From Era of 'video-Pope' approaches:
"An enfeebled Pope John Paul II may be back at the Vatican, but his future public appearances may largely be limited to video-links, and doctors predict the days of thousands of pilgrims being able to see the pope 'live' may be coming to an end.
The 84-year-old pope, who left Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday 18 days after undergoing throat surgery, must now do and speak as little as possible to prevent another relapse, doctors said.
Some said the pontiff should even have stayed in hospital. "
Monday, March 14, 2005
TIME Magazine: Hail, Mary--Yes the Blessed Virgin Mary
And Protestant devotion to her...some influenced by the influx of Hispanics...ironic? Perhaps unity will come about once the Hispanics take over the main line Protestant churches.
Evidence that God works in mysterious ways...
From TIME Magazine: Hail, Mary:
"Had the Rev. Brian Maguire hit on the idea 30 years ago, he might have found himself facing some very annoyed congregants. Four hundred and fifty years ago, someone professing similar notions might even have been hanged.
The 35-year-old pastor's brainstorm concerned a scheduling conflict on the day of the Annunciation. The holiday, which celebrates Mary's learning from the angel Gabriel that she will give birth to the Messiah, always falls on March 25, precisely nine months before Christmas. But this year the 25th is also Good Friday, when Christians somberly recall that same Messiah's Crucifixion.
Roman Catholicism, which traditionally observes both dates, has rules for this eventuality: Catholics worldwide will mark the Annunciation on April 4 this year. But Maguire is not Catholic; he is the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Xenia, Ohio. "
Evidence that God works in mysterious ways...
From TIME Magazine: Hail, Mary:
"Had the Rev. Brian Maguire hit on the idea 30 years ago, he might have found himself facing some very annoyed congregants. Four hundred and fifty years ago, someone professing similar notions might even have been hanged.
The 35-year-old pastor's brainstorm concerned a scheduling conflict on the day of the Annunciation. The holiday, which celebrates Mary's learning from the angel Gabriel that she will give birth to the Messiah, always falls on March 25, precisely nine months before Christmas. But this year the 25th is also Good Friday, when Christians somberly recall that same Messiah's Crucifixion.
Roman Catholicism, which traditionally observes both dates, has rules for this eventuality: Catholics worldwide will mark the Annunciation on April 4 this year. But Maguire is not Catholic; he is the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Xenia, Ohio. "
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Blogging for God
From The Miami Herald.com:
In the virtual pews of the Christian blogging world, you'll come across everything from lapsed and relapsed Catholics to cheeky seminary students. Navigating the spiritual Web can be overwhelming -- at www.blogs4god.com/linker/index.php, you can connect to 1,230 Christian blogs. So, for those who missed the 2005 Catholic Blog Awards, here are several popular Christian blogs.
• amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook. Catholic scholar, columnist and speaker Amy Welborn was named ''Best Overall'' and ''Most Informative'' by judges of this year's Catholic blog awards.
In the virtual pews of the Christian blogging world, you'll come across everything from lapsed and relapsed Catholics to cheeky seminary students. Navigating the spiritual Web can be overwhelming -- at www.blogs4god.com/linker/index.php, you can connect to 1,230 Christian blogs. So, for those who missed the 2005 Catholic Blog Awards, here are several popular Christian blogs.
• amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook. Catholic scholar, columnist and speaker Amy Welborn was named ''Best Overall'' and ''Most Informative'' by judges of this year's Catholic blog awards.
Mel Gibson's Message to Schiavo Parents: "Hammer God with Prayers"
He gets it, "God has put himself into our hands"...think about that when you receive the Eucharist today.
Also encouragement from Fr. Tom, a former classmate of mine.
From TCPalm : Mel Gibson asks for prayer for Terri Schiavo:
"The family was buoyed by a call from Gibson, who subsequently issued a two-sentence statement voicing his support for the Schindlers' efforts to keep their daughter alive.
'He told me we should never, ever, ever give up,' said Bob Schindler, who talked to 'The Passion of the Christ' director Friday. 'He said to hammer God with prayers and hammer him hard...
...Saturday's gathering was hopeful.
"We will be written into the history books, because we will be successful in the end," Thomas Euteneuer, a Catholic priest who heads the anti-abortion group Human Life International, told the crowd.
Also encouragement from Fr. Tom, a former classmate of mine.
From TCPalm : Mel Gibson asks for prayer for Terri Schiavo:
"The family was buoyed by a call from Gibson, who subsequently issued a two-sentence statement voicing his support for the Schindlers' efforts to keep their daughter alive.
'He told me we should never, ever, ever give up,' said Bob Schindler, who talked to 'The Passion of the Christ' director Friday. 'He said to hammer God with prayers and hammer him hard...
...Saturday's gathering was hopeful.
"We will be written into the history books, because we will be successful in the end," Thomas Euteneuer, a Catholic priest who heads the anti-abortion group Human Life International, told the crowd.
Miraculous Image?
The cover of my new book includes the art of Carol Elder Napoli. It is a piece that I purchased at Mayfaire in Lakeland quite a few years ago. At the time when I only had a small stations of the cross book that I had co-authored with Amy, I told Carol that I intended to use the image on the cover of a future book. Years passed and the cover design on my new book was desided upon...one that would focus on the a "host" being offered to a communicant. But that never happened even though the design was fairly simple. One day the designer and I were talking about the cover and Carol's painting popped into my head. I found it at home, brought it in and Tyler the designer scanned it and then tried the image on his cover design. The results were amazing!
The original piece which now hangs in my office is small, probably 3" by 4"--the reproduction on the cover is much larger, but what has struck everyone from the designer to the production people to the artist herself is how vibrant the colors reproduced on the cover. Those of us who work on such things know that art on screen seldom translates to print...but in this case it did.
I can't help but think that Carol's painting in itself will help a lot of people to get more out of the Eucharist just by meditating on her painting and why she did the piece in the first place(which she tells us at the end of the book).
The original piece which now hangs in my office is small, probably 3" by 4"--the reproduction on the cover is much larger, but what has struck everyone from the designer to the production people to the artist herself is how vibrant the colors reproduced on the cover. Those of us who work on such things know that art on screen seldom translates to print...but in this case it did.
I can't help but think that Carol's painting in itself will help a lot of people to get more out of the Eucharist just by meditating on her painting and why she did the piece in the first place(which she tells us at the end of the book).
Pope John Paul will Leave Hospital Tonight
Gives Angelus message today...
FromTop News Article | Reuters.com:
'Dear brothers and sisters, welcome, thank you for your visit,' he said in clear Italian.
In Polish he then greeted pilgrims from his birthplace in the southern town of Wadowice, bringing tears to their eyes.
He concluded his brief appearance by saying in Italian: 'Greetings in Christ. A good Sunday and good rest of the week to everyone.'
The Pope has been in hospital since Feb. 24 when he underwent a tracheotomy, an operation to open an airway and relieve severe breathing problems.
Minutes after he appeared at the hospital window, the Vatican issued a surprise announcement saying the Pope would leave hospital Sunday evening and continue his convalescence at the Vatican."
FromTop News Article | Reuters.com:
'Dear brothers and sisters, welcome, thank you for your visit,' he said in clear Italian.
In Polish he then greeted pilgrims from his birthplace in the southern town of Wadowice, bringing tears to their eyes.
He concluded his brief appearance by saying in Italian: 'Greetings in Christ. A good Sunday and good rest of the week to everyone.'
The Pope has been in hospital since Feb. 24 when he underwent a tracheotomy, an operation to open an airway and relieve severe breathing problems.
Minutes after he appeared at the hospital window, the Vatican issued a surprise announcement saying the Pope would leave hospital Sunday evening and continue his convalescence at the Vatican."
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Pope Inspires Fellow Sufferers
From Centre Daily Times | 03/12/2005 | A divine inspiration:
"As the pontiff endures his latest hospitalization, Romanowski is offering her own marathon of rosary prayers from her Philadelphia rowhouse.
Romanowski, 90, who has severe arthritis, sat in her living room last week and, in her native Polish, described her deepest wishes. They were translated by her daughter and prayer partner, Theresa.
'Whenever she feels worse, because she has good days and bad days, she always thinks about him because he's carrying his cross, and she wants to carry the cross of Christ with him,' Theresa Romanowski said. 'She wishes she could take his pain more for herself.'
The Catholic faithful always have felt a close spiritual bond to their pope. But the Roman- owskis and others say this pope, with his mounting infirmities, is uplifting them in new ways."
"As the pontiff endures his latest hospitalization, Romanowski is offering her own marathon of rosary prayers from her Philadelphia rowhouse.
Romanowski, 90, who has severe arthritis, sat in her living room last week and, in her native Polish, described her deepest wishes. They were translated by her daughter and prayer partner, Theresa.
