2012/04/23 Spring Semester 2nd Year & The Kristen Center

Well, once again I am a little more than 1/2 way through my spring semester of my 2nd year in seminary.  I can't believe it!  Time has really flown by.  This semester has been probably one of the most difficult semesters of seminary.  I have 15 credit hours (5 courses).  To give you an idea, most colleges and universities consider 12 hours a full semester.   So I have been really busy once again.

This semester I am taking the following courses:

• Ecclesiology
• Reform and Modern Church History
• Moral Theology
• Christology
• Synoptic Gospels

I am in the middle of my mid-term papers.  I just finished two papers.  The first one was for Christology.  My paper assignment was to compare, contrast, and explain the differences between the Christologies of Fr Karl Rahner, OFM and John Dominic Crossan.  The 2nd was for R/M Church History.  I had to basically cover the history of the church from the 12th - 16th centuries.  I still have two exegetical papers due for my Synoptics class and a basically a book report on the book "Communion Ecclesiology" by Dennis Doyle, professor of Theology at University of Dayton.  I also completed a paper for Moral Theology.

One reason this semester has been more difficult than other has been the subject matter.  Pretty heady stuff.  The other has to do with the amount of required reading this semester.  Just for one class alone I had over 12 different required texts!  And that was one class.  For me this has been quite a challenge as I am not the fastest reader (No Evelyn Wood Speed Reading courses here).  But, with the thanks and help of God and Jesus and Mary, and a supporting family, I am making it!

I have also been for the last two to three months been busy in preparing to launch a new "faith-based" HIV Community organization.  I received word early this year that I had an individual wanting to donate a home for our HIV Support Groups.   So I have been busy planning the transition of all the HIV ministries from St John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center to the new faith-based community service organization (The Kristen Center - see http://www.thekristencenter.com).  The website is still in development and not yet complete, but it will give you an idea.  The goal is to complete the transition and launch the Support Groups this year.  The goal is by fall of 2013 to launch a faith-based Care Coordination Center through The Kristen Center (a Care Coordination Center is a central location where those with HIV may go to receive a myriad of services for those with HIV and those who care for them).

Well that is about it for now.  I had to papers left and a lot of ground to cover.  But I did want to provide an update since it has been a while.

Peace,
br jeff

2011/11/20 Fall Semester of Seminary & St John XXIII POC Ministries

Dear Friends:

I can't believe that I am more than 1/2 way through my Fall Semester (2011) of Seminary!  This fall I am taking the following Courses:


     *Early & Medieval Church History
     *Foundational Theology
     *Pentateuch
     *Pastoral Counseling
     *Supervised Ministry I

Course work seems to be going well.  According to my official transcript, so far I am making Straight A's!  That in itself is a miracle (smirk).  I pray that I do well this semester and keep my A's streak.

I finally received confirmation back from the Registrar of St John XXIII Theological Seminary.  Years ago I been called to ministry and at that time it was in the United Methodist Church.  Yes it is quite a bit different to be a Catholic! That in itself is another story and I will save it for a future blog update.

Anyway, as a result back then I was serving as a Licensed Student Local Pastor and had taken some seminary courses as well as extra course during my B.A. degree at IU.  Long story short, I was able to receive 22 hours credit for previous courses after official transcripts were reviewed by the Registrar.  That cuts nearly 1/3 of my 3 year degree program (Master of Divinity).  Bottom line, if I continue to do well, take full loads through next year, then I pray that January of 2013 I will be eligible for Holy Orders.   At this end of this semester I will be eligible for Deacon's Orders.  Whether I am called or not to Deacon's Orders is at the discretion of my Bishop and the Archbishop.
 

