About a year ago we released a very popular book entitled Dictionary of Patron Saints' Names. One of the remarkable aspects of this book was that it can link almost any name a child is given, say for instance "Spring" or "Brook" with a patron. I'm not sure that Father ingenuity can match the latest trend though:
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | US babies get global brand names:
"Americans are increasingly turning to the world of popular culture to name their children, a study has found.
Children have been named after big brands as diverse as beauty company L'Oreal, car firm Chevrolet and designer clothes company Armani.
There are even two little boys, one in Michigan and one in Texas, called ESPN after the sports channel.
Psychology professor Cleveland Evans discovered the trend after surveying US social security records for 2000. "
I wonder if anyone has named their child EWTN, Envoy or Our Sunday Visitor?
Friday, November 14, 2003
Japan Cardinal Hopes Next Pope Calls Vatican III
From Total Catholic:
Newly-created Japanese Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao has said he believes it would be acceptable for John Paul II to retire, and has also called for his successor to call a third Vatican Council.
“I admire very much his courageous activity and work in spite of his not-so-good condition of health,” said Cardinal Hamao, 73.
“But he may retire, and I hope he does so, because it is pitiful to see him like he is now.” However, the cardinal pointedly added: “I don’t think he wants to retire.”
Cardinal Hamao, who is President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerants and the only Asian currently heading a Vatican office, said he considered the red hat to be a “strong endorsement” by John Paul II of the work of his office.
The cardinal then looked forward to the conclave to choose a successor, who he said firstly should be a man like the present Pope, and secondly a man able to “understand the position of the different cultures, religions and customs of the different countries”.
Third, he would like the next pope to be “open, intelligent and welcoming,” who will ensure that the Curia serves and encourages the Church throughout the world. Fourthly, he considers it important that the next pope should have pastoral experience in a diocese, and fifthly, and most strikingly, he wants the next pope to call a third Vatican Council.
“The bishops make proposals at the synods, and the Holy Father gives an apostolic exhortation, but nothing is decided,” he said.
“No decisions are taken by the synods of bishops. I don’t think this is due to the Holy Father. But the fact is there is no change in the structures of the Church. This does not strengthen the faith.”
Cardinal Hamao said a Vatican Council could address such issues as the relationship with other religions, bioethics, cloning, the environment and ecology.
Newly-created Japanese Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao has said he believes it would be acceptable for John Paul II to retire, and has also called for his successor to call a third Vatican Council.
“I admire very much his courageous activity and work in spite of his not-so-good condition of health,” said Cardinal Hamao, 73.
“But he may retire, and I hope he does so, because it is pitiful to see him like he is now.” However, the cardinal pointedly added: “I don’t think he wants to retire.”
Cardinal Hamao, who is President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerants and the only Asian currently heading a Vatican office, said he considered the red hat to be a “strong endorsement” by John Paul II of the work of his office.
The cardinal then looked forward to the conclave to choose a successor, who he said firstly should be a man like the present Pope, and secondly a man able to “understand the position of the different cultures, religions and customs of the different countries”.
Third, he would like the next pope to be “open, intelligent and welcoming,” who will ensure that the Curia serves and encourages the Church throughout the world. Fourthly, he considers it important that the next pope should have pastoral experience in a diocese, and fifthly, and most strikingly, he wants the next pope to call a third Vatican Council.
“The bishops make proposals at the synods, and the Holy Father gives an apostolic exhortation, but nothing is decided,” he said.
“No decisions are taken by the synods of bishops. I don’t think this is due to the Holy Father. But the fact is there is no change in the structures of the Church. This does not strengthen the faith.”
Cardinal Hamao said a Vatican Council could address such issues as the relationship with other religions, bioethics, cloning, the environment and ecology.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Popular Devotional Practices: Questions and Answers
New document by the American Bishops.
I found the following, from the Appendix interesting:
i. What are indulgences?
An indulgence does not confer grace. An indulgence is not a remission of the guilt due to sin. The guilt due to sin is ordinarily taken away by the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance (confession), in which we receive forgiveness for sins through Jesus Christ. Although guilt is taken away, and with it the eternal penalty that is due to sin—namely, damnation, the eternal loss of the presence of God—there remain consequences for sins that those who have committed them must bear. There is what is traditionally called the temporal punishment for sin.
By its very nature, every sin inevitably causes suffering for the one who has committed it. Every sinful act creates a disorder within the soul of the human person; it distorts our desires and affections, leaving us with "an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory."57 Furthermore, sin disrupts one's relationships with God, with the Church, with other people, and with the world as a whole. The communion intended by God is damaged or lost. Those who have received forgiveness for their sins still have an obligation to undergo a difficult and painful process (the temporal penalty for sin) to be purified of the consequences of their sins and to restore the disrupted relationships. "While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace."58 The necessary and painful process that brings restoration and purification can take place either in this life or in Purgatory, as whatever part of the process remains unfinished at death must be completed in Purgatory.59
Through an indulgence, God grants the prayer of the Church that the temporal penalty for sin due to someone be reduced (or possibly eliminated). By God's grace, participation in a prayer or action that has an indulgence attached to it brings about the necessary restoration and reparation without the suffering that would normally accompany it. The granting of an indulgence by the Church is "the expression of the Church''s full confidence of being heard by the Father when—in view of Christ's merits and, by his gift, those of Our Lady and the saints—she asks him to mitigate or cancel the painful aspect of punishment by fostering its medicinal aspect through other channels of grace."60
I found the following, from the Appendix interesting:
i. What are indulgences?
An indulgence does not confer grace. An indulgence is not a remission of the guilt due to sin. The guilt due to sin is ordinarily taken away by the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance (confession), in which we receive forgiveness for sins through Jesus Christ. Although guilt is taken away, and with it the eternal penalty that is due to sin—namely, damnation, the eternal loss of the presence of God—there remain consequences for sins that those who have committed them must bear. There is what is traditionally called the temporal punishment for sin.
By its very nature, every sin inevitably causes suffering for the one who has committed it. Every sinful act creates a disorder within the soul of the human person; it distorts our desires and affections, leaving us with "an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory."57 Furthermore, sin disrupts one's relationships with God, with the Church, with other people, and with the world as a whole. The communion intended by God is damaged or lost. Those who have received forgiveness for their sins still have an obligation to undergo a difficult and painful process (the temporal penalty for sin) to be purified of the consequences of their sins and to restore the disrupted relationships. "While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace."58 The necessary and painful process that brings restoration and purification can take place either in this life or in Purgatory, as whatever part of the process remains unfinished at death must be completed in Purgatory.59
Through an indulgence, God grants the prayer of the Church that the temporal penalty for sin due to someone be reduced (or possibly eliminated). By God's grace, participation in a prayer or action that has an indulgence attached to it brings about the necessary restoration and reparation without the suffering that would normally accompany it. The granting of an indulgence by the Church is "the expression of the Church''s full confidence of being heard by the Father when—in view of Christ's merits and, by his gift, those of Our Lady and the saints—she asks him to mitigate or cancel the painful aspect of punishment by fostering its medicinal aspect through other channels of grace."60
A Pint of Guinness is Good for You
Actually 8 ounces more than a pint...I'll drink to that!
From BBC NEWS | Health | Guinness good for you - official:
"The researchers told a meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida, that the most benefit they saw was from 24 fluid ounces of Guinness - just over a pint - taken at mealtimes.
They believe that "antioxidant compounds" in the Guinness, similar to those found in certain fruits and vegetables, are responsible for the health benefits because they slow down the deposit of harmful cholesterol on the artery walls.
From BBC NEWS | Health | Guinness good for you - official:
"The researchers told a meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida, that the most benefit they saw was from 24 fluid ounces of Guinness - just over a pint - taken at mealtimes.
They believe that "antioxidant compounds" in the Guinness, similar to those found in certain fruits and vegetables, are responsible for the health benefits because they slow down the deposit of harmful cholesterol on the artery walls.
Feast of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Today is the feast of the Mother Cabrini. Last Thursday Amy, Katie, Joseph and I prayed a few inches from Mother Cabrini's body encased below the altar at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in uptown Manhattan. We prayed that Amy's talk would go well the next day, and that all our future "missionary" activity would be blessed by God as well, including specifically a mission that I'm giving in suburban Chicago later this month.
Mother Cabrini died in Chicago and there is a shrine there that has the rooms she lived and died in at the Columbus Hospital. The hospital recently closed and I understand that the shrine remains open. I ask everyone to ask Mother Cabrini's intercession on all missionary activity both in this country and in foreign lands.
Today is also the feast of St. Stanislaus Kostka the patron saint of the parish that I grew up in, essentially one of the few Polish parishes in New Hampshire. In fact, I grew up directly across the street from the original parish church, pictured in the link.
Mother Cabrini died in Chicago and there is a shrine there that has the rooms she lived and died in at the Columbus Hospital. The hospital recently closed and I understand that the shrine remains open. I ask everyone to ask Mother Cabrini's intercession on all missionary activity both in this country and in foreign lands.
Today is also the feast of St. Stanislaus Kostka the patron saint of the parish that I grew up in, essentially one of the few Polish parishes in New Hampshire. In fact, I grew up directly across the street from the original parish church, pictured in the link.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
In Case You Missed It
A few weeks ago on Sixty Minutes, Bob Simon did a piece on the canonization of Mother Teresa and the subject of Padre Pio came up in his disscussion with Father Richard McBrien. Father Richard McBrien's Catholicism was a book that many lay ministers in the Church use to carry around as though it were a Bible. Bishops in the U.S. have called the accuracy of the book into question, but it is still used by many. What is telling in this interview with Bob Simon isn't so much McBrien's disbelief in the miracles of Padre Pio but his equating Jesus with a simple message minus miracles. It shows what kind of Chritianity we are left with once Jesus has been stripped of the miraculous--a powerless Christianity, which is not the Christianity of the Jesus of the Gospels...who tells His Apostles and disciples "You shall receive power!" What kind of power, to heal the sick, to raise the dead and I would guess the power to "love" the unlovable. No wonder the church is in such a mess in this country!
From CBS' Sixty Minutes:
SIMON: (Voiceover) But behind every bevy of true
believers, there is bound to be a skeptic. Father
McBrien says he'd like to do away with the miracle
requirement for sainthood, and he thinks that Pope
John Paul II made a mistake when he declared Padre Pio
a saint.
Padre Pio?
Fr. McBRIEN: I would not have canonized him, either.
SIMON: Just in terms of the miracles which he is said
to be involved with--he naturally emitted the scent of
flowers, it is said. He appeared to many people...
