Dorothy Day Follow Up

An Interesting article appeared today in the New York Times on Dorothy Day, her canonization process and the recent support by the US Conference of Bishops. The article, I believe, raises similar issues that I shared in my previous post. One important point. The article references Dorothy Day's opposition to abortion as a statement of fact. I believe again that is a misinterpretation being promoted by people with a particular agenda. The article can be seen here.

Dorothy Day and Sainthood?

Over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking about Dorothy Day quite a bit. Not sure why but perhaps some of this has to do with my own thinking and rethinking about my past experiences. A natural part of the aging process I hear. Reflections and review of the past is an important aspect of making sense of one’s life. When we're young, we look to the future but at some point we transition as we age and look to the past. 

For those who are reading this with little information about Dorothy Day and her life and work, here are a few places where you can begin your journey of meeting and learning about Dorothy:

A Biography of Dorothy Day by Jim Forest
Dorothy Day at Wikipedia

I recently received a copy of the Catholic Worker in the mail. There were reflections in that issue on Frank Donovan, a quiet force at the Worker, who recently passed away. One of the articles was accompanied by a picture shared below of Donavan, Cesar Chavez and Dorothy Day late in her life at the Catholic Worker in NYC.

I thought perhaps that article started me thinking, but no I had started reflecting some time before. She has been on my mind. as I've written about Chavez, war and peace, life.

This past week I was doing some research as I often do - no particular reason or project - and in the process found a number of articles by Dorothy about the period of time that I found myself at the Catholic Worker in 1965-1966. One referenced a visit I made to NYC in Oct. of 1980 to see her and others at the Worker. She mentioned in the article that she wasn’t feeling well and therefore didn’t see me. That got me thinking - when did Dorothy die? Turns out that it was about a month later in 1980 on Nov. 29th. So she and I missed that opportunity to visit with each other, to catch up, to reflect and to celebrate. Then I realized that Nov.29th was a week away and it would be the 32nd anniversary of her death. Imagine 32 years. Where has that time gone? One thing led to another and I checked my trusty search engines to see where things may be at with the canonization effort for Dorothy. Low and behold an article had just been published yesterday, Nov. 20, in the National Catholic Reporter telling the story of how the entire delegation of US Catholic Bishops had, within the past week, voted unanimously to support and work for Dorothy Day’s canonization to sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church. You can read the article here .

All of this have made me think and reflect on that process, Dorothy and her life, and on those Bishops. Frankly, sainthood is not an issue that strikes me as very important in this day and age. It is a recognition by an institution that is probably more important for the institution then for anyone else. It bestows an honor on someone by men who think they have the power to identify saints among us. Many times we correct words like men to be more inclusive and universal but no need here. This is a real group of mostly old, mostly white men.

My belief in sainthood along with many other beliefs left me some time ago but I do recognize the need for institutional freedom in this regard. Institutions need to be free to follow their rituals and beliefs. So be it.

Having said that, the US Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church are playing catch up and probably won’t be able to (catch up that is). They are so far behind, catching up is pretty unrealistic. I don’t know when it was that they lost touch with their flock but they did. In addition, they’ve been trying to put the teachings and fresh air of Pope John XXIII back in a closed and sequestered room for all the years since his death. Many seem to be looking at Dorothy Day’s sainthood as a political move. A way to recruit and attract the young, the poor, the oppressed. Perhaps a clear indication of their view of sainthood.

But here’s the reality. Dorothy Day was a holy woman. She was strong in her beliefs and she was a good person. She had her faults and her weaknesses, as we all do, and she was the first to speak of them. She was smart, politically astute and strong. She had a way with words and was able to politely humiliate those who deserved it and support those who needed it. She stood up to every authority with clear and concise views and arguments. She gave credit where it was due but lashed out at injustice - individual, sectarian, within the church and other institutions. If and when she didn’t, it would likely gnaw at her. She had no patience for the evil that she saw. She had great respect for the poor and for poverty itself. She was a prolific and great writer. She would have enjoyed blogging I’m sure. Her ‘On Pilgrimage’ series was a blog minus the internet and a computer.

