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How a Heavy Metal Band Made Me Feel

February 17, 2016 By Bill Skowronski

By: Fr. Andy McAlpin, O.P.

Life-lessons can come from the most odd and unexpected places. The lessons I learned recently from a Catholic web-site and a heavy metal band made me feel something that left me speechless and ultimately joy-filled.

ANDY SCOTTROCK_KP

I am constantly questioning and meditating on how I appear to the world and whether or not I am a worthy representation of that which I hold as the defining elements of my life: I am a Dominican friar, a Roman Catholic priest, a vocations promoter and a true believer in Jesus Christ, His Church and all that comes with the territory.

I recently had a mild disagreement on a popular, albeit divisive, Catholic web-site regarding an anecdotal and rather dismissive article about the success of a particular method of evangelization.  The article claimed that the said method was not Catholic enough in its presentation of the person of Jesus Christ. My comments were met with some harsh, thoughtless and negative language from other readers. I countered by addressing the fact that the original article was an opinion and not based on proven or documented studies. I should have known better.

Through comments I read directed at me, I felt bad for calling out one commenter to confront me on an elevated intellectual basis and not assume I am a weak man and a hater of authentic and sound Catholicism (those who know me will laugh at that idea). I own those feelings and blame no one. But for believers in Jesus Christ, the high road is the best and only option. So, I ducked out of the forum so that my mind would not be preoccupied with the opinions of people I have never met. But I realized, when making a point, it is never necessary to insult the person with whom you disagree.

Maya Angelou said it best when she wrote that famous quote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

IMG_2584_1KP

Jump forward a few days. One night, thanks to the generosity of my dear friends, Robert and Toni, and their connections in the music industry, I came face-to-face with Queensryche, a band I was introduced to in the mid-80s. Their 1988 concept album “Operation: Mindcrime” is easily one of my three all-time favorite albums.

Backstage, from the first handshake and warm greeting from drummer Scott Rockenfield, I felt something different about this band. For no reason at all, I was welcomed by every one of them, band and crew: Michael, Eddie, Parker, Todd, Kari, Fozzie, Bender, Alan… all of them! Simply the kindest and warmest bunch of heavy metal rockers and crew you can possibly imagine. They offered me coffee and we had a number of brief chats (Parker’s Ouija board story is one for my future book “I told you so!”). I was left feeling profoundly valued and authentically cared for as a human being, and it all happened at a heavy metal concert.

So what is the lesson I learned in the few hours spent hanging out and listening to this band? More than a lesson learned, I am left with a real question: How do I make people feel? All people, not just by brother Dominicans or the people I minister to, but all people I encounter every single day of my life? Whether on the Internet, social media, meetings, public transportation or on the street corner, how do I make people feel?

Certainly there are those who will say that it does not matter how you make people feel, it just matters if you give them the truth and preach the unfiltered Word of God to them in and out of season. I believe this is false.

How often are any of us willing to consider someone’s opinion or ideas if that person does not treat them well? Pretty much never. This is why Jesus was so quick to sit down at any time and just be with people where they were. We can never forget His response to those who criticized Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew chapter 9): “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Those sick people were made to feel as though their lives mattered to Jesus. Indeed their lives matter more than any of us on this side of eternity really knows.

I do not know the state of the soul of any of the people I met that night. Any faithful Catholic who has been to rock concert and has done some people watching will be saying a few prayers for many of the folks who attend. The folks I met know I am a Catholic priest. It didn’t seem to bother them and we had some chats about what I do. I was not there to proselytize (that evangelization technique Pope Francis rightly calls “pious nonsense”). I was there as a fan and I departed as a friend. If they have questions they want answered, they know they can ask me, because I hope and pray, as much as they made me feel welcomed as an honored guest, I truly hope I did the same for them as a representative of Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Come and See – February 2016

December 11, 2015 By Rev. Andy McAlpin, O.P.

Come and See poster CP22015

 

If you wish to join us this February, email Fr. Andy at vocations@opcentral.org or call the office at 312-243-0011. Hurry! Space is limited for this powerful and prayerful weekend with our brothers in St. Louis.

Filed Under: come and see, vocations

Come and See, Fall 2015

October 23, 2015 By trowley

The community of St. Dominic’s in St. Louis hosted the fall Come and See for discerners from our province and the Province of St. Martin de Porres. This is the first time the two provinces have hosted this gathering together. 27 men from across the U.S. joined us for an inside look into Dominican life.

Br. Vincent Davila, O.P. gave an introduction to the Order’s history to kick off the event. On Saturday, the men visited Aquinas Institute where Fr. Sean Martin gave a tour of the building and explained the academic expectations at Aquinas. Later that evening, Brs. James-Peter Trares, O.P., Raphael Christianson, O.P., Patrick Hyde, O.P., and Drew Anderson, O.P. led a panel discussion on the four pillars. Frs. Don Goergen, O.P., Paul Philibert, O.P., and Leo Almazan, O.P. hosted a series of talks throughout the weekend about the Dominican charism, consecrated life, and the meaning of a vocation. The discerners adhered to the Dominican schedule each day and also had the chance to meet with Frs. Andy McAlpin, O.P. and Charlie Johnson, O.P. about their vocations.