'Whenever she feels worse, because she has good days and bad days, she always thinks about him because he's carrying his cross, and she wants to carry the cross of Christ with him,' Theresa Romanowski said. 'She wishes she could take his pain more for herself.'
The Catholic faithful always have felt a close spiritual bond to their pope. But the Roman- owskis and others say this pope, with his mounting infirmities, is uplifting them in new ways."
Some Good Quotes
Paraphrased Newman:
"People prefer their preferences to the truth."
St. Augustine:
"Love of self till God is forgotten or love of God till self is forgotten."
Archbishop Bruno Forte:
"Life is either a pilgrimage or a foretaste of death."
"People prefer their preferences to the truth."
St. Augustine:
"Love of self till God is forgotten or love of God till self is forgotten."
Archbishop Bruno Forte:
"Life is either a pilgrimage or a foretaste of death."
Not Even for One Million Dollars
He turns it down. Now given that his contention is that she mentioned once while they were watching television together that she would never want to be in that state...something that just about anyone would say when they are healthy and young--it makes you wonder what his motivation is.
From Businessman Offers $1 Million to Keep Terri Schiavo Alive:
"We are here today to announce that our client, Robert Herring, Sr., is making an offer to Terri Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, which could save Terri's life.
Terri Schiavo is currently in a coma in Florida. Michael Schiavo has asked the court for permission to disconnect her feeding tube, which would result in her death. Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schiavo, have opposed the request. After a long court battle the court has set March 18, 2005 for the removal of Terri's feeding tube."
From Businessman Offers $1 Million to Keep Terri Schiavo Alive:
"We are here today to announce that our client, Robert Herring, Sr., is making an offer to Terri Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, which could save Terri's life.
Terri Schiavo is currently in a coma in Florida. Michael Schiavo has asked the court for permission to disconnect her feeding tube, which would result in her death. Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schiavo, have opposed the request. After a long court battle the court has set March 18, 2005 for the removal of Terri's feeding tube."
The Pink Elephant in the Church
From Fr. Charles Dahlby:
Many young men who have stood up against the homosexual agenda in the seminaries have been labeled “homophobes” and “rigid” and treated as though they are the sick ones. If they somehow manage to get ordained and then discover the truth, they experience terrible frustration. They realize that they have no place to go to get the problem “fixed”! It does no good to go to the bishop when the bishop is the problem! The chancery staff, the Monsignori, were appointed by him. For example, right now there is a young man in the seminary in St. Louis who will be ordained a priest soon. His picture and his story were front page news in the “Illinois Times.” He was the president of a gay and lesbian organization in Springfield, Illinois. Current Church teaching is that he should not have been admitted to the seminary and should not be ordained. His religious superior and the appropriate bishops are well aware of his orientation yet, in complete contradiction to Church directives from Rome, he continues and those who objected were labeled by his superior as “whiners”! The Rev. Charles Bouchard, president of the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis said: “I think straight priests and seminarians shouldn’t be whining. I just don’t think it’s a big deal.”
The few priests foolish enough to speak openly about the scandal of homosexuality in the priesthood have soon learned that they will receive no help or support from anyone. The people don’t want to believe it. The newspapers won’t print it. The district attorney won’t prosecute, after all, his is an elected position, and the only thing more pointless than writing to the bishop is writing to “Rome”! Only in the area of pedophilia have we been able to enlist the aid of lawyers and multi-million dollar lawsuits to help keep some children a little safer.
Many young men who have stood up against the homosexual agenda in the seminaries have been labeled “homophobes” and “rigid” and treated as though they are the sick ones. If they somehow manage to get ordained and then discover the truth, they experience terrible frustration. They realize that they have no place to go to get the problem “fixed”! It does no good to go to the bishop when the bishop is the problem! The chancery staff, the Monsignori, were appointed by him. For example, right now there is a young man in the seminary in St. Louis who will be ordained a priest soon. His picture and his story were front page news in the “Illinois Times.” He was the president of a gay and lesbian organization in Springfield, Illinois. Current Church teaching is that he should not have been admitted to the seminary and should not be ordained. His religious superior and the appropriate bishops are well aware of his orientation yet, in complete contradiction to Church directives from Rome, he continues and those who objected were labeled by his superior as “whiners”! The Rev. Charles Bouchard, president of the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis said: “I think straight priests and seminarians shouldn’t be whining. I just don’t think it’s a big deal.”
The few priests foolish enough to speak openly about the scandal of homosexuality in the priesthood have soon learned that they will receive no help or support from anyone. The people don’t want to believe it. The newspapers won’t print it. The district attorney won’t prosecute, after all, his is an elected position, and the only thing more pointless than writing to the bishop is writing to “Rome”! Only in the area of pedophilia have we been able to enlist the aid of lawyers and multi-million dollar lawsuits to help keep some children a little safer.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Video Released of Pope Speaking
From My Way News:
"The Vatican released a video Friday with Pope John Paul II speaking, the first time he has been heard publicly since his Feb. 24 throat operation to help him breathe.
The video was made of a meeting Friday with Tanzanian bishops in the pope's hospital room. He says a few words in a husky voice, including 'va bene,' Italian meaning 'OK.'
John Paul is shown seated during a Mass with the prelates. His voice reciting a prayer is barely audible.
He is then shown with the two speaking to him in English, telling John Paul that Tanzanians are praying for him and love him. He responded with the two Italian words."
Second Face Discovered on Shroud of Turin
Interesting in how the face of Jesus changes with some of this new research...
From Shroud of Turin Story - A Guide to the Facts 2005:
"Skeptics and people who believe the Shroud of Turin is the genuine burial shroud of Jesus have always shared one common perception: they thought they knew what the man on the shroud looked like. Now, new computerized image analysis suggests they may be wrong.
Results of this analysis suggest that many characteristics of the images on the shroud are optical illusions caused by random plaid patterns in the cloth. For instance, because of these patterns, the face of the man on the shroud appears gaunt and the nose abnormally long and narrow. By using image enhancement technology to reduce the effect of the variegated patterns, the shape of the face changes significantly. The face takes on a broader look and the nose becomes realistic looking.
Shroud researchers have discovered that these patterns are caused by alternating bands of darker and lighter threads in the cloth. Ancient linen was often manufactured by bleaching the thread in batches before weaving, thus producing nonuniform whiteness in the cloth. "
From Shroud of Turin Story - A Guide to the Facts 2005:
"Skeptics and people who believe the Shroud of Turin is the genuine burial shroud of Jesus have always shared one common perception: they thought they knew what the man on the shroud looked like. Now, new computerized image analysis suggests they may be wrong.
Results of this analysis suggest that many characteristics of the images on the shroud are optical illusions caused by random plaid patterns in the cloth. For instance, because of these patterns, the face of the man on the shroud appears gaunt and the nose abnormally long and narrow. By using image enhancement technology to reduce the effect of the variegated patterns, the shape of the face changes significantly. The face takes on a broader look and the nose becomes realistic looking.
Shroud researchers have discovered that these patterns are caused by alternating bands of darker and lighter threads in the cloth. Ancient linen was often manufactured by bleaching the thread in batches before weaving, thus producing nonuniform whiteness in the cloth. "
Schindler Family Calls for Judge's 'Immediate Impeachment'
His actions have been reprehensible...
From Schindler Family Calls for Judge's 'Immediate Impeachment' -- 03/10/2005:
" spokesman for the family of Terri Schindler Schiavo said Thursday the Florida judge presiding over her case 'ignores the state's laws and orders the premeditated killing of a disabled Florida woman by her husband.'
Pamela Hennessy, media director for the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, in a press release Thursday called on disability and eldercare advocates to press for Circuit Judge George Greer's 'immediate impeachment.'
'If there is a single person following this who doesn't believe Judge Greer has legislated from the bench, trampled Florida's laws and deprived Terri Schiavo of her retained rights, they are simply not paying attention,' Hennessy said in a statement."
From Schindler Family Calls for Judge's 'Immediate Impeachment' -- 03/10/2005:
" spokesman for the family of Terri Schindler Schiavo said Thursday the Florida judge presiding over her case 'ignores the state's laws and orders the premeditated killing of a disabled Florida woman by her husband.'
Pamela Hennessy, media director for the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, in a press release Thursday called on disability and eldercare advocates to press for Circuit Judge George Greer's 'immediate impeachment.'
'If there is a single person following this who doesn't believe Judge Greer has legislated from the bench, trampled Florida's laws and deprived Terri Schiavo of her retained rights, they are simply not paying attention,' Hennessy said in a statement."
Pope Doing Better
From Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:
"John Paul II appears physically weak but manages to speak with a normal voice, says the Polish publisher of his latest book.
Henryk Wozniakoswski, president of Znak, a Krakow publishing house that is issuing 'Memory and Identity,' was in Rome to request the Pope to sign one of the 500,000 copies of his book that will soon go on sale.
