Fr. Dwight Longenecker has posted part 4 of his series on what is killing American Catholicism. I found his take on the Liturgy in America to be right on target. Go and read the whole series but I found this to be the key part that describes my experience:
"The Catholic religion–like all ancient religions both pagan and Jewish–is ritualistic. It speaks in the language of liturgy, sign, symbol and sacred gesture. We only have to experience the typical AmChurch Mass to see that the Americans attending Mass don’t understand such things. The altar servers wear robes but they don’t know why. They serve the altar, but have not the slightest idea of the liturgical or symbolic significance of what they do. The chew gum [sic]and wear da-glo sneakers underneath their robes. The people sit in the pews in big auditoria dressed as if they are at the movies or a basketball game. The music is an entertainment based blend of honkey tonk, nightclub style and country Western. This is made worse by the fact that the vast majority of AmChurch Catholics don’t realize there is anything wrong. The like this form of worship, and they like it because they don’t understand ritual, sign, symbol and sacred gesture–even worse they don’t understand that they don’t understand."
Monday, May 20, 2013
Star Parker: There is an alternative to the abortion culture
Yesterday there was a great column by Star Parker in Newsday regarding Kermit Gosnell and the abortion culture. (I am linking to the same column in the Washington Examiner because Newsday has a pay wall).
"But it is ironic that those who call themselves "pro-choice" argue that the only alternatives facing low-income women are unsafe abortions done by sleazebags or government-subsidized abortions.
There is another choice, but those who call themselves "pro-choice" don't want women, particularly poor women, to consider this option. This option is called "birth."
When conservatives talk about a culture of responsibility, we're not just talking about the personal responsibility of the individual in trouble. We're talking about the personal responsibility of the rest of us toward that individual.
There are now thousands of crisis pregnancy centers operating nationwide. More than 2,000 are affiliated with either Care Net or Heartbeat International. I maintain a regular active speaking schedule for and consult with these centers.
They work with pregnant women in trouble and provide them the services they need to have their child. They provide ultrasounds, parental counseling, life-management counseling, help with the physical needs of the mother and child and, if need be, help with adoption services."
"But it is ironic that those who call themselves "pro-choice" argue that the only alternatives facing low-income women are unsafe abortions done by sleazebags or government-subsidized abortions.
There is another choice, but those who call themselves "pro-choice" don't want women, particularly poor women, to consider this option. This option is called "birth."
When conservatives talk about a culture of responsibility, we're not just talking about the personal responsibility of the individual in trouble. We're talking about the personal responsibility of the rest of us toward that individual.
There are now thousands of crisis pregnancy centers operating nationwide. More than 2,000 are affiliated with either Care Net or Heartbeat International. I maintain a regular active speaking schedule for and consult with these centers.
They work with pregnant women in trouble and provide them the services they need to have their child. They provide ultrasounds, parental counseling, life-management counseling, help with the physical needs of the mother and child and, if need be, help with adoption services."
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Bishop Murphy Ordains 14 Men to Diaconate
Yesterday Bishop Murphy ordained 14 men to the permanent diaconate at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. Unfortunately, I have no other info available except for their names and parishes. In the past there would have been biographies of each man printed in The Long Island Catholic but that is no longer printed weekly. God Bless these men!
Rene Orlando Alvarado
St. John of God, Central Islip
Jose Domingo Arevalo
St. Luke, Brentwood
Vincent Joseph Barreca, Jr.
Resurrection, Farmingville
Joseph Frank Bianco
Ronald Edward Federici
Cure of Ars, Merrick
Edward John Karan
Our Lady of the Snow, Blue Point
Frank Louis Kurre
Notre Dame, New Hyde Park
Orlando Alexis Mancilla
St. Luke, Brentwood
Rodolfo Bartolome Martin
St. Aidan, Williston Park
Gregory Thomas Nardone
St. Patrick, Bay Shore
Joseph Eric Oliva
Maria Regina, Seaford
John Salvatore Panzica
St. Gerard Majella, Pt. Jefferson Station
Ralph Joseph Rivera
Holy Cross, Nesconset
William August Weiss
St. Kilian, Farmingdale
Rene Orlando Alvarado
St. John of God, Central Islip
Jose Domingo Arevalo
St. Luke, Brentwood
Vincent Joseph Barreca, Jr.