21628107734_729bca9e15_zOur weekend wrapped up with lunch on Sunday afternoon, after which the friars in the house gathered to discuss the candidates and the event in general. The results were resoundingly positive! Hosting a joint Come and See was enjoyed by all, and we were impressed by the candidates who attended. This event would not have been possible without the support of the entire St. Dominic’s Community, with special thanks to Br. Carl Joseph Paustian, O.P., the hospitality master, and Br. Samuel Hakeem, O.P., who tirelessly organized this Come and See.

Our next joint Come and See will take place Feb. 12-14, 2016 in St. Louis. If you are interested in attending, please contact me at vocations@opcentral.org.

 

 

 

God bless,
Fr. Andy McAlpin, O.P.

McAlpinHabitCOL

Filed Under: Uncategorized

7 Things You Should Know Before Attending a Catholic Come and See Vocations Event.

October 12, 2015 By Rev. Andy McAlpin, O.P.

Most vocations directors are accustomed to answering many questions about religious life and the path to getting there. It’s certainly normal for us then to respond to questions regarding our Come and See vocations events. Here are a few things one should know before attending a Come and See. I think they are fairly universal, but other orders and congregations might have one or two to add to the list. In any case, here we go:

  1. This is not a retreat. Let me repeat: this is NOT a retreat. A retreat is a whole other thing and is meant as a time set aside for spiritual growth. You may grow spiritually after having attended a Come and See, but that is not the focus of the event.
  2. Don’t worry about the basic necessities of life. You will be properly fed and housed during the weekend. Most religious groups are experts at hospitality; you need not fret about these things.
  3. What you see is what you get. When you attend a Come and See you should be prepared to see men and women who have given their lives to God in their natural state. They are not putting on a show for you. This is the way they live and they are letting you see them for a short period of time for your education and discernment.
  4. You are not signing your life away by attending a Come and See! You are simply looking at this particular way of consecrated life to see if it fits for you and if you find it worth pursuing.
  5. Come with an open mind and an open heart. Your ideas of Church and religious life may be challenged by they way this group prays, lives and ministers in the world. Chances are they have been doing it for a very long time. Give them the opportunity to tell their stories and be ready to hear inspiring and amazing things that this group has done to further the Kingdom of God.
  6. Be prepared to be surprised. Most people have solid ideas and have a vast experience of Church, but when you encounter men and women who have dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ and His mission, chances are something you experience at a Come and See will either surprise you or cause you to make a decision that will rock your world…just try to be ready!
  7. You are attending a Come and See for a reason. The fact that you are attending a Come and See experience is proof that the Holy Spirit is active in your life. While you may not enter this particular order/diocese/convent/congregation, you should know that God is not jerking you around in inspiring you to take a look at religious life and the priesthood. Go into the event with a light heart, but be serious about listening to the whisper of God while you are there.obi

Filed Under: come and see, discernment, vocations

What will we do with all the bad news?

May 27, 2015 By Rev. Andy McAlpin, O.P.

If you peruse through Internet news sites, Facebook, Youtube, etc., you will come across many stories about how the Church and Christianity in general is drying up and people are abandoning their faith, not going to Church, becoming agnostics or atheists, saying no to organized religion, scoffing at believers, and so on. Further, if you are interested in a little more torture, you can view the comments section of any of these sites. This is to venture into the gapping maw of hell. I often wonder if the things that are written in these comments sections were uttered in polite company. I hope they are not.

The news is this: Christianity is dead. Religion is over. Give it up. Embrace secular materialism and your life will be full. Come to the dark side! Only inbred dolts believe in some strange deity any longer. Be smart and abandon your faith.

So what are we to do as believers in Jesus Christ with all this bad news and the fact that there is at least the beginnings of a persecution alive in the world?

Here is a short and incomplete list of what we as disciples of Jesus Christ will continue to do:

Preach the saving and life-giving message of Jesus Christ; feed the poor and starving; love one another; run soup kitchens; house the homeless; open and run schools, colleges and universities; run and stock food shelves; care for abused women and children; open and run hospitals while never turning anyone away for inability to pay; care for the sick in the slums of India, Brazil and most other countries throughout the world; teach all who will listen to care for one another; provide micro loans to women entrepreneurs in Africa; send agricultural missionaries to poor countries to dig wells and teach new farming techniques; provide clothing and shelter in parish based programs; visit those in prison and bring them the sacraments and the forgiving message of God; visit the elderly and abandoned and bring them a hot meal and a loving conversation; tend to the alien and immigrants throughout the world who seek a better living situation and be advocates for them; be a loving presence to those who suffer depression and mental illness; open our arms to those who have no hope. Treat everyone as they should be treated: a person made in the image and likeness of God.