As far as the new parish here in Indianapolis, St John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center, I have been extremely busy getting ready to launch four (4) new HIV Support Groups for the HIV Community here in Indianapolis.  St John XXIII POC's outreach ministry is to the HIV/AIDS Community in Indianapolis.  Prior to my calling, I served this community for the past several years as a volunteer.  IN 2009 I served as Co-Chair for the Ryan White Part B Program Advisory Council.  This is a group of about 80 professional, para-professional and volunteers as well as clients who all focus on serving the HIV Community either as Physicians, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Case Managers, and volunteers.  This group, by law, is responsible for drafting recommendations to the Ryan White Act Program Funding Officer each year, stating how federal funds from the Ryan White Care Act, will be used in Indiana.  

Currently I am searching out volunteers to join our HIV Support Group Facilitator Teams.  This group will be volunteers which will be trained as Support Group Facilitators and then manage and run the support groups launching in January 2012.  I have one confirmed volunteer and several applicants.  Right now we will have four (4) different support groups, which though there are support groups for HIV/AIDS clients in Indianapolis, none are faith-based nor are they targeted for specific segments of this community. St John XXIII POC will offer the following support groups starting in January 2012:


     *New Diagnosed
     *Long Term Survivors
     *Family Members & Care Givers
     *Women & HIV

To learn more about the programs we are currently offering, go to our parish website at http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me, Rev. Brother Jeff Wolfe by calling the parish office at 317-238-9393 or sending me an email at rev_jwolfe@stjohnxxiiipoc.org.  Volunteer Facilitators will receive personalized training before joining one of the Facilitation Teams.  All Training is paid for by St John XXIII POC and all training materials for volunteers are free.

The other portion of the HIV/AIDS ministry that St John XXIII POC will be launching sometime in 2012 or 2013 will be a Not for Profit Care Coordination Program which will be faith-based.  Care Coordination Programs are the programs through which individuals with HIV and/or AIDS receive free access to all medicines, financial assistance, etc, in order to learn how to live with this now "chronically manageable disease". 

As a result, the first step was filing St John XXIII POC as a DBA of ACCUS.  The next step in which I am currently involved, is pitching the program to power Business persons (CEOs and CFOs) of major companies based in Indianapolis.  The purpose is to reach out the business community for support.  Right now I am meeting with CEOs and CFOs of various businesses which I worked with when I was a Project Manager for IBM and Xerox for the last 18 years.  These individuals will hopefully volunteer to form the first Board of Directors for a NEW Not for Profit Charity Corporation which will oversee the operation and grant funding of the faith-based Care Coordination Program which St John XXIII POC will eventually launch in 2012-2013 time frame.

If you are interested in this program and volunteering, please again contact me at the contact information I provided above or the contact information below.

I am so excited as I continue to move through seminary, learning all I can as I prepare myself to soon be ordained a Catholic Priest and officially be able offer Masses as an Independent Catholic parish in Indianapolis.  We will be one of the only Independent Catholic parishes in Indianapolis and there is a great need for such a parish.

That is all for now.  Please continue to pray for the ministry, pray for me and pray for the HIV Community of Indianapolis and also I ask a special prayer that the leaders of this great country will guide us out of this terrible double dip recession and move our country back on track so that the many out of work persons may soon have jobs to feed and support their families

Peace,
Br Jeff

Rev. Brother Jeff Wolfe, M.Div. (Candidate)
Director & Administrator
St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center 
http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org
rev_jwolfe@stjohnxxiiipoc.org
rev_jwolfe@accus.us
(317) 238-9393 (office)
(952) 556-9171 (fax)
http://www.accus.us

2011/08/22 Hip Surgery - Update

Dear Friends:

I am schedule for complete hip replacement surgery on my right hip with a new titanium hip for August 30, 2011 at 8:30am EST.  I would ask for your prayers during this time. Both my primary care physician, and my orthopedic surgeon both anticipate a routine procedure with no complications based on my recent blood test results.