Fr. McBRIEN: I don't believe--I don't...
SIMON: ...in many places at the same time.
Fr. McBRIEN:: I don't--I don't believe any of that.
SIMON: He levitated above his hometown.
Fr. McBRIEN: I don't--I don't believe any of that.
See, that makes religion into a kind of act, a show,
a--a kind of theatrical operation. I mean, Jesus'
message was pretty straightforward and universal: you
know, 'love your neighbor as you love yourself.'
I might add that Jesus' message is also stripped of "Loving God above all things"
From CBS' Sixty Minutes:
SIMON: (Voiceover) But behind every bevy of true
believers, there is bound to be a skeptic. Father
McBrien says he'd like to do away with the miracle
requirement for sainthood, and he thinks that Pope
John Paul II made a mistake when he declared Padre Pio
a saint.
Padre Pio?
Fr. McBRIEN: I would not have canonized him, either.
SIMON: Just in terms of the miracles which he is said
to be involved with--he naturally emitted the scent of
flowers, it is said. He appeared to many people...
Fr. McBRIEN: I don't believe--I don't...
SIMON: ...in many places at the same time.
Fr. McBRIEN:: I don't--I don't believe any of that.
SIMON: He levitated above his hometown.
Fr. McBRIEN: I don't--I don't believe any of that.
See, that makes religion into a kind of act, a show,
a--a kind of theatrical operation. I mean, Jesus'
message was pretty straightforward and universal: you
know, 'love your neighbor as you love yourself.'
I might add that Jesus' message is also stripped of "Loving God above all things"
No Priest Shortage Priest Sociologist Claims
One reason cited is that even though there are a lot more Catholics today, a lower percent attend Mass.
From the Detroit News:
"But the Rev. Paul Sullins, a sociologist at Catholic University in Washington, is researching the distribution of priests, and he said Monday that the shortage may not be a crisis.
Sullins' findings:
* Demand has dropped. In 1965, when 70 percent of Catholic worshipers attended Mass weekly, there was a priest for every 540 weekly attendees, the group most likely to seek Communion. Today, fewer than 30 percent of Catholics go to Mass weekly; there's a priest for every 448.
* Many African and South American nations have three to six times more Catholics per priest than the United States.
* Permanent deacons (married or celibate single men) and parish administrators (including women) handle many tasks once performed by priests. There are 14,106 permanent deacons in the United States who perform sacraments such as baptisms and weddings.
The answer to empty altars is not in changing ordination rules but in redistributing priests, Sullins suggests. Like doctors and lawyers, priests tend to concentrate in urbanized, wealthier locations. They also are tied to the bishop who ordained them. Any change in assignment depends on a bishop's consent. "
From the Detroit News:
"But the Rev. Paul Sullins, a sociologist at Catholic University in Washington, is researching the distribution of priests, and he said Monday that the shortage may not be a crisis.
Sullins' findings:
* Demand has dropped. In 1965, when 70 percent of Catholic worshipers attended Mass weekly, there was a priest for every 540 weekly attendees, the group most likely to seek Communion. Today, fewer than 30 percent of Catholics go to Mass weekly; there's a priest for every 448.
* Many African and South American nations have three to six times more Catholics per priest than the United States.
* Permanent deacons (married or celibate single men) and parish administrators (including women) handle many tasks once performed by priests. There are 14,106 permanent deacons in the United States who perform sacraments such as baptisms and weddings.
The answer to empty altars is not in changing ordination rules but in redistributing priests, Sullins suggests. Like doctors and lawyers, priests tend to concentrate in urbanized, wealthier locations. They also are tied to the bishop who ordained them. Any change in assignment depends on a bishop's consent. "
Perhaps Just a Little Tasteless
Popecountdown.com
Incidently the most popular prediction for the current pope's death is December 25th, second is December 24th...there is something of the saintliness of this pontiff that is reflected in that thought.
Meanwhile, that count may be a lot longer than anyone thought a month ago:
From Yahoo News:
Pope Jean Paul II's health has improved "incredibly" since his exhausting schedule of 25th anniversary celebrations last month, former Polish president Lech Walesa said.
"The suitable therapy must have been found because the pope has overcome his moment of weakness," Walesa said after meeting the pope at the Vatican with a delegation from the Polish Solidarity trade union.
"This meeting has been very moving. The last time we were really concerned (about the pope's health), but this time, there has been an improvement," he said.
Walesa met the 83-year-old pope last month during celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of his election and also attended the ceremony beatifying Mother Theresa.
The pontiff, who suffers from the degenerative Parkinson's disease and arthritis, had appeared visibly exhausted and was barely able to speak at the end of a week-long series of public engagements.
Incidently the most popular prediction for the current pope's death is December 25th, second is December 24th...there is something of the saintliness of this pontiff that is reflected in that thought.
Meanwhile, that count may be a lot longer than anyone thought a month ago:
From Yahoo News:
Pope Jean Paul II's health has improved "incredibly" since his exhausting schedule of 25th anniversary celebrations last month, former Polish president Lech Walesa said.
"The suitable therapy must have been found because the pope has overcome his moment of weakness," Walesa said after meeting the pope at the Vatican with a delegation from the Polish Solidarity trade union.
"This meeting has been very moving. The last time we were really concerned (about the pope's health), but this time, there has been an improvement," he said.
Walesa met the 83-year-old pope last month during celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of his election and also attended the ceremony beatifying Mother Theresa.
The pontiff, who suffers from the degenerative Parkinson's disease and arthritis, had appeared visibly exhausted and was barely able to speak at the end of a week-long series of public engagements.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
The Met, the Walk, The Drive
Day 3
The third day was dominated by walking where cars roared past and driving where nothing but people were walking. Through an error in judgment (otherwise known as stupidity) I drove into Central Park on a "car-free"day in an attempt to get closer to the Metropolitan Art Museum that I had alread drove past. I thought it was rather strange that no other cars were on the road. There were thousands of people milling about, along with a fair amount of horse drawn carriages. Finally one jogger rapped on my window and broke the news to me, that it was a car-free Saturday and he pointed to where I might exit the park. Thankfully the CNN helicopters didn't hover overhead and break into their news coverage.
After driving down Park Ave. and turning correctly on 85th Ave., we arrived at the Met. Our main focus was on the El Greco special exhibit. I enjoyed this immensely. I especially liked the "Adoration of the Shepherds" it gave me an insight into a mission I'm preaching in a few weeks entitled "Let us go and see what the Lord has made known to us." The one downside about the El Greco exhibit was the lack of religious insight into the various paintings.
After several hours at the Met, including twenty minutes of trying to find our way out (which gave us a quick look through many galleries we might otherwise have missed) we grabbed a cab and headed to Saint Patrick's Cathedral. I had wanted to pray at the tomb of Archbishop Fulton Sheen but this turned out not to be possible because of all that activity going on at the Cathedral on this day.
Next we hiked over to Rockefeller Center, watched the folks skating on the ice, peeked into the Today Show studios, walked underneath the GE building, checked out the toy soldiers on top of the marquee of Radio City Music Hall, saw the Time-Life building, walked over to the Fox News building, saw the Simon and Shuster building, walked a few blocks to Times Square, walked up one street and then down a block and ate at Hamburger Harry's. Next we walked back toward Times Square, into the theater district to where The Producers was playing, then back through Times Sqaure, over several blocks to the New York City Public Library, then to Grand Central, then to the Empire State Building. All of this on a very cold windy 41 degree day!
Hopping on the subway, after another two block walk we headed to Ground Zero. The cold fit the mood of one of the largest graves of the twenty-first century. A fence around the site carries pictures of happier times, and the cross at ground zero stands as a monument reminding us of all who died on that fateful day in September. The site now reminds me of those religous sites where apparitions have occurred with trinkets and memorabilia for sale everywhere--but no one seems to buy any of these wares. A street preacher railed against the money being spent to rebuild, while so many continue to die the victims of disease. Meanwhile across the street at the Century 21 department store people cram the ailes in some mad rush to consume...anything...just consume.
We walked a block to St. Peter's the oldest Catholic Church in Manhattan. This is the Church where Father Mychal Judge was carried and laid before the altar. The wheels of one of the planes that struck the second tower landed upon the roof of this church. The smell of incense flooded my nostrils as we walked in out from the cold. A plaque announced that Father Sorin the founder of Notre Dame had said Mass here before making his trek to Indiana to eventually start the famous Catholic University. The Mass we attended was simple (no music) and the readings for the the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica were startling, "destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days." Earthly temples eventually fall and in the end Our Lord's offer of salvation is our only hope. Sitting in St. Peter's one was reminded that the Lord gave charge of His assembly, His church to St. Peter so that we might receive Him at this Mass.
After Mass we made a futile attempt to take the subway to the Statten Island Ferry, after a visit to the aforementioned Century 21 department store to get out of the cold, we went to the omnipresent in the northeast-- Dunkin Donuts across the street to await Father Joseph Wilson who had graciously invited us to dine with him.
Father Wilson entertained us, taking us to a fine Italian restaraunt in China Town. Father Wilson is the friend of converts and a frequent contributer to The Wanderer...also Crux News has some of his columns here. At the end of our evening Father called a cab for us...the driver, Amy surmises a Korean spoke very little English and couldn't understand any of us in the back seat trying to direct him back to the Met where our car was parked. We ended up in Brooklyn for a time, but finally back to our car at the Met parking garage. Then off from the island back to White Plains where the moon slowly recovered from an eclipse and we longed for home.
The third day was dominated by walking where cars roared past and driving where nothing but people were walking. Through an error in judgment (otherwise known as stupidity) I drove into Central Park on a "car-free"day in an attempt to get closer to the Metropolitan Art Museum that I had alread drove past. I thought it was rather strange that no other cars were on the road. There were thousands of people milling about, along with a fair amount of horse drawn carriages. Finally one jogger rapped on my window and broke the news to me, that it was a car-free Saturday and he pointed to where I might exit the park. Thankfully the CNN helicopters didn't hover overhead and break into their news coverage.
After driving down Park Ave. and turning correctly on 85th Ave., we arrived at the Met. Our main focus was on the El Greco special exhibit. I enjoyed this immensely. I especially liked the "Adoration of the Shepherds" it gave me an insight into a mission I'm preaching in a few weeks entitled "Let us go and see what the Lord has made known to us." The one downside about the El Greco exhibit was the lack of religious insight into the various paintings.
After several hours at the Met, including twenty minutes of trying to find our way out (which gave us a quick look through many galleries we might otherwise have missed) we grabbed a cab and headed to Saint Patrick's Cathedral. I had wanted to pray at the tomb of Archbishop Fulton Sheen but this turned out not to be possible because of all that activity going on at the Cathedral on this day.