Wozniakoswski told Polish radio station RMF-FM that he attended the Mass the Holy Father concelebrated on Wednesday morning, on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic, where he has been hospitalized since his tracheotomy Feb. 24.
Concelebrating with the Pope, who remained seated, was his secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz. Also in the little chapel were nuns who are looking after the Holy Father, hospital staff, and security agents, said the Polish publisher. "
"John Paul II appears physically weak but manages to speak with a normal voice, says the Polish publisher of his latest book.
Henryk Wozniakoswski, president of Znak, a Krakow publishing house that is issuing 'Memory and Identity,' was in Rome to request the Pope to sign one of the 500,000 copies of his book that will soon go on sale.
Wozniakoswski told Polish radio station RMF-FM that he attended the Mass the Holy Father concelebrated on Wednesday morning, on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic, where he has been hospitalized since his tracheotomy Feb. 24.
Concelebrating with the Pope, who remained seated, was his secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz. Also in the little chapel were nuns who are looking after the Holy Father, hospital staff, and security agents, said the Polish publisher. "
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Bishop Lynch Again, This Time its the Liturgy
From News & Views - March 2005 Adoremus Bulletin:
"'I wonder when and where the current movement backward in liturgy will end and lead', said Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg in his speech to the national meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) held in Orlando, Florida, in October.
Bishop Lynch, who worked at the US bishops' conference from the early 1970s, and was associate and general secretary of conference from 1984 until 1995 when he became bishop of St. Petersburg, recalled the 'courage and resolve' of liturgical reformers working in the conference, who 'courageously fought for proper liturgical implementation of the controlling documents, often refusing to take no as the first response from the Roman congregations and ultimately winning the day with a variety of prefects and congregational staff'.
Continuing his reminiscence, Bishop Lynch said that the conference's liturgical staff 'were supported by an episcopacy with both backbone and resolve. Your speaker yesterday, Abbot Cuthbert [Johnson], was a staff member of the Congregation [for Divine Worship] at the time with whom we occasionally did 'holy' battle. They were good days'.
Speaking of the bishop's authority to govern the liturgy in his diocese, Bishop Lynch said, 'I would understand that it is my duty to find the middle between the law and proper liberation from the law which might allow for cultural or local adaptations which are not in strident disagreement with the law'. The bishop deplores 'pontificalism', the 'sin of symbolic and ceremonial excess', but says he does not hear of much pontificalism in his diocese. And he adds his voice to those who object to 'Vatican interference':
"'I wonder when and where the current movement backward in liturgy will end and lead', said Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg in his speech to the national meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) held in Orlando, Florida, in October.
Bishop Lynch, who worked at the US bishops' conference from the early 1970s, and was associate and general secretary of conference from 1984 until 1995 when he became bishop of St. Petersburg, recalled the 'courage and resolve' of liturgical reformers working in the conference, who 'courageously fought for proper liturgical implementation of the controlling documents, often refusing to take no as the first response from the Roman congregations and ultimately winning the day with a variety of prefects and congregational staff'.
Continuing his reminiscence, Bishop Lynch said that the conference's liturgical staff 'were supported by an episcopacy with both backbone and resolve. Your speaker yesterday, Abbot Cuthbert [Johnson], was a staff member of the Congregation [for Divine Worship] at the time with whom we occasionally did 'holy' battle. They were good days'.
Speaking of the bishop's authority to govern the liturgy in his diocese, Bishop Lynch said, 'I would understand that it is my duty to find the middle between the law and proper liberation from the law which might allow for cultural or local adaptations which are not in strident disagreement with the law'. The bishop deplores 'pontificalism', the 'sin of symbolic and ceremonial excess', but says he does not hear of much pontificalism in his diocese. And he adds his voice to those who object to 'Vatican interference':
Pope Makes Surprise Window Appearance
From MSNBC - Pope makes surprise window appearance:
"Following the latest medical bulletin Monday, the Vatican said the pope will probably be discharged from the hospital by March 20, Palm Sunday, but that it was still unknown whether the pontiff can regain enough of his voice to address his faithful or take part in Holy Week ceremonies.
The latest schedule has Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the pope's vicar for Rome, presiding at Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Congregation of Bishops, at Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica; and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican?s doctrinal chief, at the Easter Vigil.
No one is listed for the Way of the Cross Procession, planned for Good Friday evening at the Colosseum, leaving the possibility that the pope may want to be present."
"Following the latest medical bulletin Monday, the Vatican said the pope will probably be discharged from the hospital by March 20, Palm Sunday, but that it was still unknown whether the pontiff can regain enough of his voice to address his faithful or take part in Holy Week ceremonies.
The latest schedule has Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the pope's vicar for Rome, presiding at Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Congregation of Bishops, at Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica; and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican?s doctrinal chief, at the Easter Vigil.
No one is listed for the Way of the Cross Procession, planned for Good Friday evening at the Colosseum, leaving the possibility that the pope may want to be present."
DaVinci Code Shows No Signs of Cracking
From Entertainment - canada.com network:
"Brown's book has been answered by a wave of anti-Da Vinci books, including The Da Vinci Hoax, De-Coding Da Vinci and Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code. Art experts and conservative clerics have been holding an unusual 'trial' in Leonardo da Vinci's hometown, in Vinci, just outside of Florence, Italy. Alessandro Vezzosi, director of a Leonardo museum, has claimed he will produce photographs and documents as evidence of the mistakes and historical inaccuracies contained in Brown's bestseller. "
"Brown's book has been answered by a wave of anti-Da Vinci books, including The Da Vinci Hoax, De-Coding Da Vinci and Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code. Art experts and conservative clerics have been holding an unusual 'trial' in Leonardo da Vinci's hometown, in Vinci, just outside of Florence, Italy. Alessandro Vezzosi, director of a Leonardo museum, has claimed he will produce photographs and documents as evidence of the mistakes and historical inaccuracies contained in Brown's bestseller. "
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Excommunicated Call to Action Leader Takes Communion
From Excommunicated Call to Action Leader Commits Sacrilege in Lincoln Parish:
"A member of the formally excommunicated organization, Call to Action (CTA), John Krejci took matters into his own hands at Mass at Sacred Heart parish on February 7. After being instructed not to present himself for communion, Krejci marched up to the altar where the Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz was concluding the Mass, and took one of the consecrated Hosts himself.
Krejci complained to the press that the bishop had gestured to him with 'an unfriendly wave of his hand, to indicate that Krejci could not receive what Catholics call the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Body of Christ.
Krejci complained to the Sioux City Journal that he was "unsure" why he "suddenly" had been denied communion. "I don't know if he acted spontaneously or what," Krejci said in an apparent attempt to depict himself as a bewildered and innocent victim of episcopal capriciousness.
Krejci, however, is well-known to Bishop Bruskewitz as a long-time campaigner against the Catholic Church. He is a former priest and as a founding member of the Lincoln branch of the extreme dissident organization Call to Action has campaigned for decades to undermine and abolish key doctrines of the Catholic religion, including many of the moral teachings. Membership of CTA draws heavily from former clergy, feminist nuns, and homosexuals. Krejci also attended Gregorian University in Rome in the 1960's with the young Bruskewitz who has been his bishop for many years. All members of Call to Action have been formally excommunicated since 1996."
"A member of the formally excommunicated organization, Call to Action (CTA), John Krejci took matters into his own hands at Mass at Sacred Heart parish on February 7. After being instructed not to present himself for communion, Krejci marched up to the altar where the Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz was concluding the Mass, and took one of the consecrated Hosts himself.
Krejci complained to the press that the bishop had gestured to him with 'an unfriendly wave of his hand, to indicate that Krejci could not receive what Catholics call the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Body of Christ.
Krejci complained to the Sioux City Journal that he was "unsure" why he "suddenly" had been denied communion. "I don't know if he acted spontaneously or what," Krejci said in an apparent attempt to depict himself as a bewildered and innocent victim of episcopal capriciousness.
Krejci, however, is well-known to Bishop Bruskewitz as a long-time campaigner against the Catholic Church. He is a former priest and as a founding member of the Lincoln branch of the extreme dissident organization Call to Action has campaigned for decades to undermine and abolish key doctrines of the Catholic religion, including many of the moral teachings. Membership of CTA draws heavily from former clergy, feminist nuns, and homosexuals. Krejci also attended Gregorian University in Rome in the 1960's with the young Bruskewitz who has been his bishop for many years. All members of Call to Action have been formally excommunicated since 1996."
British Study Reveals
Times Online - Britain:
"Researchers found "a widespread sense of anger and frustration" at what was happening to churches in the UK and Ireland. The 42-page report is an indictment of modern preaching and worship, illustrating how excessive liberalism and lack of conviction are driving worshippers from the pews.
The report portrays a desire for sermons based on the Bible and traditional teaching, rather than on politics, social affairs or audience-pleasing stunts.
