For The Bulletin Of At its worse, some use this passage to July 21, 2019 reinforce traditional domestic roles of women and men, with women doing the serving and men doing the reclining, visiting, and eating. Sometimes the reading is also used to claim that religious life (priesthood/sisterhood) is “better” than the lay state. But such easy readings do not do justice to the short story in Luke. In fact, they turn the moral of the story on its head.

Primarily, it is significant that Jesus is interacting with two women. One, Mary, is seated at His feet, listening to His instruction as a disciple, though she is not called that here. The other, Martha, is “burdened with much serving” in attempting to prepare a meal THE 16TH SUNDAY IN for Jesus. Jesus tells Martha in effect SUMMER’S ORDINARY TIME that the proper service for a disciple in this situation is to listen to Jesus. It is not to fret about serving meals. From Father Robert

The Martha and Mary story in Luke that Luke will make this point again in Acts we hear today is so familiar that many of the Apostles, when the apostles are people refer to themselves as either a too busy serving at table to be attentive “Martha,” meaning they are good at or to God’s word and to prayer. To free even prefer working in the kitchen, or a themselves up for prayer and reading the “Mary,” meaning they do not worry word, the apostles appoint seven to serve about such things. Indeed this gospel at table, as “deacons.” The deacons then has been quoted so often and used to do just that. They see to the needs of the support so many various understandings Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking of ministry, household chores, the role of Christians, so that the apostles can women, and more, that it is good to devote themselves entirely to their simply step back and read the words, or ministry. listen carefully when they are proclaimed. The gospel reading today is not about

the role of women, or the Ultimately, it is the last verse that causes clerical/religious state versus the laity. many to perk up or question their own Instead, the story demonstrates that the priorities. Is it really the better part to sit proper role of a disciple is attentiveness and visit, leaving others to do the to Jesus and His word. serving? What if the Marthas of the world stopped working in the kitchen, leaving the Marys and even Jesus Himself without a meal?

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 How might you find more time in your daily life to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen?

Living The Paschal Mystery It is so easy for us to be consumed by activities, checking boxes, crossing items off lists. There can be a great satisfaction in acting this way and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. But we hear a different message with other priorities today. Rather than busy ourselves or stir ourselves into a frenzy, About Liturgy: Praying Through The it is the proper role of a disciple to listen Details to Jesus’ instruction. And this does not A question that many liturgists and mean become a priest or sister. Instead, liturgical ministers have is how to pray it can mean to spend time in prayer, or at Liturgy when they have so many with Scripture, coming to know the things to worry about in doing their person of Jesus in a better way. This ministry. Presiders and liturgists, activity is critical for any disciple. And especially have a tough job being in the example we have today is that of a charge of the entire liturgical flow of the woman. Luke is clear at presenting Liturgy while still appearing, as some of Jesus as giving pride of place to the the old liturgical rubrics said, “as if to disciple who listens to His instruction. pray.” Surely, Martha must be the Let us go…and do the same. patron saint of liturgists!

 In our scripture passages today Unfortunately, Martha often gets placed we see Abraham and Sarah, in a bad light for her attention to detail Mary and Martha caring for the and focus on the tasks at hand. Yet if we needs of a visitor. How do you didn’t have any Martha, what would practice hospitality in your own become of the liturgy, much less dinner? life?  If Jesus were speaking to you, Even as we might try to avoid being what burdens and anxieties overly focused on small things and would He tell you to let go of? sustaining an unhealthy anxiety over  When someone’s name is called things we cannot control, we can also twice in the Bible his/her life is revel in remembering that it was Martha, about to change forever. Have not Mary, who made the highest you experienced a moment in statement of faith in Jesus at the side of your life where you felt God her brother’s tomb: “Yes, Lord, I have calling you to something new? 2 come to believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the One Who is coming into the world.” (John 11: 27) When faced with ultimate crisis, Martha was prepared to place her faith in Jesus. If you worry about worrying as you do your ministry, here are some ideas that might help.

Fire Chaplaincy Training Be prepared as much as you can be As many of you know, I am the before the Liturgy. Use the days before Chaplain for East Contra Costa Fire Liturgy to prepare, rehearse, check, and Protection District. Training for Fire double-check every small detail you are Chaplaincy is an ongoing requirement responsible for. On the day of the and this coming week, from Tuesday, Liturgy, take some time for yourself to July 23rd through Friday, July 26th, I will pray. As you arrive at church, commit to be attending an Academy for Fire giving your attention to the person right Chaplains at the ConFire Training in front of you, for in them, you are Facility in Concord. Classes are from entertaining angels. Then once the 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. I will Liturgy begins, become the Martha not preside for Eucharist tomorrow morning, of the table, but of the tomb, putting all Monday, July 22nd and then the liturgies your trust in Jesus. for the remainder of the week will be

Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion services. Please keep both our Chaplains and firefighters in your prayers as we continue to move through the height of the fire season.

Editorial: Our children are dying at the border. Bishops, where are you?