Resurrection, Farmingville
Joseph Frank Bianco
Ronald Edward Federici
Cure of Ars, Merrick
Edward John Karan
Our Lady of the Snow, Blue Point
Frank Louis Kurre
Notre Dame, New Hyde Park
Orlando Alexis Mancilla
St. Luke, Brentwood
Rodolfo Bartolome Martin
St. Aidan, Williston Park
Gregory Thomas Nardone
St. Patrick, Bay Shore
Joseph Eric Oliva
Maria Regina, Seaford
John Salvatore Panzica
St. Gerard Majella, Pt. Jefferson Station
Ralph Joseph Rivera
Holy Cross, Nesconset
William August Weiss
St. Kilian, Farmingdale
Thomas E. Dennelly, RIP
I saw in Newsday the obit of Thomas E. Dennelly of Sayville and immediately recognized the name as a gentleman who often wrote letters to the editor in The Long Island Catholic, National Catholic Register and other publications. I did not know him personally, although I believe I met him at events around Long Island, but I always appreciated seeing his faithful and pro-life letters.
Pentecost Sunday
This is Pentecost Sunday - the birthday of the Church! Click here for the About.com Catholicism entry on Pentecost by Scott Richert to learn about this great Solemnity.
"Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai."
"Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai."
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
One Up, One Down
In the 'upstate' section of NY State, which has had disasterous leadership (in politics as well as in the Church), yesterday saw the consecration of a new Catholic Church. Right down the block another Catholic Church is being demolished to be replaced by a Pricechopper.
Saint Ann's Maronite Catholic Church consecrated
St. Patrick's Church demolished
"WATERVLIET, N.Y. -- Bishop Mansour of Brooklyn was welcomed into the Church of Saint Ann Saturday morning as part of a formal consecration and dedication ceremony.
The historic building was built in 1850, but closed its doors in the 1960’s, and remained boarded up for years. Saint Ann's bought the building in 2004 and renovated it before opening this past December.
“We have restored the interior to its original design, including the organ,” said Rosemary Patnode, a lifelong parishioner of Saint Ann’s Church.
But while parishioners celebrated the new life of the church, only a few blocks away stands the partially fallen tower at Saint Patrick’s.
“It's a sad day for the parishioners of Saint Patrick's, some of those parishioners have discovered us and have joined our parish,” said Patnode."
Here is a biography of Bishop Mansour of Brooklyn and here is the website of the Eparchy of Saint Maron.
Saint Ann's Maronite Catholic Church consecrated
St. Patrick's Church demolished
"WATERVLIET, N.Y. -- Bishop Mansour of Brooklyn was welcomed into the Church of Saint Ann Saturday morning as part of a formal consecration and dedication ceremony.
The historic building was built in 1850, but closed its doors in the 1960’s, and remained boarded up for years. Saint Ann's bought the building in 2004 and renovated it before opening this past December.
“We have restored the interior to its original design, including the organ,” said Rosemary Patnode, a lifelong parishioner of Saint Ann’s Church.
But while parishioners celebrated the new life of the church, only a few blocks away stands the partially fallen tower at Saint Patrick’s.
“It's a sad day for the parishioners of Saint Patrick's, some of those parishioners have discovered us and have joined our parish,” said Patnode."
Here is a biography of Bishop Mansour of Brooklyn and here is the website of the Eparchy of Saint Maron.
Bombers target Catholic church in Benghazi, priests escape unhurt
I wonder if the State Dept. would like to spin this Benghazi story?
"Fr Alan Castillo and Fr Raghib Marzouk escaped unhurt after a bomb went off at the Catholic church in Via Torino, Benghazi, late Friday night.