The report calls for better apologetics, or Christian teaching, and claims that many clergy are unable to mount a convincing argument in defence of Christianity and are not interested in trying. When asked to explain why Christianity might be true, the common response is: "It is just a matter of faith."
The report says: "This has resulted in a growing number of people being left with the false impression that there are no strong reasons for Christian belief. Ultimately they abandon churchgoing and are mystified that Christianity continues to grow elsewhere in the world. "
"Researchers found "a widespread sense of anger and frustration" at what was happening to churches in the UK and Ireland. The 42-page report is an indictment of modern preaching and worship, illustrating how excessive liberalism and lack of conviction are driving worshippers from the pews.
The report portrays a desire for sermons based on the Bible and traditional teaching, rather than on politics, social affairs or audience-pleasing stunts.
The report calls for better apologetics, or Christian teaching, and claims that many clergy are unable to mount a convincing argument in defence of Christianity and are not interested in trying. When asked to explain why Christianity might be true, the common response is: "It is just a matter of faith."
The report says: "This has resulted in a growing number of people being left with the false impression that there are no strong reasons for Christian belief. Ultimately they abandon churchgoing and are mystified that Christianity continues to grow elsewhere in the world. "
Monday, March 7, 2005
Pope Receiving Email from Around the World
From the Vatican Information Service:
E-mail has been pouring in from around the world for Pope John Paul since the Vatican's web site posted an address in each of its six language versions (john_paul_ii@vatican.va). Letters in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German have been arriving daily for the Holy Father, wishing him well, a speedy recovery and a prompt return to his ministry as Pope and Bishop of Rome.
From March 1 to noon of March 3, according to statistics and sample letters released today, over 20,000 e-mail messages have arrived for the Pope: about 10,000 in English, 6,077 in Spanish, 2,012 in Portuguese, 1,134 in Italian, 850 in German and 800 in French. Many messages in the Pope's native Polish also arrive daily. While these numbers are only for a two-day period, they represent just a portion of mail arriving for the Holy Father: the additional e-mails since March 3 as well as letters and faxes that arrive at the Secretariat of State and other offices of the Roman Curia.
This is not the first time the Vatican has posted the e-mail address for the Holy Father: it was on the web page on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as Pontiff in October 2003.
E-mail has been pouring in from around the world for Pope John Paul since the Vatican's web site posted an address in each of its six language versions (john_paul_ii@vatican.va). Letters in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German have been arriving daily for the Holy Father, wishing him well, a speedy recovery and a prompt return to his ministry as Pope and Bishop of Rome.
From March 1 to noon of March 3, according to statistics and sample letters released today, over 20,000 e-mail messages have arrived for the Pope: about 10,000 in English, 6,077 in Spanish, 2,012 in Portuguese, 1,134 in Italian, 850 in German and 800 in French. Many messages in the Pope's native Polish also arrive daily. While these numbers are only for a two-day period, they represent just a portion of mail arriving for the Holy Father: the additional e-mails since March 3 as well as letters and faxes that arrive at the Secretariat of State and other offices of the Roman Curia.
This is not the first time the Vatican has posted the e-mail address for the Holy Father: it was on the web page on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as Pontiff in October 2003.
Pope's who have Resigned
An illuminating view of Church history...
From thefirstparish:
"Popes Who Resigned (reprinted from America Magazine, February 28, 2005)
Historical evidence for papal resignations is limited, especially if one eliminates resignations that may have been forced.
1. Clement I (92?-101). Epiphanius asserted that Clement gave up the pontificate to Linus for the sake of peace and became pope again after the death of Cletus.
2. Pontian (230-235). Allegedly resigned after being exiled to the mines of Sardinia during persecution of Maximinus Thrax.
3. Marcellinus (296-304). Abdicated or was deposed after complying with Diocletian?s order to offer sacrifice to pagan gods.
4. Martin I (649-655). Exiled by Emperor Constans II to the Crimea. Before he died, the clergy of Rome elected a successor, whom he appears to have approved.
5. Benedict V (964). After one month in office, he accepted deposition by Emperor Otto I.
6. Benedict IX (1032-45). Benedict resigned after selling the papacy to his godfather Gregory VI.
7. Gregory VI (1045-46). Deposed for simony by Henry III.
8. Celestine V (1294). A hermit, elected at age of 80 and overwhelmed by the office, resigned. He was imprisoned by his successor.
9. Gregory XII (1406-15). Resigned at request of Council of Constance to help end the Great Western Schism.
Source: Patrick Granfield, ?Papal Resignation? (The Jurist, winter and spring 1978) and J. N. D. Kelly, The Oxford Dictionary of Popes (1986). "
From thefirstparish:
"Popes Who Resigned (reprinted from America Magazine, February 28, 2005)
Historical evidence for papal resignations is limited, especially if one eliminates resignations that may have been forced.
1. Clement I (92?-101). Epiphanius asserted that Clement gave up the pontificate to Linus for the sake of peace and became pope again after the death of Cletus.
2. Pontian (230-235). Allegedly resigned after being exiled to the mines of Sardinia during persecution of Maximinus Thrax.
3. Marcellinus (296-304). Abdicated or was deposed after complying with Diocletian?s order to offer sacrifice to pagan gods.
4. Martin I (649-655). Exiled by Emperor Constans II to the Crimea. Before he died, the clergy of Rome elected a successor, whom he appears to have approved.
5. Benedict V (964). After one month in office, he accepted deposition by Emperor Otto I.
6. Benedict IX (1032-45). Benedict resigned after selling the papacy to his godfather Gregory VI.
7. Gregory VI (1045-46). Deposed for simony by Henry III.
8. Celestine V (1294). A hermit, elected at age of 80 and overwhelmed by the office, resigned. He was imprisoned by his successor.
9. Gregory XII (1406-15). Resigned at request of Council of Constance to help end the Great Western Schism.
Source: Patrick Granfield, ?Papal Resignation? (The Jurist, winter and spring 1978) and J. N. D. Kelly, The Oxford Dictionary of Popes (1986). "
Sunday, March 6, 2005
Parish News
If you are in the Palm Beach Area on March 17th...
Come pray and visit with Amy and I at St. Patrick's parish in Palm Beach Gardens...
Parish News:
"To celebrate the feast day of our Patron Saint on March 17, St. Patrick's Day,
St Patrick Church is offering a unique and spiritual experience.
After the usual Mass at 8:30 AM in the Main Church, there will be a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,
with a talk by author Michael Dubriel on:
'How to Get the Most Out of the Eucharist' followed by Benediction.
Afterwards, we will move to the Parish Center to have coffee, donuts & fellowship.
Afterwards, Amy Welborn will give a talk on:
'De-Coding the Da Vinci Code'. The event will end by 11:00 AM.
Child care will be provided. Call 561-626-8626 for more information."
Come pray and visit with Amy and I at St. Patrick's parish in Palm Beach Gardens...
Parish News:
"To celebrate the feast day of our Patron Saint on March 17, St. Patrick's Day,
St Patrick Church is offering a unique and spiritual experience.
After the usual Mass at 8:30 AM in the Main Church, there will be a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,
with a talk by author Michael Dubriel on:
'How to Get the Most Out of the Eucharist' followed by Benediction.
Afterwards, we will move to the Parish Center to have coffee, donuts & fellowship.
Afterwards, Amy Welborn will give a talk on:
'De-Coding the Da Vinci Code'. The event will end by 11:00 AM.
Child care will be provided. Call 561-626-8626 for more information."
Saturday, March 5, 2005
Search: CatholicFind Document Collection
Search encyclicals, Vatican II documents or the Church Fathers at a new Catholic search engine found atSearch: CatholicFind Document Collection
Excommunications in Lincoln Upheld by Vatican
From Sioux City Journal: Diocese: Vatican rejects appeal of blanket excommunications:
"Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz ordered Lincoln Catholics in March 1996 to sever their ties to 12 groups or face excommunication two months later. The bishop said the groups -- including Call to Action, several Masonic organizations, and abortion-rights groups Planned Parenthood and Catholics for a Free Choice -- contradict and imperil Catholic faith.
The order was put on hold while it was appealed.
Under excommunication, Catholics cannot receive Holy Communion. They cannot be married or buried in the church. Excommunicated Catholics may be forgiven through the sacrament of confession or may be absolved in their dying hour by a priest.
The Vatican notified Bruskewitz 'some time ago' that the appeal was rejected, said Rev. Mark Huber, a spokesman for the diocese.
He declined to say why the decision had not been made public and deferred questions to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Congregation of Bishops in Rome.
Re did not immediately respond to a fax seeking comment sent to the Vatican on Friday.
Huber said the appeal was rejected because it challenged a church law -- specifically, legislation from the 1996 Synod of the Diocese of Lincoln -- which prohibited membership in the organizations.
'They can't appeal a particular law,' he said. 'They can appeal a judicial sentence or an administrative decree. Excommunication is part of the law.'"
"Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz ordered Lincoln Catholics in March 1996 to sever their ties to 12 groups or face excommunication two months later. The bishop said the groups -- including Call to Action, several Masonic organizations, and abortion-rights groups Planned Parenthood and Catholics for a Free Choice -- contradict and imperil Catholic faith.
The order was put on hold while it was appealed.
Under excommunication, Catholics cannot receive Holy Communion. They cannot be married or buried in the church. Excommunicated Catholics may be forgiven through the sacrament of confession or may be absolved in their dying hour by a priest.
The Vatican notified Bruskewitz 'some time ago' that the appeal was rejected, said Rev. Mark Huber, a spokesman for the diocese.
He declined to say why the decision had not been made public and deferred questions to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Congregation of Bishops in Rome.
Re did not immediately respond to a fax seeking comment sent to the Vatican on Friday.
Huber said the appeal was rejected because it challenged a church law -- specifically, legislation from the 1996 Synod of the Diocese of Lincoln -- which prohibited membership in the organizations.
'They can't appeal a particular law,' he said. 'They can appeal a judicial sentence or an administrative decree. Excommunication is part of the law.'"
Secret to a Long Life?
Beer and water used to cook a potato...
From Germany's oldest man dies, despite unusual drinking regimen - Yahoo! UK & Ireland News:
"Germany's oldest man, who has died aged 111, said that a little sweetened beer and the potato cooking water most people throw out were the secret of his longevity, family members said.
Hermann Doernemann passed away on Wednesday at a clinic in Duesseldorf, western Germany from the effects of pneumonia, some three months short of his 112 birthday, on May 27.
Doernemann had long been considered the world's oldest man by the Guinness Book of World Records until a Puerto Rican man aged 113 surfaced."
From Germany's oldest man dies, despite unusual drinking regimen - Yahoo! UK & Ireland News:
"Germany's oldest man, who has died aged 111, said that a little sweetened beer and the potato cooking water most people throw out were the secret of his longevity, family members said.
Hermann Doernemann passed away on Wednesday at a clinic in Duesseldorf, western Germany from the effects of pneumonia, some three months short of his 112 birthday, on May 27.
Doernemann had long been considered the world's oldest man by the Guinness Book of World Records until a Puerto Rican man aged 113 surfaced."
Sexual Sanity from John Mallen
From The Fact Is Home Page:
"Let me state it even more clearly: 1. You can die from sleeping with the wrong person. 2. If Catholic teaching on sexuality were taken seriously, let alone obeyed, there would be no AIDS crisis. Period.
I made these statements in a college newspaper 20 years ago at a Catholic university and one of the Deans of Students looked at me as if I had uttered a racial slur. It is considered bigotry to state the obvious when it contradicts modern sexual ideology.
To cite another example of the 'conventional wisdom' of sexual ideology: The Boston Globe in a Feb. 18 editorial entitled 'Better Choices,' states, 'Access to reliable birth control is an obvious way to reduce the need for abortion . . . but religious conservatives have blocked making even condoms available in high schools.' What the Globe writers don't understand, like many sexual ideologues, is that contraception is the gateway to abortion, not a preventative. In the adolescent mind especially, contraception, including condoms, creates a false security to indulging in risky behavior that involves a great deal more risk than simple pregnancy.
Without imputing motives to anyone several questions come to mind. How much risk are the sexual ideologues willing to expose the young to in order avoid the truth that sexual activity is not merely a recreational activity or means to relieve tension? And that to engage in it recklessly is simply dangerous and wrong? And that there is a connection between the dangerous and the wrong? That their goal of creating a sexual utopia has resulted in disillusionment, alienation, sickness and death? "
"Let me state it even more clearly: 1. You can die from sleeping with the wrong person. 2. If Catholic teaching on sexuality were taken seriously, let alone obeyed, there would be no AIDS crisis. Period.
I made these statements in a college newspaper 20 years ago at a Catholic university and one of the Deans of Students looked at me as if I had uttered a racial slur. It is considered bigotry to state the obvious when it contradicts modern sexual ideology.
To cite another example of the 'conventional wisdom' of sexual ideology: The Boston Globe in a Feb. 18 editorial entitled 'Better Choices,' states, 'Access to reliable birth control is an obvious way to reduce the need for abortion . . . but religious conservatives have blocked making even condoms available in high schools.' What the Globe writers don't understand, like many sexual ideologues, is that contraception is the gateway to abortion, not a preventative. In the adolescent mind especially, contraception, including condoms, creates a false security to indulging in risky behavior that involves a great deal more risk than simple pregnancy.
Without imputing motives to anyone several questions come to mind. How much risk are the sexual ideologues willing to expose the young to in order avoid the truth that sexual activity is not merely a recreational activity or means to relieve tension? And that to engage in it recklessly is simply dangerous and wrong? And that there is a connection between the dangerous and the wrong? That their goal of creating a sexual utopia has resulted in disillusionment, alienation, sickness and death? "
Friday, March 4, 2005
'The Exorcist' Dies
From TheMilwaukeeChannel.com - News - Priest Who Helped Inspire 'The Exorcist' Dies:
"A priest who participated in the 1949 exorcism that inspired 'The Exorcist' book and movie has died at age 83.
A funeral mass will be held Friday in a Milwaukee suburb for the Rev. Walter Halloran.
He was the last living Jesuit who assisted in the exorcism at a St. Louis hospital. Halloran died Tuesday night at a Jesuit retirement home in suburban Milwaukee.
Halloran was a 27-year-old Jesuit student when a priest called him to the psychiatric wing at a St. Louis hospital to help control a 14-year-old boy who he believed was possessed by a demon.
A brief news account of the incident inspired William Peter Blatty to write his 1971 best seller, 'The Exorcist,' which led to the movie a few years later."
"A priest who participated in the 1949 exorcism that inspired 'The Exorcist' book and movie has died at age 83.
A funeral mass will be held Friday in a Milwaukee suburb for the Rev. Walter Halloran.
He was the last living Jesuit who assisted in the exorcism at a St. Louis hospital. Halloran died Tuesday night at a Jesuit retirement home in suburban Milwaukee.
Halloran was a 27-year-old Jesuit student when a priest called him to the psychiatric wing at a St. Louis hospital to help control a 14-year-old boy who he believed was possessed by a demon.
A brief news account of the incident inspired William Peter Blatty to write his 1971 best seller, 'The Exorcist,' which led to the movie a few years later."
Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas
Found at Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas:
"No matter where you go to Mass on Sunday in the United States, it's difficult to escape the music of Marty Haugen and David Haas. I for one am sick and tired of hearing their banal ditties everywhere, and in desperation I have founded this Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas, or SMMMHDH for short. The Society is awaiting pontifical approval from the Holy See as a pious sodality. :-)
Thomas G. McFaul, in his essay on The Sad State of Liturgical Music, laments, 'What a shame for a young person to grow up thinking that Marty Haugen is the traditional music of the Catholic church!' The Catholic Church has a rich patrimony of sacred music, but it is a closed book to most of today's Catholics. "
"No matter where you go to Mass on Sunday in the United States, it's difficult to escape the music of Marty Haugen and David Haas. I for one am sick and tired of hearing their banal ditties everywhere, and in desperation I have founded this Society for a Moratorium on the Music of Marty Haugen and David Haas, or SMMMHDH for short. The Society is awaiting pontifical approval from the Holy See as a pious sodality. :-)
Thomas G. McFaul, in his essay on The Sad State of Liturgical Music, laments, 'What a shame for a young person to grow up thinking that Marty Haugen is the traditional music of the Catholic church!' The Catholic Church has a rich patrimony of sacred music, but it is a closed book to most of today's Catholics. "
German Speaking Brazilian Cardinal "the time has come for the pope to resign"
From World: The pope of the divided heart:
"Yes, the time has come for the pope to resign so that the church can continue to respond to historical changes and to this critical moment that we are passing through," said 83-year-old Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns of Brazil during a recent wide-ranging interview with a major Brazilian daily.
The cardinal said he has talked with the pope about retirement but doubts John Paul II will go.
"I spoke to him about this with all simplicity," Arns said. ?Indirectly, I asked him if it weren't too much for him. This was his answer: 'Paulo, from here to here [pointing to his chest and to his head] I feel fine. I am the same person I was when I was elected to the papacy. I do not see any reason to resign because my head, my heart and my organs are all doing well.' "
This meeting, Arns said, was about five or six years ago, when he still went to Rome regularly. "The pope had some difficulty walking, but we did walk up and down in the corridor," Arns said. "We were speaking in German. He speaks German clearly, and I do too since it was my second language at home."
"Yes, the time has come for the pope to resign so that the church can continue to respond to historical changes and to this critical moment that we are passing through," said 83-year-old Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns of Brazil during a recent wide-ranging interview with a major Brazilian daily.
