August 27 - St. Monica
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Senator Edward M. Kennedy died on Tuesday past. He was a Catholic and as his funeral arrangements are announced it is not surprising that Mr. Kennedy be given a Mass of Christian Burial.

We Catholics are an interesting bunch of believers. We have strict rules of morality and unchangeable Dogmas of Faith. We can be tough on our own and justly call them to accountability. Our Clergy and Laity both do this. We can be vocal about our beliefs and convictions. And there are times when we are painfully silent.

Senator Kennedy did a great deal of good in his almost half century of service in the U.S. Senate. Mr. Kennedy was also very far off the mark on issues that Practicing Catholics find themselves passionate in debate.

Some Catholics will disagree with his final commendation and farewell within the context of Roman Catholic Ritual. Others will have no opinion either way.

In my 36 years as a priest I have presided over countless Funeral Masses. Many I have questioned and questioned deeply:
* drug dealers
* drug addicts
* cases of suicide connected with satanic worship
* ordinary folks, nominal Catholics, who rarely darken the doors of the church
* a high profile member of the mob
* and..you get the drift.

We have accorded them all Christian Burial because, I want to believe, we have a compassionate nature. We make a case for "mercy upon mercy upon mercy".

In the Book of Macabees we read: It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead. No qualifications!

When our President recently met with Pope Benedict XVI it was reported that he hand-delivered a peronal letter from Mr. Kennedy. The contents were never disclosed. I wonder...just wonder...I'll let you fill in the blanks.

So, let God be the final judge and let us be faithful to the words of Macabees and pray for the dead. We Catholics are good at that.

No death in any family is ever a time for sniping, especially within a family of faith.
It is holy to pray for the dead.
Be holy, then, and pray.

Pax et Bonum.
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