According to sources, a bomb was placed at the main of the church when an explosion rocked the area at around 11.30pm shattering several glass windows on the opposite side of the narrow road and also several windows in the building adjacent to the church housing the priests.
Fortunately, Maltese bishop Mons. Sylvester Magro was not there as he is currently in Spain attending a religious function."
"Fr Alan Castillo and Fr Raghib Marzouk escaped unhurt after a bomb went off at the Catholic church in Via Torino, Benghazi, late Friday night.
According to sources, a bomb was placed at the main of the church when an explosion rocked the area at around 11.30pm shattering several glass windows on the opposite side of the narrow road and also several windows in the building adjacent to the church housing the priests.
Fortunately, Maltese bishop Mons. Sylvester Magro was not there as he is currently in Spain attending a religious function."
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Nassau County NY Catholic Blog
I wish I had noticed these great blogs earlier - they both take you on a tour of parishes with lots of pictures and some history. It is a wonderful idea and a great job by the blogger - I will be putting them both on the sidebar.
Nassau County NY Catholic
Brooklyn Catholic
Nassau County NY Catholic
Brooklyn Catholic
Friday, May 17, 2013
Hofstra Student Shot Dead During Home Invasion
"(CBS/AP) A female Hofstra
University student who was fatally shot early Friday in a Long Island
home was killed along with an armed suspect during a police-involved
shooting as authorities responded to a home invasion robbery, police
said, reports CBS New York.
The victim, identified by 1010WINS radio as Andrea Rebello, 21, from Westchester County, was reportedly in the home with her twin sister at the time of the break-in.
Police said the other sister was not harmed, CBS New York reported."
From CBS News.
This is horrible - please pray for this young woman, her family and the other students in this house that will have to live with this. Hofstra is a great school but near two of the highest crime neighborhoods in Nassau County: Hempstead and Uniondale. In 2004 there was a Hofstra student raped right off of California Avenue near where this home invasion took place. Everyone needs to be aware of bad it is around there and consider living on campus.
The victim, identified by 1010WINS radio as Andrea Rebello, 21, from Westchester County, was reportedly in the home with her twin sister at the time of the break-in.
Police said the other sister was not harmed, CBS New York reported."
From CBS News.
This is horrible - please pray for this young woman, her family and the other students in this house that will have to live with this. Hofstra is a great school but near two of the highest crime neighborhoods in Nassau County: Hempstead and Uniondale. In 2004 there was a Hofstra student raped right off of California Avenue near where this home invasion took place. Everyone needs to be aware of bad it is around there and consider living on campus.
With New Leaders In Rome And Beijing, China's Catholics Face Uncertain Future
"SHANGHAI - On the last Monday of April, this city's main Cathedral
was filled with believers. They had come to honor the memory of the man
who had done more than anyone to improve relations between the Vatican
and China's so-called "Patriotic" Catholic Church.
Bishop Jin Luxian died last month at the age of 97. He had done his novitiate preparation for the priesthood in France, returning to his native China in 1951, only to be imprisoned five years later by Mao’s regime -- and would go on to spend a total of 18 years in prison and nine in a labor camp.
Despite all of this, Jin joined the official "patriotic" Church once he got out of prison in 1982, and worked for years trying to bring it closer together with the clandestine communities of Catholics loyal to Rome. The estimated 10 million Catholics in China are split between those with allegiance to the Pope and those that practice under the auspices of the Patriotic Church that is sanctioned by the Communist Party.
In 2005, Monsignor Jin successfully pushed for the ordination of an assistant bishop, who was approved both by Rome and the Chinese authorities. This event marked the beginning of a relative thawing of relations between Beijing and the Holy See.
But that compromise came undone in November 2010 in the northeastern city of Chengde, when the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association resumed the ordination of bishops who had not been previously approved by the Pope. Members of the clergy who were faithful to Rome were forcibly taken to religious services by State security forces.