There are those who want to put Dorothy in some sort of box or place for their own political agenda. But it can’t be done. Her reach is too far. Her writings too dynamic, allowing for growth and change - how unique. Dorothy was truly religious. She went on many 'retreats'. I remember a discussion one day after one such event where she informed everyone that perhaps we were in need of a 'charge ahead' vs a 'retreat'. The Bishops may want to think about that.

I consider myself lucky to have known Dorothy and to have gained her respect. I’ll continue to think and write about her in the hope that her memory keeps shining like that little light we sometimes sing about.

War Drums Beating

I fear that more serious war drums and war intentions are developing in and around the Mideast. Rockets and missiles are being fired across boarders from both sides in and around Gaza. Both sides speak of revenge constantly rather then any kind of negotiated peace. War mongers exist on both sides. It's pretty clear. Both sides have a right to exist and to exist in peace. It's been talked about and fought about for years.

But my greatest fear is that Israel, or at least her current leadership, is preparing for bigger things in this latest conflict. That bigger thing is a preemptive strike on Iran over fears about nuclear weapons. And of course part of the plan is to have the United States support such a strike and in fact complete the work.

More and more of us need to speak out against such foolishness. It isn't right, it makes no sense and it most likely won't work without major sacrifices by the entire world. Peace is hard. It's difficult. It demands justice and reconciliation. We need more people who are tired of war and who are willing to work for peace. More to come.....

A Jersey State of Mind!

We all hunkered down, followed directions, made sure we had batteries, filled gas tanks and got other things we thought we may need. All over the east coast people were methodical or they scrambled. There was plenty of warning. You could see her on TV. Biggest storm of the century, maybe two. Then she took aim and New Jersey, especially the Jersey Shore and New York City took direct hits. Here in the Finger Lakes we were very lucky. Strong wind and rain and some minor inconvenience with lost power for a few days. Personally, I'm pretty thankful. Then, there's what's happened in New Jersey and NYC.

I grew up in New Jersey. Born in north Jersey, early years in Spring Lake at the shore and later back to north Jersey. The Jersey Shore was an important part of life for millions. Based on video and photos, it is a very different place after a brutal hit by Sandy. It doesn't exist as I and many others knew it and it may never be the same.

Maybe its just me, but isn't it amazing how many people are either from Jersey, have family or friends in Jersey or just know somebody from Jersey. It seems endless. The numbers are staggering. Then there's the humor and jokes. If by chance you don't know anyone in or from New Jersey, you've heard the jokes about Secaucus and it's smells. Lot's of reference to dumps and garbage, the Sopranos, gangsters, Frank Sinatra and Hoboken. What's great is that folks from Jersey jump right in and become part of those conversations and can tell the jokes about themselves better then the rest of us.

I still have big connections to Jersey. My oldest son, his wife and my granddaughter live there. They had a scare during the storm when a tree fell and brought wires, sparks and flames onto their house. My brother also lives in Jersey, supporting his wife who has a number of health issues. They've all been without power for going on six days. My son sent me a video of a line that was over a mile long of people trying to get gas. We've all seen more of these lines as time has gone on. The reason - there's plenty of gas but the number of stations with electricity to operate their pumps is limited. The gas can't be pumped from large storage tanks into the fuel trucks. Power and technology are the big enemy here. If something doesn't change soon, it will get very crazy in the streets of Jersey and NYC.

Hoboken, which is below sea level, looked like New Orleans for a few days. Sea Side Heights, Point Pleasant,  Belmar and Asbury Park, all places I knew in my youth, are virtually rearranged by the ocean. Boardwalks and businesses gone. Beaches are moved. And Staten Island, a Jersey neighbor, is another true disaster area.

It was good to see Gov. Chris Christie and President Obama together, putting differences aside and doing what they should be doing - solving problems and supporting people and communities. A tough guy from Jersey and a tough guy from Chicago. Quite the picture, but one that people need at this point.

My bet's on Jersey. She'll come back better then ever but she and her people will need a lot of help.