As I write this column today (May 18) there are several things that are on my mind. First, I am struck by an article in the Express News by Abe Levy about a play to be produced at the San Pedro Playhouse next month called  Corpus Christi. The play was written by Texas play-write Terrence McNally. In this play Jesus and the disciples are presented as gay men, and Jesus is referred to as the “King of Queers.” Archbishop Gustavo and the San Antonio Community of Congregations have voiced their concern and objections to this production. We do not challenge the legal freedom in a pluralistic society to produce various works of art or to express cultural and political ideas. What we object to is the gross lack of sensitivity to the sacred character of Jesus who is worshipped, or at least revered and admired by many hundreds of thousands of people in our community. We cannot imagine that offensive vulgarities would be tolerated by the community at large toward any other group!

Perhaps the fault of our era is the confusion of freedom with license. In this sense, license means that you can do anything you want, anytime you want. No one has the right to stop you unless you are harming them, personally. There is no idea of a common or public good. Freedom, on the other hand, is only known in the exercise of making actual choices with a view to their consequences, and with a broader view to the good of both the person and the neighbor (common good). A free society is a society with a dedication to the good, and is able to employ self-restraint for the common good. It can exercise choices in a positive way. A licentious society just can’t stop itself from doing anything, no matter how much harm is done to others. Licentiousness is a distortion of freedom because it lacks the ability to self restrain for the sake of the common good.

I should point out that leaders in San Antonio’s gay and lesbian community have raised their voices in concern about this play as well. Their criticism is that it reinforces the worst stereotypes of what it means to be a person with a same sex attraction.

So, the question is, what good is this play doing? Do we want the San Pedro Playhouse to produce this? Do you want them receiving public funding, as well as funding from some of the city’s artistic foundations to support this? They certainly have the “freedom” to do this. You also have the freedom to tell them how you see it. As our own Bishop Cantu has said, “artistic works should elevate our spirit to a greater good.” Sometimes art can sting our consciences in a good way by pointing out truths that make us rethink our point of view. In that sense, controversial art can be good. Other times its just plain adolescent and offensive. – Fr. Larry

As I have mentioned in the past few Pastor’s Notes, it is with great joy that we can announce that Mike Portele, of our Parish, will be ordained for service to the People of God as deacon on June 4, at 10 a.m., at St. Mark’s Parish, at the hands of Archbishop Gustavo Garcis-Siller. Mike and Cathy have been studying and preparing for this moment for over 5 years now! That’s quite a commitment. I have asked Deacon-elect Mike Portele to preach at the masses on the weekend of June 4 and 5, with the exception of the Sunday evening mass (which is the mass for Confirmation). After the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses there will be receptions in the Henke Hall and we will all have the chance to congratulate Mike and Cathy! Of course, the ordination is the end of one journey, but only the beginning of another!

I also want to remind everyone that we will welcome Bishop Oscar Cantu on June 5th for the 5 p.m. mass to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for over 50 of our youth and young adults! The confirmandi (yes, that’s a word) have spent this past year in preparation for this final step of initiation into the life of the Church, the Body of Christ. Please pray for them as they approach this very important moment in life.

We continue to celebrate First Holy Communions throughout this month of May. I want to thank our parishioners for their support of the children who are receiving and for welcoming their families and friends – many of whom travel great distances to be with the children at this time.

I mentioned in last week’s homily that we need to maintain a certain dignity about receiving Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. I mentioned that it was OK to be casual in dress, but not sloppy! That we shouldn’t be chewing gum or eating candies as we approach the Eucharist, nor should we leave mass right after communion. I also reminded everyone to be spiritually prepared for communion by praying ahead of time and looking at our consciences to see if we have any serious sin that needs reconciling. Perhaps as we celebrate First Holy Communion it’s a time for all of us to be reminded about the basics!

A big thank you to the Men’s Club for organizing a truly outstanding Casino Night for the parish last weekend! It was a big success with a wonderful turn-out and a truly good time was had by all. More importantly, we were able to raise funds to assist our sister Parish, Immaculate Conception, and to provide some funding for our own Youth Ministry mission trip. Great work, everyone!

Fr. Larry