The cardinal said he has talked with the pope about retirement but doubts John Paul II will go.
"I spoke to him about this with all simplicity," Arns said. ?Indirectly, I asked him if it weren't too much for him. This was his answer: 'Paulo, from here to here [pointing to his chest and to his head] I feel fine. I am the same person I was when I was elected to the papacy. I do not see any reason to resign because my head, my heart and my organs are all doing well.' "
This meeting, Arns said, was about five or six years ago, when he still went to Rome regularly. "The pope had some difficulty walking, but we did walk up and down in the corridor," Arns said. "We were speaking in German. He speaks German clearly, and I do too since it was my second language at home."
Archbishop Chaput's Heated Luncheon
From Rocky Mountain News: Religion:
Verbal fisticuffs broke out Tuesday between Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput and a luncheon audience that challenged him to defend the church's role in public life.
'Why do (religions) feel they have to impose their views on us?' asked one woman during a spirited question-and-answer session following Chaput's speech to the City Club of Denver.
"If we don't - you'll impose your views on us," Chaput shot back to murmurs from the group of about 120 business and civic leaders.
Verbal fisticuffs broke out Tuesday between Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput and a luncheon audience that challenged him to defend the church's role in public life.
'Why do (religions) feel they have to impose their views on us?' asked one woman during a spirited question-and-answer session following Chaput's speech to the City Club of Denver.
"If we don't - you'll impose your views on us," Chaput shot back to murmurs from the group of about 120 business and civic leaders.
Thursday, March 3, 2005
Bishop Lynch Adds His Statement to the Florida Bishop's Conference Statement
I'll let him speak for himself, but doesn't this seem a little strange and final?
From theRoman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg:
"The bishops of Florida have once again addressed the issue of the withdrawal of the artificial feeding tube from Terri Schiavo. As in the past, I join them in addressing this complex and tragic situation. As the local bishop and pastor for all the family parties involved, I would like to add the following. At the end of the day (the judicial, legislative days) the decision to remove Terri's artificial feeding tube will be that of her husband, Michael. It is he who will give the order, not the courts or certainly the governor or legislature or the medical personnel surrounding and caring for Terri. In other words, as I have said from the beginning of this sad situation, the decision will be made within a family. A significant part of that family feels they are outside of the decision-making process and they are in great pain and suffering mightily.
I urge and pray that before the finality, one last effort be made for mediation. Normally, at the end of life, families of the person in extremis agree that it is time to allow the Lord to call a loved one to Himself, feeling that they have done all they possibly might to provide alternatives to death, every possible treatment protocol which might be helpful has been attempted. There is a peace. This will not happen in this instance because of the seeming intractability of both sides. I beg and pray that both sides might step back a little and allow some mediation in these final hours. The legacy of Terri's situation should not be that of those who love her the most, loathing the actions of one another, but of a heroic moment of concern for the feelings of each other, guided by moral and ethical considerations, with a single focus of achieving the best result for Terri. I ask the Catholics of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in the waning days of Lent to pray hard to the “Author of All Life” for Terri and for her family.
"
From theRoman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg:
"The bishops of Florida have once again addressed the issue of the withdrawal of the artificial feeding tube from Terri Schiavo. As in the past, I join them in addressing this complex and tragic situation. As the local bishop and pastor for all the family parties involved, I would like to add the following. At the end of the day (the judicial, legislative days) the decision to remove Terri's artificial feeding tube will be that of her husband, Michael. It is he who will give the order, not the courts or certainly the governor or legislature or the medical personnel surrounding and caring for Terri. In other words, as I have said from the beginning of this sad situation, the decision will be made within a family. A significant part of that family feels they are outside of the decision-making process and they are in great pain and suffering mightily.
I urge and pray that before the finality, one last effort be made for mediation. Normally, at the end of life, families of the person in extremis agree that it is time to allow the Lord to call a loved one to Himself, feeling that they have done all they possibly might to provide alternatives to death, every possible treatment protocol which might be helpful has been attempted. There is a peace. This will not happen in this instance because of the seeming intractability of both sides. I beg and pray that both sides might step back a little and allow some mediation in these final hours. The legacy of Terri's situation should not be that of those who love her the most, loathing the actions of one another, but of a heroic moment of concern for the feelings of each other, guided by moral and ethical considerations, with a single focus of achieving the best result for Terri. I ask the Catholics of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in the waning days of Lent to pray hard to the “Author of All Life” for Terri and for her family.
"
New Processional Hymn Coming Soon to Your Church?
From Catholic World News (CWN):
"The processional hymn for the Young Adults Liturgy at the recent L.A. Religious Education Conference showcased David Haas's catchy new 'Gathering Song' (see pp. 44-45 of the program). A sampler:
Come all you single ones, divorced and married:
Come you who have lost your spouse, all who are lonely.
With Christ our brother, we are loved and made whole!
Refrain: All is ready. Here and now. All are welcome here.
Come all you young and old, all male and female.
Come, now, all gay and straight, it does not matter.
With Christ, all people are one in God's whole!
Refrain: All is ready. Here and now. All are welcome here.
It pains me inexpressibly to report that Haas's litany extends no welcome to hermaphrodites, cellists, gluten-intolerant Latvians, Scorpios, Jesuits, self-employed taxpayers filing jointly, redheads, or Catholics. "
"The processional hymn for the Young Adults Liturgy at the recent L.A. Religious Education Conference showcased David Haas's catchy new 'Gathering Song' (see pp. 44-45 of the program). A sampler:
Come all you single ones, divorced and married:
Come you who have lost your spouse, all who are lonely.
With Christ our brother, we are loved and made whole!
Refrain: All is ready. Here and now. All are welcome here.
Come all you young and old, all male and female.
Come, now, all gay and straight, it does not matter.
With Christ, all people are one in God's whole!
Refrain: All is ready. Here and now. All are welcome here.
It pains me inexpressibly to report that Haas's litany extends no welcome to hermaphrodites, cellists, gluten-intolerant Latvians, Scorpios, Jesuits, self-employed taxpayers filing jointly, redheads, or Catholics. "
New Co-adjutor for Burlington
From the Vatican Information Service:
Appointed Msgr. Salvatore Ronald Matano, local collaborator of the apostolic nunciature to the U.S.A., as coadjutor bishop of Burlington (area 23,651, population 608,827, Catholics 149,048, priests 168, permanent deacons 38, religious 261), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Providence, U.S.A., in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1971.
Appointed Msgr. Salvatore Ronald Matano, local collaborator of the apostolic nunciature to the U.S.A., as coadjutor bishop of Burlington (area 23,651, population 608,827, Catholics 149,048, priests 168, permanent deacons 38, religious 261), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Providence, U.S.A., in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1971.
Pope May Leave Hospital by Easter
From Yahoo! News - Vatican: Pope 'Progressively Improving':
"Pope John Paul II is 'progressively improving' and may be able to leave the hospital by Easter, the Vatican said Thursday, a week after the pontiff was rushed to the hospital for a second time in a month. "
"Pope John Paul II is 'progressively improving' and may be able to leave the hospital by Easter, the Vatican said Thursday, a week after the pontiff was rushed to the hospital for a second time in a month. "
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Florida Bishops Speak Out for Terri
From The Florida Catholic Conference | Continued Concerns for Terry Schiavo:
"Terri Schindler Schiavo has been the center of national media attention, and the focus of a debate that touches all three branches of government. Mrs. Schiavo is not 'brain dead' or comatose. She has lived in a nursing home for years, presently a hospice facility, generally needing only nursing care and assistance in receiving nourishment. Some experts say she is in a 'persistent vegetative state;' others say she is not. Her husband wants to remove her feeding tube, insisting she expressed clearly this would be her wish; her parents and siblings vigorously disagree, and have offered to care for her as long as she lives. Questions about her prognosis and wishes persist, raising doubt as to what she would truly want.
No longer able to speak on her own behalf, Mrs. Schiavo is a defenseless human being with inherent dignity, deserving of our respect, care and concern. Her plight dramatizes one of the most critical questions we face: To be a truly human society, how should we care for those we may not be able to cure?
In our past statements concerning Terri Schiavo, as well as those by Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, we have made it clear that there should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration even by artificial means as long as it is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the burdens involved to the patient. We reiterate our plea that Mrs. Schiavo continues to receive all treatments and care that will be of benefit to her.
"Terri Schindler Schiavo has been the center of national media attention, and the focus of a debate that touches all three branches of government. Mrs. Schiavo is not 'brain dead' or comatose. She has lived in a nursing home for years, presently a hospice facility, generally needing only nursing care and assistance in receiving nourishment. Some experts say she is in a 'persistent vegetative state;' others say she is not. Her husband wants to remove her feeding tube, insisting she expressed clearly this would be her wish; her parents and siblings vigorously disagree, and have offered to care for her as long as she lives. Questions about her prognosis and wishes persist, raising doubt as to what she would truly want.