According the place I will have surgery at 8:30am on the 30th.  The surgery can take from  3 to 5 hours.  Once completed, I will return to my room (after waking in recovery) and will be in the hospital for 3 days.  Hopefully on Friday, September 2, 2011 I will be discharged and allowed to go home. The next month will consist of physical therapy 3 times a week (plus home exercises).  My orthopedic surgeon said I should be up on my feet later in the day after surgery and I should be able to resume normal daily living activities after the second week.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

Peace,
Br Jeff

Rev. Brother Jeff Wolfe, M.Div. (Candidate)
Director
St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center 
http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org
rev_jwolfe@stjohnxxiiipoc.org
rev_jwolfe@accus.us
(317) 238-9393 (office)
(952) 556-9171 (fax)
http://www.accus.us

2011/08/16 Mini-Mester (Summer Session)

Dear Friends:

I am now in class recess until the Fall Semester starts on August 30th.  It has been an exciting adventure for me through the Spring Semester and Summer "Mini-Mester".   I started out with three classes in the Spring of this year:
 * Eucharist and the Mass
 * RCIA

During my course of the Eucharist of the Mass I learned about the History of the Mass from the time of Christ through Vatican II and beyond.  It was a fast-paced and exciting course with Bishop William Johnson, D.D. as my instructor.

My final project for the class was to provide a video-tape of myself performing a "dry mass" (a mass that in essence goes through all the motions of celebrating mass so that once I am ordained I will be able to perform a real mass like the back of my hand.   In my case, in June I made a visit to our Diocesan Office (Diocese of St Luke) and met with my Bishop for three days.  It was a very intense but productive meeting. We covered everything from my goals and objectives with the Pastoral & Outreach Center here in Indianapolis, to business administration such as registering as with the Corporations Divisions of the Indianan Secretary of State as a Foreign Not-for-Profit Religious Organization to establish state tax exempt status, to discussing Diocese and Church Administration matter and how with my expertise in the IT world, I might provide support.

In addition, on Sunday, after attending Mass at St. Joseph the Worker, the Pastoral & Outreach Center established by Bishop William Johnson, D.D., I performed my final project for Bishop Bill (with Bishop Bill videotaping my "dry mass").  The good news is that I passed the course and my final project.  More about my current grades in a moment.

My other course in the Spring was entitled "RCIA".  This is with the Catholic Community the catechism process whereby an non-catholic learns about the Catholic Faith and then makes an informed decision as to whether to become a member of the Catholic Community.  RCIA stands for Rites for Christian Initiation for Adults.  It is a standard course that is taught in most Catholic communities including our Roman brothers and sisters.

I attended RCIA and converted to Roman Catholicism officially in March 11, 1982.  Under the direction of Associate Chaplain at the St. Paul's Cardinal Newman Center in Bloomington, IN, Fr. Jeremiah Cullinane Baptized me within the Catholic Faith, Confirmed Me, and provided my First Holy Communion and became a member in full communion with the Roman Catholic church on that date.  The date that I was accepted to ACCUS and St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center as member of the Independent Catholic community an a seminarian was March 28, 2011.

Within our RCIA course I learned to do what Fr. Cullinane provided for me - to lead a class on RCIA in accordance with the liturgy schedule.  Our final project was to establish a syllabus which we could use once ordained in preparing RCIA classes in the future.  I passed my final and the course as well.

With about a week break, I began what St. John XXIII Theological Institute (seminary) calls the summer "Mini-Mester".  It literally takes a full semester of content and compacts it into five (5) weeks.

Msgr Art Spring was my instructor for both of my courses for the Mini-Mester:  1) Intro to Sacred Scripture; and 2) Intro to Theological Reflection.  The first provided a high level overview of the history of sacred scripture from the time of its inception to the present.  Much time was spent in the details of the sociological, cultural, spiritual and emotional details which shaped the creation of what we know today as the Old Testament and the New Testament.  I passed the course successfully.

The other course which Msgr Art taught was "Intro to Theological Reflection".  In this course much thought and consideration was given to the different models which have been developed over the years regarding Theological Reflection as well as exploring one of those Theological Reflection models in details.  Our final assignment was to prepare a  "Critical Incident Report".  This is an analysis of our personal interaction with another within a recent time frame and it is a look back at what actually took place in the interaction between myself and the other person, how I could have handled the situation better and reflected on the things which I did not do so well with the interaction.  The final result was to then bring God into the interaction and reflect on what could have been done as a Christian and a future Priest from my perspective to have a better out come of the situation.  Overall I learned a tremendous amount about where I succeed, where are my pitfalls, and what I can do in the future in interactions with others to avoid those same pitfalls.  I passed with flying colors.

