It is my personal belief that the circumstances surrounding the forcible retirement of Father Harry Howell was–and remains–sinful in its unfolding, falling far short of giving good example of those gifts of grace received in baptism; namely, the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and above these, charity. God is love, and love is missing in this situation because of its sinful (i.e evil) nature.
It is also my personal belief, and, perhaps it is for others too within their own meditations, that it is not flesh and blood, one against the other, in which we are contending with here; but the mission finds itself in the position of being sifted by our shared Adversary: the Father of lies, of anger, of dissension; that murderer–of our love–from the beginning who cleverly sows disunity among individuals, groups and ministries within the Church. The truth of this statement can be found in the stench of rotted fruit, wherein, instead of reciprocating ecclesial love in the unifying work of bearing fruit that abides through the spread of the Gospel, conversion and renewal in the practice of our faith, our peace has been disturbed and our spirits are agitated into apostolic inaction.
What a clear, charitable, straightforward and honest retirement could have avoided.
Tragically for all, it’s apparent for anyone concerned for the mission that the retirement of Father Howell was handled wrong; and continues to be poorly handled by all on the parish level. Honest evaluation of the situation reveals that many parishioners, as I am, have been offended by this unnecessary extreme action on the part of those–who without taking into account the spiritual needs, counsel or sense of faith of their fellow brothers and sisters at the mission–took it upon themselves to forcibly push Father Howell into retirement.
It seems the case was made, by still, as yet unidentified person(s), to our superiors Fr. Moys, Archbishop Vlazny and others, that mission life under Father Howell was absolutely unbearable and could not be tolerated any longer–which, of course, is not true. More probable, the cause of this situation which instigated the act, is the long-held notion of some folks viewing the mission and their ministry positions therein as the only means to an end concerning mission life, its day to day management, and perhaps, even over things concerning sanctification; (i.e. the indult controversy concerning Eucharistic Ministers) this of course creates a difficult situation for any priest now or in the future to contend with, and no less for Father Howell. How can a shepherd shepherd without a staff?
Nonetheless, as a consequence of this misrepresentation of Father Howell’s pastoral care at the mission and within the community, combined with the covert manner in which his retirement was carried out, we are experiencing a terrible disunity among some of the faithful as well as with the ministerial priesthood; the good reputation and dignity of an aging and ailing Priest of God [despite the all too human reality of fragility and sin] has unnecessarily been damaged–not only in view of the faithful (my children included), but also, among his own peers; this folly has generated public scandal that could and should have been avoided from the beginning; has caused the loss of effective evangelization and pastoral care within the community because of anger leading to the banishment of the Legion of Mary, and continues to adversely affect and disrupt the worship habits of the mission and our families.
My spirit is agitated to compassion
As is known by all, I have attempted peacemaking from the inception of these difficulties with all, and such is my goal now for the love of my God and yours, for his body, the Church. Yet, human love can easily turn to worshipping false idols as the history of salvation proves if it is not guided by divine love and truth. In this current environment, we are all worshipping the God of discord and not the God of love, truth, justice, mercy and compassion. We are stiffed-necked in failing to walk toward a reconciled life with one another–which includes Father Howell–despite possessing the very power of the mystery of our faith which could easily overcome these sins of neglecting love, Christ Himself. Here is what the mystery of our faith has to say…
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.’ John 15: 12-17
The Friends of Father Harry Howell Committee
While I am truly thankful for Archbishop Glazny’s level-headed intercession for Father Howell’s retirement, physical and material needs, I don’t believe he or others within the mission, or, the scandalized public for that matter, have a full comprehension or appreciation of Father Howell’s situation, past or present.
I look about me and cannot find that Father Harry either enjoy’s authentic recognition for the many good works he has accomplished unseen on behalf of the mission and our community over the years, nor, do I find present support for the good works his priestly heart by ordination still inspires within him today.