No longer able to speak on her own behalf, Mrs. Schiavo is a defenseless human being with inherent dignity, deserving of our respect, care and concern. Her plight dramatizes one of the most critical questions we face: To be a truly human society, how should we care for those we may not be able to cure?
In our past statements concerning Terri Schiavo, as well as those by Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, we have made it clear that there should be a presumption in favor of providing nutrition and hydration even by artificial means as long as it is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the burdens involved to the patient. We reiterate our plea that Mrs. Schiavo continues to receive all treatments and care that will be of benefit to her.
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
Recovering Pope Begins Speaking
From BBC NEWS | Europe | Recovering Pope begins speaking:
"Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a senior Vatican official, said Pope John Paul II conducted a working meeting at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
The pontiff spoke in both Italian and German during the meeting, the cardinal told reporters.
The Pope was admitted to hospital last week suffering from breathing problems, and underwent an emergency tracheotomy.
'The Holy Father spoke to me in German and Italian. He was very alert. He will be working on some of the documentation that I brought to him,' Cardinal Ratzinger said as he left the hospital."
"Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a senior Vatican official, said Pope John Paul II conducted a working meeting at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
The pontiff spoke in both Italian and German during the meeting, the cardinal told reporters.
The Pope was admitted to hospital last week suffering from breathing problems, and underwent an emergency tracheotomy.
'The Holy Father spoke to me in German and Italian. He was very alert. He will be working on some of the documentation that I brought to him,' Cardinal Ratzinger said as he left the hospital."
Monday, February 28, 2005
Update on Pope's Condition
From the Vatican Information Service:
"The Holy Father's post-operative phase is taking place without complications.
"His general condition and biological parameters continue to be good.
"The Holy Father is eating regularly, spends some hours in an armchair and has begun exercises to rehabilitate breathing and phonation.
"The next communique will be on Thursday, March 3."
"The Holy Father's post-operative phase is taking place without complications.
"His general condition and biological parameters continue to be good.
"The Holy Father is eating regularly, spends some hours in an armchair and has begun exercises to rehabilitate breathing and phonation.
"The next communique will be on Thursday, March 3."
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Pope Appears at Window, Blesses Crowrd
From ABC News: Pope Appears at Window; Aide Says Blessing for Him:
A weak Pope John Paul made a surprise appearance at his hospital window Sunday, reassuring Catholics around the world as an aide miles away at the Vatican presided for the first time at his weekly blessing.
Looking stiff and awkward, the 84-year-old Pope waved twice from the 10th floor window of the Gemelli hospital before aides wheeled his chair away.
He appeared for about two minutes with the windows closed and made the sign of the cross toward a small group of people below, some of whom broke into tears when they saw him.
The Angelus prayer usually takes place wherever the Pope is at noon Sunday. For John Paul to be elsewhere was a first in a 26-year-old papacy.
Still, the sight of the Pope, weak as he was, comforted the faithful. It was the first time he has been seen in public since he was rushed to hospital Thursday morning with acute breathing problems that necessitated a tracheotomy.
"I saw his hand raised. I'm telling you, I had faith. I'd been praying he'd come. The world still needs this Pope. I hope we'll see much more of him in the future," said Laura Tosti, an Italian waiting outside, her eyes welling up with tears. Minutes before the Pope appeared at the window, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri read his address for him in St. Peter's Square and delivered a blessing that he stressed was "in the name of the Holy Father."
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem
From The Prayer of St. Ephrem:
"[The Prayer of St. Ephrem is taken in the Byzantine Church during the Liturgy of the Presanctified (Liturgy of Pope St. Gregory the Great, taken by both Catholic and Orthodox alike during this period), during all services of the Divine Office during Lent and at various other times during the day - recommended at morning, noon, evening - upon arising and before retiring for the night.]
{Making a prostration}
O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking.
{Making a prostration}
Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.
{Making a third prostration}
O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren.
For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, You have power over life and death. You know what is secret and hidden, and neither our thoughts nor our feelings are concealed from You. Cure me of duplicity; I have done evil before You. Now my life declines from day to day and my sins increase. O Lord, God of souls and bodies, You know the extreme frailty of my soul and my flesh. Grant me strength in my weakness, O Lord, and sustain me in my misery. Give me a grateful soul that I may never cease to recall Your benefits, O Lord most bountiful. Be not mindful of my many sins, but forgive me all my misdeeds. O Lord, disdain not my prayer - the prayer of a wretched sinner; sustain me with Your grace until the end, that it may protect me as in the past. It is Your grace which has taught me wisdom; blessed are they who follow her ways, for they shall receive the crown of glory. In spite of my unworthiness, I praise You and I glorify You, O Lord, for Your mercy to me is without limit. You have been my help and my protection. May the name of Your majesty be praised forever. To you, our God, be glory. Amen."
"[The Prayer of St. Ephrem is taken in the Byzantine Church during the Liturgy of the Presanctified (Liturgy of Pope St. Gregory the Great, taken by both Catholic and Orthodox alike during this period), during all services of the Divine Office during Lent and at various other times during the day - recommended at morning, noon, evening - upon arising and before retiring for the night.]
{Making a prostration}
O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking.
{Making a prostration}
Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love.
{Making a third prostration}
O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren.
For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, You have power over life and death. You know what is secret and hidden, and neither our thoughts nor our feelings are concealed from You. Cure me of duplicity; I have done evil before You. Now my life declines from day to day and my sins increase. O Lord, God of souls and bodies, You know the extreme frailty of my soul and my flesh. Grant me strength in my weakness, O Lord, and sustain me in my misery. Give me a grateful soul that I may never cease to recall Your benefits, O Lord most bountiful. Be not mindful of my many sins, but forgive me all my misdeeds. O Lord, disdain not my prayer - the prayer of a wretched sinner; sustain me with Your grace until the end, that it may protect me as in the past. It is Your grace which has taught me wisdom; blessed are they who follow her ways, for they shall receive the crown of glory. In spite of my unworthiness, I praise You and I glorify You, O Lord, for Your mercy to me is without limit. You have been my help and my protection. May the name of Your majesty be praised forever. To you, our God, be glory. Amen."
Pope Will Live ...according to prophetic stone
From Herald Sun: Stone carving says Pope will live [26feb05]:
"A STONE carving in one of Rome's biggest cathedrals may know what millions of Catholics around the world have been fretting about for the past two days: Will Pope John Paul II survive his latest health crisis?
The carved marble monument to Pope Sylvester II, who ruled the Catholic church 1000 years ago, is said to moisten when the death of a pontiff is imminent.
Today, a priest touched the carving in Rome's Basilica of Saint John Lateran and confirmed it was dry - good news for the Pope, who underwent throat surgery yesterday after being rushed to hospital with breathing problems."
"A STONE carving in one of Rome's biggest cathedrals may know what millions of Catholics around the world have been fretting about for the past two days: Will Pope John Paul II survive his latest health crisis?
The carved marble monument to Pope Sylvester II, who ruled the Catholic church 1000 years ago, is said to moisten when the death of a pontiff is imminent.
Today, a priest touched the carving in Rome's Basilica of Saint John Lateran and confirmed it was dry - good news for the Pope, who underwent throat surgery yesterday after being rushed to hospital with breathing problems."
Friday, February 25, 2005
Vision of Saint John Bosco and Pope John Paul II
Thanks to www.gospa.orgfor posting this:
"In a vision, the Lord showed St. John Bosco the dangers threatening the Church. He saw the Church, Ship of Peter, surrounded by a loyal flotilla, locked in mortal combat with superior forces which repeatedly brought it to the edge of annihilation. At a crucial moment, the Holy Father fell mortally wounded. The enemy, sensing victory, closed in for the kill.
Suddenly two columns surged from the depths of the ocean. One was surmounted by a monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament-:'Salvation of Believers;' the other by a statue of Mary Immaculate - 'The Help of Christians.'
The sight of the columns and the election of a new Pope caused the enemy to unleash a last blistering attack to prevent the Pontiff from anchoring the Church between the two pillars. The assailant's plan failed, and their attack turned into a rout and total disaster.
The Pope and his faithful defenders found safety anchored between the two columns. The winds subsided and the sea grew calm. The victory was complete."
Now think to two things that Pope John Paul II has done since the year 2000: given us new mysteries of the rosary and reawakened devotion to Mary in the process and written a beautiful encyclical on the Eucharist and declared a Year of the Eucharist. This will be his lasting legacy!
"In a vision, the Lord showed St. John Bosco the dangers threatening the Church. He saw the Church, Ship of Peter, surrounded by a loyal flotilla, locked in mortal combat with superior forces which repeatedly brought it to the edge of annihilation. At a crucial moment, the Holy Father fell mortally wounded. The enemy, sensing victory, closed in for the kill.