OK.  Now to the final grades:
 * RCIA (Sacraments of Initiation)               A-
 * Eucharist and the Mass                           A-
 * Theological Reflection                            A
 * Intro to Sacred Scripture                         A

One grade yet to be determined in my first Supervised Ministry with Bishop Bill.

My fall courses are scheduled to start August 30th. I have a full schedule for the semester as you can see below:
 * Early & Medieval Church History:  Instructor, Fr. Chris Bisett
 * Foundational Theology:               Instructor, Fr. Chris Bisett
 * Pentateuch:                               Instructor, Fr. Chris Bisett
 * Pastoral Counseling:                   Instructor:  Fr. James Calderone
 * Supervised Ministry:                   Instructor:  Fr. James Calderone

I am looking forward to the fall schedule and I wanted to provide to each of you, my supporters, what your support is reaping so far in the training of a seminarian to one day receive Holy Orders, God willing.

A quick update on St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center established here in Indianapolis.  You can learn more about St John XXIII POC by going to http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org.  I am in the process of recruiting volunteer facilitators whom I will train in September so that in October, four new support groups for the HIV Community will be launched:  1)  Newly Diagnosed; 2) Long Term Survivors; 3) Family Members and Caregivers; and 4) Women.  For details go to St John XXIII POC's website and download a brochure on the support groups.  You can also check out and download a brochure on ACCUS as well as find links to our Facebook websites for St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center, the American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS), and St. John XXIII Theological Institute.

One last update:  St John XXIII Theological Institute has been approved by the Arizona Board of Higher Education as an accredited Theological school.  Fr. Bisett, our Registrar for the school, is just waiting on receiving the final paper work!  The school offers the following advanced degrees:  Master of Divinity (M.Div.); Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.); Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.); and finally a Doctorate in Canon Law (J.C.D.).  Special thanks to Fr Bisett, who is also our legal counsel, and Archbishop Harms, our Metropolitan, for making this possible.

Thank you for you continued support and look for an update sometime this fall.

One note - I will be having surgery sometime in the next month to place a titanium hip in my right hip.  Years of long distant running has taken it toll.  I will let each of you know when exactly I will be hospitalized.  The process of hip replacement has become so routine that it usually involves a 3-day in hospital stay, with me being up and walking the same day as surgery.  I am told I will be able to resume normal activities with restrictions within a week.  I ask your prayers during this time and pray for a speedy recovery as it will occur right at the beginning of the Fall Semester so I'll play catch up on the first week or so.

Peace and Grace to each of you,
Br Jeff
-- 
Rev. Brother Jeff Wolfe, M.Div. (Candidate)
Director
St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center 
http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org
rev_jwolfe@accus.us
(317) 238-9393 (office)
(952) 556-9171 (fax)
http://www.accus.us

2011/04/12: Acceptance As Candidate for Holy Orders

The process of searching my heart and discernment for my Vocation.  It was in my 5th grade Sunday School with my Sunday School Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Stevenson.  The Stevensons had been active in the church since s  long as I can remember.  They were truly a heaven-sent young couple who had just given birth to a beautiful son, Kevin. 

From those discussions several years ago with the Stevensons in my Fifth Grade Sunday School class on Sunday mornings at Lawrence United Methodist Church, I knew even back then I wanted to go into ministry.  I just didn't know who, when or how it would take place.


After my experience working as the Youth Director at Plano United Methodist, and realizing my biggest hurdle to ministry was a standing brick wall almost what seemed like 100 ft, I decided to go into secular work as I discovered and finally accepted that I was gay.  I was born a gay man who wanted to serve in ministry with my special gift as a youth director/minister/pastor.  Well,  as mentioned in previous entries, that was never going to happen.  In the late 80's early and into the early 90's no church, no matter how progressive would go for a gay Youth Director nor you minister.

