I know that this kind of stuff is completely alien to you, but since you pretend to be a Christian, I thought that you might learn something here from other real Christians and how they behave at this most holy time of the year. Enjoy, and at least make an attempt to understand this, and then perhaps, do a little soul searching, buddy.
PARSIPPANY -- For Ash Wednesday, one clergyman's sermon will urge people to show more optimism and kindness toward each other.
"Basically my thought is toward the importance of being positive," said Father Martin McDonnell of the St. Ann Church in Parsippany. "To be less critical of each other -- I think there's a need for that today. I think we've become very negative to one another, critical of the world, the government." The Catholic church will hold services today at noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a 40-day period during which Christians traditionally reflect and repent for their sins before Easter. Clergy take ashes from burnt palm fronds, which usually were distributed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and anoint a parishioner's forehead with the ash in the figure of a cross. The practice is popular among Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans and more recently Methodists and Presbyterians.
"The message of Ash Wednesday is the importance of recognizing our sinfulness and seeking God's mercy and forgiveness," McDonnell said.
Penitence comes in different forms from attending daily Mass and fasting from one's favorite foods to doing charitable work, McDonnell said.
"Instead of giving up something foolish, we try and do some special services," said Marianne Bridy of Parsippany, a parishioner of the church. "We do community service projects, feed the homeless."
Parishioner Leonard Deo and his family also volunteer in the community.
"There have always been stressors in life, there have always been times of conflict," Deo said. "Hopefully the message that we look to in Lent is to treat each other with dignity and respect, all human life -- if that happens, the world would be a much better place."
Pastor David Carpenter of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown has a very unique sermon prepared for Ash Wednesday.
The title of Carpenter's sermon is "Outward Bound for the Soul," in which he will compare Lent with his experience at Outward Bound 10 years ago.
Outward Bound is an outdoor adventure organization that gives people the opportunity to backpack in the wilderness, take part in soul searching and inspiring activities including rock climbing. Carpenter went to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Yosemite National Park.
"I'm going to be talking basically about how Lent is a time for us to draw away and focus on what is important in life and focus on spiritual aspects of our relationship with God," Carpenter said. "There is so much that keeps us so busy, keeps us from focusing on what's real and what's important and true about who we are."
The Morristown services are at noon and 8 p.m. The church's music director, James Hicks, will be playing the organ at noon, and, in the evening, the chamber ensemble with the help of string players will play a variety of choral works at 7:30 p.m.
In the "old days," St. Ann parishioner Rudy Gottschalk said he would give up candy or wine during Lent.
"But today it's doing extra things for people -- it's more positive than negative," Gottschalk said.
St. Ann's church was decorated in a simple and solemn way. Parishioner Joseph Leone of Parsippany helped decorate the church Tuesday by taking down a statue of the risen Christ and putting up a cross encircled with a crown of thorns.
Lent is often identified by the color purple. Leone used a purple cloth to cover the Lectern and another purple fabric for the church atrium.
"It's a very stark time for the church -- a very severe and simple time for the church," Leone said. "This is a sad time for the church because at this time, Jesus is scourged."
Thats funny Rat. I was thinking exactly the same thing when I read the paper this morning. Most religious organizations wouldnt even of think of litigating their way into a community that doesnt want them there. Not Ireland. He's burning bridges like crazy. Then again, most ministers also wouldnt think of making the main topic of their sermon, Lemme see the benjamins! either.
...and if you choose the lesser amount, you're choosing satan.
What a friendly sentiment.
No threat or intimidation there.
But then, I guess it's consistent; he threatens Rockaway Township with a lawsuit, why not do the same to his own parishioners with Hell if they don't give to the best of their ability?
It is clearly time for the rev to do the right thing - walk away with an ounce of dignity left. Can he not see the right thing? It will be a blow to his ego, but spending years in courts is not the way to go - I feel sorry for the congregation.
quote: Originally posted by: JohnQ "It is clearly time for the rev to do the right thing - walk away with an ounce of dignity left. Can he not see the right thing? It will be a blow to his ego, but spending years in courts is not the way to go - I feel sorry for the congregation."
How many more 'dig deeper or walk with Satan' sermons will it take before his flock catches on to his game? In my eyes, he has already lost his last ounce of dignity... a long time ago. I too feel sorry for the congregants. They are not the sharpest tools in his shed.
He could give a rat's @ss if they follow him to RT or not. What is important to him is to build this mega-church as a backdrop for his future tv infomercials. That's the bottom line. Everything else is secondary.
I will have to agree BR...this is about a man whom has let his puffed up ego and delusions of granduer get the best of him...I wonder if our "poor children" will continue to recieve his Christmas gifts after he is shown the door????
