers like Henri Nouwen and Robert Schwartz.
It was an act of the Holy Spirit--divine intervention--that I even read the newsletter.
Like all priests, I receive so much unsolicited mail that I automatically toss out a lot
of it without looking at it. Somehow, I looked at your newsletter on May 21, my birthday.
Your newsletter was my best birthday gift. Keep up the good work.
In Christ,
Fr. Eamon Tobin, Cocoa Beach, Florida
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thank you for your newsletter of priestly spirituality, "Shepherds of Christ".
It is both informative and inspirational.
In the peace of Christ,
Fr. Austin Green, O.P. University of Dallas
Dear Father,
Yesterday I received your letters and the book, Spirituality Newsletters.
I am delighted because there is so much material coming on to my desk it is well-nigh
impossible to read much of it. However, your gift looks to me as if it will fill a great
need for us here. We simply do not have the time to read a great deal and have often
thought it would be a great thing if one of us could digest a great deal of the writings
we receive, summarize them and send them to the rest of us. However, that too is quite
impractical we find. And I rather think that what you have sent is the very thing we need,
and because it is on spirituality it will be the greatest help and inspiration. I have to
tell you that all the priests here are great workers, and all of them work long hours
manually in travel by boat, in caring for light plants, boat engines, buildings, etc.,
just to support their stations, (most on pretty lonely islands) so that they have little
money to buy good books, and little time to read them if they get them. What you have sent
seems to really fill a bill for us. It seems at first sight to be the essence of the great
need we have, for the development of the priest himself in spirituality.
Thank you very much indeed. I am really grateful.
Yours very sincerly and fraternally in Our Lord
Bishop D.C. Morre
Diocese of Alotau
Papua new Guinea
Dear Fr. Carter,
I look forward to receiving my Shepheds of Christ newsletter. Each issue is truly an
uplifting experience.
Would it be possible to take articles from the newsletter for publication in my parish
bulletin? I would like to share such inspiring information with my parishioners.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. W. Paysse
Slidell, Louisiana
Dear Ed,
Thank you for Shepherds of Christ which I treasure and read as spiritual reading.
It contains a volume of practical recommendations.
Let's pray for each other...
Rev. Msgr. James J. Rugel
Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Dear Fr. Edward,
The peace of the Lord be always with you. Recently I received your newsletter,
Shepherds of Christ from my Bishop. It is very interesting for me and the priests who
are working with me in this parish.
I would like to ask you for the cassettes (Newsletters on cassettes).
Could you please supply me with these cassettes, which will be of great help to priests
and the thirty catechists working in the same parish.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Hilary Abela
Mpiketoni
Kenya
Dear Fr. Carter,
We priests get so many things in the mail for the parish and all its ministries and
ministers. I was dumfounded that there was something for the pastor, and what a good thing
it is, "Shepherds of Christ"! It is like geting a mini-retreat in the mail. How
good of you to do this for us! Bless you.
Sincerely in Christ and the Blessed Mother,
Fr. Guilbert Manaric
Skidmore, Texas
Dear Fr. Carter,
Thank you. I have just got your Shepherds of Christ Newsletter for l998, Issue Five. I was
eagerly waiting for it so that I could distribute it among our clergy and seminarians.
Every issue is a precious little mine of spiritual insights which helps us priests, always
on the go, to stop and cherish the Spirit.
Sincerely in Christ, the Good Shepherd
Fr. Joseph M. Galdes, S.J.
Victoria, Gozo - Malta
Dear Fr. Carter,
I am writing to ask you to please send me ten copies of the Spiritual Newsletter for
Priests, Shepherds of Christ, and a copy of the book which includes the first 12
issues of your newsletter.
I have received two issues of 1998, and I have found them very useful
to enhance our priestly on-going formation, and I wish to give one to my nine diocesan
priests and keep one for myself.
Sincerely yours in Christ
Bishop Ambrose Ravasi, IMC
Diocese of Marsabit, Kenya
Dear Ed,
Thank you for sending us copies of the Shepherds of Christ Newsletter. We appreciate your
good efforts to support the clergy in their vocations--an excellent apostolate, especially
in these "difficult" days for the clergy.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Tom Radloff,S.J.
North American College, Rome
Dear Father,
Pax Christi! Recently a colleague placed a copy of your newsletter on my desk in order
that I may partake of its richness. I was very pleased at the various articles found
within. On occasion I find myself looking for just the right article that will spark my
attention, but one short enough to not require much time. I am pleased to say that your
newsletter is a very good source that falls under my guidelines. If you would please place
me on your mailing list, I would be most appreciative.
In Christ,
Rev. Mark A. Mc Anally
St. Mary's Seminary & University
Baltimore, Maryland
30 June 1999
Reverend and dear Father Carter,
Warmest Greetings to you from Plentong, Malaysia.
I write to thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness in sending us
several copies of your "Spirituality Newsletter for Priests". We have received
Issues One & Two, 1999.
There is no doubt that our priests will benefit from the articles of
your Newsletter and hopefully they will inspire and encourage them to seek holiness in
their pastoral work.
With renewed gratitude and warm regards.
Yours sincerely in the Lord,
Bishop James Chan
Melaka-Johor Diocese
Dear Father Edward J. Carter, S.J.:
Greetings and prayerful good wishes!