On behalf of all of us, I extend heartfelt Jul 3, 2019 congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Oha and Mr. & Mrs. Michael DeWitt by NCR Editorial Staff whose marriages were blessed over the last week. May God continue to bless The bodies of Salvadoran migrant Oscar you with all that is necessary for strong Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his 23- faith, hope, and love all the days of your month-old daughter, Valeria, were seen married life. Congratulations! June 24, after they drowned in the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Mexico, while trying to reach the United States.

The arresting image of the bodies of Salvadoran migrant Óscar Alberto 3

Martínez Ramírez and his nearly 2-year- cared to look, the deplorable old daughter Valeria, face down in the consequences of long U.S. involvement shallow waters of the Rio Grande River, in the region, of our complicity with was finally enough to elicit an some of the bloodiest thugs in the impassioned plea from the United States region. If, as some have stated, we Conference of Catholic Bishops: "This should look at the deeper causes of image cries to heaven for justice. This today's problem, an honest investigation image silences politics. Who can look on would be unsettling for North this picture and not see the results of the Americans. failures of all of us to find a humane and just solution for the immigration crisis?" Immigration policy is a complex matter. Borders do matter, as does the rule of It took that photo and a statement of law. But desperation, the need to seek lament by Pope Francis about the image safety and opportunity for one's family, to move the bishops to the kind of reaching a conclusion that no language that begins to gather in the alternatives exist but to flee — these are horror of this national moment along our not the motives of "bad hombres," to use southern border. It took this moment, a one of a stream of imbecilic terms the mere dot on a tragedy-riddled timeline, president has ascribed to those seeking to move the bishops beyond the anodyne refuge. San Pedro Sula, San Salvador, and saccharine pronouncements Guatemala City and their vicinities have previously pushed out of their become unpredictable and extremely headquarters following the evidence of violent territories. Much of the violence caged children, separated families and is due to the power of drug cartels, manipulations of law by the Trump which feed the insatiable demand for administration and its operatives, all narcotics in the United States. clearly designed to punish, rather than relieve, desperation. People showing up at the border are not vacationing. They are frantic and out of It might be easier if the image silenced alternatives. This is survival, not politics and removed it from the calculus opportunism. of the bishops' response. But that probably is not the case. Little else but a It is futile to attempt to argue with, much wish to remain cozy with the Trump less expect something better, from an administration can explain the administration that has justified hierarchy's resounding reticence in the separating families and caging children current situation. in deplorable conditions — unsanitary, without proper food and crowded to If the image, as the bishops claim, cruel proportions. What can be said in demonstrates the results of the failures to the face of the outrageous reasoning of find a just solution, it also should Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of conjure for them the seemingly endless U.S. Citizenship and Immigration stacks of images that emanated from Services, who couldn't even drum up a Central America, particularly Honduras, bit of empathy for the dead father and El Salvador and Guatemala, in recent his daughter? decades. They showed, for those who

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During a recent CNN interview, not our children' is starting from a Cuccinelli said that the drowning was position both contrary to natural law and the fault of the father, who should have Catholic Faith." observed the rules regarding asylum. Notwithstanding that the claim is absurd, Flores further argued that national and disgusting, on its face, the fact is boundaries "are not absolute. To argue that even if the anguished father had that we may defend them by any means kept up with the news and the law on the deemed effective is statist voluntarism. It dangerous and difficult trek northward, manifests at the level of government the one might have excused him for false claim of an individual’s right to becoming confused. The Trump unconstrained will. Either way, the administration plays daily games, at powerful decide who gets thrown away." times, shifting the rules. The basic fact is that anyone can seek asylum anywhere Bishop Mark Seitz of the border Diocese along the border. It is not illegal. of El Paso, Texas, has been equally uncompromising in his advocacy for It is, however, cruel to contemplate rule migrants and in his critique of U.S. changes, as is currently underway in this culture. administration that would essentially eliminate asylum for Central Americans. "Standing here at the U.S.-Mexico border, how do we begin to diagnose the It should not be a futile wish that the soul of our country?" he asked in a June Catholic community's leaders, so 27 statement. "A government and insistent on the worth of every human, society which view fleeing children and would be crying out from the tops of families as threats; a government which their chancery offices over the blatant treats children in U.S. custody worse injustice at the border. There are than animals; a government and society exceptions. It seems clear that while the who turn their backs on pregnant conference in its official statements has mothers, babies and families and make been mealy-mouthed, bishops along the them wait in Ciudad Juárez without a border have felt free to be more thought to the crushing consequences on impassioned in their responses. this challenged city. ... This government and this society are not well," he said. One of the more notable statements came from Bishop Daniel Flores of Flores and Seitz are perhaps the most Brownsville, Texas, who was reacting to visible signs of an official Catholic voice a different drowning — this of a 20- in this matter, but the people of God are year-old Guatemalan mother and her prophetically and powerfully active in three children, two infants and a toddler helping to ameliorate the worst effects of — and to the deplorable conditions U.S. policies. In this case the normally children were being detained in at the led are doing the leading. Catholic border, as well as to comments that the groups and individuals on both sides of drowned were not "our children." On his the borders are doing heroic work to Twitter account June 25, Flores said, bring some comfort to those in greatest "Any discussion about immigrant need. children that begins with 'but they are