____  Now to Present Day.....


Shortly after the midday the week of March 28, 2011, on Wednesday I  should mentioned that that on the night before on Tuesday ( March 29th, 2011is), Bishop Williams sent to me a manila envelope.  I should note that on class on Tuesday note, at the end of class, Bishop Bill mentioned to me that I should receive the manila envelope some this that week.  


I thought, great, I've been in school a little under two months, haven't received any assignments back from the instructor with grades, and now I'm being sent a mysterious manila envelope. I could just imagine it was going to be a "dear john" letter.

As I opened it up, I couldn't believe it!  I was accepted as a Candidate for Holy Orders.  Remember at this point I had already been accepted to seminary and had started work toward my Master of Divinity Degree, but this was no guarantee that I would be ordained.  Now I had confirmation that  pending successful completion with my Master of Divinity degree, I would eligible to be ordained first a Deacon and then Holy Orders as a priest.  Here is an excerpt of Bishop's Letter to me dated March 28,2011:


Rev. Bro. Jeffrey [sic] Wolfe
XXX N XXXXX Avenue
Indianapolis, IN  XXXXX

28 MAR 11 - Monday of the Third Week of Lent

Greetings in Christ Rev. Bro. Wolfe,

Allow me to be the first to officially congratulate you on your Admission into Candidacy for Holy Orders in the Diocese of St. Luke under the Jurisdiction of the American Catholic Church in the United States [ACCUS].

I received word from the Admissions Committee late on Sunday the 27t to proceed with drafting your documents.  Included with this letter is your Certificate of Candidacy as well as your Certificate of Eucharistic Minister in ACCUS.  The Certificate of Eucharistic Minister allows you to distribute the Holy Eucharist, which will be consecrated by Me and mailed to you as your need arises, to those whom you minister to.  The Certificate of Candidacy for Holy Orders allows your to wear the clerical collar while on Official Business within the Diocese of St. Luke or as the Presiding Archbishop of the ACCUS directs.  It also allow you to begin work on the projects assigned to you by your Ordinary, who is me - Most Rev. William A. Johnson, D.D., or the Presiding Archbishop of the ACCUS.

With your acceptance into the ACCUS, there comes additional discernment, responsibility and accountability.  I would advise fervent prayer, continued Spiritual Direction and communication with me and your Institute Professors as you move along on your journey to Holy Orders. The responsibility is for you to continue and complete your education as set forth by me and those within the John the [SIC] XXIII Theological Institute.  The accountability will be to send in monthly reports to the Office of Clergy on all that you do as it pertains to your ministry and your work for the ACCUS.

As you make your report it will allow me to make the decision as to when the Pastoral need is sufficient and your education sufficient so We can make the Call to Orders to Deacon, and eventually Priest.  Between your studies and work within the community, your call will be affirmed and the decision to move forward can be easily made with confidence.

Enclosed with this letter are three (3) copies of your Admissions Certificate, one in a buff color and the other two on plain white paper.  There are also three (3) copies of your Eucharistic Minister Certificate, one in a Buff color and two on plain white paper.  The buff serves as your Official Certificate that you may frame, if you desire.  The plain white copies can be he used for making additional copies as you see fit and one for your safe or filing cabinet.  Copies will always be on file in the Disocesan Offices and at the National and International Offices of the ACCUS.

Enclosed is a copy of the ACCUS Pastoral Report to the Vicar of Clergy.  The form is mainly for Deacons and Priests, but I would like you to use it and send it en each month and account for Following My Callingyour ACCUS activities.  There are boxes  for the Theological Institute, and for items you can do within the community, as well as your total hours given to ACCUS.  These reports are extremely important for me, but they are also important for the ACCUS to account for its activities that the IRS wants information on to justify our tax exempt status as a Religious Organization.