On the one hand, Beijing argues that the ordination process must be accelerated, especially in dioceses where there is no bishop. Roman Catholics, on the other hand, see this move as a hardening of Beijing’s stance. What they are not sure about is whether this is part of a more general control over human rights militants, or a stratagem on the part of the officials in charge of Catholic affairs, who fear their power would collapse if the improved relationship between Rome and Beijing solidified."
Click here to read the rest of this article. I hope the situation in China improves for all people so they can live in freedom, particularly the freedom to worship as they see fit.
Bishop Jin Luxian died last month at the age of 97. He had done his novitiate preparation for the priesthood in France, returning to his native China in 1951, only to be imprisoned five years later by Mao’s regime -- and would go on to spend a total of 18 years in prison and nine in a labor camp.
Despite all of this, Jin joined the official "patriotic" Church once he got out of prison in 1982, and worked for years trying to bring it closer together with the clandestine communities of Catholics loyal to Rome. The estimated 10 million Catholics in China are split between those with allegiance to the Pope and those that practice under the auspices of the Patriotic Church that is sanctioned by the Communist Party.
In 2005, Monsignor Jin successfully pushed for the ordination of an assistant bishop, who was approved both by Rome and the Chinese authorities. This event marked the beginning of a relative thawing of relations between Beijing and the Holy See.
But that compromise came undone in November 2010 in the northeastern city of Chengde, when the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association resumed the ordination of bishops who had not been previously approved by the Pope. Members of the clergy who were faithful to Rome were forcibly taken to religious services by State security forces.
On the one hand, Beijing argues that the ordination process must be accelerated, especially in dioceses where there is no bishop. Roman Catholics, on the other hand, see this move as a hardening of Beijing’s stance. What they are not sure about is whether this is part of a more general control over human rights militants, or a stratagem on the part of the officials in charge of Catholic affairs, who fear their power would collapse if the improved relationship between Rome and Beijing solidified."
Click here to read the rest of this article. I hope the situation in China improves for all people so they can live in freedom, particularly the freedom to worship as they see fit.
Are Catholic Universities Still Committed to Working-Class Families?
The issue of college debt and the affordability of higher education is all over the news today, and with good reason. Students are graduating with higher debt than ever before and their degrees are not helping them in this economy. I was glad to see this look at the issue from a specifically Catholic point of view:
From the Cardinal Newman Society: a look at the affordability of Catholic Universities.
"Catholic colleges have long been known for their generous financial aid, which for many decades helped students from Catholic immigrant and working-class families climb the economic ladder in the United States.
But a new study accuses many of America’s wealthiest colleges of using aid to recruit middle-class students instead of serving the educational needs of low-income families. These include several large Catholic universities: Boston College, Saint Louis University, Santa Clara University, the University of Dayton, the University of Notre Dame and Villanova University."
From the Cardinal Newman Society: a look at the affordability of Catholic Universities.
"Catholic colleges have long been known for their generous financial aid, which for many decades helped students from Catholic immigrant and working-class families climb the economic ladder in the United States.
But a new study accuses many of America’s wealthiest colleges of using aid to recruit middle-class students instead of serving the educational needs of low-income families. These include several large Catholic universities: Boston College, Saint Louis University, Santa Clara University, the University of Dayton, the University of Notre Dame and Villanova University."
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Bishop Murphy of Diocese of Rockville Centre
Over at The Catholic Thing, there is an article by fellow Long Islander George J. Marlin regarding Bishop Murphy -
Long Island’s Bishop Murphy: Fighting the Good Fight
Long Island’s Bishop Murphy: Fighting the Good Fight
Telecare to Air Town Hall with Bishop William Murphy
I just saw this announcement on the Diocese of Rockville Centre's website -
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – May 16, 2013 -- On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013, Bishop William Murphy will host a live 2 hour program that celebrates the Year of Faith, and our commitment to Belong More Deeply through the New Evangelization!
The program will air LIVE 7:00PM – 9:00PM ET followed by Mass from Rome with His Holiness Pope Francis.
Join parishes and people throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre with live remotes, special guests, entertainment, and the ability to call or email a question to the Bishop!