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There is no greater example of Catholic New research recently unveiled in Rome action than the Hope Border Institute, a suggests women had a greater role in the grassroots effort "that seeks to bring the early church's ministries and liturgies perspective of Catholic social teaching than previously thought and were to bear on the social realities unique to present at church altars as deacons, our region." No regional issue is more priests and even bishops. pressing than the plight of refugees, and the organization does laudable work on Ally Kateusz, research associate at the both sides of the border. Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research, presented her findings July 2 What's missing are the connections the to the International Society of Biblical U.S. bishops once had with their Central Literature, drawing on iconography from American counterparts. Why haven't ancient Christian art. U.S. bishops invited some of the bishops from the most affected countries to A specialist in the history of late address both the conference at their antiquity, she has taught at both Webster semi-annual meetings, and dioceses University and the University of around the country, to better explain the Missouri-Kansas City. She told the reality on the ground and the needs in conference, which was held at the Central America? Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, that three of the earliest surviving One need not do a great deal of images of Christians worshipping at interpreting of our sacred texts to get this church altars show women in official one right. liturgical roles.

It's not complicated. The mass of people One of the artifacts she bases her arriving at our border are mostly findings on is an ivory reliquary box escaping desperate and dangerous dating from around A.D. 430 that depicts circumstances, trying to protect their a man and a woman standing on either children — our children. Our side of an altar, each raising a chalice. government is brutalizing them — men, The altar is that of Old St. Peter's women and children — under the cover Basilica in Rome. The gesture of raising of manipulated law and a narrative that a chalice is recognized as a liturgical act raises unjustifiable fear and prejudice. performed by priests. Bishops, where are you? Two other artifacts also depict women at altars: One is a sixth century ivory pyx Artifacts show that early of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, and the other is a stone church women served as sarcophagus front from the Hagia Sophia clergy in Constantinople, which dates from 'Women are seen at the church around A.D. 430 and shows a male and a female figure standing on either side of altar in three of the most important the altar, holding their arms up in the churches in Christendom' orans pose. Jul 13, 2019 by Sarah Mac Donald

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Eucharist in the early church was routine.

Virtually no liturgical manuscripts survived from the first seven centuries of Christianity in relation to ordination, lending to a long gap in the historical record. The oldest manuscript describing ordination in the Roman rite, the Ordo Romano, dates from the ninth century, centuries after these three artifacts.

"Pyx with the Women at Christ's Tomb," ivory pyx, circa A.D. 500s, Made in Eastern Mediterranean (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Kateusz believes that the images are significant because they show women and men in parallel roles, their bodies and gestures mirroring one another, and she suggests that this parallelism is indicative of their equality in their liturgical roles. "Pyx with the Women at Christ's Tomb," ivory pyx, circa A.D. 500s, made in "If the sculptors had portrayed only men Eastern Mediterranean (Metropolitan at these church altars, everyone would Museum of Art) assume that they had important liturgical roles," she said. "Later scribes easily censored texts that would have originally described According to Kateusz, author of Mary women's ordination. But these artifacts and Early Christian Women: Hidden survived because they were buried. They Leadership, the artworks "illustrate that were dug up in the 20th century," early Christian women routinely explained Kateusz. The artifacts provide performed as clergy in orthodox "precious windows through which we churches." can see the early Christian liturgy as it was once performed," she said, pointing "The art speaks for itself because women out that there is no early Christian art are seen at the church altar in three of where only men are depicted at the the most important churches in church altar. Christendom," she told NCR. She believes it is likely that women's But not everyone is convinced that these participation in liturgies and the female figures were priests.

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"The woman raising a chalice would be Sepulcher in Jerusalem is clearly consistent with the deacon's role at the consistent with the role of deacons." time of the showing in the Mass, and there is documentation that women In Rome, Kateusz led a group to see a deacons participated in the Mass in this mosaic at San Venantius Chapel in the manner," Phyllis Zagano, adjunct Lateran Baptistery which depicts Mary professor of religion at Hofstra wearing what appears to be a pallium, a University in New York and a member symbol of episcopal authority given to of Pope Francis' commission on women new bishops. According to Miriam and the diaconate, told NCR. Zagano Duignan of the Wijngaards Institute for also highlighted that there are no extant Catholic Research, who was part of the ordination ceremonies for women as group, the Holy Office decreed in 1916 priests, but there are many for women as that all images depicting Mary in priestly deacons. vestments were to be banned and this mosaic was obscured by a massive altar Interpreting the depiction of the lifting of piece. Most of the documented red the chalice on the fifth century ivory tesserae comprising the cross on Mary's reliquary box as exemplifying priesthood pallium were removed. The mosaic rather than the diaconate is not clear cut, shows Mary's arms raised as if Kateusz acknowledged. performing the Eucharist.

"In most cases we might assume they were two priests or two bishops presiding together at the altar," she said. "Yet a writing, known as the Didascalia Apostolorum, describes early Christian communities in the East where a pair of male and female deacons supervised the offerings. The male deacon symbolized Christ while the female deacon symbolized Holy Spirit, who was feminine gender everywhere Aramaic was spoken, and this pair ranked above the presbyters, who merely represented the apostles."