In the coming days I will be sending you Consecrated Hosts for use in your Eucharistic Ministry through the Community.  With the Hosts I will be sending a glass Ciborium which you need to use to store the Blessed Sacrament. You do not need to purchase a tabernacle, but I would suggest that you set up a special place for the Ciborium and place it on a Corporal.  As to a Vigil lamp, most of us use either a battery powered candle or one which you can plug it into an electrical outlet.  Flame candles can be to dangerous and cause unwanted fires.

You will need to purchase a Pyx so you can transport the Blessed Sacrament on your clerical shirt for your ACCUS Ministry.  The preferred color is black, but blue or white is also acceptible.

Again, congratulations and welcome to the ACCUS family.  If you have any questions or concerns please fee free to let me know and I will do my best to get back with you as soon as I can.  I am looking forward to watching you grow and move on the in your journey towards Holy Orders in the Diocese of St. Luke.

May Gods Peace be With You,

/s/ Most Rev. William Johnson, D.D.

Most Rev. William A. Johnson, D.D.
Ordinary - Diocese of St. Luke

I couldn't believe it?  It finally was here. I am finally a Candidate for Holy Orders.  After first talking with Archbishop Harms almost five (5) years earlier, until now, I am finally in seminary on my way to ordination.  

Since I included my acceptance letter in this entry, I thought I would end with this:  Within ACCUS, once accepted to seminary and Certified as a Candidate for Holy Orders, the first year the seminarian is installed as a Religious Brother (or Sister).  As seminary progresses and the my Bishop feels the time is right, I will be ordained with Deacon's Orders.  Typically known as "transitional Deacon's Orders" as it is in the process of eventually becoming a Priest.  Finally after completion of my third (e) year, I pray ordination into Holy Orders will start officially my ordained ministry work. 

For the time being there is so much work to be done as a Lay minister, Religious Brother and Eucharistic Minister in ACCUS.  As a Religious Brother, I am given the title "Rev. Bro." for "Reverend Brother".  The work that I had begun almost 5 years ago here in Indianapolis was volunteering and working in the HIV community for Indianapolis.  Now as a Religious brother, I can establish a Pastoral and Outreach Center here in Indianapolis.  Known officially now as "St. john XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center (POC).  Our website address is http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org.  As a Lay Religious Brother, I have already begun to identify a need within the HIV community.  There are four to five different Care Coordination Centers where HIV+ individuals go to receive FREE services. 

Thought support groups exist in Indianapolis, none are specifically  targeting certain groups of Individuals in the HIV Community.   Through my work over the past five (5) years, I have come to understand the community and it appears that no Support Groups exists for the following targeted audiences:  1) newly diagnosed; 2) long term survivors; 3) Family Members & Care Givers; and, 4) Women & HIV.

You can go to our website and learn more about these support groups.  You can read about the different groups, download a brochure, and check out the calendar for current support groups in the Indianapolis area (which are really for anyone with HIV, rather than targeted audiences (which include non-HIV+ persons like Family Members and Caregivers.

Please continue to pray for me as I continue my discernment toward ministry with ACCUS and watch St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach center (http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org) move from POC to POC and parish!

Peace,

Br Jeff
Rev. Bro. Jeff Wolfe
Religious Brother & Eucharistic MInister
Director, St. John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center
rev_jwolfe@accus.us
(317) 238-9393 (office)
http://www.stjohnxxiiipoc.org
http://www.accus.us
 

How can a gay man be a priest?

Recently I received a question from a friend.  The question was essentially "How can a gay man be a priest?". 

This person asked a very valid question which required me to carefully think through  answering the question with dignity and respect.  I share this person's question with you here along with my response. It is a question that often comes up whenever the topic of "gay" and "christian" meet.  I do not intend to know all the ways to answer this question. I can only say that my response came from years of myself wrestling with Theology.   The opinion here is my own and reflects no opinion for anyone or organization.  It is strictly my opinion.

