Pope Addresses Alarming Shortage of French Priests

From the Vatican Information Service:



Pope John Paul met with French bishops

this morning from the provinces of Toulouse and Montpellier as they conclude

their "ad limina" visit, and focused his talk to them on their concerns for

the future of the clergy in France "and the especially alarming situation

your country is going through" with the low number of priests and priestly

vocations.



He told the prelates that he "easily understands how you can feel

demoralized in the face of this situation, . but I invite you to hope and to

an ever more resolute commitment in favor of the priesthood." He noted that

"the crisis the Church is going through is in large part due to the

repercussions . of social changes, new forms of behavior, the loss of moral

and religious values and a widespread consumeristic attitude."



The Pope urged the bishops to clarify and then communicate the image of

a priest as a man whose sees the priesthood as "great and beautiful" and

demonstrates "enthusiasm for the mission of the Church." A priest's calling

is to serve his fellow man and it is here that he will find "joy and

equilibrium."



A risk for priests in modern society, said the Holy Father, is that "of

neglecting their spiritual life or allowing it to become weak. . The heavier

the burden, the more important it is to be close to the Lord in order to

find in Him the grace necessary for their pastoral service and their welcome

by the faithful."



He asked the bishops to be close to their priests and priests to be close

to each other "in order to develop their priestly fraternity and pastoral

collaborations." Priests must have a healthy, active community life in order

to sustain each other in their ministry and in problem solving.

"Participation in a priestly association is a precious aid" in this regard.



John Paul II then spoke of the "essential dimension" of priestly life,

"celibacy and chastity," saying this is a much misunderstood concept and too

often is seen as an "impediment" to service. "I invite priests to be

diligent in the face of worldly seductions and to regularly make an

examination of conscience in order to live ever more deeply in fidelity to

their commitment which conforms them to Christ, chaste and totally dedicated

to the Father." Young priests must be accompanied, he said, and suggested

having them accompanied by older, wiser priests and perhaps even

"appropriate psychological and spiritual aids."



"Growing de-Christianization is the major challenge at the moment," the

Holy Father said in concluding remarks, "and I ask you to underscore this,

mobilizing all the priests of your diocese in this regard." What is urgent

is "the evangelization of a world that not only does not know the basic

aspects of Christian dogma, . but has in great part lost even the memory of

the cultural elements of Christianity."

Update on Father Benedict

From Father Glenn:



"Holy Mass was offered in Father's room this morning. He was reported to look well. For the first time he was propped up a bit. Since be cannot receive Holy Communion as yet, Fr. John touched the Sacred Host to his lips. No doubt, this is the longest period in which Father has not received the Holy Eucharist. Yet, he is now living the Eucharistic mystery by being a sacrifice of praise, broken and poured out. The graces given for him and for all he holds in his heart will be extraordinary - and perhaps already experienced.



Tomorrow (today), the operation on Father's right arm. "

Effects of Fast Food on You

A film about what eating at a fast food restaurant can do to you in just a month. I would only add that when I'm being good and exercising daily, if I have a meal at any fast food restaurant I can feel its effects for the rest of the day.



From Entertainment News - Film records effects of eating only McDonald's for a month:



"It is called Super Size Me: A Film of Epic Portions and it is a sometimes comic but serious look at America's addiction to fast food.



Spurlock, a tall New Yorker of usually cast-iron constitution, made himself the guinea pig in this dogged investigation into the effects of fast food on the body. He ate only at McDonald's for a month - three meals, every day - and took a camera crew along to record it. If a server offered to super-size his order, he was obliged to accept - and to ingest everything, gherkins and all.



Neither Spurlock, 33, nor the three doctors who agreed to monitor his health during the experiment were prepared for the degree of ruin it would wreak on his body. Within days, he was vomiting up his burgers and battling with headaches and depression. And his sex drive vanished.



When Spurlock had finished, his liver, overwhelmed by saturated fats, had virtually turned to pate. 'The liver test was the most shocking thing,' said Dr Daryl Isaacs, who joined the team to watch over him. 'It became very, very abnormal.'