Next we hiked over to Rockefeller Center, watched the folks skating on the ice, peeked into the Today Show studios, walked underneath the GE building, checked out the toy soldiers on top of the marquee of Radio City Music Hall, saw the Time-Life building, walked over to the Fox News building, saw the Simon and Shuster building, walked a few blocks to Times Square, walked up one street and then down a block and ate at Hamburger Harry's. Next we walked back toward Times Square, into the theater district to where The Producers was playing, then back through Times Sqaure, over several blocks to the New York City Public Library, then to Grand Central, then to the Empire State Building. All of this on a very cold windy 41 degree day!
Hopping on the subway, after another two block walk we headed to Ground Zero. The cold fit the mood of one of the largest graves of the twenty-first century. A fence around the site carries pictures of happier times, and the cross at ground zero stands as a monument reminding us of all who died on that fateful day in September. The site now reminds me of those religous sites where apparitions have occurred with trinkets and memorabilia for sale everywhere--but no one seems to buy any of these wares. A street preacher railed against the money being spent to rebuild, while so many continue to die the victims of disease. Meanwhile across the street at the Century 21 department store people cram the ailes in some mad rush to consume...anything...just consume.
We walked a block to St. Peter's the oldest Catholic Church in Manhattan. This is the Church where Father Mychal Judge was carried and laid before the altar. The wheels of one of the planes that struck the second tower landed upon the roof of this church. The smell of incense flooded my nostrils as we walked in out from the cold. A plaque announced that Father Sorin the founder of Notre Dame had said Mass here before making his trek to Indiana to eventually start the famous Catholic University. The Mass we attended was simple (no music) and the readings for the the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica were startling, "destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days." Earthly temples eventually fall and in the end Our Lord's offer of salvation is our only hope. Sitting in St. Peter's one was reminded that the Lord gave charge of His assembly, His church to St. Peter so that we might receive Him at this Mass.
After Mass we made a futile attempt to take the subway to the Statten Island Ferry, after a visit to the aforementioned Century 21 department store to get out of the cold, we went to the omnipresent in the northeast-- Dunkin Donuts across the street to await Father Joseph Wilson who had graciously invited us to dine with him.
Father Wilson entertained us, taking us to a fine Italian restaraunt in China Town. Father Wilson is the friend of converts and a frequent contributer to The Wanderer...also Crux News has some of his columns here. At the end of our evening Father called a cab for us...the driver, Amy surmises a Korean spoke very little English and couldn't understand any of us in the back seat trying to direct him back to the Met where our car was parked. We ended up in Brooklyn for a time, but finally back to our car at the Met parking garage. Then off from the island back to White Plains where the moon slowly recovered from an eclipse and we longed for home.
Veteran's Day/Feast fo St. Martin of Tours
There is a very neat site dedicated to Catholics in the military...Welcome to CatholicMil.org...check it out while you offer up a prayer for those who are still in and for those. like myself (77-80 US Army) who've served in the past.
Only Catholic Church Losing Clergy
Contrary to an oft repeated mantra by certian groups with regard to the retention of Clergy in Christian Churches in the United States, the truth is that only the Catholic Church has experienced a decline.
From CNS NEWS BRIEFS Nov-10-2003:
Among major U.S. religious bodies, the Catholic Church is the only one experiencing a decreasing number of clergy, according to Purdue University sociology professor James D. Davidson. In the current U.S. discussion over whether mandatory celibacy is a significant factor in the Catholic priest shortage, some church officials have cited clergy shortages in other denominations to argue that it is the social or cultural climate of the country that inhibits vocations, not celibacy. Davidson compared 1981-2001 trends in the Catholic Church, seven large mainline Protestant churches and three more theologically conservative churches. He found that the Catholic Church experienced a 22 percent decline in clergy, while all the Protestant churches registered gains. Even seven denominations that had declining membership in those years had more clergy in 2001 than in 1981 or 1991, he found. The CARA Report, a quarterly publication of the Washington-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, cited Davidson's findings in its fall 2003 issue.
From CNS NEWS BRIEFS Nov-10-2003:
Among major U.S. religious bodies, the Catholic Church is the only one experiencing a decreasing number of clergy, according to Purdue University sociology professor James D. Davidson. In the current U.S. discussion over whether mandatory celibacy is a significant factor in the Catholic priest shortage, some church officials have cited clergy shortages in other denominations to argue that it is the social or cultural climate of the country that inhibits vocations, not celibacy. Davidson compared 1981-2001 trends in the Catholic Church, seven large mainline Protestant churches and three more theologically conservative churches. He found that the Catholic Church experienced a 22 percent decline in clergy, while all the Protestant churches registered gains. Even seven denominations that had declining membership in those years had more clergy in 2001 than in 1981 or 1991, he found. The CARA Report, a quarterly publication of the Washington-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, cited Davidson's findings in its fall 2003 issue.
Monday, November 10, 2003
Universities and the Conneticut Coast
Day 2
The second day was dominated (for me anyway) of taking care of Joseph while Amy spoke at the Catholic Congress at Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, CT. After lugging Joseph around the previous day, I immediately went with him to a nearby mall after dropping Amy off at Sacred Heart. Luckily, I quickly found a cheap stroller and we headed back to the University where I took in a few minutes of each of the speakers who were speaking at the same time as Amy. Barbara Morgan of Stuebenville was telling the teachers that they needed to present a Catholic world view in how they taught their subjects, regardless of what the subject was...Monsignor Irwin was speaking about the liturgy and it's importance as a part of life and Amy was speaking on how to teach young people to pray and evidently since people kept saying to me "oh this must be the stroller," that entailed relating the need for help that we all have in carrying our burdens.
Joseph and I spent much of the afternoon sitting in the Pioneer's stadium watching the football team practice (mostly goof around). His comment in between sifting through peanut shells left from a previous game was that the boys were being silly. The silly Pioneeer boys lost again this past weekend, it turns out for the third straight time!
Here is an interesting tidbit about Sacred Heart's nickname:
Sacred Heart University's nickname, Pioneers, stems from its founding, in 1963, as the first Catholic university in the United States that was led and staffed by independent lay people. All five of its presidents have been laymen. The first issue of the school's yearbook, in 1967, refers to the men's basketball team as the "Pioneers". This name was subsequently adopted as the name for all of our athletics teams.
We met the wife of the President at lunch.
At the end of the day we traveled along the Conneticut coast. A beautiful drive, up toward Guilford, CT. I had been to Guilford two other times in my life, both times to visit a friend who was assigned in a parish there. We had a nice meal at the Guiford Mooring, where the chilled air smelled of seaweed and lobster traps were piled high in the air.
On the way home we drove through New Haven and the Yale University campus.
The second day was dominated (for me anyway) of taking care of Joseph while Amy spoke at the Catholic Congress at Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, CT. After lugging Joseph around the previous day, I immediately went with him to a nearby mall after dropping Amy off at Sacred Heart. Luckily, I quickly found a cheap stroller and we headed back to the University where I took in a few minutes of each of the speakers who were speaking at the same time as Amy. Barbara Morgan of Stuebenville was telling the teachers that they needed to present a Catholic world view in how they taught their subjects, regardless of what the subject was...Monsignor Irwin was speaking about the liturgy and it's importance as a part of life and Amy was speaking on how to teach young people to pray and evidently since people kept saying to me "oh this must be the stroller," that entailed relating the need for help that we all have in carrying our burdens.
Joseph and I spent much of the afternoon sitting in the Pioneer's stadium watching the football team practice (mostly goof around). His comment in between sifting through peanut shells left from a previous game was that the boys were being silly. The silly Pioneeer boys lost again this past weekend, it turns out for the third straight time!
Here is an interesting tidbit about Sacred Heart's nickname:
Sacred Heart University's nickname, Pioneers, stems from its founding, in 1963, as the first Catholic university in the United States that was led and staffed by independent lay people. All five of its presidents have been laymen. The first issue of the school's yearbook, in 1967, refers to the men's basketball team as the "Pioneers". This name was subsequently adopted as the name for all of our athletics teams.
We met the wife of the President at lunch.
At the end of the day we traveled along the Conneticut coast. A beautiful drive, up toward Guilford, CT. I had been to Guilford two other times in my life, both times to visit a friend who was assigned in a parish there. We had a nice meal at the Guiford Mooring, where the chilled air smelled of seaweed and lobster traps were piled high in the air.
On the way home we drove through New Haven and the Yale University campus.
New York and Conneticut
Day 1
After a flight to Chicago and then to Westchester County we picked up the rental car and proceeded to Manhattan. Flying into White Plains I was amazed at how sparsely populated the area is just a half hour from one of the largest cities in the world. The Westchester County airport had two gates, making it one of the smallest airports I have ever flown into.
After picking up tickets and dropping off books to a generous benefactor who had contacted Amy we headed to the Mother Cabrini Shrine in upper Manhattan. Here is the final resting place of Saint Mother Cabrini, her body lies in state under the main altar. The walls in the sanctuary contain mosaics of her life, from her commission by the Pope to "go west", to illustrations of her many charitable works. I met with several workers at the shrine to discuss the inclusion of the shrine in a new book that will come out next year entitled The Church's Most Powerful Novenas--a complete revision of the (Mention Your Request) book that will be done more like a prayer book. One of the workers gave me a second class relic--they were all very cooperative!
While we were there one of the Shrine directors was giving a presentation to a group of students visiting the shrine. I only caught part, but it was fascinating to hear--like a scene out of an episode of CSI the details of Mother Cabrini's remains when her tomb was openned some twelve years after her death. All done with a thick New York accent!!
We had lunch at a little New York diner, where Joseph gobbled down his grilled cheese (when promised that he would receive a cookie from a nearby bakery).
When we returned to where I had parked, we found another car had double parked next to us--blocking us in. The driver was in the car though, so it didn't seem like it would be a problem--until the driver found they couldn't start their car. Another driver, also double parked got out and tried to help the driver of the car that wouldn't start by banging the battery cables. Finally the second driver moved his car and I was able snake my way out. I found evey New Yorker I encountered on this trip to be incredibly friendly--are the days of the rude New Yorker a distant memory now or did we just luck out?
Next we went to the Cloisters, where there was plenty of parking. By now it was raining a cold damp drizzle. Taking turns lugging Joseph around and trying to keep him entertained in a beautiful peaceful setting is no small chore. He did take a fancy to a small bird (fake) in a cage that hung from the ceiling in one of the rooms. And he was able to identify figures of Mary, Jesus on the cross and "nummy" referring to an exposed woman's breast whenever he would spot one.
