Catholic leaders hope for 'peace in midst of darkness'

[rug]

July 6, 2013 4:12 PM
Written by
Sharon Roznik

The day John Schmitz burned his Roman Catholic collar was a turning point in his life.

Raised in St. Peter and a graduate of St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary, Schmitz was firmly rooted in the Catholicism that ran through what is known as the Holyland in northeastern Fond du Lac County.

But after almost a decade serving as a priest, including five years at St. Mary’s Church in Fond du Lac, he said he had enough and could no longer stand in front of a congregation and preach something he did not believe.

“I knew then there were pedophiles, priests who were being shuffled from one place to another,” said Schmitz, who has authored a book “A Funny Thing Happened on My Way Out of Church.”

http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20130707/FON0101/307070084/Catholic-leaders-hope-peace-midst-darkness-

This has been one response.

http://www.catholicwhistleblowers.org/

[IrishAyes]

1. What can I say.

[rug]

2. Work to get to the root of it and then uproot it.

[IrishAyes]

3. Yes, of course.

I was very tired last night and not very communicative. Thanks for offering the CatholicWhistleblowers link. I took a quick look and bookmarked it for later careful reading. In the past I've joined a couple of online Catholic groups, but perhaps it's time to join another as well. While I was fortunate not to have experienced the trauma they address, somewhat because of my gender perhaps and also my family - who knows? - I need to find out if there's anything I can help them with. Unfortunately circumstances forced me into very early retirement on a wing and a prayer, and I scrape along on just a small Social Security check. But at least I can offer prayer and also my signature on worthy petitions that come my way.

If you'll excuse a slight segue: Although the Catholic Workers have a different main focus, they'll inherit my house someday for a rest home. That's one reason I enjoy trying to get the place in decent repair so they will receive it ready to use. The house is already 100 years old and I think it would've been unsalvageable if it had gone another two years untended. It had been continuously occupied but totally neglected for many years. I've taken care of the basics; a new heavy duty metal roof, insulation, windows, wiring, plumbing, and so forth. Next comes painting the exterior wood trim so I can attach lattice around the porch for privacy and extra shade. After that's done I can start the slow process of serious interior rehab. There are still rooms where chunks of plaster can descend from the ceiling w/o warning, etc.

I did manage to get the living room ceiling raised back to original height and restored because that lowered ceiling gave me claustrophobia and it was caving in faster than the others. When we ripped it out, we discovered a giant medallion on the original 10' ceiling, and it was hanging by a thread. Must've weighed a couple hundred pounds. Sooner than later it would've crashed to the floor, maybe with me under it. So you see the challenge I've taken on.

If I can get the place halfway finished before I die, I might face the question of how to put any remaining years to best use as I certainly have no intentions of ever remarrying. Don't know if I'll ever be ready to have anyone else here with me because over time I've been turning into a genial near-recluse. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. If God wants me to let the Catholic Workers in earlier than anticipated, I'll be given the spiritual resources for a change of heart. Your prayers for divine guidance in that matter will be helpful.

Meanwhile, please keep me updated on the subject of your OP. I'm a bit fuzzy on HOW to go about helping, so you and the CatholicWhistleblowers will need to advise me.

[rug]

5. The Catholic Workers are a good group.

That said, I hope they don't move in for many years.

I don't know too much about this group but they seem well grounded.

http://www.catholicwhistleblowers.org/Who_We_Are.htm

They're not asking for anything as far as I can see. If you'd like, just ask to be put on their mailing list. I have. That accomplishes three things. We'll be well-informed; they can register support; if something concrete develops we can take whatever action is appropriate.

It sounds like you live in a lovely home.

[IrishAyes]

6. Thank you.

As for the home, it was once a showplace. My highest aspiration can only be to restore it to period-compatible, pleasant condition, given financial constraints. And it still has far, far to go before even that much is achieved. But I've lived in old houses before and actually prefer them in many ways. This one is definitely worth saving.

Odd, but it kind of reminds me of humanity and God, who in infinite love and mercy sees His fallen children as worth saving. But then I tend to see allegories everywhere.

One final, perhaps interesting little note. The main house itself is only 100 but it's built around a slave cabin first erected in 1848, somewhere around 12 years or so after Paul Revere died. Unlike most such properties, I found myself with a complete record of historical documents. Since I don't know exactly how the next world operates, and I'm Irish to the core, I've always wondered what sort of work we might be given to do in eternity. Would some of it involve helping people still struggling through this incubation stage? Regardless, I've never felt alone at all, no matter the circumstances. I don't mean people pop out of the woodwork and talk to me! But there's at least a strong comfort zone to me in old places.

One time I did move to a house that didn't feel quite right. So I sat in the middle of the room and prayed for God's peace on all inhabitants, past and present, known and unknown, good or bad or in between. Never got that feeling of foreboding again. I also go to the four corners of the property and say a quiet little prayer for God to send me all the guardian angels I might need, no more and no less. Then I don't worry about it anymore. Plenty of people would consider me crazy for that, but it works for me so I don't worry about that anymore either.

[rug]

7. That's not crazy at all.

It's a promise given at the Last Supper and recited every time Mass is said.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

[rug]

4. Replied in wrong place.