Other female figures depicted in liturgical roles in the artifacts could be women deacons. Altar apse mosaic, circa A.D. 650, San Venantius Chapel, Lateran Baptistery; "The portrayal of some of the men and an 1890s painting of the mosaic by women in Old St. Peter's altar area Giovanni Battista de Rossi, that depicts seems consistent with the role of Mary wearing an episcopal pallium with deacons," Kateusz said. "The two a red cross. (Courtesy of Ally women seen carrying censers of incense Kateusz/Wijngaards Institute of Catholic at the altar in the Church of the Holy Research)

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"The episcopal pallium was not seen on the Medieval West, acknowledged that anyone in art until 550. This is 650. It is the fifth century ivory reliquary box only ever given to someone considered a depicting a female figure lifting a chalice bishop. Pope Theodore commissioned could suggest priesthood. "It is a this mosaic including the bishop's possibility," he said, but there are other pallium. It is a symbolic way of saying Christian artifacts that depict a woman Mary was a church leader," Duignan lifting a chalice. "St. Barbara, for said. example, is traditionally portrayed as holding a chalice." Some experts believe that women depicted with a pallium are abbesses. As to whether a woman with a pallium is However, Kateusz refers to Russian art a bishop or an abbess, Macy told NCR, historian Alexei Lidov's research. He "Some abbesses acted as de facto believes this seventh century mosaic of bishops. Mary could be depicted as a Mary with the pallium is a symbol of her deacon because she 'made the word priesthood, comparing it with an 11th present' just as the deacon does when the century wall painting in Old St. Clement Gospel is read." Basilica in Rome, that depicts Pope Clement with his arms raised wearing "The most obvious interpretation of the same pallium while performing the these artifacts is that women held Eucharist at an altar table. liturgical roles in the early church," Macy said. "For centuries, it was just "Why would we interpret the episcopal presumed that women did not lead the pallium seen on Mary standing with her liturgy or perform certain liturgical arms raised above the altar in the functions in Christianity. That Lateran Baptistery just half a mile away presumption is no longer held, so one differently?" Kateusz asked. looks at the remains of the past without that presumption." Gary Macy, John Nobili SJ, Professor of Theology at Santa Clara University, said Macy does not believe, however, that the the question of ordaining women to the Vatican tried to hide the evidence of priesthood has been closed by the women in liturgical roles. Vatican, but that should not, and will not, stop historians from analyzing new "Sometimes attempts have been made to material and texts that may portray change the texts or portrayals, but I women as either deacons or priests. suspect these are individual acts, not some concerted plan," he said. Speaking to NCR, he agreed that Kateusz's female figures could be But Duignan believes the Vatican has deacons or priests. hidden evidence and this new research is unlikely to find too many supporters "Women deacons also had the pallium," even today. he explained, shown by the 10th century ordination rite for a deaconess. Macy, "The Vatican will undoubtedly be author of The Hidden History of reluctant to engage with these findings Women's Ordination: Female Clergy in because they have led a campaign to

9 exclude women via the argument of vice president bashed "media elites and tradition," she said. "But for most Hollywood liberals," called Democrats Catholics, the research will confirm what "the party of abortion on demand, even they suspected all along — that the ban the party of infanticide" and described on female clergy has always been about President Donald Trump as "the most the silencing and suppression of women pro-life president in American history." and never about true tradition." In the second interview, Ashburn served [Sarah Mac Donald is a freelance up softball questions for 11 minutes with journalist based in Dublin.] former White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. The EWTN anchor gushed about the latest unemployment The rise of EWTN: numbers and asked why the mainstream from piety to media hasn't given more coverage to this accomplishment, held up a devotional partisanship book she learned Sanders reads daily Massive media empire shifts to before asking about religious liberty, and become 'Fox News' of religious ended with a query about her favorite ice broadcasting cream. (It's mint chocolate chip.)

Jul 16, 2019 by Heidi Schlumpf As part of a question that cited a poll showing white Catholics were holding a This series represents a continuation of 44 percent favorable approval rating for NCR's look at the effect of money, Trump, Ashburn pointed out: "And I largely making its way through the would just say that 44 percent number expanding and uniquely American non- could be a lot higher if he came on to profit system, on the Catholic narrative News Nightly." both inside the church and beyond. "We'll work on that," Sanders responded EWTN is one of the major vehicles for with a laugh. that narrative. NCR delves into the development of the network that now The segment was clear evidence of how has a truly global reach and includes a television outlet once devoted to several print publishing arms as well as expressions of Catholic piety and the TV enterprise. This is Part One. conservative catechesis and apologetics has grown into a truly influential media On Memorial Day, viewers who tuned empire, well connected to Republican into EWTN's News Nightly for "news politicians and the Trump White House. from a Catholic perspective" were treated to two previously recorded one- EWTN, where the "Catholic on-one interviews by anchor Lauren perspective" is unabashedly partisan, has Ashburn. also become the media star in a web of connections including wealthy In the first, a 10-minute sit-down with conservative Catholic donors and some Mike Pence during his March visit to of the most public anti-Pope Francis Ave Maria University in Florida, the forces in the Catholic world. Those

