Expert: Tom Schott - 4/25/2007

Question
Hi there,
We recently celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend. My parents are good, practicing, God fearing Catholics in every respect. They go to church every day, say their prayers, etc. My Mother is part Native American and has always been proud of her heritage. Before the meal was served, we all said Grace and also had a Native American blessing which came in speech and song. One of my siblings who is quite the extremist when it comes to his faith had said it was Blasphemous and everyone that was invloved with it was doing "witchery" we were also called sinners to have the Native American blessing.  We all believe in Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, but do not believe what we did was wrong.  We are proud of our heritage and we also wanted to share it with our guests.  What's your opinion on this?

Answer
Denise,

I agree with you completely. We believe in one God, the God of all, the God to whom every faith prays. Do we not profess the Lord as Lord of all? We should bless him and praise him in every way possible, and we should thank him for the faith that others have--non-Christians included.I think it was a marvelous and sensitive gesture for you to honor your mom in this way at her celebration. Tell your sibling who disapproved to get a life. :-)

Deacon Tom