Bishop's Confirmation Request: "Dance"

Sure, that header's enough to get some foaming at the mouth... but calm down... calm down -- it's not what you think.

Lest the politics overshadow Fran Malooly's lovefest of a launch as Wilmington's new bishop, the first-time pastor's first days on the job are worth noting:

Bishop Malooly recalled one of his first confirmations after his ordination as a bishop for the Baltimore archdiocese in 2001. On his way to that Mass, he said, he heard Lee Ann Womack’s song “I Hope You Dance.” He urged those whom he confirmed then, and at Holy Child on Sunday, to follow a section of that song:

“Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Dance.... I hope you dance.”

At two Sept. 11 visits — to the Cathedral of St. Peter and to St. Hedwig — Bishop Malooly recalled the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

The bishop spoke about his 9/11 experiences seven years ago in Baltimore during his homily at the cathedral’s noon Mass. He recalled how the basilica in Baltimore was packed that afternoon for Mass “mostly with non-Catholics.”...

Noting that last Thursday’s [i.e. 9/11's] Mass readings “tell us to respond to each other with love,” the bishop echoed the sentiment of Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, an NFL football player at the time, who said in 2001 that the terrorists win “if there is evil in your heart” toward people who are different than you.

Bishop Malooly noted how many people on the hijacked flights that day called loved ones to say they loved them. That last reaching out should teach us to express our love for those closest to us, a practice the bishop follows with his family.

“Love builds up,” Bishop Malooly said. “Maintain respect for all people and express love.”

He cited 9/11 again Sunday at a packed Holy Child Church. “People were tired of evil (that day) and wanted to see if they could find the face of Jesus,” he said, so they turned to church. “I want you to pray every day so you will never wonder where God is.”

Prayer may not result in one’s personal desires coming true, he said. He turned to Martina McBride’s song “Anyway” as an example:

“When I pray it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should /
But I do it anyway.”

Womack... Martina... what next?

Between this and the "Drop Kick Me, Jesus," one thing's clear: the guys have gone country.

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