10 connections, traceable through a maze of "You weren't always pro-life, but you non-profit organizations, helped fuel now are determinedly and decidedly pro- EWTN's development. It is a complex life," said Arroyo, not exactly asking a tale involving the matchup of a peculiar question. brand of U.S. style conservative Catholicism with conservative political "Yes, I am pro-life," Trump affirmed. ideology and economic theory. "You said you are going to appoint judges who are pro-life," Arroyo said, NCR made repeated requests over nearly again in statement form. "Right," said a week for comment from EWTN, but Trump. the network said it was unable to produce anyone to answer questions Eleven days later Trump was elected in a before publication. surprise victory, helped along, according to the Pew Research Center, by strong If Ashburn were to land the Trump support from white Catholics, especially interview she was teasing Sanders about, those who are regular Mass-goers — a it wouldn't be EWTN's first. Less than typical EWTN viewer. two weeks before the 2016 presidential election — while Trump was still The day after Election Day at least one embroiled in the "Access Hollywood" EWTN vice president made his vote controversy in which he was caught on clear. John Manos, EWTN's general tape joking about sexually assaulting counsel (and former assistant attorney women — EWTN news director and general for the State of Michigan) anchor Raymond Arroyo did an tweeted, "When I went to vote "exclusive" sit-down with the candidate yesterday, I said to the poll worker, at Trump's Miami hotel. 'Hold my beer and watch this!' " His tweet includes the hashtags: #Trump Arroyo asked about the tapes and gave #TrumpTrain #Trumpocalypse Trump two chances to apologize or take #TrumpPresident back the extremely lewd comments about women, but the candidate insisted Although the network had been friendly it was "all made up" and "just locker in the past to the Republican party room talk," adding that "You can't go because of shared positions on abortion, back. You have to look forward." In the gay marriage and religious liberty issues, end, he blamed the "nasty primary" and EWTN's political partisanship has "nasty campaign." become more visible since Trump's election, most notably on its two news During the 15-minute interview, Trump shows, "News Nightly" and "The World refused to talk about his prayer life and Over." rambled about the Affordable Care Act being a "disaster" and religious liberty Both shows regularly include as guests being "in tremendous trouble," but he political conservatives discussing gave clear, succinct answers when it domestic and international policies. In a came to an issue that is a central concern 2016 interview, former House Speaker to the EWTN audience. Paul Ryan told Ashburn that he would continue to defend Republican

11 principles, as a "Catholic exercising Commentators are speculating whether prudential judgment in public life." Arroyo will jump ship and join Fox full- Former Trump White House advisor time, but for now the partnership seems Steve Bannon, in a 20-minute interview to be working for both parties. with Arroyo in April, gave his opinions on church and political issues, defending While secular alternatives to Fox News the Trump administration and other exist — from its counterpart on the left, "populist/nationalist/sovereignty MSNBC, to more centrist major network movements" as better reflecting Catholic broadcasts — no alternatives are social teaching than Pope Francis. available to EWTN in the Catholic world. Once it overtook an early and In June, EWTN News Nightly's White flawed attempt by the U.S. bishops to House correspondent covered Trump's form their own network, EWTN quickly "Make America Great Again" 2020 became the only major Catholic voice on campaign kick-off rally in Florida, the television landscape in the United providing somewhat balanced coverage States — and that voice has gone global. by including interviews with some less- enthusiastic attendees and even a Trump Settling into the 'Tower of Hope' critic found at a nearby daily Mass. When the Diocese of Orange consecrates its new cathedral in Garden Grove, But at Fox News, Trump's campaign California, this month — after seven launch coverage was less balanced, with years and more than $70 million of their on-the-ground reporter calling it renovations — the former "Crystal "an incredible display" and "an amazing Cathedral" will have been transformed accomplishment." That reporter was from its earlier use as the television set none other than EWTN host Arroyo, for the "Hour of Power," one of the most who is also the official biographer of long-running and popular evangelical founder Mother Angelica. Protestant shows.

Since 2017, Arroyo has been a regular Whether the Crystal Cathedral's contributor to Fox News and has founding pastor and star, the late substituted for Laura Ingraham on her Rev. Robert H. Schuller, would agree commentary show on Fox News. with the message, he might appreciate Ingraham has stirred considerable the sheer reach of the current inhabitant controversy for defending a white of the adjacent cross-topped Tower of nationalist, mocking a Parkland school Hope. There, on the eighth floor, resides shooting survivor and calling immigrant the newest, West Coast studio for what detention facilities "summer camps." is today the largest religious media network in the world, the Eternal Word Arroyo also joins Ingraham on her show Television Network. for segments such as "Seen and Unseen," where he makes fun of Nancy At his peak in the 1980s Schuller Pelosi's jaw movements, or "Friday reached some 15 million viewers Follies," where he ridicules "political weekly. EWTN's 11 networks — correctness." broadcasting 24/7 — claim a reach of more than a quarter of a billion people