No amount of hatred, persecution or rejection by the current culture will thwart the true believer from the task at hand. We have been created in love and we will radiate that love until our dying breath.

Who will join us in this noble and life-giving mission in service to Our God?

Filed Under: vocations

Should I start a graduate degree program before applying to the Dominicans?

May 18, 2015 By Rev. Andy McAlpin, O.P.

I get this question all the time in one form or another. The short answer is simply no. Below is a longer edited answer I gave to a young man via email when he asked me the exact question: “I was also thinking about going to graduate school, obtaining a Ph.D., and then joining. What do you think of that?”

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In answer to your vocations questions, let me offer some suggestions and thoughts for you to bring to prayer as you continue your discernment. When the idea of priesthood and religious life enters the mind of a man, it is prudent to pay attention to those thoughts carefully and to realize that God may be calling you to give your life over to serve Him and His people in a radical and profoundly countercultural way. This is no small idea and should not be treated as such. Place yourself in the Sacred Scriptures. What would you do if you were there when Jesus asked Andrew and the others to “Follow me”? Would you hesitate? Would you tell him you would think about it for a year or two? What would you do?

This is my constant response to men when they tell me they want to go to grad school or get a Ph.D. before entering religious life. What that is is a less than serious response to a call from Jesus Christ! You may think that you are doing God and the Church a favor by getting a graduate degree in some field and then you can bless the world with your great intellectual gifts within the Order and the priesthood. In my opinion, this is actually a profound exercise in narcissism and self-fulfillment. It is looking at the Lord Jesus Christ and saying, “You can wait for a few years, I have something better to do.” 

What I am saying to you, friend, is if you are serious about your vocation you will contact me about a visit and begin real discernment without reference to delaying your call. If you believe the thoughts you have about religious life and the priesthood are real, then get serious about it!

Now, here is my disclaimer: I do not care if you join us or some other community or enter the diocesan priesthood or even enter the noble vocation of marriage. I just want you to be authentic and responsive to what God is asking of you. I can help you sift through the questions and all the confusing stuff. But if this call is real, you better focus on it now and not give God the backseat in your plans. 

Also remember that we (and many other orders) are an academic Order. Many of our men go on to further studies and Ph.Ds. If you have the ability and desire, you most likely will go on at some point. But what is more important is you discovering the way you will work out your salvation and how you will give God your complete and undivided attention as you seek Him alone!

When you think you have heard the call, you need to work that question out first. It is THAT important!

Filed Under: discernment, vocations

Vocations Thought of the Day: Marriage

May 7, 2015 By trowley

Why we can’t use the term “traditional marriage”

http://domcentral.org/amcalpinop/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/05/DSC_0413.mp4

Fr. Andy McAlpin
Promoter of Vocations and the Angelic Warfare Confraternity

Filed Under: Uncategorized

What happens when we fail to treat other people with compassion?

April 17, 2015 By domcentral

What happens when we fail to treat other people with compassion? When we judge without knowing someone’s full story? When we only see the external, and refuse to look within? But more importantly, what happens when we act evilly and “repent” disingenuously? We prepare ourselves for hell.

Fr. Andy McAlpin looks at the recent scandal surrounding ESPN personality Britt McHenry who was caught on camera berating a toll attendant; to watch the full video, click here (note: this video contains adult language). Ms. McHenry demonstrates to all of us what happens when we fail to follow Christ and abandon His teachings for self-glorification and self-worship.

http://domcentral.org/amcalpinop/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/DSC_0384.mp4

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Vocation thought of the day: Clericalism

March 11, 2015 By trowley

We have to reflect in humility, reduce our pride, and pray to our God who gives us strength to say the right thing at the right time and do what the Church asks us to do.”

http://domcentral.org/amcalpinop/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/03/Fr.-Andy-on-Priestly-Clericalism.mp4

Filed Under: Uncategorized

God is more merciful than we are sinful

March 11, 2015 By Bill Skowronski

The whole purpose of Lent is to think about our lives and re-center ourselves on Jesus Christ. We are now at the halfway point of Lent, so take a breather.

Watch the Know Before You Go VIDEO below previewing the readings for Sunday March 15, 2015:  2 CHR 36:14-16, 19-23; EPH 2:4-10; *JN 3:14-21

http://domcentral.org/amcalpinop/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/03/McAlpin-KBYG-3.15.15.mp4

God is more merciful than we are sinful. Everything we have is a gift.

john3_16_taser

When Jesus is lifted up onto the cross, the battle is won.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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  • 7 Things You Should Know Before Attending a Catholic Come and See Vocations Event.
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