Mount Savage —
Today’s American lifestyle differs drastically from what it was decades ago.
For example, in contrast to the current focus on self-fulfillment and pursuit of all things pleasurable, my parents grew up on hard work, frugality and faith, and so did I.
In my youth, school was my job; I followed the rules and did my best. Weekdays had no room for diversions, and the Saturday (and summer day) rule was no television or playmates before noon.
Work around the house or in the yard and garden took precedence over entertainments, and expenditures on extravagances or pipe dreams were out of the question. Cooking, sewing, piano practice, and reading were encouraged. (My dad and brother did the manly tasks.)
Saturday evenings brought a good scrubbing, and then Mom cleaned and filed my fingernails and gave them a coat of clear polish. Next morning, we dressed in our finest, with hat and white gloves: Sunday was church day.
As I matured and internalized my parents’ training, the habit I valued most was Mass on Sundays and holy days.
I never missed, even during times when I strayed in other ways. I credit that faith training with grounding my decisions and helping me discern best paths in my life’s directions – and empowering me to embrace my greatest trials fearlessly.
Faith, after all, is a way of life. Church is our springboard into the mystery of God, where we strive to live by His commands and prepare to return to Him in eternity.
For Christians, adhering to God means embracing Christ’s cross and hoping to share in His resurrection. Jesus says (Mt. 11:28-30): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.... For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“How can life’s burden be easy?” I asked my 91-year-old mother recently, as we read that verse in our evening prayers. Mom answered, “When you do the right thing, it is easy.”
What I learned, growing up Catholic, to be the right thing is countercultural today. Society has turned upside-down.
About seven years ago, confounded by chaos at work, and distressed with intrusions on my peace, I set out to re-connect with the basic tenets of my faith and to expand my understanding, to find other serious Catholics, and to gain a mature contemporary perspective on this beautiful, ancient and complex faith tradition.
While visiting the Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg one day in June 2004, I found a flyer at the back of the glass chapel announcing a weekend retreat at Mount St. Mary’s seminary hosted by (then grotto chaplain) Father Jack Lombardi. The topic was virtues and disciplined desires.
I signed up, and since have been among the hundred or so who regularly attend Father Jack’s weekend retreats. To me, he is a prophet, straightforwardly proclaiming the truths and beauty of the Catholic faith and lifestyle. (Father Jack served at St. Patrick in Cumberland in the early 1990s. He presently is administrator at St. Peter Catholic Church in Hancock and St. Patrick mission in Little Orleans.)
Now, in his first book, “Finding Life’s Balance,” Father Jack (ordained 1988, Archdiocese of Baltimore) shares his own experiences, in the context of Scripture and Catholic orthodoxy, to journey with readers to discover the harmony that an authentic Catholic lifestyle provides in a topsy-turvy world. He calls that place “the ‘radical middle’ between extremes.”
I edited his book, available on CD. For more information, write me at P.O. Box 541, Mount Savage, MD 21545.
Nancy E. Thoerig
Mount Savage
Letters
Catholic lifestyle is countercultural today
- Letters
-
-
Better beware of their gifts
“We socialists are not reformers; we are revolutionists,” said Daniel De Leon, an American Socialist and the leading figure in the Socialist Labor Party of America. De Leon was a Marxist, and argued for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism.
-
Invest in downtown area now and keep tourist dollars here
I can understand why plans for a downtown city market and other ideas to stimulate downtown and Canal Place are put on hold due to economic conditions, but now is exactly the time for these initiatives (Commission tables City Market idea,” May 18 Times-News, Page 1A).
-
Sign up now to become part of Relay for Life on June 1-2
Just as the effects of a challenging economy are felt by families in every community, cancer, too, has a far-reaching impact.
-
Reward each according to production, investments
The reader’s commentary dated May 18 (“It may be that God would prefer Communism”) is absolutely absurd.
-
Besides, they’re not interested in dental health
Dear Governor:
I am writing to thank you for your leadership in the recently called special legislative session to avoid the Doomsday budget. -
Here’s why he prefers the school he’s now attending
School is boring but we all have to go, so choose your school carefully. I attend a Christian school because I don’t have to listen to people cussing, teachers and some class mates are caring, and I’m learning about Christ.
-
Friends Aware grateful for support of public, legislators
Friends Aware Inc. would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Sen. George Edwards, Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly and LeRoy Myers and the members of the Allegany County Commissioners for their support of our organization in the awarding of $250,000 through a state bond bill.
-
They’re not bad; they just want the same rights
Quite frankly I’m sick of the constant bashing of same sex marriage, I’m a heterosexual with enough morals and common sense to see that what the gay community’s asking for isn’t anymore then basic equal rights.
-
Sounds like communism didn’t work out too well for them
I read with interest R. Steele Selby’s letter of May 18 (”It may be that God would prefer communism”). I will limit myself to commenting on just one of his arguments.
-
Day of Caring, Sharing proves he was right to move here
Being part of 2012 Caring and Sharing (I painted the entrance area at the Gilchrest Center) was yet another example of why Cumberland was the right place to relocate when I retired last summer.
- More Letters Headlines
-
Better beware of their gifts