12 worldwide in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN programming is The bishops themselves are now available through more than 6,000 TV apparently shaped by the EWTN empire. affiliates as well as on ROKU, Apple According to a recent study of the U.S. TV, Amazon Fire and YouTube. In episcopate, the EWTN-owned National addition to the Orange County studio, Catholic Register is the religious ETWN has studios in Washington, D.C., publication read by the most bishops, and at the company's headquarters with 61 percent saying they read it. outside Birmingham, Alabama. But what the bishops — and others, And that's just the television portion of Catholic and non-Catholic alike — are the business. getting is a very particular slice of Catholicism from EWTN and its affiliate EWTN also provides free radio organizations, one not necessarily programming to more than 500 domestic representative of the U.S. church as a and international affiliates and on whole. Polling and ongoing studies of SIRIUS/XM and iHeart Radio, as well the Catholic population in the United as through its worldwide shortwave States consistently finds a far greater radio station. It also owns and operates diversity of views and tolerance for the largest Catholic website in the questions than is the case on EWTN United States, as well as the National broadcasts. EWTN has become the only Catholic Register newspaper, an regularly televised image of Catholicism English- and a Spanish-language online in America. news wire service, a book publishing arm and a religious goods online catalog. "By taking this one orthodox approach to Catholicism out of the church and It is truly a global media empire, one so putting it on television, you're making it diversified and complex it can be way more visible," said Michelle difficult to estimate its total budget or Nickerson, an associate professor of net worth. The television 501c3 non- history at Loyola University Chicago. profit alone (there are at least three "It's declaring to Catholics and non- others) has a budget of about $50 million Catholics that this is who we are: We're to $60 million a year — with the other here and we're staking out this ground." enterprises likely contributing another The media portions of the organization $10 million, according to tax documents. — from EWTN to the Register to the Catholic News Agency — are hardly While this still pales in comparison to objective, doing a type of "journalism" the roughly $400 million annual budget expected on Fox News but not of the U.S. Conference of Catholic necessarily from what started as a Bishops, the network founded in 1981 in devotional network where the the monastery garage of a then-unknown homebound could find televised Mass Poor Clare nun named Mother Angelica, and other spiritual programming. arguably has more influence than the official church leaders, especially since Some may have thought that the their authority, already in decline, was network, under lay control since 2000, further diminished by their mishandling would disappear or at least decline after of the clergy sex abuse crisis. the death of its charismatic founder in

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2016, but it has only continued to grow Immaculate Conception in Washington, in size and apparent influence, especially D.C., Busch called the moment "a time among individuals and groups with an when many of us as Catholics saw it as a interest and the money to control the time of darkness and now we see a time storyline of contemporary Catholicism. of light."

Libertarian love-fest "We will in the next day learn more in In addition to its slanted political our hearts and our minds where this next coverage, EWTN and its affiliate term will take us, and we pray it will be journalistic enterprises also have for greatness to restore our country," connections to economic libertarian Busch said, according to NCR reporting. ideologues, including EWTN governors' The business school, named for Busch board member and major donor Timothy after his $15 million gift to the Busch, who has said he supports anti- university, also previously hosted union "right to work" laws, opposes outspoken libertarian Charles Koch at an minimum wage increases and advocates event co-sponsored by the Napa for free market capitalism as a tool for Institute. raising people out of poverty. In addition to Napa and EWTN, Busch is Busch is an attorney, wealth manager, involved in other conservative Catholic real estate investor (including hotels and organizations and causes, including as a resort/spas), winery owner and "cooperator" for Opus Dei, a philanthropist based in Southern conservative lay and clerical California. He and his brothers also own organization, and a longtime member of a chain of upscale food markets Legatus, an organization for wealthy cofounded by their late father in Catholic business leaders. He also co- Michigan. founded and chairs the board of the Magis Center, which describes itself He also is behind the Napa Institute, as a faith-and-reason institute. which combines conservative theology and libertarian economics, and its new Magis (and its partner apologetics co-organization, the Napa Legal organization Credible Catholic — both Institute, which has made health care a ministries of former Gonzaga University priority. president Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer) is headquartered on the Christ Cathedral Two months after Trump's inauguration, campus, just one floor above the EWTN Busch used the occasion of an opening studios, leading one publication to call Mass for a conference at the Catholic the building a "Catholic Super Center." University of America business school Other neighbors in the Tower of Hope that bears his name to praise the new include the Colorado-based Augustine presidency. Institute, an organization dedicated to the "new evangelization" and founded Speaking at the beginning of Mass — by several graduates of Franciscan televised by EWTN — from the University of Steubenville at the request sanctuary of the Crypt Church of the of then-Denver Archbishop Charles Basilica of the National Shrine of the Chaput.

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Also on the ninth floor is Dynamic EWTN's alignment with Busch, fellow Catholic, which specializes in Catholic board member Frank Hanna III and other content and resource creation. It was individuals, as well as organizations founded by motivational speaker such as Fox News and the Catholic Matthew Kelly, whose secular business University of America, has either been consulting clients include the done knowingly as a strategy, or the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy network is being unintentionally used by and Air Force, McDonald's, Proctor & outsiders, said a theologian who studies Gamble and FedEx. religion and history.

The plan is to make the cathedral Either way, "it's a dangerous game," said campus home to "multiple movements" Jesuit Fr. Mark Massa, director of the in the church, Busch told a Breitbart Boisi Center for Religion and American reporter in 2014. "This is going to create Public Life at Boston College great synergies among those ministries, "While they claim to be simply trying to to collaborate on donor bases and educate Catholics in useful piety and a organizational structure," he said. robust spiritual life, they're being used In fact, the idea for the diocese to by people on the right for their own purchase the Crystal Cathedral was purposes," Massa told NCR. "Either they Busch's, according to an article detailing are disingenuous or not awake." the involvement of multiple Legatus members in the decision and funding. This merging of ideological and political "It's like going to a Legatus meeting," causes with theological ones is one Legatus member said of meetings of concerning. Said Massa: "When religion the Cathedral Guild, a group of major links itself to political causes, it always donors to the project. turns out badly for religion."