Question:

Jeff,

I ask this w/ utmost respect for you and without malice.........I consider us friends.....But doesn't it say in the Bible that homosexuality is an Abomination and detestable sin?

In First Corinthians 6:9 it states it is "unrighteous and will not inherit God's Kingdom.

Now I am not a real religious person, grew up Southern Baptist....and don't pretend to know the Bible from cover to cover and would not know enough about it to argue w/ anyone... I just don't understand how an openly gay person can become a priest in the church. Can you please explain that to me.

As I said I do not mean any harm in this email...I just have a heavy burden on my heart about this and just want some clarification.

[Anonymous to protect privacy]

Response:

That is a great question. For centuries individuals have wrestled with this question. If you look at the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, what was the sin? Today's preacher's would have you believe it is homosexuality. However, if you read the text carefully, one discovers that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was not homosexuality, but in-hospitality. The Angels that knocked on the door had the door literally slammed in their faces.

Much can also be said if you look at the Bible from a Sociological point of view (purely academic), much of the old world in Christ's time and even up through the middle ages was primarily a patriarchal society. Man was dominate and women submissive. However, I doubt today that many of you would agree today that women are subservient to men. As a society we have grown up so to speak.

Christ himself never spoke about homosexuality directly. In fact, there are two simple rules I try to follow every day. The first is the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The second is the Great Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself".

If God does not make mistakes, and everything that God creates is sacred, then I am not a mistake and I am sacred. It has once been said "God don't make no junk". As a follower of Christ it is not for me to judge whose lifestyle is more holy - Straight or Gay. My responsibility as a follower of Christ is to follow the Golden Rule and the Great Commandment.

Judgment is reserved for God - my responsibility is to treat all with dignity and respect.

I know this may not provide an appropriate response to the question for some, but if we truly are followers of Christ, it makes no difference whether a person is gay or straight. It only matters if they love God with all their heart, soul, mind and body.

Often Christ uses the lowly and seemingly unjust to be a beacon and light to the world. Christ teaches that those who are rejected by society often become the great defenders of the faith.

Mary Magdalene has often been described as a prostitute and whore. Yet, it was not Peter or Paul, nor James nor John who announced to the other disciples that Christ has Risen. It was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph and a third Mary. When the Pharisees first brought Mary Magdalene to Christ, they asked Christ what should be done with her because according to the Jewish Law, since she slept with a man who was not her husband, she should be stoned to death. They asked Christ what he says about this situation. Christ paused, and then wisely said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" (John 8:7). 

You see, just because a person is straight, it does not mean they are more holy or without sin. In fact, let me ask with whom would God be more pleased? A straight man who sleeps with many women who are not his wife, but goes to confession every Sunday? Or a gay man who is celibate or in a monogamous relationship and dedicates his life to serving others as Christ served others? Who does God see as more Christ like? You see, it is easy to create "second class" citizens, because it makes those of us who are not in the "second class" by society's standards "better". But you and I both know the dangers of creating a class of people that are considered lower or beneath others. Hitler did that and look at the holocaust that followed.

I applaud my friend for asking the question. It is not an easy question ask nor is it an easy question to answer. In fact, I today, still wrestle with the same question - but I have faith that there are no coincidences in life and that I'm here to serve a purpose.

If you haven't read my blog on my calling (http://followingmycalling.blogspot.com/), take a moment and read it in total (starting from the earliest entry which is at the bottom). Then you will maybe see how God can call a gay man to be a priest.

Keep wrestling with these questions. Usually I find that in the quiet of the night, God will speak to me and give me peace about these questions.  "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (see Matt 7:3). 

Sometimes all we can do is pray. Keep wrestling with God and these questions. Don't just accept what a church or preacher teaches. Dig into Scripture and learn for yourself.

May God bring you Peace in your search...

Peace,
jeff 

I applaud my friend for having the courage to ask this question.  Sometimes we want simple answers to simple questions.  However, my experience has been, and my faith has taught me, and my journey has led me to believe, that there are no simple answers and there are certainly no simple questions.  I find that if I start worrying about others and the validity of their faith, I usually am not spending enough time exploring my own faith.  

