Articles about Religion
Holy Trinity Pastor Headed to California
We already told you that Holy Trinity is getting a new pastor. More news from the church that serves Highland Park Catholics:
Father John P. Cawley, C.M., known to his parishioners at Holy Trinity Catholic Church as Fr. Jack, will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Holy Trinity Community Life Center. Everyone is invited to attend. Fr. Jack completes a six year term as pastor which began in 2002. He has previously served at Holy Trinity as assistant pastor from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1991 to 1994. After his departure July 1, Fr. Jack will begin a six month sabbatical for travel and study in Chicago, IL and Santa Fe, NM. He looks forward to his new assignment as a member of the staff of a major Catholic seminary in California beginning in January, 2009.
Holy Trinity to Get New Pastor
I was saddened to read in yesterday’s Holy Trinity Catholic Church bulletin that the Rev. Jack Cawley will apparently be leaving the parish at the end of June. Bishop Kevin Farrell has appointed a new pastor to take over:
Upon presentation by the Provincial Superior of the
Vincentian Southern Province, Rev. Dan P. Borlik,
C.M., Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, D.D., has appointed Rev. Juan
Antonio Ruiz, C.M, as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Dallas,
Texas effective, July 1, 2008.Until recently, Fr. Tony has served as the pastor of St.
Vincent DePaul Church near downtown Los Angeles,
California. At the present time he is a member of the staff of
St. Mary’s Vincentian Retreat Center in Santa Barbara,
California. In mid May Fr. Tony will publish a letter of
introduction to our parishioners in the parish bulletin. Our
present pastor Fr. Jack Cawley, C.M. will complete his six
years of service on June 30, 2008.
Father Jack was the celebrant at my wedding last year, so he’ll always have a special significance for my life. He’s well known for some of his catchphrases, such as beginning every homily with “My brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ” and finishing each Mass by saying “And remember, you’re always welcome at Holy Trinity.”
Nothing to do With the Park Cities: Polygamy Edition
For anyone shocked and dismayed by the reports of what’s been going on in Eldorado, I must recommend you read Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I weep to think I may never write anything as good in my life. It is an eye-opening portrait of fundamentalist Mormonism.
I recently finished it myself, and am pleased that Texas authorities are finally stepping in to protect the hundreds of children who have suffered at the hands of this culture of abuse for too many years hidden away from the law.
Polygamy between adults who sincerely believe “the principle” is part of God’s plan for man is one thing; forcing a 13-year-old girl to marry a 60-year-old man and bear his children, that’s very much another.
New PCPC Pastor Affirmed
As we told you last February was likely to happen, Mark Davis (pictured at left with his lovely family) has been affirmed by the congregation of Park Cities Presbyterian Church and the North Texas Presbytery to become the church’s new senior pastor. He will be installed May 11. Congratulations to Mark on his promotion.
His Is Risen
I just realized that it’s almost Easter so I better start using the cups that I was given last year around this time. I mean how often can you use such a thing?
PC Presby Picks Preferred Pastor
Park Cities Presbyterian, a stone’s throw away from us down Oak Lawn Avenue, looks to be close to picking a new senior pastor:
The Pulpit Search Committee of Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCPC) has announced its recommendation of a new senior pastor to the congregation, and the Session has affirmed its choice of Mark A. Davis. A congregational meeting has been called for Sunday, March 30, 10:40 am, for the purpose of voting on this recommendation by the committee. The call to Mr. Davis will then be presented to the church’s governing body, the North Texas Presbytery, at its May 2-3 meeting for approval.
Giving Them That Old Time Religion
Interesting story, Dallas Morning News.
Wherever did you get the idea?
More Baptist Parkies and Secular Culture
It looks like the conversation is still heated on Merritt’s Baptist v. Secular post.
Baptists Get With it, Consider Electing Woman
The Dallas-based Baptist General Convention is thisclose to electing a woman, Joy Fenner of Garland, as president. Her opponent is a man from West Texas. The DMN says:
Dr. Lowrie, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Canyon, Texas, praises Ms. Fenner and insists he’s not running against her because she’s a woman.
Progressive. It goes on to say that
the BGCT would make another positive statement for diversity by giving such a qualified woman the presidency.
That’s the thing: She is qualified. (more…)
Que Sera, Sera
If you don’t care to be as laissez-faire as Doris Day when your children ask for advice, you may be interested in a free program called “When I Grow Up to Be a Daddy,” at University Park United Methodist Church on Nov. 7.
Bodie Spangler, author of “When I Grow Up to Be a Daddy,” helps fathers and mothers alike find ways to instill Christian values in a world full of temptations which are not so Christian.
