I am a firm believe that used properly, FaceBook can be a blessing.  I have re-kindled some wonderful friendships that were not maintained over the years for no better reason than the inexcusable but unavoidable Business of Life getting in the way.  People who meant so much from every corner of me, each of whom had an impact - some greater than others, to be sure - but now gathered in that little cyber world.  Getting a happy birthday greeting from a childhood friend that was at each of my birthday parties from the ages of seven to seventeen.  Priceless.  Being able to similarly reach out and offer a random greeting, blessing, inside joke, memory, or word of support . . . . again, the blessings of FaceBook.

Lets jump back in time a bit.  Late 1970s/early 1980s, Mike went to my high school.  He was in my brother's year, one year behind me.  I didn't know him, just a passing hello in the halls for the three years we shared in school.  Nearly seven years later, in the late 1980s, I was in a celtic rock band that played every Sunday night in a wildly crowded bar in Yonkers.  Nearly every Sunday night there was a table of young men who came early, got their table, nursed a beer for a couple of hours, enjoyed the "craic" [dancing and music], and then left.  After several months, I sat at their table, introduced myself, and this one gentleman said "You don't remember me, Mike, do you?" He looked familiar, but I couldn't place the face.  He re-introduced himself - it was Mike - and the other gentlemen at the table.  They were all seminarians at the Archdiocese of New York - St. Joseph's Seminary at Dunwoodie.  I was thrilled to re-make that aquaintance, and I believe I enjoyed their company for the following months/years as much as they enjoyed the explosive Irish music scene they were watching. 

I was asked, and participated in Mike's first mass and ordination.  

Mike and I lost touch after that, but again - the blessings of FaceBook - we were "friended" about a year ago. Mike now serves the Archdiocese as a principal in a NYC Catholic school.  

Well, back to yesterday:  I posted on my FaceBook account a the following description, and link:

"A beautifully written piece, by a dear friend, Ed Dilgen. Ed and his wife Margaret are frequent participants and organizers of a growing movement we started a couple of years ago, of home liturgies and prayer meetings throughout our community."  Time Union Article.

Those familiar to FaceBook lexicon will understand I received a few "Likes" from this posting, and a few personal wall messages of support.  This morning I found in response to my posting three successive one word messages, each from the same person, each containing the very same, one word: "Scary."  

The person who left the three messages:  Fr. Mike.

My FaceBook response:

"I find the Triple Thread of "Scary" curious.

First, I am unsure as to whether there are three things in my posting that are "Scary," or if each "Scary" is directed at a separate concept contained in my posting and Ed Dilgen's thoughtful piece.  

Generally speaking, there is not much out there I would call "Scary."  If I have concerns, I deal with them.

I don't have to prove my RC cred - however, note I am an active, involved catholic in the Albany diocese who finished his three years as chair of my parish's Pastoral Council just last month.  I am also a member of a non-diocesan affiliated, inclusive, intentional faith community that welcomes all to the Lord's table.  We have grandparents, parents, children, divorced, priests, ex-priests, ex-nuns, homosexuals, professionals, students:  all breaking the bread and trying to live by Gospel values.  We, indeed, both support financially and otherwise diocesan endeavors.  We - might I add, like Christ - do not marginalize anyone. In fact, we intentionally reach out and welcome the marginalized - again, like Christ.

Oh, we also have a voice, and we use it often.

From my family comes a long line of men and women clergy, and remarkably faithful and strong married men and women.  I am both secure and comfortable with spiritual leadership through married and women priests.  Rome, obviously, is not [well, of course, there was that episodic Episcopalians invite . . . that discussion is for another time]. 

The Roman tradition for generations turned its back on the gifts of women and married clergy.  Their insistence to so continue insures that the finish line of its race towards extinction is getting closer, sooner.  I am working hard, every day, to insure that my four young sons have a vehicle - if and once that happens - to worship, break bread, share liturgies, work together towards peace and justice and towards the betterment of their lives - just as Jesus Christ did.  

So, Mike, I celebrate the calling, commitment, faith, guidance and love that brings you to where you are today.  I witnessed all of that that first-hand years ago, from even before your ordination, and I have no doubts that you have built strength upon strength since.  However, I also hope you have also built since that time an openness for those willing to speak out for injustices within our Church, and an ability to respect those who are driven by Gospel values, not power.

Peace.

M"

Posted by Michael C. Clarke

August 10, 2010