And Busch's former law firm, Busch & [Heidi Schlumpf is NCR national Caspino (since split) represented the correspondent. Her email address is diocese in court for the purchase of the [email protected]. Follow her cathedral, even convincing Schuller to on Twitter @HeidiSchlumpf.] accept the diocese's lower bid of $57.5 million for the property worth an estimated $500 million. EWTN's voice is

Busch, who joined the EWTN board in powerful, partisan and 2017, is a staunch supporter of the Republican Party and candidates. An problematic analysis of his recent political Jul 17, 2019 contributions indicates only GOP by Michael Sean Winters

recipients, including candidates and Ten years ago, I began researching my organizations in Missouri, Virginia, biography of the Rev. Jerry Falwell. I North Carolina, Massachusetts, Idaho, had been familiar with the religious Vermont, Oklahoma as well as right, of course: In the 1980s, Falwell California. was a frequent TV guest opining on the political issues of the day through the

15 lens of his particular brand of political questions that were premised on conservative Christianity. Still, I learned conservative talking points that were at a great deal about evangelical best arguable and at worst outright lies. I Christianity in those years of research. came to realize that he was occasionally tuning into EWTN. One of the things that most impressed me as I conducted my research was the Yesterday, my colleague Heidi degree to which the diffuse Schlumpf began a four-part series about ecclesiological structures of evangelical EWTN. And, one of the things her Protestantism limited its reach and research shows is that EWTN is every aggravated a certain coarseness. In fact, bit as powerful a voice among the structure is too strong a word. The Christian right as any particular politico-theological complex of evangelical outlet, and the network evangelical Christianity had a variety of engages in precisely the kind of coarse different, sometimes wildly different, partisanship that I had found so points of influence, and it utterly lacked different, and so dreadful, in Falwell's the kind of hierarchic ecclesiological career. The mainstream media hears the structure the Catholic Church has. phrase "Christian right" and thinks of Jerry Falwell Jr., Franklin Graham, Our hierarchic structure, whatever its Robert Jeffress and Tony Perkins. They problems, served historically as a need to start adding Raymond Arroyo, moderating influence and had, for many Lauren Ashburn and Edward Pentin to centuries, insisted on an intellectual rigor the roster. that was formidable. We Catholics might get things wrong, and individual Falwell Sr. was an empire builder and he Catholics might be politically obtuse, but looked to American Catholics as a people would know who speaks for the model. He said he wanted his Liberty Catholic Church and they would know University to be an evangelical Notre that while there was political relevance Dame. There is nothing so distinctive to the church's theology, our church about 20th century American would not become an arm of any Catholicism as its prowess at political party. In addition to our infrastructure. EWTN is no exception, structures, there was a body of official and it has added a news service and a teaching, developed over the centuries, newspaper to its media empire. The that stood as a bulwark against any television network has expanded attempt to co-opt it for partisan ends. exponentially and its reach is unparalleled among religious It was during those same years of programming. research, that my dad began asking me some questions about our Catholic faith. But, there is a difference. The vast My father, an educated man, started complex of parishes and schools and wondering about things that struck me as hospitals and fraternal associations that bizarre, asking if the church really American Catholics built in the 20th believed something it didn't, or opposed century were all, in some meaningful something about which the church's way, connected to the hierarchy of the stance was nuanced. He would ask me church. People might agree or disagree

16 with what the church had to say, but they issues like abortion and same-sex knew who spoke authoritatively for the marriage, a particular political or legal whole. EWTN, however, severed its agenda is presented as the only way of official ties to the church at the same honoring the church's moral teaching. time as it had eclipsed the bishops' own Never do you hear a frontal challenge to efforts to create a Catholic television anything said by President Donald network. NCR is proud of its Trump. The trenchant partisanship at independence from any official control, EWTN has not turned the network into but EWTN repeatedly claims it is Falwell Lite. It has turned it into presenting the news “from a Catholic Catholic Lite. perspective.” When you are the only Catholic network, people can be Do I exaggerate? In 2014, Boston forgiven for thinking the “Catholic Cardinal Sean O'Malley went to the perspective” being presented is authentic U.S.-Mexico border near Nogales, and accurate. Arizona, to lead a Mass for the repose of the souls for those who had died trying And that claim could not be more wrong. to cross the border. He was joined by Despite their insistence that they are several other bishops. The image of loyal to the magisterium, EWTN has O'Malley and Bishop Gerald Kicanas always been highly selective in distributing Holy Communion through presenting church teaching. They distort the slats in the border fence to fellow some teachings and ignore others. They Catholics on the other side brought tears inflate those teachings they like to the to my eyes. But, in addition to the point that they block out other important emotional impact, the image showed a teachings. They evidence none of the profound Catholic truth: The historical suspicion with which the Communion we share in faith cannot be Catholic tradition has always viewed broken by any political border. "Somos capitalism. NCR has always juntos en una familia in Cristo," Kicanas acknowledged its role as a kind of loyal said. Later that week, on Arroyo's show, opposition. EWTN has claimed to be George Weigel called the Mass "an act loyal to the party in power, but now in of political theater." Really? the age of Pope Francis, their disloyalty is no longer able to be hidden. To be clear: I have nothing but respect for conservative friends and scholars Later this week, Schlumpf's series will who wrestle with the Catholic examine the ad intra concerns raised by intellectual tradition and who reach EWTN, their willingness to challenge conclusions different from my own, but Francis in ways that are remarkable. But, conclusions that do not vitiate or as she shows today, their political contradict Catholic social teaching. That coverage lacks all the nuance and depth is not what EWTN does. And, that the Catholic intellectual tradition increasingly, they serve as a means for brings to political issues. I almost always taking stories from the lunatic fringe like watch Arroyo's "The World Over" and LifeSiteNews or Church Militant, and he repeatedly obfuscates explicit mainstreaming them, making them Catholic teaching on issues like sound plausible when they are actually immigration or the death penalty. On fantastic.