Which brings to mind one image (that I believe was there), of Mary interceding with her Son who was inteceding with the Father for a group of petitioners who were at the bottom of the painting. In the image the people small stand pleading under an image of Mary who appears larger than life, who holds one of her breast out toward Christ saying (portrayed by words flowing from her to Christ) something to the effect "for the sake of the milk that I nurished you with" hear these people's prayers. Jesus then has one hand opening the wound on his side as he looks to the Father in Heaven and says (agains symbolized by words flowing upward) something to the effect "for the sake of the suffering I endured for your glory". I found the whole image an incredible lesson in the nature of sacrifice as essentially a "giving" of oneself for others and how intricate this is to true prayer. Thanks to Joseph who pointed it out to me as another "nummy" image...thanks to the giving of his mother for planting that thought in his mind.
Next, since it was already rush hour and any attempt on fleeing New York would have been in vain. We just bit the bullet and drove right through Manhattan. Down Broadway, up Fifth Avenue, past Rockfeller Center, through Times Square, past Ground Zero, through the Brooklyn Tunnel and then north on I-278 where crawling in traffic we spyed the New York skyline at night to the music of Joseph whining, crying and shouting that he wanted something. We tried to convince him to take his neglected nap and that when he awoke he would indeed get something, but to no avail. Meanwhile Amy tried to read a map but like me found that her reading without the aid of some magnification is failing. When I looked at the map several times when the traffic was at a complete stop, I found that while I could make out roads the numbers were totally illegible. But we made it finally out of Gotham and into the more placid region of Conneticut.
After a flight to Chicago and then to Westchester County we picked up the rental car and proceeded to Manhattan. Flying into White Plains I was amazed at how sparsely populated the area is just a half hour from one of the largest cities in the world. The Westchester County airport had two gates, making it one of the smallest airports I have ever flown into.
After picking up tickets and dropping off books to a generous benefactor who had contacted Amy we headed to the Mother Cabrini Shrine in upper Manhattan. Here is the final resting place of Saint Mother Cabrini, her body lies in state under the main altar. The walls in the sanctuary contain mosaics of her life, from her commission by the Pope to "go west", to illustrations of her many charitable works. I met with several workers at the shrine to discuss the inclusion of the shrine in a new book that will come out next year entitled The Church's Most Powerful Novenas--a complete revision of the (Mention Your Request) book that will be done more like a prayer book. One of the workers gave me a second class relic--they were all very cooperative!
While we were there one of the Shrine directors was giving a presentation to a group of students visiting the shrine. I only caught part, but it was fascinating to hear--like a scene out of an episode of CSI the details of Mother Cabrini's remains when her tomb was openned some twelve years after her death. All done with a thick New York accent!!
We had lunch at a little New York diner, where Joseph gobbled down his grilled cheese (when promised that he would receive a cookie from a nearby bakery).
When we returned to where I had parked, we found another car had double parked next to us--blocking us in. The driver was in the car though, so it didn't seem like it would be a problem--until the driver found they couldn't start their car. Another driver, also double parked got out and tried to help the driver of the car that wouldn't start by banging the battery cables. Finally the second driver moved his car and I was able snake my way out. I found evey New Yorker I encountered on this trip to be incredibly friendly--are the days of the rude New Yorker a distant memory now or did we just luck out?
Next we went to the Cloisters, where there was plenty of parking. By now it was raining a cold damp drizzle. Taking turns lugging Joseph around and trying to keep him entertained in a beautiful peaceful setting is no small chore. He did take a fancy to a small bird (fake) in a cage that hung from the ceiling in one of the rooms. And he was able to identify figures of Mary, Jesus on the cross and "nummy" referring to an exposed woman's breast whenever he would spot one.
Which brings to mind one image (that I believe was there), of Mary interceding with her Son who was inteceding with the Father for a group of petitioners who were at the bottom of the painting. In the image the people small stand pleading under an image of Mary who appears larger than life, who holds one of her breast out toward Christ saying (portrayed by words flowing from her to Christ) something to the effect "for the sake of the milk that I nurished you with" hear these people's prayers. Jesus then has one hand opening the wound on his side as he looks to the Father in Heaven and says (agains symbolized by words flowing upward) something to the effect "for the sake of the suffering I endured for your glory". I found the whole image an incredible lesson in the nature of sacrifice as essentially a "giving" of oneself for others and how intricate this is to true prayer. Thanks to Joseph who pointed it out to me as another "nummy" image...thanks to the giving of his mother for planting that thought in his mind.
Next, since it was already rush hour and any attempt on fleeing New York would have been in vain. We just bit the bullet and drove right through Manhattan. Down Broadway, up Fifth Avenue, past Rockfeller Center, through Times Square, past Ground Zero, through the Brooklyn Tunnel and then north on I-278 where crawling in traffic we spyed the New York skyline at night to the music of Joseph whining, crying and shouting that he wanted something. We tried to convince him to take his neglected nap and that when he awoke he would indeed get something, but to no avail. Meanwhile Amy tried to read a map but like me found that her reading without the aid of some magnification is failing. When I looked at the map several times when the traffic was at a complete stop, I found that while I could make out roads the numbers were totally illegible. But we made it finally out of Gotham and into the more placid region of Conneticut.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation
Official site for the cause of canonization... at Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation
My attempt to pray at the tomb of Archbishop Sheen on Saturday was turned out to be a futile attempt. Not sure why the crypt is so out of reach there...
My attempt to pray at the tomb of Archbishop Sheen on Saturday was turned out to be a futile attempt. Not sure why the crypt is so out of reach there...
Friday, November 7, 2003
Trip Update
This will be short and to the point. We had a pleasant flight yesterday into New York,spent lunch time at the Shrine of Mother Cabrini in the City, ate at a nearby deli. Took in the Cloisters, also nearby..all very nice. We then drove through Manhattan, smack in the middle of Times Square, down past the pit where the World Trade Centers once were and through the tunnel into Brooklyn. Then a long rush hour drive, back to Conneticut, where we are right now.
Wednesday, November 5, 2003
President Signs Partial-Birth Ban
From My Way News:
"'For years, a terrible form of violence has been directed against children who are inches from birth while the law looked the other way,' Bush said as he signed the ban on a procedure called partial-birth abortion by its critics.
The White House staged the ceremony, before about 400 lawmakers and abortion opponents, at a federal building named for former President Ronald Reagan, a strong supporter of anti-abortion groups. 'Today at last the American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child,' he said."
"'For years, a terrible form of violence has been directed against children who are inches from birth while the law looked the other way,' Bush said as he signed the ban on a procedure called partial-birth abortion by its critics.
The White House staged the ceremony, before about 400 lawmakers and abortion opponents, at a federal building named for former President Ronald Reagan, a strong supporter of anti-abortion groups. 'Today at last the American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child,' he said."
Amy' Father to be Honored, Congratulations!!!
From The Paris News:
"Among current honorees will be 2003 Distinguished Alumnus, Thomas Moore.
Hall of Honor inductees include Dr. Arnold Oates, Division of Instructional Support; former state Rep. L.P. “Pete” and Doris Patterson, Social Science Department; and Elbert S. Nance, Math and Science Department.
Also, Carolyn Reese Brown, Dr. Bob Morton and Dr. David Welborn, all inducted by Alumni and Friends Association."
"Among current honorees will be 2003 Distinguished Alumnus, Thomas Moore.
Hall of Honor inductees include Dr. Arnold Oates, Division of Instructional Support; former state Rep. L.P. “Pete” and Doris Patterson, Social Science Department; and Elbert S. Nance, Math and Science Department.
Also, Carolyn Reese Brown, Dr. Bob Morton and Dr. David Welborn, all inducted by Alumni and Friends Association."
Sun Produces Another Monster Flare!
Those who see the concert of the Universe, who read Genesis and see that God put the Sun up there both to mark the day and "for signs" will no doubt see that all of this solar activity is a portent of something big that is about to happen.
To the rest, it will be pointed out that this happens all the time but then so do earth changing events!
From BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Sun produces monster solar flare:
"The Sun has unleashed its largest recorded solar flare, capping 10 days of unprecedented activity for the star.
The blast sent billions of tonnes of superhot gas into space - some of it directed towards our planet.
Scientists say the Sun's current spate of activity has produced the most dramatic events seen on the solar surface since regular monitoring began.
Space weather forecasters have been kept busy tracking the impact of geomagnetic storms on the Earth. "
To the rest, it will be pointed out that this happens all the time but then so do earth changing events!
From BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Sun produces monster solar flare:
"The Sun has unleashed its largest recorded solar flare, capping 10 days of unprecedented activity for the star.
The blast sent billions of tonnes of superhot gas into space - some of it directed towards our planet.
Scientists say the Sun's current spate of activity has produced the most dramatic events seen on the solar surface since regular monitoring began.
Space weather forecasters have been kept busy tracking the impact of geomagnetic storms on the Earth. "
Charlie Woytla Celebrates Name Day (Yesterday)
Somehow "Karol" sounds more dignified, no offense to all you "Charles" out there!
Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:
"John Paul II celebrated his name day today, the liturgical memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, with a lunch attended by some of his closest aides, including Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The Pope's name day (Nov. 4, for Karol or Charles) is a holiday in the Vatican. In fact, John Paul II celebrates this day, or that of his election to the papacy (Oct. 16), more than he does his birthday.
Today the Holy Father was in Paul VI Hall for the 'Evening of the Holy Father's Poetry,' organized for the anniversary of his pontificate. He also met with members of the John Paul II Foundation, and numerous Polish pilgrims.
At the social gathering, there were readings from 'Roman Triptych,' the book of poetry he wrote in the summer of 2002, at the conclusion of a trip to Poland.
The Holy Father thanked the artists for the program and greeted pilgrims of the Polish Archdiocese of Danzica, who annually join him for his saint's day. Polish pilgrims from Gniezno and Tarnow joined them.
John Paul II chose the occasion to give Archbishop Szczepan Wesoly, president of the executive council of the John Paul II Foundation, the decree by which the foundation's renewed statute comes into force.
The foundation, the Pope said, is dedicated to 'religious, cultural, scientific, pastoral and charitable activity in favor of Poles who live in the homeland and of those who are emigrants, to facilitate the consolidation of the existing traditional ties between the Polish nation and the Holy See, in order to promote the propagation of the patrimony of Polish Christian culture and further study of the doctrine of the Church.'"
Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:
"John Paul II celebrated his name day today, the liturgical memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, with a lunch attended by some of his closest aides, including Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The Pope's name day (Nov. 4, for Karol or Charles) is a holiday in the Vatican. In fact, John Paul II celebrates this day, or that of his election to the papacy (Oct. 16), more than he does his birthday.
Today the Holy Father was in Paul VI Hall for the 'Evening of the Holy Father's Poetry,' organized for the anniversary of his pontificate. He also met with members of the John Paul II Foundation, and numerous Polish pilgrims.
At the social gathering, there were readings from 'Roman Triptych,' the book of poetry he wrote in the summer of 2002, at the conclusion of a trip to Poland.
The Holy Father thanked the artists for the program and greeted pilgrims of the Polish Archdiocese of Danzica, who annually join him for his saint's day. Polish pilgrims from Gniezno and Tarnow joined them.
John Paul II chose the occasion to give Archbishop Szczepan Wesoly, president of the executive council of the John Paul II Foundation, the decree by which the foundation's renewed statute comes into force.
The foundation, the Pope said, is dedicated to 'religious, cultural, scientific, pastoral and charitable activity in favor of Poles who live in the homeland and of those who are emigrants, to facilitate the consolidation of the existing traditional ties between the Polish nation and the Holy See, in order to promote the propagation of the patrimony of Polish Christian culture and further study of the doctrine of the Church.'"
One of My Goals While in New York
Is to pray at the tombs of Pierre Tousaint and Fulton Sheen, along with Cardinal Cooke and O'Connor.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York - Wikipedia:
"The Archbishops of New York are buried in a crypt under the high altar. Their honorary hats, called galeros, hang from the ceiling over their tombs.
Blessed Pierre Toussaint (1766 - 1853) paid for the reconstruction of old St. Peter's Church (the first Catholic church in New York, founded 1785) after it burned, and helped raise money for the construction of the old St. Patrick's Cathedral in lower Manhattan (which was the second Catholic church in New York, founded 1809). Though during his life he had been turned away from the church because of his race, he was interred in the burial grounds at Old St. Patrick's Cathedral. John Cardinal O'Connor had Toussaint's remains moved from the cemetery of old St. Patrick's into the crypt below the main altar of the Fifth Avenue of the new St. Patrick's Cathedral. The process of canonization of Pierre Toussaint is underway.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen (May 8, 1895 - December 9, 1979) - most noted as host of his radio show, 'The Catholic Hour' and his television show, 'Life is Worth Living, he was Bishop of the Rochester Diocese but was also an Auxillary Bishop for the Archdiocese of New York from 1951-1966. "
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York - Wikipedia:
"The Archbishops of New York are buried in a crypt under the high altar. Their honorary hats, called galeros, hang from the ceiling over their tombs.
Blessed Pierre Toussaint (1766 - 1853) paid for the reconstruction of old St. Peter's Church (the first Catholic church in New York, founded 1785) after it burned, and helped raise money for the construction of the old St. Patrick's Cathedral in lower Manhattan (which was the second Catholic church in New York, founded 1809). Though during his life he had been turned away from the church because of his race, he was interred in the burial grounds at Old St. Patrick's Cathedral. John Cardinal O'Connor had Toussaint's remains moved from the cemetery of old St. Patrick's into the crypt below the main altar of the Fifth Avenue of the new St. Patrick's Cathedral. The process of canonization of Pierre Toussaint is underway.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen (May 8, 1895 - December 9, 1979) - most noted as host of his radio show, 'The Catholic Hour' and his television show, 'Life is Worth Living, he was Bishop of the Rochester Diocese but was also an Auxillary Bishop for the Archdiocese of New York from 1951-1966. "
Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Meditation of Daily Events Key to Overcoming Difficulties in Life
Today is the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo.
From Universalis: Office of Readings:
"We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: I will pray, and then I will understand. When you administer the sacraments, meditate on what you are doing. When you celebrate Mass, reflect on the sacrifice you are offering. When you pray the office, think about the words you are saying and the Lord to whom you are speaking. When you take care of your people, meditate on how the Lord’s blood that has washed them clean so that all that you do becomes a work of love.
This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work: in meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in other men."
From Universalis: Office of Readings:
"We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: I will pray, and then I will understand. When you administer the sacraments, meditate on what you are doing. When you celebrate Mass, reflect on the sacrifice you are offering. When you pray the office, think about the words you are saying and the Lord to whom you are speaking. When you take care of your people, meditate on how the Lord’s blood that has washed them clean so that all that you do becomes a work of love.
This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work: in meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in other men."
Monday, November 3, 2003
A Cloistered Sister and a Novel About the Cloistered Life
Sister Mary Catherine Perry, a cloistered Dominican nun has written a novel entitled Amata Means Beloved. Check it out at Amata Means Beloved:
FROM THE BOOK
Sister Maria Amata was distracted. "Why is she crying? I wonder if Sister Mary Elaine snapped at her. She doesn't usually get upset, though. Not like I do."
The warm breeze of the June day wafted into the choir. The scent of honeysuckle was in the air. What had Sister Zita Anne told her once?
"I was married in June." Not three months later, her husband had been killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. His death had tested her faith.
"I thought I could never forgive the terrorists who killed my husband. I knew I had to. It was what Jesus was calling me to do. Every day was a new effort. It took time. It took a lot of help and support from others. I was so in love! Never, and I mean never, would I have thought I'd enter a cloistered monastery. Well, here I am!"
A sudden revelation crashed into Sister Maria Amata's thoughts: "That's what is so peaceful about her. She really forgives those guys."
Sister Mary Dominic intoned the Magnificat, Mary's canticle. "My soul glorifies the Lord."
Sister Maria Amata struggled to fight back the tears coming to her eyes. She looked up at the icon of Our Lady of Tenderness that was at the front of the choir. "Mother of God and my Mother, please, help to forgive the man that killed Danny. I'm trying to, but I'm not free. Show me how to let go! Help me to be truly free, to give everything I am to God."
FROM THE BOOK
Sister Maria Amata was distracted. "Why is she crying? I wonder if Sister Mary Elaine snapped at her. She doesn't usually get upset, though. Not like I do."
The warm breeze of the June day wafted into the choir. The scent of honeysuckle was in the air. What had Sister Zita Anne told her once?
"I was married in June." Not three months later, her husband had been killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. His death had tested her faith.
"I thought I could never forgive the terrorists who killed my husband. I knew I had to. It was what Jesus was calling me to do. Every day was a new effort. It took time. It took a lot of help and support from others. I was so in love! Never, and I mean never, would I have thought I'd enter a cloistered monastery. Well, here I am!"
A sudden revelation crashed into Sister Maria Amata's thoughts: "That's what is so peaceful about her. She really forgives those guys."
Sister Mary Dominic intoned the Magnificat, Mary's canticle. "My soul glorifies the Lord."
Sister Maria Amata struggled to fight back the tears coming to her eyes. She looked up at the icon of Our Lady of Tenderness that was at the front of the choir. "Mother of God and my Mother, please, help to forgive the man that killed Danny. I'm trying to, but I'm not free. Show me how to let go! Help me to be truly free, to give everything I am to God."
Sunday, November 2, 2003
Confusion of This Weekend's Feasts
I know this will be lost on most. But the way the Feast of All Saints and All Souls falls on a Saturday and Sunday presents a lot of confusion for thos who pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Usually, All Souls would be celebrated on the 3rd of November if it falls on a Sunday (see the old encyclopedia entry below). I still haven't figured out why its being celebrated on a Sunday. But I did find an answer to another question that I had about whether Evening Prayer II for All Saints should be have been prayed last night, since there is no Evening Prayer for the Vigil of All Souls.
From Office of the Chancellor August 2003:
"The Solemnity of All Saints begins with Evening Prayer I on Friday, 31 October, and concludes with the celebration of Evening Prayer II of the Solemnity on 1 November. The Liturgy of the Hours on Sunday, 2 November 2003, All Souls Day, is that of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time. When Morning and Evening Prayer are celebrated with the people, however, these Hours may be taken from the Office for the Dead. If the Eucharist is celebrated on the evening of Friday, 31 October, the Mass is that of the Solemnity of All Saints. If the Eucharist is celebrated on Saturday evening, 1 November, the Mass is that of All Souls Day and is taken from the section, 'Masses for the Dead,' in the Sacramentary. "
From Office of the Chancellor August 2003:
"The Solemnity of All Saints begins with Evening Prayer I on Friday, 31 October, and concludes with the celebration of Evening Prayer II of the Solemnity on 1 November. The Liturgy of the Hours on Sunday, 2 November 2003, All Souls Day, is that of the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time. When Morning and Evening Prayer are celebrated with the people, however, these Hours may be taken from the Office for the Dead. If the Eucharist is celebrated on the evening of Friday, 31 October, the Mass is that of the Solemnity of All Saints. If the Eucharist is celebrated on Saturday evening, 1 November, the Mass is that of All Souls Day and is taken from the section, 'Masses for the Dead,' in the Sacramentary. "
All Souls' Day
From the CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: All Souls' Day:
"The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the Church on 2 November, or, if this be a Sunday or a solemnity, on 3 November. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy and all the Masses are to be of Requiem, except one of the current feast, where this is of obligation.
The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, almsdeeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass. "
"The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the Church on 2 November, or, if this be a Sunday or a solemnity, on 3 November. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy and all the Masses are to be of Requiem, except one of the current feast, where this is of obligation.
The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, almsdeeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass. "
Saturday, November 1, 2003
Feast of All Saints
A great meditation for this feast from a sermon by Saint Bernard about the feast.
From the Universalis: Office of Readings:
"Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honours when their heavenly Father honours them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honour from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.
Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.
Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts "
From the Universalis: Office of Readings:
"Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honours when their heavenly Father honours them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honour from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.
Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.
Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts "
"I Ask St. Philomena"
This book is a short easy to read book that is a great read! When I first encountered the manuscript, I went to the publisher and told him that this could well be the "Catholic" answer to the Prayer of Jabez. Spirit Daily features the book today (for All Saints) and everyone who reads it ends up recommending it to all of their friends. See what all the talks about:
Friday, October 31, 2003
If Every Day Could be Like Halloween--The Last Christian Feast
Once again we arrive at a very strange day. Little people, some guised in grotesque attire will arrive at our doors this evening and beg for food, if you can call candy that. What is even more strange is that only the most stingy among us will refuse their request.
What if everyday were like Halloween? What if no matter who came to us on any day, wearing whatever guise they chose, was greeted with joy and a generous response of almsgiving? Why we might all be saints!