When Bodie Spangler’s father unexpectedly passed away 17 years ago, he had no idea what kind of impact it would have on his future. Today, the 40-year-old Dallas businessman’s personal loss has translated into a ministry to fathers. Spangler’s relationship with his dad was rock solid He always assumed that most men enjoyed the same benefits throughout their childhoods, but over time he realized that was not the case. This inspired Spangler to pen his first book, “When I Grow Up to Be a Daddy.”
Come hear Bodie talk about his experience and receive a copy of his book.
Re: Shut Up at Church
I thought people wearing poly-blends were bounced at the door.
Gunfire at Temple Emanu-El
So why bring a gun to a synagogue?
Couple Makes Beautiful Music Together
Highland Park Presbyterian Church is hosting a concert Sunday featuring husband-and-wife duo Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault. All you organ fans, get excited. At 7 p.m., the event kicks off the Highlander Concert Series’ 32nd season.
For details, (more…)
50 Years of St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange
The Highland Park staple is celebrating its 50th year with an anniversary party Saturday. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. to open the remodeled space, and raffles will take place throughout the day. Happy anniversary!
Soul-ed Out Groundbreaking Tomorrow
So I borrowed the post headline from this press release I just got about an upcoming expansion of the Perkins School at SMU:
A $13 million expansion of facilities at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology will launch with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 7. The building program includes extensive renovation of two classroom and office buildings, Kirby and Selecman halls, built in 1948 and 1952, respectively, and construction of a new building. The new 20,000-square-foot facility will be named in honor of donor Elizabeth Perkins Prothro of Wichita Falls, Texas.
The groundbreaking ceremony includes a prayer service beginning at 11 a.m. in the Perkins Chapel. Then at 11:45 there will be some sort of turning of the dirt on the grounds of the new building, 5905 Bishop Blvd.
RE: Spanking for God
Nevermind, this is the most disturbing thing on that website. Two words — crotchless pantaloons.
I’m going to spank you because God wants me to
I read about “Christian Domestic Discipline” in an article on Salon.com, and an Overheardian passed along an e-mail asking if this happens in Park Cities. So here’s the thing: Apparently, if you love your wife, you’ll give her regular spankings to keep her in line. It may sound kinky, but it isn’t supposed to be. She’s probably a dirty sinner if she likes it. From the website:
A Christian Domestic Discipline marriage is one that is (more…)
Re: God Takes Visa
When I started last fall I really wanted to write an article about that. I was going to call it “e-Tithing.” It would have been swell, but I didn’t want to make everyone mad my first week on the job. Oh well. And this is funny, too. Sweet graphic.
E-MAIL YOUR PRAYERS TO THE HOLY LAND
If you’ve ever wanted to light a candle for someone without actually going to church, check this out: For $10, you can “order” a “Light & Pray Service” at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. You type in the name of the person for whom you are praying, choose a type of prayer (fertility, love, power, etc.), select the date and time of your prayer, and, of course, fill out a credit card form. A priest from the Church of the Annunciation will light a candle and say your prayer, but here’s the best part: (more…)
REAL SEX AT PARK CITIES PRESBY
Northwest Bible Church, Watermark Community Church, and Park Cities Presbyterian have teamed up to bring Lauren Winner, the author of Girl Meets God, Mudhouse Sabbath, and Real Sex, to PCPC for a talk on “”the truth about sexuality” at 7 p.m. May 10.
It’s free and open to the public. No dudes allowed? For info, www.pcpcwomen.org.
CROSSES
I know it’s almost Easter, which explains the little white crosses in so many PC/Uptown yards, but the weird thing is that lots them look the exact same. Is some church giving them to parishoners? Someone selling them?
RE: PC PRESBY
We got a tip from an Overheard reader about what’s happening over at PCPC, and I decided to actually call and ask.
Julia from PCPC says:
There’s a new organ being installed and services are held in the fellowship hall in the interim. They plan to be back in the sanctuary soon, but the organ won’t be operational for a few weeks. “It’s amazing, the numerous parts and how huge they are,” she said. Some of the organ is in place, but most of it is all over the sanctuary. Julia said she was amazed by the “precision and care that it takes to install an organ” and that the folks at PCPC “feel so blessed to have received it…We know for generations to come it will be beautiful.”
Sounds like an exciting new development for the congregation.
RE: PC PRESBY
A religion-minded Overheardian writes:
I’m not a presbyterian, but if they’re unloading big armoire-type things, I’d assume they’re setting up Stations of the Cross.
I love people with answers. Anybody know if he’s correct?
HP PRESBY
I drive past Highland Park Presbyterian Church every day on my way to People Newspapers, and I can’t figure out what’s going on over there. For the last several mornings there has been an enormous moving truck blocking the right lane of Oak Lawn — it looks like they are moving large wooden units like armoires (but I don’t know of many churches that keep huge armoires around). Anyone know if HPPC is getting a makeover, or what they are moving?