Walt Roberts

Catholic convert, INTP, and @UofSC alumnus living and working in Washington, DC.

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@BackwardsFeet Bless you for that. Truly.

On behalf of all who hate our full names.

[Fr. Paul @BackwardsFeet]

In a restaurant after the beatification.

Priest walks by our table, we say hello, ask him what he thought of the Mass. I ask him what diocese he's from.

"Rochester," he says, "Bishop Sheen ordained me in 1968"

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@BackwardsFeet Wow; that's awesome!

Sorry, can’t help myself here:
By chance, did you catch his thoughts on the current bishop emeritus of the diocese?

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@BackwardsFeet @BackwardsFeet If a bride or a bridegroom really hates their full given name, is there any flexibility or option to refer to them by their preferred name, such as using part of their first name plus their last name or a nickname plus their last name, instead of their full name?

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@BackwardsFeet Why piss off a Blessed when he clearly had his own preference of his name(s)? Yet, I would’ve thought they would’ve integrated it into the official declaration, too. But, as someone with a relatable naming issue, I’m glad that didn’t happen. Intent is king here, anyway, correct?

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@hokiemystic @JimSichko I think you would be hugely surprised, if it were in the right location

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@Mdc0736 @Eldenofthering 3 of 3) Alas, the cycle continues. The person at the window at McDonald’s can't tell their manager at the beginning of the day that they know they're scheduled for a shift, but have to dip out for a third of it (should they have secured a job interview elsewhere).

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@Mdc0736 @Eldenofthering 2 of 3) Except you have to work all day just to eat, and missing work impacts that and also invites further scrutiny, making things even worse. So you can’t just dip out to interview elsewhere. They know all this too.

[RetroNewsNow @RetroNewsNow]

On September 19, 1985, the United States Senate held a hearing on ‘obscenity’ in popular rock music. During testimony, Tipper Gore, founder of Parents Music Resource Center, asked record companies to place ‘a warning label on music products inappropriate for younger children’

[Sachin Jose @Sachinettiyil]

The Diocese of Charleston, serving South Carolina in the heart of the Bible Belt, has nearly 40 men in formation for the Catholic priesthood while serving about 242,000 Catholics.

That is a remarkable number of priestly vocations for a relatively small Catholic population.

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@alextu45 @matteomatzuzzi He really does!

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@KraftLawrence20 @holysmoke Same.

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@holysmoke Btw, when Duane Chase hits the high note in the goodbye song at the party, that's Charmian Carr's sister that you hear.

[JD Flynn @jdflynn]

@Katy_Faust Good Catholics cuss a lot.

[The Catholic Herald @CatholicHerald]

The bishop of Lourdes has revealed it was Pope Leo who personally ordered the Vatican to finally stop using Rupnik images less than a month after he was elected.

✍️ Michael Haynes

https://t.co/04KXN9TBUU

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@Jolz_Aust @josephnollasj The thing about lines that drives me the craziest is that you never really see them clearly until they have already been crossed.

[APStylebook @APStylebook]

Spell out the noun "two-by-four," which refers to any length of untrimmed lumber approximately 2 inches thick by 4 inches wide.

[John A. Monaco @johnamonaco]

If you want to revitalize a Roman Catholic parish, here’s what you have to do:

Priests (and when applicable, deacons):

1) Offer frequent times for Confession, and no, not just “by appointment”.

“But why would I offer more confession times when people barely come to our Saturday half hour slot?” Just offer it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen priests increase the opportunities for Confession even when it wasn’t in response to a demand, and somehow, people not only started filling up the Saturday time slot, but the others, as well!

2) Offer the traditional Latin Mass, if possible. If not, offer the Novus Ordo as reverently as possible, by following the GIRM and infusing within it any traditional elements, as allowed. The Mass is the most important part of a priest’s life, and its worthy celebration will pay dividends for the life of your local parish. Move away from the 4-hymn sandwich. Prioritize a schola cantorum and the organ. If you can’t yet sing the Propers in Latin, sing them in English!

3) Offer perpetual Eucharistic adoration, if possible. If not, offer Eucharistic adoration frequently. Many people think that the key to fixing a parish is by implementing programs, doing all sorts of activities. There is no pastoral plan greater than the worship and praise of the LORD in the Blessed Sacrament. Put that first, and watch everything fall into place.

4) Preach brief, often, and well. The brevity of homilies allows for people to grasp 1-2 concepts clearly. Info-dumping everything you learned in seminary is not going to result in a successful take-home message. But preach whenever possible: at baptisms, funerals, daily Mass, parish Vespers. Work on your Sunday homily throughout the week. Pray on it. Consult secondary literature, such as biblical commentaries. Don’t avoid preaching on controversial topics.

5) Offer opportunities for parish fellowship. In between Sunday Masses, have coffee and social time. Be present for it. Promote it! In an era dominated by the digital, these sorts of in-person experiences allow authentic community to develop. Young adult (18-30) groups are great. Think also of marriage & family apostolates.

For laity:

1) Show up. Obviously, go to Sunday Mass. But as your schedule allows, attend parish lectures, Bible study, Lauds/Vespers, bazaars and festivals, etc. The American Catholic’s social life was once dominated by the parish. I think it’s time we bring that back.

2) Tithe, donate money, time, and your talents. As appropriate to your current situation, make financial sacrifices to allow the parish to continue its work. Don’t just throw $5 in the basket if you’re driving a Tesla Model X. A good rule of thumb: if you’re spending more money on fast food every month than you are in the collection basket, it’s time to reevaluate your discretionary income.

3) Join parish organizations, like the Knights of Columbus, choir, CCD/Faith formation. Many of the Millennial generation grew up thinking “eh that’s the stuff for the older people.” That’s how these things die (also, we’re starting to become those “older people”). Ask your pastor where your talents meet the parish’s needs.

4) Love your priest (even if you don’t like him!) Do not treat your priest like a sacramental dispenser. Find out his birthday, interests, favorite food. Invite him over for a family dinner or take him out to lunch. While respecting proper boundaries, invite him into your life as an important person. Thank him, and pray for him!

5) Invite someone to Mass with you: a friend, coworker, or even a stranger. You are the primary agent by which the parish engages the world. “Come and see”
___

Certainly, there are more ways to revitalize a Roman Catholic parish, so feel free to list them below. But in every healthy parish I’ve seen, these elements were present. As our Western culture continues to decline and fragment, the parish might be one of the few places we can rebuild it.

📍 Mission San Rafael Arcángel, California

[Walt Roberts @WaltRoberts]

@peterswindal Say what?