So this truly is All Saints Eve. It is a lesson for us to learn. We are not frightened by the guises of the little monsters because underneath we know them to be good little children. But how can we translate this act of charity into a life of realizing that Christ comes to us in his many guises throughout the year, begging from us, hoping that we will look beyond the mask He dons at the time?
"When I was hungry you gave me to eat, when I was thirst you gave me to drink, when I was a stranger you welcomed me, when I was naked you clothed me, when I was sick you cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me,"(Matthew 25) "When did we see you Lord?" is the reply of everyone...but for some it is in response to what they did and for others it is for what they did not do.
It is appropriate on the Eve of All Saints (and I do think we should give this celebration its American English translation), that we imitate the Saints in their ability to recognize Christ in our brothers and sisters--no matter how they present themselves to us, in the same way we will imitate the giving of the Father on Christmas Eve by playing St. Nick for our children. It is fitting to face the ghoulish nature of life that is ever heading toward death, on this eve to be faced with skulls and other symbols of death so that we may commemorate our dead on the Feast of All Souls. Indeed in our secular calendar of feasts, this is the last Christian feast which ironically comes under its harshest attack not from the ACLU but from other Christian churches--go figure!
Would that everyday could be All Hallow's Eve...and that for each of us, that everyday will be the eve of our being with God and His Saints in His heavenly kingdom.
What if everyday were like Halloween? What if no matter who came to us on any day, wearing whatever guise they chose, was greeted with joy and a generous response of almsgiving? Why we might all be saints!
So this truly is All Saints Eve. It is a lesson for us to learn. We are not frightened by the guises of the little monsters because underneath we know them to be good little children. But how can we translate this act of charity into a life of realizing that Christ comes to us in his many guises throughout the year, begging from us, hoping that we will look beyond the mask He dons at the time?
"When I was hungry you gave me to eat, when I was thirst you gave me to drink, when I was a stranger you welcomed me, when I was naked you clothed me, when I was sick you cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me,"(Matthew 25) "When did we see you Lord?" is the reply of everyone...but for some it is in response to what they did and for others it is for what they did not do.
It is appropriate on the Eve of All Saints (and I do think we should give this celebration its American English translation), that we imitate the Saints in their ability to recognize Christ in our brothers and sisters--no matter how they present themselves to us, in the same way we will imitate the giving of the Father on Christmas Eve by playing St. Nick for our children. It is fitting to face the ghoulish nature of life that is ever heading toward death, on this eve to be faced with skulls and other symbols of death so that we may commemorate our dead on the Feast of All Souls. Indeed in our secular calendar of feasts, this is the last Christian feast which ironically comes under its harshest attack not from the ACLU but from other Christian churches--go figure!
Would that everyday could be All Hallow's Eve...and that for each of us, that everyday will be the eve of our being with God and His Saints in His heavenly kingdom.
Ron Zook--Love-Hate Relationship
From ESPN.com: College Football
In Gainesville, the affectionate term for the head football coach is The Zooker. Lord knows, there are a multitude of less affectionate terms floating around out there for Ron Zook.
Saturday, Florida can steal a page from Hollywood and Ronald Reagan. It can win one for The Zooker.
The Gators can win one that might -- just might -- transform a mutinous fan base. Beat fourth-ranked, defending SEC champion Georgia in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, and Florida backers could conceivably go from on The Zooker's back to having his back. They just might let him up and let him breathe.
At least until the next loss to Mississippi.
In Gainesville, the affectionate term for the head football coach is The Zooker. Lord knows, there are a multitude of less affectionate terms floating around out there for Ron Zook.
Saturday, Florida can steal a page from Hollywood and Ronald Reagan. It can win one for The Zooker.
The Gators can win one that might -- just might -- transform a mutinous fan base. Beat fourth-ranked, defending SEC champion Georgia in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, and Florida backers could conceivably go from on The Zooker's back to having his back. They just might let him up and let him breathe.
At least until the next loss to Mississippi.
Good at Rejection??
Since I've received so many rejection letters in my writing career, I guess I'm pretty good at writing them. I frequently receive letters from people whose manuscripts I've rejected, as I did today, this one from an award winning writer:
I rarely have the opportunity to say this, but...thank you for the wonderful rejection letter!
I rarely have the opportunity to say this, but...thank you for the wonderful rejection letter!
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Wildfire Turns California Resort Into Tinderbox
One of the stranger stories I watched on the news coverage was a story on the CBS news last night where two fire trucks were parked outside of a very large house. There was some implication that whoever owned the house was receiveing preferential treatment. There was never any mention of who the house belonged to though.
From Wildfire Turns California Resort Into Tinderbox (washingtonpost.com):
"Southern California wildfires turned into an 'Apocalypse Now' as a firestorm raced through the mountain resort of Lake Arrowhead destroying an estimated 250 homes in minutes and leaving officials fearing that the fiery rage would not abate on Thursday. "
Fire officials said the only hope they had for preventing a repeat of Wednesday's disaster on Lake Arrowhead was incoming fog that was expected to creep in from the ocean and envelop the mountains by the week's end.
"The good news is that a little too late the weather is changing on us. ... We will still have trouble (on Thursday) in the higher elevations, but by Friday we will get higher humidity ... and this will help the fire suppression effort," said Andrea Tuttle, the head of the state's Forestry Department.
It was Tuttle who said that the San Bernardino Mountains, the winter playground for nearby Los Angeles, could erupt in flames of Biblical proportions because of a huge infestation of minute bark beetles which killed 70 percent of the trees around Lake Arrowhead and surrounding communities.
From Wildfire Turns California Resort Into Tinderbox (washingtonpost.com):
"Southern California wildfires turned into an 'Apocalypse Now' as a firestorm raced through the mountain resort of Lake Arrowhead destroying an estimated 250 homes in minutes and leaving officials fearing that the fiery rage would not abate on Thursday. "
Fire officials said the only hope they had for preventing a repeat of Wednesday's disaster on Lake Arrowhead was incoming fog that was expected to creep in from the ocean and envelop the mountains by the week's end.
"The good news is that a little too late the weather is changing on us. ... We will still have trouble (on Thursday) in the higher elevations, but by Friday we will get higher humidity ... and this will help the fire suppression effort," said Andrea Tuttle, the head of the state's Forestry Department.
It was Tuttle who said that the San Bernardino Mountains, the winter playground for nearby Los Angeles, could erupt in flames of Biblical proportions because of a huge infestation of minute bark beetles which killed 70 percent of the trees around Lake Arrowhead and surrounding communities.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
The Interview That Wasn't
Questions Larry King should have asked but as usual did not...
From the Weekly Standard--The Interview That Wasn't:
THAT EXCHANGE should have opened the door to some very interesting conversation. King could have asked Schiavo if he is raising children with another woman--a matter finally brought up by a caller near the end of the show--why he should continue to have any say over Terri's care, given that the sanctity of the marriage vows he took are no longer operable. King didn't, of course, which is precisely the reason why people in the center of heated public controversies like to go on his show.
There are a number of questions King should have asked Schiavo:
(1) Why did Schiavo tell a medical malpractice jury in 1992 that Terri would live a normal life span? After Terri's collapse, Schiavo sued for medical malpractice. Under civil law, the longer Terri was expected to live, the larger the verdict would probably be. This fact of legal life could explain why Michael presented evidence to the malpractice jury not only that Terri would likely live a normal life span but also that he intended to be a good and loyal husband and care for her for the rest of his life.
(2) Why did Schiavo have a rehabilitation expert testify in front of the malpractice jury to present a detailed plan of therapy for Terri? Schiavo and his lawyer claimed that Terri is incapable of improving physically, but during the 1992 trial, a rehabilitation plan and its anticipated undertaking provided one of the underpinnings for the jury's $1.3 million award. Of that money, Schiavo received $300,000, lawyers' fees were paid, and about $750,000 was put in trust to pay for Terri's rehabilitation.
(3) Given that the jury awarded $750,000 to be used in part for Terri's therapy, why hasn't Schiavo provided any rehabilitation for her since 1991? When asked by King about the issue of rehab, Schiavo described some early efforts to help Terri, such as an experimental surgery in 1990. But he never identified when this rehab took place.
Which is an important point. The only efforts ever undertaken to improve Terri's condition took place in 1990 and 1991. They had ceased by the time of the malpractice trial in 1992 because her insurance coverage had run out. Indeed, the pressing need to restart therapy was an urgent part of the malpractice case. It could have--and should have--paid to restart the rehabilitation that had been abandoned due to lack of funds.
From the Weekly Standard--The Interview That Wasn't:
THAT EXCHANGE should have opened the door to some very interesting conversation. King could have asked Schiavo if he is raising children with another woman--a matter finally brought up by a caller near the end of the show--why he should continue to have any say over Terri's care, given that the sanctity of the marriage vows he took are no longer operable. King didn't, of course, which is precisely the reason why people in the center of heated public controversies like to go on his show.
There are a number of questions King should have asked Schiavo:
(1) Why did Schiavo tell a medical malpractice jury in 1992 that Terri would live a normal life span? After Terri's collapse, Schiavo sued for medical malpractice. Under civil law, the longer Terri was expected to live, the larger the verdict would probably be. This fact of legal life could explain why Michael presented evidence to the malpractice jury not only that Terri would likely live a normal life span but also that he intended to be a good and loyal husband and care for her for the rest of his life.
(2) Why did Schiavo have a rehabilitation expert testify in front of the malpractice jury to present a detailed plan of therapy for Terri? Schiavo and his lawyer claimed that Terri is incapable of improving physically, but during the 1992 trial, a rehabilitation plan and its anticipated undertaking provided one of the underpinnings for the jury's $1.3 million award. Of that money, Schiavo received $300,000, lawyers' fees were paid, and about $750,000 was put in trust to pay for Terri's rehabilitation.
(3) Given that the jury awarded $750,000 to be used in part for Terri's therapy, why hasn't Schiavo provided any rehabilitation for her since 1991? When asked by King about the issue of rehab, Schiavo described some early efforts to help Terri, such as an experimental surgery in 1990. But he never identified when this rehab took place.
Which is an important point. The only efforts ever undertaken to improve Terri's condition took place in 1990 and 1991. They had ceased by the time of the malpractice trial in 1992 because her insurance coverage had run out. Indeed, the pressing need to restart therapy was an urgent part of the malpractice case. It could have--and should have--paid to restart the rehabilitation that had been abandoned due to lack of funds.
McKeon Attributes Success to the Little Flower
Sports people are getting evangelized in some good ole Catholicism!