We encourage parishes to watch together in groups and at home on Cablevision channel 29 /137 or Verizon FiOS channel 296. The live program will also be available at TelecareTV.org. Questions can be emailed ahead of time to: info@telecaretv.org
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – May 16, 2013 -- On Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013, Bishop William Murphy will host a live 2 hour program that celebrates the Year of Faith, and our commitment to Belong More Deeply through the New Evangelization!
The program will air LIVE 7:00PM – 9:00PM ET followed by Mass from Rome with His Holiness Pope Francis.
Join parishes and people throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre with live remotes, special guests, entertainment, and the ability to call or email a question to the Bishop!
We encourage parishes to watch together in groups and at home on Cablevision channel 29 /137 or Verizon FiOS channel 296. The live program will also be available at TelecareTV.org. Questions can be emailed ahead of time to: info@telecaretv.org
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Franciscan University of Steubenville Graduates its Second-Largest Class
From Catholic Educational Daily of the Cardinal Newman Society:
"Franciscan University of Steubenville graduated its second-largest graduating class on Saturday, May 11. The University graduated 708 graduates from 40 undergraduate and 7 master's programs.
At the May 10 Baccalaureate Mass, the Most Reverend José H. Gomez, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, noted that today’s society believes “there is no God or his existence doesn’t make any difference. Worshiping God, living our faith, is more and more contrary to the law.” This presents a challenge for the Church, he said, because “we have to find new ways to proclaim Christ and to live as Christians in this culture. This is what the new evangelization is all about, and that’s what we expect from each one of you.”
Archbishop Gomez encouraged the graduates to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to change the world. “Our mission is to continue his mission: To redeem that little part of the world that we live in—our homes, the places where we work, our neighborhoods, to sanctify reality, to help our loved ones and the people we meet every day to find God,” he said. “And we go with Jesus, we go with God. He gives us the promise that he made to his first apostles, the promise that he would be with us, no matter what, until the end of the age.”
"Franciscan University of Steubenville graduated its second-largest graduating class on Saturday, May 11. The University graduated 708 graduates from 40 undergraduate and 7 master's programs.
At the May 10 Baccalaureate Mass, the Most Reverend José H. Gomez, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, noted that today’s society believes “there is no God or his existence doesn’t make any difference. Worshiping God, living our faith, is more and more contrary to the law.” This presents a challenge for the Church, he said, because “we have to find new ways to proclaim Christ and to live as Christians in this culture. This is what the new evangelization is all about, and that’s what we expect from each one of you.”
Archbishop Gomez encouraged the graduates to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to change the world. “Our mission is to continue his mission: To redeem that little part of the world that we live in—our homes, the places where we work, our neighborhoods, to sanctify reality, to help our loved ones and the people we meet every day to find God,” he said. “And we go with Jesus, we go with God. He gives us the promise that he made to his first apostles, the promise that he would be with us, no matter what, until the end of the age.”
IRS Targeted Tea Party Groups
As the scandal over the IRS targeting Tea Party groups continue ('Angry' Obama announces IRS leader's ouster after conservatives targeted), a Catholic writer claims the IRS has her in their sights as well:
Noted professor and sociologist Dr. Anne Hendershott claims IRS may have targeted her with a 2010 audit
5/16 UPDATE: Bill Donohue of The Catholic League says they were also targeted by the IRS and mentions the same man as Dr. Hendershott: Chris Korzen, the head of Catholics United:
Bill Donohue: IRS Targeted Catholic League
Noted professor and sociologist Dr. Anne Hendershott claims IRS may have targeted her with a 2010 audit
5/16 UPDATE: Bill Donohue of The Catholic League says they were also targeted by the IRS and mentions the same man as Dr. Hendershott: Chris Korzen, the head of Catholics United:
Bill Donohue: IRS Targeted Catholic League
Help support Catholic Education
Tomorrow's Hope Foundation Scholarship Gala
Thursday, May 23, 2013 at RXR Plaza in Uniondale, NY
6:30 PM Cocktails
7:30 PM Dinner and Presentation
Silent and Live Auction
Business Attire
All proceeds raised at this gala will go to support the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation.