Suddenly two columns surged from the depths of the ocean. One was surmounted by a monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament-:'Salvation of Believers;' the other by a statue of Mary Immaculate - 'The Help of Christians.'
The sight of the columns and the election of a new Pope caused the enemy to unleash a last blistering attack to prevent the Pontiff from anchoring the Church between the two pillars. The assailant's plan failed, and their attack turned into a rout and total disaster.
The Pope and his faithful defenders found safety anchored between the two columns. The winds subsided and the sea grew calm. The victory was complete."
Now think to two things that Pope John Paul II has done since the year 2000: given us new mysteries of the rosary and reawakened devotion to Mary in the process and written a beautiful encyclical on the Eucharist and declared a Year of the Eucharist. This will be his lasting legacy!
Pope-"What have they done to me?"
I've heard from a few people I know in Rome who claim that they have talked to "inside" people who are very close to the pope who've said in hushed tones "this is the end." Having said that I doubt they know what they are talking about--only God knows when the "end" of any of us will occur.
From Yahoo! News - Pope Breathing Unassisted, Advised Not to Speak:
"Navarro-Valls said that when he awoke from surgery the Pope asked for paper and wrote jokingly: 'What have they done to me.'
He also scribbled his Latin motto 'Totus Tuus,' (totally yours), a phrase about his devotion to the Mother of God. "
From Yahoo! News - Pope Breathing Unassisted, Advised Not to Speak:
"Navarro-Valls said that when he awoke from surgery the Pope asked for paper and wrote jokingly: 'What have they done to me.'
He also scribbled his Latin motto 'Totus Tuus,' (totally yours), a phrase about his devotion to the Mother of God. "
Blasphemy on Network Television
I didn't see this, but I think Donohue is being a little too forgiving with the priest in question. Even though to the viewer these "real life" episodes can seem natural--there is nothing natural about the lighting and television cameras that follow these people around. Why would a priest allow this at a funeral in the first place? Why wouldn't he take the time to educate himself on the characters and nature of the program? How would he not recognize a "host" from a cracker?
From CATHOLIC LEAGUE for Religious and Civil Rights:
"During the February 22 episode of the NBC-TV sitcom, "Committed," two non-Catholics are mistakenly given Holy Communion at a Catholic funeral Mass. Nate, who is Jewish, and Bowie, a Protestant, don't know what to do with the Eucharist, so they make several failed attempts to get rid of it. For example, they try slipping it into the pocket of a priest, dropping it on a tray of cheese and crackers, etc.
At one point, the priest, who is portrayed as not knowing the difference between the Host and a cracker, goes to grab the "cracker" from a tray of appetizers; he initially balks when he discovers that it is the last one. Then he changes his mind, saying, "Oh, what the hell." By far the most offensive scene occurs when Nate and Bowie accidentally flush what they think is the Host down the toilet. "
From CATHOLIC LEAGUE for Religious and Civil Rights:
"During the February 22 episode of the NBC-TV sitcom, "Committed," two non-Catholics are mistakenly given Holy Communion at a Catholic funeral Mass. Nate, who is Jewish, and Bowie, a Protestant, don't know what to do with the Eucharist, so they make several failed attempts to get rid of it. For example, they try slipping it into the pocket of a priest, dropping it on a tray of cheese and crackers, etc.
At one point, the priest, who is portrayed as not knowing the difference between the Host and a cracker, goes to grab the "cracker" from a tray of appetizers; he initially balks when he discovers that it is the last one. Then he changes his mind, saying, "Oh, what the hell." By far the most offensive scene occurs when Nate and Bowie accidentally flush what they think is the Host down the toilet. "
Meanwhile on the Anglican Front--Schism
From Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Church faces schism today:
"The worldwide Anglican communion was heading for an unprecedented schism last night as its member churches in the US and Canada were asked to withdraw from intercommunal gatherings following the rift over homosexuality.
In a six-page communique, issued late last night following earlier leaks to the Guardian and other newspapers, the primates of the 78 million-strong Anglican church, attending a meeting in Northern Ireland, agreed to call upon the US and Canadian churches to withdraw voluntarily for at least three years.
Their representatives will not be invited to church meetings for that period. It was unclear whether the churches will be offered a form of associate or lesser status in the communion in the meantime.
The statement said that 'in order to recognise "
"The worldwide Anglican communion was heading for an unprecedented schism last night as its member churches in the US and Canada were asked to withdraw from intercommunal gatherings following the rift over homosexuality.
In a six-page communique, issued late last night following earlier leaks to the Guardian and other newspapers, the primates of the 78 million-strong Anglican church, attending a meeting in Northern Ireland, agreed to call upon the US and Canadian churches to withdraw voluntarily for at least three years.
Their representatives will not be invited to church meetings for that period. It was unclear whether the churches will be offered a form of associate or lesser status in the communion in the meantime.
The statement said that 'in order to recognise "
Vatican Satement on Pope John Paul's Health
From Reuters AlertNet - Vatican statement on Pope John Paul's health:
"'The Holy Father spent a night of tranquil rest. This morning he ate breakfast with a good appetite.
The post-operative situation continues regularly.
He is breathing on his own and cardio-circulatory conditions remain good.
Upon the advice of his doctors, the Pope must not speak for several days so as to favour the recovery of the functions of the larynx.
A new medical bulletin is not foreseen until next Monday, February 28 at 1230 p.m. (1130 GMT)'"
"'The Holy Father spent a night of tranquil rest. This morning he ate breakfast with a good appetite.
The post-operative situation continues regularly.
He is breathing on his own and cardio-circulatory conditions remain good.
Upon the advice of his doctors, the Pope must not speak for several days so as to favour the recovery of the functions of the larynx.
A new medical bulletin is not foreseen until next Monday, February 28 at 1230 p.m. (1130 GMT)'"
Surprise Sale Displaces Small Catholic Parish
Sad to hear, I've been to mass there...
From Surprise sale displaces small Catholic parish:
"Startled church members got only three weeks notice to get out.
'It was just out of the blue -- the church has been sold!' recalled Art Donegan, a member at the Catholic Church of the Holy Apostles who scrambled to rescue religious icons from the bulldozer.
"On the last day, it was announced from the altar that we were not to come back."
The decision to sell the 38-acre church property off Hypoluxo Road west of Military Trail to housing developer Ansca Homes came from a bishop of the New Jersey-based Byzantine rite, which owned the property.
"Holy Apostles is no longer a parish," explained The Rev. Glen Pothier, a priest in the Roman Catholic Church's larger and better-known Latin rite. "The parish has been dissolved."
Pothier is a canon lawyer at the Palm Beach Diocese, which has no jurisdiction over the local Byzantine rite. But because Pothier has been substituting at Mass since the last Holy Apostles priest died three years ago, he jumped in to help the elderly church members of mostly Hungarian, Ukrainian and Russian descent find a temporary location for church services after their ouster.
"
From Surprise sale displaces small Catholic parish:
"Startled church members got only three weeks notice to get out.
'It was just out of the blue -- the church has been sold!' recalled Art Donegan, a member at the Catholic Church of the Holy Apostles who scrambled to rescue religious icons from the bulldozer.
"On the last day, it was announced from the altar that we were not to come back."
The decision to sell the 38-acre church property off Hypoluxo Road west of Military Trail to housing developer Ansca Homes came from a bishop of the New Jersey-based Byzantine rite, which owned the property.
"Holy Apostles is no longer a parish," explained The Rev. Glen Pothier, a priest in the Roman Catholic Church's larger and better-known Latin rite. "The parish has been dissolved."
Pothier is a canon lawyer at the Palm Beach Diocese, which has no jurisdiction over the local Byzantine rite. But because Pothier has been substituting at Mass since the last Holy Apostles priest died three years ago, he jumped in to help the elderly church members of mostly Hungarian, Ukrainian and Russian descent find a temporary location for church services after their ouster.
"
Fr. Rob Headed to Florida
To be with the Schindlers...from Thrown Back:
"As I mentioned last week, I am travelling to Florida. This trip started out as an ordinary visit to see my Mom in Orlando, with a visit to the Schindlers 'on the side'. Now, obviously, I've changed my plans around so as to be with the Schindlers as much as possible. I'll be arriving, perhaps by Providence, just in time for the moment of decision Friday.
I'll be there, on hand with Bob & Mary when the hearing is held. I'll be there, on the 'front line', with those keeping vigil for Terri. And I'll keep you posted as to further developments. "
"As I mentioned last week, I am travelling to Florida. This trip started out as an ordinary visit to see my Mom in Orlando, with a visit to the Schindlers 'on the side'. Now, obviously, I've changed my plans around so as to be with the Schindlers as much as possible. I'll be arriving, perhaps by Providence, just in time for the moment of decision Friday.
I'll be there, on hand with Bob & Mary when the hearing is held. I'll be there, on the 'front line', with those keeping vigil for Terri. And I'll keep you posted as to further developments. "
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