From CBS.SportsLine.com - Loria says McKeon will be back to lead champion Marlins:
"McKeon begins most days by attending Mass. He carries a crucifix and angel medallion in his pocket, and says had it not been for St. Theresa -- a 19th-century nun who had many miracles attributed to her -- he would not have been in baseball.
McKeon said his father wouldn't let him sign to play as a teenager, insisting instead that he go to college. McKeon said he began praying to St. Theresa and eventually his father gave his blessing.
A half-century career has followed, with this being McKeon's first taste of a World Series.
'St. Theresa has always taken pretty good care of me,' McKeon said. "
From CBS.SportsLine.com - Loria says McKeon will be back to lead champion Marlins:
"McKeon begins most days by attending Mass. He carries a crucifix and angel medallion in his pocket, and says had it not been for St. Theresa -- a 19th-century nun who had many miracles attributed to her -- he would not have been in baseball.
McKeon said his father wouldn't let him sign to play as a teenager, insisting instead that he go to college. McKeon said he began praying to St. Theresa and eventually his father gave his blessing.
A half-century career has followed, with this being McKeon's first taste of a World Series.
'St. Theresa has always taken pretty good care of me,' McKeon said. "
Pope John Paul II--- Prayer Can Stop War and Terrorism!
From Ananova - Pope says prayer can bring peace and halt terrorism:
"'In the face of war, violence and tension, praying the rosary is a conscious expression of faith,' he said.
'The upsetting attacks in the United States on Sept. 11 and that which they generated in the world afterward can be stopped through the prayer of the rosary, in which one pleads for peace,' his text read by an aide said."
"'In the face of war, violence and tension, praying the rosary is a conscious expression of faith,' he said.
'The upsetting attacks in the United States on Sept. 11 and that which they generated in the world afterward can be stopped through the prayer of the rosary, in which one pleads for peace,' his text read by an aide said."
Spurrier Soon to be Out at Washington???
If that is the case Gator fans should cheer against the Gators for the remainder of the season...Spurrier at the University of North Carolina???
From USATODAY.com - Spurrier, Snyder devoid of clues:
"The $25 Million Experiment is over in Washington. Steve Spurrier is a bust, but certainly not busted. It is only a matter of time before he negotiates a settlement, packs up his golf sticks and heads back to college football, perhaps to North Carolina.
Coach Superior will be a little embarrassed tucking his Gator tail 'tween his legs and leaving town but a lot richer for the exercise in futility. When he first came to Washington, Spurrier said: 'In the back of my mind, I want to see if my style of offense and my coaching can be successful in the NFL.'
Now 58, he already has failed in that regard — if wins and losses and the health of Patrick Ramsey are any indication. The quarterback should be wearing a Red Cross on his helmet."
From USATODAY.com - Spurrier, Snyder devoid of clues:
"The $25 Million Experiment is over in Washington. Steve Spurrier is a bust, but certainly not busted. It is only a matter of time before he negotiates a settlement, packs up his golf sticks and heads back to college football, perhaps to North Carolina.
Coach Superior will be a little embarrassed tucking his Gator tail 'tween his legs and leaving town but a lot richer for the exercise in futility. When he first came to Washington, Spurrier said: 'In the back of my mind, I want to see if my style of offense and my coaching can be successful in the NFL.'
Now 58, he already has failed in that regard — if wins and losses and the health of Patrick Ramsey are any indication. The quarterback should be wearing a Red Cross on his helmet."
Behind the Smoke and Mirrors is a Coverup
From Father Charles Dahlby comes this scathing commentary on the crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States.
From Catholic Citizens:
"How is it possible that men who claim to stand 'in persona Christi' could be so evil and perverted, especially given what Jesus said about the judgment of those who harm 'His little ones'?
There is only one reasonable answer. They were trained to be Pharisees! They are 'churchmen', not Christians. They are religious but not holy! They put on a fine show but their concern is to appear religious before the world, not holy before God. Like all Pharisees they are beautiful, but 'empty tombs filled with corruption.' They control bishop's conferences and chancery offices and their main concerns are money and appearances.
Committees and programs cannot change this tragic state, only when God raises up saints and prophets will the faith truly be renewed. Until then every Roman Catholic must learn the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas on true and false obedience and the lessons of history where we find that an entire national conference of bishops left the Church at one time. (With one exception, the martyr St. John Fisher!).
We must accept the fact that we cannot always trust our leadership. Many have proven unworthy of that trust and while they have every right to expect our love, they have no right to demand our trust. Trust must be earned! We have consolation and encouragement in the statements of Vatican II on the primacy of a properly formed conscience, and what properly forms that conscience is the teaching of Jesus Christ and the traditional faith known and taught for centuries! To trust anything else is to risk our eternal salvation on the dubious opinions of dissident theologians and television talk show hosts. All Catholics and especially priests must clearly understand that we 'work' for Jesus Christ and not a bishop.
The leadership of the Church seems to lack the humility to repent, but this sad situation gives the true Catholic an opportunity to purify his faith and renew his allegiance to "Christ and Him crucified". This is not the first time in history Catholics have had to choose between Christ and church leadership, but never between Christ and His true Church! The true Church is always pure and holy! But it has not always been well served by those who claim to speak in its name.
From Catholic Citizens:
"How is it possible that men who claim to stand 'in persona Christi' could be so evil and perverted, especially given what Jesus said about the judgment of those who harm 'His little ones'?
There is only one reasonable answer. They were trained to be Pharisees! They are 'churchmen', not Christians. They are religious but not holy! They put on a fine show but their concern is to appear religious before the world, not holy before God. Like all Pharisees they are beautiful, but 'empty tombs filled with corruption.' They control bishop's conferences and chancery offices and their main concerns are money and appearances.
Committees and programs cannot change this tragic state, only when God raises up saints and prophets will the faith truly be renewed. Until then every Roman Catholic must learn the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas on true and false obedience and the lessons of history where we find that an entire national conference of bishops left the Church at one time. (With one exception, the martyr St. John Fisher!).
We must accept the fact that we cannot always trust our leadership. Many have proven unworthy of that trust and while they have every right to expect our love, they have no right to demand our trust. Trust must be earned! We have consolation and encouragement in the statements of Vatican II on the primacy of a properly formed conscience, and what properly forms that conscience is the teaching of Jesus Christ and the traditional faith known and taught for centuries! To trust anything else is to risk our eternal salvation on the dubious opinions of dissident theologians and television talk show hosts. All Catholics and especially priests must clearly understand that we 'work' for Jesus Christ and not a bishop.
The leadership of the Church seems to lack the humility to repent, but this sad situation gives the true Catholic an opportunity to purify his faith and renew his allegiance to "Christ and Him crucified". This is not the first time in history Catholics have had to choose between Christ and church leadership, but never between Christ and His true Church! The true Church is always pure and holy! But it has not always been well served by those who claim to speak in its name.
Recommended Book
I'm a big fan of Robert Farrar Capon. I've always found his commentaries on Scripture to be the most creative and challenging...something to read if you want your mind stretched. Now in a new book on the first chapters of the Book of Genesis he gives us something new that in fact is something very old--reading Scripture in all its senses. The modern twist? To read it like you'd see a good movie. This isn't pop Bible study though this is good, in depth stuff with plenty of St. Augustine to satisfy everyone!
I also highly recommend any of his "parable" books too!
I also highly recommend any of his "parable" books too!
Catholic Light: Why Was Terri Denied Holy Communion?
Peter Vere weighs in on the Terri Schiavo case from a canonical perspective...Catholic Light: Why Was Terri Denied Holy Communion?
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Loria: Marlins Championship Team Won't be Dismantled
Hopefully, the truth.
From AP Wire | 10/28/2003 |:
"Tens of thousands of frenzied fans waved towels, screamed themselves hoarse and pointed their jubilant hands skyward Tuesday in celebration of their World Series champion Florida Marlins.
But the jersey-clad, sign-toting revelers released their loudest, most earthshaking cheers when owner Jeffrey Loria made a simple promise.
'I just want to say one more thing, to put the whole thing to rest, because I'm tired of answering the same question,' Loria said. 'This is not 1997. This is 2003. We are not dismantling. Thank you.'
With that, six years of malcontent and mistrust between South Florida and its baseball team vanished like the soap bubbles jubilant schoolchildren blew into the breeze coming off Biscayne Bay."
From AP Wire | 10/28/2003 |:
"Tens of thousands of frenzied fans waved towels, screamed themselves hoarse and pointed their jubilant hands skyward Tuesday in celebration of their World Series champion Florida Marlins.
But the jersey-clad, sign-toting revelers released their loudest, most earthshaking cheers when owner Jeffrey Loria made a simple promise.
'I just want to say one more thing, to put the whole thing to rest, because I'm tired of answering the same question,' Loria said. 'This is not 1997. This is 2003. We are not dismantling. Thank you.'
With that, six years of malcontent and mistrust between South Florida and its baseball team vanished like the soap bubbles jubilant schoolchildren blew into the breeze coming off Biscayne Bay."
Christus Victor Weighs in on Michael Schiavo's Larry King Appearance
I totally agree with Christine's critique and what I find even more startling is that this is Schiavo's first admission that there is money at stake. He has denied in the past that there is any money to be gained by Terri's death. I didn't see the broadcast but I'll bet Larry didn't throw any hardballs...like throwing the money issue back in his face. The Schindlers are retired and owned their own business by the way, chances are they aren't in need of the money in the way that Michael who has a child by another woman and one on the way by the same woman might be.
From Christus Victor:
"On Larry King Live last night, Michael Schiavo actually accused Terri's father of financial motives underlying his fight.
'He's always wanted the money,' Schiavo said of his father-in-law, Bob Schindler. 'He wants the money. He wants the control.'
Can you say, Projection? Michael Schiavo has been driven for so long by selfish greed, to put it kindly, that he can't understand any other motive for keeping Terri alive. He can't understand how anyone could love what he sees as a vegetable. He can't understand selflessness, or human dignity. Perhaps one day long ago he was able to understand such things; but you can't keep leading the charge to end a person's life without your soul dying in the process. I know Michael Schiavo was driven by despicable motives--but to get onto national television and accuse the Schindlers of being in this for the money is beyond belief. "
From Christus Victor:
"On Larry King Live last night, Michael Schiavo actually accused Terri's father of financial motives underlying his fight.
'He's always wanted the money,' Schiavo said of his father-in-law, Bob Schindler. 'He wants the money. He wants the control.'