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The bishops have a large problem on name, phone number, etc. and we will be their hands. They have lost control of in touch to firm up the arrangements. communications within the church. Also, watch my Insert for updates and Millions of Catholics watch EWTN. detailed information. How many read a press release from the bishops' conference calling for protections for undocumented immigrants? How many read a diocesan newspaper if there still is one? EWTN is not a nuisance, it is a claimant problem. Had the bishops confronted the organization bit by bit over the years, they would not be in the situation now of Please remember to send in your Tithes having to lance the boil. But, that is the and Offerings during the summer situation they are in and, as always months. While we are able to take happens when a boil is lanced, it won't vacation and get away, the bills, be pretty. financial obligations, staff salaries, and

other financial responsibilities continue. [Michael Sean Winters covers the nexus We appreciate how faithful you are in of religion and politics for NCR.] supporting the parish and the building of God’s kingdom here at St. Ignatius of Antioch. The summer months, June through August, present the greatest challenge to our budget. Thank you in advance for making sure that your weekly offering/tithe/pledge is sent in.

Parish Tour To France I have begun to plan another tour in 2020 to Paris and the North of France, visiting its famous cathedrals, museums, historical sites, Normandy, and Lourdes. Linda Grelli and Black Diamond Travel are our travel consultants and are putting the tour together. I am very pleased to share with you, that after consultation with Linda, we have set the dates for the tour as the following: August 25 – September 5. 2020. I have On behalf of all of us, our gratitude and attached the proposed itinerary to the thanks to all those who do so much to Insert. help care for the parish and its needs throughout the week. To those who If you think you might be interested in clean and prepare the church and parish joining us, please give the parish office a hall for the weekend: Jean Rogers, call and leave your contact information, Mency Osborne, Reno and Thelma

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Benasfre, Al Cosce, Jun Bajet, Carole Miller, and Alfred Madoshi. …to those who clean and maintain the bathrooms throughout the week: Rose Salamanca, Steve Rojek, Mary Ewing, Patricia Britton, and Father Robert. ...to Dilcia Aparicio who does such an excellent job of washing, ironing, and caring for the Sacred Linens. …to our Sacristans and Altar Guild who prepare the sanctuary for the celebration of Eucharist each week: The outside Stations of the Cross which Peter Degl’Innocenti, Pam and Rich are located at the far North end of our Confetti, Vincent Rodriguez, Harlan parking lot were in need of some tender Young, Monika Kauer, Cynthia loving care. They were in disrepair Enrique, Nancy Santos and Rose caused by time, the elements, and Salamanca. insects. …to our counting teams who are here every week to count the weekly Over the past two weeks they have been collections. refurbished and should now last for …to our volunteers who assisted in the years to come. This work included the parish office last week: replacement of all posts with treated Frances Rojek, Mel Costanza, redwood and the refinishing of the Maryann Peddicord, Estrella Rusk, Stations themselves. A final coat of Alicia Perez, Joe Fanfa and Paul protective stain was applied to the each Riofski. Station in the color of our Church sign at …to our St. Vincent de Paul and Mobile the main entrance. Mall volunteers who transported last week’s donations: Frank Zamora and By the time you read this article the Barbara Jackson. project should be complete. Please take a …to our faithful weekly bulletin few minutes to visit these Stations as assembly team: Beth Enea, Richard they are there for all of us to enjoy and Enea, Kathy Augusta, Vince Augusta, to nourish our devotional prayer life. and Sherry Webb. …to our wonderful Parking Lot Security who keeps watch over our vehicles during the weekend Liturgies: Don Benson, Steve Rojek and Tony Gumina.

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40th Anniversary Photographic Book I just received last week a beautifully done photographic book of our parish’s 40th Anniversary celebration. I would like to thank Lilya Superales of Photography By Lilya, for doing such a wonderful job of capturing the Liturgy and the festivities and dinner afterward.

If anyone is interested in purchasing this book of photographic memories, please contact Lilya at 925-852-3075 or by email at: [email protected] .

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