Feast of the Presentation

Sadly, many of the traditions of this mid-winter festival have fallen by the wayside. In the past the faithful would have gathered at the Church on this day with candles made of beeswax. These candles would be blessed along and a procession of lighted candles (similar to the Easter vigil) would take place symbolizing the light of Christ arriving at the Temple. Later when people would return to their home they would place the lit candles in their windows...something that many now do with electronic candles during Christmas time.



The feast of the presentation is a feast of sacrifice. The first born child was to be offered to the Lord but not in a bloody sacrifice as with the pagan religions. A modern celebration of this feast could emphasize this sacrificial nature that Christianity brings over and against the horrible sacrifice that modern consumerism preaches that leads to the bloody sacrifice of many first borns to the gods of convenience and pleasure.

Groundhog Predicts more Winter Weather

Winter continues...



I think I posted some info on this last year, but what most people forget is that this whole groundhog thing is rooted in today's Christian feast of the Presentation--candlemas...Mass of the candles. Light shining in darkness...



From MSNBC - :



"Despite astounding leaps in meteorological technology -- geostationary satellites and Doppler radar -- all eyes this time of year are once again on a rodent in Pennsylvania. And this morning, Punxsutawney Phil offered little relief to Americans worn out by a harsh winter: the groundhog saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter weather, according to legend.



The tradition is rooted in a German superstition that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow Feb. 2 --the Christian holiday of Candlemas --winter will drag on. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early."

Super Bowl Halftime Outrage

Now Janet Jackson wants to get into the business of forcing her sexuality on young people. They may claim this was a mistake, but no way...people should protest CBS, the NFL, and all the advertisers that chose to sign off on this.



I didn't see it, but heard about it on theDRUDGE REPORT 2004? after the game was over. Hopefully a lot of other people missed it too.



More from Worldnet.com:



The show included:





--Janet Jackson grabbing her breasts;



--Sean P. Diddy repeatedly fondling his crotch;



--striptease cheerleaders;



--gyrating transvestites;



--simulated lesbian sex;



--Jackson and Timberlake groping each other.



As the finale song finished, Timberlake reached across Jackson's leather gladiator outfit and pulled off the covering to her right breast. The final lyric of the song goes, "Going to have you naked by the end of this song."



The network quickly cut away from the shot and did not mention the incident on the air. But despite CBS' apology, there are indications the incident was not spontaneous.



Wade said CBS officials attended rehearsals of the halftime show all week, "and there was no indication any such thing would happen. The moment did not conform to CBS' broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended."



The Super Bowl halftime show, which also featured Nelly and Kid Rock, was produced by MTV, CBS' corporate cousin in Viacom.

Pope's Envoy Decries Immorality of Some Clergy

From The Sunday Standard:



The Pope’s representative in Kenya, Archbishop Giovanni Tonnuci, yesterday admitted that immorality had creeped into the church’s vicarage.



The Archbishop said some Catholic clergy had fallen to immoral urges, thus denting the church’s image.



Tonnuci, who fell short of naming names, urged those involved in the vice to "repent and return to the life of chastity

Super Bowl Prediction

I really don't care who wins this year. Don't have any vested interest in the game. I've felt that it is just the type of game where everyone talks about how good one team is at the expense of the other--which usually is a set up for a blow out in the other direction. My prediction:



Carolina 24

New England 10



Update: I was wrong, of course. New England 31 Carolina 29

Lay Organization Devoted to Helping Problem Priests

What to do with problem priests continues to be an issue. A layman from Michigan has formed an organziation to deal with this dilemna. Read about him and the organization here..Catholic Priests-About Us Solving the Problems of Priests:



"Opus Bono Sacerdotii (work for the good of the priesthood) was founded in response to many sensitive situations with priests and religious around the world requesting unique assistance to confidential problems. These problems may encompass a whole spectrum of circumstances, however, the success in finding solutions is understanding the uniqueness of each individual and their particular needs, abilities and desires especially as it effects the extraordinary relationship between the natural and supernatural aspect of the person of the priest.



In this context, Opus Bono Sacerdotii works quickly and confidentially to assist priests and religious in crisis through a network of confidential experts in various fields that can provide the most appropriate care and handling of crisis affecting priests and religious. Always at the forefront of the mission is Divine Mercy which constrains judgment and prescribes unconditional love and forgiveness. "

Father Benedict Still Not Out of the Woods

From Father Glenn:



I was hoping to report that today was uneventful; it was not. This morning at approximately 10:20, Father's blood pressure unexpectedly began to drop together with his pulse rate which suddenly went flat. Of course, this unexpected turn of events put the trauma team into high gear. After five or so minutes, the pulse rate once again peaked and the blood pressure slowly rose and stabilized. The storm was sudden and strong, but thank God, it ended and Father was back safe and sound.



I was not able to receive much information other than Father did not sustain a heart attack and there was no neurological or brain damage. When the friars were finally allowed to enter Father's room they said he looked "awake and alert". I have not been able to get any clear word as to why this happened, but I was told by a doctor here in New York that this can happen if a person is on a respirator for a long time. In the process of trying to wean the patient off, there can be some inability to get enough oxygen to the lungs and into the blood. However, this is the opinion of a physician who is following Father Benedict's progress from afar.



This morning's scare was sobering indeed. The tightrope is very narrow and Father's steps are feeble. So, once again, and with full voice we cry out: "Lord, have mercy!" In the liturgy of the Eastern Church we hear this invocation repeated over and over again. The ancient Egyptian monks were said to hurl very short prayers to God like javelins. "Lord, have mercy" is a simple, yet powerful prayer so straight and strong! Remember, our prayer need not be long, but it should be deep; meaning, it should come from our very depths. The more the bow is bent, the further the arrow flies. So, go down deep and let your prayer fly like an arrow aimed towards the heavens at the very heart of God.