Can you say, Projection? Michael Schiavo has been driven for so long by selfish greed, to put it kindly, that he can't understand any other motive for keeping Terri alive. He can't understand how anyone could love what he sees as a vegetable. He can't understand selflessness, or human dignity. Perhaps one day long ago he was able to understand such things; but you can't keep leading the charge to end a person's life without your soul dying in the process. I know Michael Schiavo was driven by despicable motives--but to get onto national television and accuse the Schindlers of being in this for the money is beyond belief. "
New York Times Trivia Quiz #560
New York Times Trivia Quiz #560:
What song was a top ten hit in 1974 for one-hit wonder singer Sister Janet Mead?
''Good News''
''Dominique''
''Eres Tu''
''The Lord's Prayer''
''Treasure of Love''"
Does anyone know what happened to the good sister?
What song was a top ten hit in 1974 for one-hit wonder singer Sister Janet Mead?
''Good News''
''Dominique''
''Eres Tu''
''The Lord's Prayer''
''Treasure of Love''"
Does anyone know what happened to the good sister?
Devastation
"One will be taken, one will be left"
Trees and a few houses remain after devastating fires pass through this neighborhood in San Diego, CA.
Trees and a few houses remain after devastating fires pass through this neighborhood in San Diego, CA.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Fires in California Terrorism or Just the Usual???
From USATODAY.com - FBI: al-Qaeda detainee spoke of fire plot:
"The FBI alerted law enforcement agencies last month that an al-Qaeda terrorist now in detention had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires around the western United States.
Rose Davis, a spokeswoman for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, told The Associated Press that officials there took note of the warning but didn't see a need to act further on it.
The contents of the June 25 memo from the FBI's Denver office were reported Friday by The Arizona Republic. Davis declined to share a copy of the memo and an FBI spokeswoman in Denver didn't immediately return a telephone call.
The Republic reported that the detainee, who was not identified, said the plan involved three or four people setting wildfires using timed devices in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming that would detonate in forests and grasslands after the operatives had left the country. "
"The FBI alerted law enforcement agencies last month that an al-Qaeda terrorist now in detention had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires around the western United States.
Rose Davis, a spokeswoman for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, told The Associated Press that officials there took note of the warning but didn't see a need to act further on it.
The contents of the June 25 memo from the FBI's Denver office were reported Friday by The Arizona Republic. Davis declined to share a copy of the memo and an FBI spokeswoman in Denver didn't immediately return a telephone call.
The Republic reported that the detainee, who was not identified, said the plan involved three or four people setting wildfires using timed devices in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming that would detonate in forests and grasslands after the operatives had left the country. "
China Arrests Priests, Seminarians and Demolishes Church
Pray for them, and write your congressperson to complain about our support in any way of such a country!
From Channelnewsasia.com:
" Police in northeast China raided a religious retreat and arrested about a dozen Roman Catholic clergymen while a church in the vicinity was demolished, a US-based religious rights group said.
The 12 priests and seminarians were attending a retreat on October 20 in Gaocheng county, in Hebei province's Shijiazhuang city, when police swooped and took everyone into custody, the Connecticut-based Cardinal Kung Foundation said in a statement.
The gathering was not sponsored by the government-sanctioned 'Patriotic Association,' which oversees all state-approved churches in China, the foundation said.
The clergymen are being held in a detention house in Gaocheng county."
From Channelnewsasia.com:
" Police in northeast China raided a religious retreat and arrested about a dozen Roman Catholic clergymen while a church in the vicinity was demolished, a US-based religious rights group said.
The 12 priests and seminarians were attending a retreat on October 20 in Gaocheng county, in Hebei province's Shijiazhuang city, when police swooped and took everyone into custody, the Connecticut-based Cardinal Kung Foundation said in a statement.
The gathering was not sponsored by the government-sanctioned 'Patriotic Association,' which oversees all state-approved churches in China, the foundation said.
The clergymen are being held in a detention house in Gaocheng county."
Marlin Manager Gives Thanks at the Latin Mass on Sunday
Thanks to Steve M. who comments below:
I was at the game on Saturday night with my son (also a Michael), and missed everything after the tag on Posada for the final out. But on my way to St. Agnes Church in Manhattan the next day, I passed Jack McKeon smoking a cigar as he stood on 42nd St. ouside the Grand Hyatt. Thanks to Mayor Blooberg's smoking ban, I got a chance to shake his had and congratulate him---he had a warm \"thank you\" in reply. An hour later, as I recounted on Amy's blog, I saw him at the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Agnes. Apparently he will sometimes take in a good Gregorian chat after a good victory smoke. Running into him was consoling, which may have been my guardian angel's idea in having me be at the right place for these two encounters.
St. Agnes Church
143 East 43rd St.
New York, NY 10017-4065
Msgr. Eugene Clark
(212) 682-5722
Sun 11 a.m.
I was at the game on Saturday night with my son (also a Michael), and missed everything after the tag on Posada for the final out. But on my way to St. Agnes Church in Manhattan the next day, I passed Jack McKeon smoking a cigar as he stood on 42nd St. ouside the Grand Hyatt. Thanks to Mayor Blooberg's smoking ban, I got a chance to shake his had and congratulate him---he had a warm \"thank you\" in reply. An hour later, as I recounted on Amy's blog, I saw him at the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Agnes. Apparently he will sometimes take in a good Gregorian chat after a good victory smoke. Running into him was consoling, which may have been my guardian angel's idea in having me be at the right place for these two encounters.
St. Agnes Church
143 East 43rd St.
New York, NY 10017-4065
Msgr. Eugene Clark
(212) 682-5722
Sun 11 a.m.
Terri Schiavo Updates
From Father Rob Johansen, who traveled from Michigan to learn first hand what is really going on down there and why only one member of the local clergy is present. Read all about it at Thrown Back
Peter Vere continues his fine posting on the situation at the Envoy Blog and asks "Is the Media Trying to Kill Terri?"
Peter Vere continues his fine posting on the situation at the Envoy Blog and asks "Is the Media Trying to Kill Terri?"
Strong Words for the Week
Times Against Humanity provides his usual survey of blogdom's strongest "words" of the week. Give it a read at:
Times Against Humanity
Times Against Humanity
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Virginia Cyr--A Saint for Our Times
Our Sunday Visitor will release a book in March of 2004 based on the diaries of Virginia Cyr. For those who would like a sneak peak check out Dr. Quentin Colgan's web site devoted to her atVirginia Cyr.
Virginia Cyr could turn out to be the U.S.'s Little Flower. Her life was short, but one graced with a remarkable faith in the midst of just about every imaginable type of suffering one soul could endure--including sexual abuse from a drunken priest. But perhaps the worst abuse she suffered was being turned down by every contemplative community she sought to enter--I live in the area of the country where many of these communities once stood and I firmly believe that their ruins are a testimony of God's judgment upon them for refusing the "least of his brethren" and forgetting their call.
Virginia died a young woman, visit the site read some of her writings and see in this new religious communty that Amy mentions a sign of hope for people of faith like Virginia.
Virginia Cyr could turn out to be the U.S.'s Little Flower. Her life was short, but one graced with a remarkable faith in the midst of just about every imaginable type of suffering one soul could endure--including sexual abuse from a drunken priest. But perhaps the worst abuse she suffered was being turned down by every contemplative community she sought to enter--I live in the area of the country where many of these communities once stood and I firmly believe that their ruins are a testimony of God's judgment upon them for refusing the "least of his brethren" and forgetting their call.
Virginia died a young woman, visit the site read some of her writings and see in this new religious communty that Amy mentions a sign of hope for people of faith like Virginia.
The Florida Marlins Win the World Series!!!
From Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel:
"Can you believe it?" Jack McKeon said as he walked out to the field, shaking hands as he went, his last managerial stroke to pitch Beckett on a controversial three days' rest now looking the most brilliant.
Beckett was being lifted up on his teammates' shoulders now. Someone tugged a "World Champion Marlins" cap on his head backward. The caps were going on everyone, T-shirts, too. The phrase will take some practice: World Champion Marlins. Read it again and weep a little, considering many of the Marlins were by now: World Champion Marlins.
They didn't just do what no one said they could. They did it their way in the city that sings about just that. All last winter and through the spring, as the Marlins first assembled their team and then started playing, they were told small-ball wouldn't work. Couldn't work. Doesn't everyone knows running and bunting doesn't work in this big-bang era of baseball?
Look how they won Game 6.
They bunted. They ran. They played great defense. They played for one run, pulled it close, then played for another and pulled it closer. They played the smallest of ball all the way to the biggest of wins, to the most unlikely of celebrations, coming into a place full of baseball history and making some of their own.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Here's Hoping the Florida Marlins Can Win the World Series Tonight!!!
The manager Jack McKeon is a daily communicant. When I saw the Marlins play in Cincinnati earlier this year, most of the team was at Mass in the Cathedral that Sunday. Mike Lowell and Mike Redmond sat a few pews in front of me and both conducted themselves like this wasn't an infrequent occurence in their lives. Perhaps the real secret of the Marlin's success is their manager's faith and his dependence on God not on sports.
From the Sun-Sentinel:
He arrives just before the 8:30 a.m. mass at St. Matthew in Hallandale Beach, just another worshipper in shorts, golf shirt and gray hair. Plus, there's the cigar. You've got to love this touch. Even here, Jack McKeon has a trademark cigar puffing, as well as a strategy for it.
"This is my spot, right here," he says, placing the cigar carefully on the ledge of a post before walking a few steps through the church door.
Do you want to know how it felt to wake up Thursday as everyone's Manager of the Year, as the surprising boss of baseball's surprise team, as the leader of the Marlins as they stand one game up in the wild-card playoff race with 16 games to go?
It felt about the same as it did any day. That's just being honest. The man's 72. He has his days down pat by now, no matter where he wakes up. Go to mass. Take communion. Say a few prayers. And then, of course, hope your cigar is still waiting for you on the way out.
From the Sun-Sentinel:
He arrives just before the 8:30 a.m. mass at St. Matthew in Hallandale Beach, just another worshipper in shorts, golf shirt and gray hair. Plus, there's the cigar. You've got to love this touch. Even here, Jack McKeon has a trademark cigar puffing, as well as a strategy for it.
"This is my spot, right here," he says, placing the cigar carefully on the ledge of a post before walking a few steps through the church door.
Do you want to know how it felt to wake up Thursday as everyone's Manager of the Year, as the surprising boss of baseball's surprise team, as the leader of the Marlins as they stand one game up in the wild-card playoff race with 16 games to go?
It felt about the same as it did any day. That's just being honest. The man's 72. He has his days down pat by now, no matter where he wakes up. Go to mass. Take communion. Say a few prayers. And then, of course, hope your cigar is still waiting for you on the way out.
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