I am edified etc., etc., by my reading "Shepherds of
Christ"...
Congratulations on publishing and editing such an excellent
"diamond of spirituality".
Oremus pro invicem.
Sincerely,
in Jesus our Good Shepherd and High Priest,
Father Bruce Riski, Capuchin
Appleton, Wisconsin
Dear Rev. Fr. Edward Carter,
I am Am Nguyen, a Salesian priest. I am a full-time student in the S.T.D. program at the
Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. My desire is that after the completion of studies,
I will be back in Vietnam.
I have usually received "Shepherds of Christ." I highly
appreciate what you have been doing. It promotes a new awareness of the gift of the
priesthood.
I wonder whether I can have a free copy of Newsletters both in cassette
form and in book form. Burned with a zeal to serve the Body of Christ more effectively
through an ongoing spiritual renewal, I think that these Newsletters will be useful. At
the same time, I wish I can share them with my other companion priests in Vietnam.
Thanks for your consideration. May God bless your ministry and make it
fruitful for the sake of his Church.
With gratitude and prayers in Christ the Lord,
Am Nguyen, S.D.B
Dear Ed,
Just want to tell you I liked your 1999, Issue Three, with its two articles on
"Personal Uniqueness" and "Jesus". I’ll be looking for a chance
to use them in my retreats and liturgies. Thanks a lot.
In Christ,
Bob Thul, S.J.
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Father,
Please receive my cordial greetings.
It was really an opportune moment and a gracious one to come in touch
with a "Shepherds of Christ" issue. I was nearly overjoyed by the spiritual
nourishment it contained. As a parish priest, I would find it highly useful if I could
regularly receive it.
Also, please send me the newsletter in book form and the newsletter
audio cassettes. Yours in Christ,
Fr. Felix Rashid
Tanzania, East Africa
Dear Fr. Carter,I would be very grateful if I could have them, since I can no longer
read.
Would you kindly place me on your mailing list and send also 10 copies
of "Shepherds of Christ", together with some copies of the prayer manual for
distribution?
May the good Shepherd bless your precious work and keep you in His
loving care.
Dear Revd. Edward,
May peace of God which transcends all understanding guard your heart and your mind in the
name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Praying always that the good Lord should imbue you with His Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Fr. Edward J. Carter,
I have followed with keen interest your publication titled "Shepherds of Christ"
newsletter. I write from the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, here in States to encourage
you, Father.
Spirituality is an on-going process in the life of every man and woman. Hence, do not
relent in your publications. Everybody needs it, for many lives have been enriched
spiritually via your publications.
May Christ the Good Shepherd invigorate you.
May I also request you to send me the newsletter in book form and the audio-cassettes.
Dear Fr. Carter,
I have been reading the newsletter book Shepherds of Christ meditatively since it
came. All the articles are deep theology and spirituality. If only priests read it
properly and prayerfully, a change towards Christ cannot but come. All my Diocesan priests
got the book and are reading it. I have sent a few copies to the seminary rector in South
India whom I know, asking him to read it and also order the newsletter. I am sure they
will profit by it.
Congratulations on a first-class publication.
Rev. and Dear Fr. Carter,
Compliments of the Easter Season to you! After reading your recent newsletter Shepherds
of Christ, I found it very profitable and thought of making a request for subsequent
copies as the one I read was given to me by one of our priests.
I shall, therefore, be very thankful if you do me the favour of sending
me copies of the newsletter in the future. May God bless your apostolate most abundantly.
I am a 20-year old college student and I attend a private, secular
school. The prayers and articles in "Shepherds of Christ" help me understand the
Eucharist and live a life focused on Jesus. I especially like the Act of Consecration
prayer. It is so beautiful! I say it daily.
Thank you again and may God bless all those involved in the
"Shepherds of Christ" ministry.
Dear Fr. Carter,
I just finished reading the Special Issue "Overview of the
Spiritual Life" Excellent! Please send me the book form of the 1st 12 issues.
Thank you.
Reverend and dear Fr. Ed,
Mabuhay! Greetings from the Philippines! Please allow me to congratulate you for the
expansion of your readership. It is indeed true that even the laity would benefit from
your spiritual publication. As for my case, I am not yet a priest yet I found your notes
to be helpful in my personal spiritual journey. Thus, I am asking for a personal copy of
Shepherds of Christ. The ones that I had been reading were given by a fellow seminarian.
May I also request the audiocasette recording of your previous issues. Thank you very much
for your dedication. May Mary’s protection never leave you in your life.
Father, since the time I started receiving these spiritual newsletters
through my Vicar General Mons. Joseph Kimu of St. John the Baptist Major Seminary in the
diocese of Mangochi here in Malawi, I feel my spiritual life has been enriched
tremendously.
Enclosed is a little donation. I enjoy each issue very much.
A rosary can be used to pray for healing. It is powerful to unite our
prayers to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and pray through the powerful intercession of
Our Lady of Clearwater.
In times of trouble, for special prayer, we can use our rosary and pray as
follows.
To order your Rosary Book fill out this form and send your donation to
Shepherds of Christ Ministries, PO Box 193, Morrow, Ohio 45152-0193, Telephone: (toll
free) 1-888-211-3041 or (513) 932-4451.
Mary's
Message from the Rosary of August 27, 1996
Copyright © 2000 Shepherds of Christ.