Spurlock put on nearly 12kg over the period and his cholesterol level leapt from a respectable 165 to 230. He told the New York Post: 'I got desperately ill. My face was splotchy and I had this huge gut, which I've never had in my life ... It was amazing - and really frightening.' And his girlfriend, a vegan chef? 'She was completely disgusted by me,' he said. "

Latest Update on Father Benedict

From Letter Father Glenn:



"I just got off the phone with Fr. Sylvester. The operation, which was scheduled for today, has been postponed until Monday. Not because of any problem with Father, but probably because of another emergency. Father is still awake and engaged. Father Sylvester told me Father was 'annoyed' when he heard his surgery was postponed! Come on, Fr. B., you relax, we pray, and you'll be out of bed before you know it!



I was also told he was presented with his religious habit with its wooden rosary; both will be close by beckoning him to better health. The relics are now suspended in a plastic bag near his head so he can see them and seek the intercession of his friends. Someone sent a relic of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, Fr. Benedict's namesake. My God, it's getting crowded in that room - just like Fr. B. likes it! "

The Book that Inspired the Gibson Movie "The Passion of the Christ"

Hint: It wasn't the Gospels. I took some heat for mentioning this over on Amy's blog the other day. Some said "you haven't seen the movie, so how do you know Anne Catherine Emmerich's revelations were the inspiration behind the movie?" Well lo and behold, today I get an email from the "fans of the Passion" web site and here is what it says (from the email, not the website linked above):



WHAT BOOK INSPIRED MEL GIBSON?



Mel Gibson was inspired to make the film because of a book that he accidentally stumbled upon. The book is called "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ." To find out more about the book and to order it, please visit our website. We even have an audio quote of him talking about the book and how he first came to think about making the film over 10 years ago:



If you have never read the book, no need to buy it, you can read it online. It is very moving. If you are not Catholic, you are in for a surprise. Because you are going to find that Jesus clearly starts the Catholic Church in these revelations. Let me quote a piece to give you a sample from the beginning of the Passion from the account of the Last Supper as Our Lord revealed it to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich:



Jesus gave his Apostles some private instructions; he told them how they were to preserve the Blessed Sacrament in memory of him, even to the end of the world; he taught them the necessary forms for making use of and communicating it, and in what manner they were, by degrees, to teach and publish this mystery; finally he told them when they were to receive what remained of the consecrated Elements, when to give some to the Blessed Virgin, and how to consecrate, themselves, after he should have sent them the Divine Comforter. He then spoke concerning the priesthood, the sacred unction, and the preparation of the Chrism and HolyOils.* He had there three boxes, two of which contained a mixture of oil and balm. He taught them how to make this mixture, what parts of the body were to be anointed with them, and upon what occasions. I remember, among other things, that he mentioned a case in which the Holy Eucharist could not be administered; perhaps what he said had reference to Extreme Unction, for my recollections on this point are not very clear. He spoke of different kinds of anointing, and in particular of that of kings, and he said that even wicked kings who were anointed, derived from it especial powers. He put ointment and oil in the empty box, and mixed them together, but I cannot say for certain whether it was at this moment, or at the time of the consecration of the bread, that he blessed the oil.



*It was not without surprise that the editor, some years after these things had been related by Sister Emmerich, read, in the Latin edition of the Roman Catechism (Mayence, Muller), in reference to the Sacrament of Confirmation, that, according to the tradition of the holy Pope Fabian, Jesus taught his Apostles in what manner they were to prepare the Holy Chrism, after the institution of the Blessed Sacrament. The Pope says expressly, in the 54th paragraph of his Second Epistle to the Bishops of the East: ' Our predecessors received from the Apostles and delivered to us that our Saviour Jesus Christ, after having made the Last Supper with his Apostles and washed their feet, taught them how to prepare the Holy Chrism. '

Latest on Father Groeschel

He will have surgery again today at 10 a.m.



From Father Glenn:



"Critical but stable" continues to be the official designation given to Father Benedict's condition. Doctors and nurses are still using words like "fragile", "guarded", and "cautious"; yet it appears the deep dark night is softening on the far horizon. A lip of light is detected in the distance. While still deep in the woods, Fr. Benedict presses on to recovery.



Today, the friars reported that Father appears calmer; most certainly his eyes are now wide opened and his face is relaxed. When our newly ordained Fr. Sylvester told Father that he had assisted the local parish in hearing "first confessions" for the first time Father raised both eyebrows, as if to say, "isn't it wonderful!" It's not exactly a smile, but that will come, that will come!