What I do find before me is a priest, confessor, and friend who because of personal calumny, past and present, finds himself unfairly exiled alongside a garden he is no longer allowed to tend…
A Force of Reparation and Reconciliation
The spirit of the ad hoc committee ’Friends of Father Harry Howell’ is first and foremost one of authentic reconcilation. A mission wide call to join in prayers of reparation for our failures in following the commandment of God to love one another. We enjoin these with prayers for a quick and full reconciliation of the mission, which again, includes Father Harry. A pledge of petition for those willing the full reconciliation of the mission can be made either verbally by joining us in prayer on the days annouced or by written form to be found on this blog, (TBA).
A Force of Love and Care for Father Harry
For those who can commit, we will work to schedule among ourselves times of visitation, home dinners and other special events he enjoys. We will also act to establish a crew he can call on for help with chores about the house and grounds.
A Force of Education
Without failing to recognize human fragilty and the reality of human sin present within all our lives, but, rather choosing to recognize that greater love which brought Father Howell to leave home and lands for the sake of the Gospel and the salvation of souls–we will seek to make clearly known to our Pastor, his superiors, the laity and public alike, that Father Harry Howell has served the Catholic Church, St. Patrick’s and the local community devoutly, with authentic teaching and loyalty, and above all, with tender sacrificial love for the sake of Our Lord and His Mother in their mission in the world.
In no way, as we seek the same support and verbal confirmation coming from our superiors, should it be accepted that mission life under Father Howell was unbearable as has been so uncharitably charged. Nor, should this false misperception of his person be allowed to manifest any further among the faithful, his peers or the public, let alone be allowed to be used as a means to discipline by sanction Father Howell’s priestly heart and its still valid duties to God and man.
On a personal note: According to Father Howell’s willingness to do so, and as promised in the beginning– I believe we have a good priest fully capable of celebrating the Holy Mass on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, which He created for us.
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THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS IN ACTION 
We Must Commit Ourselves To Being Little (Address of Pope Benedict XVI)
August 27, 2007 — james mary evansDear Brothers and Sisters!
Even today’s liturgy proposes to us an illuminating and troubling phrase of Christ. During his last trip up to Jerusalem someone asks him: “Lord will those who are saved be few?” And Jesus answers: “Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:23-24). What is meant by this “narrow gate”? Why is it that many people do not succeed in entering through it? Is it perhaps a passage that is reserved only for a few elect?
When we consider it, in effect, the way of reasoning of Jesus’ interlocutors is always with us: the temptation to think of religious practice as a source of privileges and certainties is always waiting in ambush for us. In truth, Christ’s message goes in exactly the opposite direction: Everyone can enter into life, but the gate is “narrow” for everyone. There is no privileged group. The way to eternal life is open to all, but it is “narrow” because it is demanding, it requires commitment, self-denial and mortification of one’s own egoism.
Once again, as we have seen in past Sundays, the Gospel invites us to consider the future that awaits us and for which we must prepare during our pilgrimage on earth. The salvation that Jesus worked through his death and resurrection is universal. He is the only Redeemer and he invites everyone to the banquet of eternal life. But with one and the same condition: that of making the effort to follow him and imitate him, taking up one’s cross, as he did, and dedicating one’s life to the service of our brothers. One and universal, therefore, is this condition for entering into the life of heaven.
On the last day — Jesus observes in the Gospel — we will not be judged on the basis of presumed privileges, but by our works. The “workers of iniquity” will find themselves excluded, while those who have done good and sought justice, at the cost of sacrifice, will be welcomed. For this reason it will not be enough to declare oneself a “friend” of Christ, bragging about false merits: “We ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets” (Luke 13:26).
True friendship with Christ is expressed by one’s way of life: it is expressed by goodness of heart, with humility, meekness and mercy, love of justice and truth, sincere and honest commitment to peace and reconciliation. This, we might say, is the “I.D. card” that qualifies us as authentic “friends”; this is the “passport” that permits us to enter into eternal life.
Dear brothers and sisters, if we too want to pass through the narrow gate we must commit ourselves to being little, that is, humble of heart, like Jesus. Like Mary, his and our Mother. She was the first, following the Son, to travel the way of the cross and she was assumed into the glory of heaven, as we recalled some days ago. The Christian people call on her as “launa Caeli,” Gate of Heaven. Let us ask her to guide us, in our daily choices, along the road that leads to the “Gate of Heaven.”
August 26, 2007