Chaplains Summation KOC October 2010

October 2010 Chaplain's Summation by

Deacon Kevin Reid

Cardinal John Newman, a Man for all Seasons!

Today marked the end of the historic four day visit to the United Kingdom by Pope Benedict XVI. He was in England to preside at the Beatification Ceremonies of Cardinal John Newman he will be the first Saint in England in Centuries.

The Cardinal had many admirable qualities but perhaps he is best known for his conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism. Newman attributed his Conversion to the fact that in the end there were far more things that he and the Catholics believed in than the few things that had kept them apart.

Cardinal Newman's example of tolerance in the face of Prejudice in an example to all of us on the true essence and meaning of Catholicism.

His support for the least of his people is evident in all the aspects of his life that we now know.

As the Pope was preparing to leave the UK to return to Rome he was addressed by British Prime Minister David Cameron who said:

"Your Holiness Pope Benedict, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

This ceremony brings to a close an incredibly moving four days for our country.

Your Holiness, on this truly historic first State Visit to Britain you have spoken to a nation of 6 million Catholics but you have been heard by a nation of more than 60 million citizens and by many millions more all around the world.

For you have offered a message not just to the Catholic Church but to each and every one of us of every faith and none.

A challenge to us all to follow our conscience to ask not what are my entitlements, but what are my responsibilities? To ask not what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others?

Cardinal Newman, who was beatified here in Birmingham this morning, once said that one little deed whether by someone who helps "to relieve the sick and needy" or someone who "forgives an enemy" evinces more true faith than could be shown by "the most fluent religious conversation" or the most intimate knowledge of Scripture."

In his immense contribution to the philosophy of higher education Cardinal Newman reminded the world of the need for education for life not just for the workplace.

That broader education for life mattered because of the responsibilities of each person in society obligations and opportunities that came from what Cardinal Newman described as the "common bond of unity" that we all share".

It is amazing to me that in a Country with so few Catholics that Cardinal Newman can still speak and be listened to by the great majority of his countrymen no matter what their faith differences might be.

It is so appropriate that in today's Gospel Jesus gives us an example that we can all seek to imitate the example of the so called Dishonest Steward who had been accused of squandering the wealth that he had been entrusted with by his Master.

We are given this example so that we too can reevaluate our own circumstances, and prepare ourselves for the day of judgement when we will stand before our own Master.

Cardinal John Newman was given a chance to reevaluate his life in his Conversion, his examples of faith love and charity still remain with us his writings speak out over the ages to always seek that which is the better half.

So my Brother Knights perhaps for us then as Catholic Men, Newman's example can be an example to us in love and tolerance of looking at an issue with a pure and an undivided heart.

Brother Knights each of has been blessed in many ways by Our Lord Jesus, it is up to each of us to use and share the talents that we have been blessed with just like Cardinal Newman did for all of the people of the U.K. and also for all of us in his Ministry of Loving and Faith filled service to all of God's Children.