Behind Father's confusion and immobility is a keen intelligence. Fr. John and the friars make sure they introduce all the medical personnel who come into his room. I have no doubt that by now he both recognizes them and remembers their name. Being an articulate communicator by nature, no doubt his inability to be understood is frustrating. I suggested to the brothers that they find a person adept in lip reading to help. He has mouthed the phrase, "what happened?" more than once. An inquisitive and intelligent person would especially be distressed at not being able to put the pieces together. Be patient, Father!



Today Father had two special visitors, the first being the Ordinary of the diocese who Father recognized - again the raising of the eyebrows. Yet, the second visitor was accompanied by a tender affectionate gaze - his sister, Marjule. Father was evidently consoled having his "baby sister" at his bedside. The friars quietly slipped out of the room and closed the sliding glass door allowing them some private time together. He looked after Marjule when she was a child. In some way, the roles are now reversed. Marjule asked me to thank you for your prayers. With a brother like Father Benedict, you have a good idea what a wonderful person she is. Marjule will be spending the week close to her brother, so we should expect even greater progress in his recovery.



On some practical or technical note: Father was placed in a new high-tech bed, which is programmed to slowly move this way and that. I believe this helps in the patient's general circulation of blood. They also wheeled in a huge X-Ray machine, which beeped and buzzed and did its thing. It appears that the shoulder was not only dislocated but may have a slight fracture, which is painful but obviously not life- threatening. Also, tomorrow, our well-known and highly acclaimed orthopedic surgeon will be attending to Father's right elbow. An elbow replacement might be in order. Father will be wheeled downstairs to the operating room. The first operation was made right in the ICU because of Father's precarious condition. So, this too is another hopeful sign. The operation is scheduled for 10 am Saturday morning. So while the doctors and assistants are working on Father's elbow, let us "work" on our knees. Please, keep praying. Keep praying.



Near Father's bedside is a small table. On the table are a few objects worthy of devotion; a small relic of the true cross, a relic of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and a crucifix used by the Servant of God, Terence Cardinal Cooke, the former archbishop of New York. The New Testament speaks of oil and Saint Paul's handkerchiefs used to heal the sick. Scripture attests even his passing shadow healed people! Well, while we all know that all healing comes from God Himself, He uses many means, many instruments to bring His mercy to our misery. God uses everyone and everything - skilled physicians, caring nurses, competent therapists, and even large metal machines that beep and buzz. In every way He seeks to slip His invisible and invincible hand into our time and space in order to touch us and make us whole.

Democratic Debate--I hate all of them

I watched the Democratic candidates debate last night and I've decided that I hate them all.



Although, if I were still a Democrat--I would vote for Al Sharpton and I did feel that some of the questioners, including Peter Jennings, were pretty racist in their choice of questions for Al that were never the same questions they were asking everyone else. But to his credit, Sharpton points out the hypocrisy of the rest of the candidates.



Why do I hate all of them? (I hate them as candidates not as individuals--I pray for them as individuals, for their conversion)



Because they claim to be for the underprivileged yet all favor the destruction of the unborn. The fact that they cannot see the contradiction is truly troubling. John Kerry calls himself a practicing Catholic--he has voted proabortion in every conceivable way! Joe Lieberman is an orthodox Jew and he too refuses to take his own beliefs seriously about life!



They all seem to think that life is all about money. They are fixated on money--grabbing more of it from the rich (themselves) and giving it, not to the poor but to government programs where they can put their cronies in and their cronies will become rich administrating the program--while the poor remain poor. Most of them are rich and could do a lot of good by getting out of politics and helping the poor--all that Heintz ketchup money could take care of a lot of people.



Why can't someone, anyone stand up for what is right? Why is it that the Catholic, Orthodox Jewish, conservative protestants--all of whom taken together make up the overwhelming majority within this country have no teeth when it comes to who ends up being a candidate for the presidency? Why is it that those who hold liberal minority oppinions are catered to--at the expense of the majority?



A third political party is needed. One that stands up for the human rights of all but does not compromise on morality based on natural law. Is for the protection of life from conception to the grave, stands up for the sanctity of marriage, is just to people of all races and creeds, and is able to do all of this without compromising core values.