Keep asking questions and keep looking for answers. I leave you all with verse from the Bible (Matt 7:7) and some comparative readings from different versions of the Bible, but verse itself is my prayer for each us...

New International Version (©1984) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. New Living Translation (©2007) "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. English Standard Version (©2001) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. New American Standard Bible (©1995) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. The above parallel translations come from the following: http://bible.cc/matthew/7-7.htm

Peace until next time...

jeff

A Brief History of my discernment - VI

I began, finally, to see how my UMC experience from Sunday School, to serving as the Youth Pastor, to becoming Roman Catholic and learning about my personal faith development all came together. It all started to make sense. God wanted my attention and he got it by landing me in a hospital literally on my death bed so he could show me what he can do even with me, a gay man, perform a miracle – saving me! A simple unknown soul to 99.99999% of the world. I couldn't believe it. It was all in a plan. God began to help me differentiate the nuances I saw and felt between UMC and the Roman Catholic Church.

United Methodists are taught that when they have communion, it is a symbol of Christ's body and blood, but in no way represents the actual body and blood of Christ. I supposed this goes back to the broken line of succession when John and Charles Wesley appointed unordained ministers. As a Roman Catholic, I believe in the actual body and blood Christ resides in the host and wine once consecrated by the priest during mass. The unbroken line of succession allowed this to happen. That was the difference I had felt. That was the spiritual connection. 

As a United Methodist minister, I would only celebrate communion on Maundy (Holy) Thursday and special occasions. And when I would celebrate communion, it will be only a symbol of the body and blood of Christ. As a Catholic, mass is celebrated every Sunday. Through the power of ordination of the priest (and the subsequent unbroken lines of succession), the same power Christ gave to the Apostles, which is conferred upon the priest so that as priest he may ask God through transubstantiation to have the wafer and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.

That was the difference I felt between Catholic and Protestant denominations. The unbroken lineage (through the laying on of hands) conveying the same power Christ conveyed to the Apostles. I now I had my answer. I knew where I needed to become a part of Christ's church. With the Catholic faith I believe in transubstantiation. That made all the difference in the world to me and my personal faith. After God literally pulled me back from the grave in 2003 when I was in the hospital, and after the doctor could not explain medically, logically or scientifically why I was still alive, I knew I had my answer. A miracle of faith had occurred. And with that miracle that science cannot explain, how can I not believe in transubstantiation? Much like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton when she converted to Catholicism, three things made a difference in my decision to serve the ministry as a Catholic – the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated host and wine, Devotion to the Blessed Mother, and the unbroken lineage back to the Apostles. So now I knew within which church I would reside. It would be with the Catholic faith. 

But not with the Roman Catholic faith, but an independent Catholic church called the American Catholic Church in the United States which stands to embrace all of Vatican II and as John XXIII understood, realizing that the church is open to all who come, regardless of their station in life. Even today, the Roman Catholic church will not allow professed gay men be accepted into seminary. What if the potential seminarian they turn away because of a disease, becomes the next Thomas Aquinas or John XXIII or John Paul the Great? Most of the great saints have not been without their own cross to bear at sometime in their lives.

I have seen how God can use even me, a gay man, with a chronic, manageable illness, to serve the needs of others. John XXIII said that when he looked at the crucifix and saw Christ's arms wide open, it was an invitation to all – ALL – people no matter what their station in life to come to Him and his Father.

This really brings me to the point at where I am at today, submitting my application for Holy Orders as well as matriculation into John XXIII Theological Institute to obtain my Master of Divinity Degree and become an ordained ACCUS priest. I have even considered eventually working toward a JCD or STD degree from John XXIII. But, first things first. 

This his how God has brought me to the point of applying to ACCUS. I realize that this was probably way too long, but for me it truly has been cathartic and given me the ability to allow the episcopate and Admissions committee to truly get to know me a little, even before meeting me in person.

Stay Tuned....

Peace,
jeff