The mission of Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation is to ensure the excellence as well as the continuance of Catholic elementary schools on Long Island, by increasing awareness and by providing scholarships and program funding for the needs of students and schools throughout the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Our goal is to give more children the opportunity to enjoy the advantages of an elementary Catholic school education.
Msgr. Batule is the new Pastor at Corpus Christi in Mineola
Monsignor Robert Batule has been appointed as the new pastor of Corpus Christi in Mineola, succeeding Msgr. Robert Coyle who was ordained an auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of the Military. Msgr. Batule is presently working at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers.
"Msgr. Batule grew up in Merrick and attended St. Piux X in Uniondale, which closed in 1984. He attended Cathedral College in Douglaston, NY.
Batule was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 1985 and assigned to St. Boniface Church in Elmont. He served at Corpus Christi from 1993-2002 as a parish priest.
After a series of other parish assignments, Batule began seminary duties, including Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. He currently serves at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers.
Batule is entering his fifth year of seminary assignment. He will be installed as pastor in Mineola on an unconfirmed Sunday in the fall after Labor Day."
Some more detail is at Mineola American
"Msgr. Batule grew up in Merrick and attended St. Piux X in Uniondale, which closed in 1984. He attended Cathedral College in Douglaston, NY.
Batule was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 1985 and assigned to St. Boniface Church in Elmont. He served at Corpus Christi from 1993-2002 as a parish priest.
After a series of other parish assignments, Batule began seminary duties, including Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. He currently serves at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers.
Batule is entering his fifth year of seminary assignment. He will be installed as pastor in Mineola on an unconfirmed Sunday in the fall after Labor Day."
Some more detail is at Mineola American
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The Rise, Fall and Future of Catholicism in the U.S.
Russell Shaw has written a new book: American Church The Remarkable Rise, Meteoric Fall, and Uncertain Future of Catholicism in America
The history of the Catholic Church in America is fascinating and one I want to learn more about. Shaw talks a bit about this history and the importance for American Catholics today here in Catholic World Report.
Snip:
"CWR: What is the "Americanization of American Catholicism"? What have been its fruits over the past few decades?
Shaw: The expression refers to the process of cultural assimilation by which American Catholics entered the mainstream of American secular culture, became part of it, and bought into many of its values and attitudes. On the plus side, the result has been acceptance, upward socio-economic mobility, and much professional and material success.
But it has come at a high price. Buying into American secular values has time and again meant buying into a toxic value system in radical conflict with Catholic and Christian convictions on many fronts. And that has meant an ongoing loss of religious identity and commitment to the Church on the part of millions of nominal Catholics—to say nothing of the 22 million ex-Catholics in the United States."
The history of the Catholic Church in America is fascinating and one I want to learn more about. Shaw talks a bit about this history and the importance for American Catholics today here in Catholic World Report.
Snip:
"CWR: What is the "Americanization of American Catholicism"? What have been its fruits over the past few decades?
Shaw: The expression refers to the process of cultural assimilation by which American Catholics entered the mainstream of American secular culture, became part of it, and bought into many of its values and attitudes. On the plus side, the result has been acceptance, upward socio-economic mobility, and much professional and material success.
But it has come at a high price. Buying into American secular values has time and again meant buying into a toxic value system in radical conflict with Catholic and Christian convictions on many fronts. And that has meant an ongoing loss of religious identity and commitment to the Church on the part of millions of nominal Catholics—to say nothing of the 22 million ex-Catholics in the United States."
Monday, May 13, 2013
Carl Icahn and Pope Francis
I was reading an issue of Forbes today with Carl Icahn on the cover. Icahn has been all over the news over the past few years because he is going on a frenzy of activity buying up stakes in various companies. He is at the peak of his long career in business investing and is a much feared 'activist investor' who is able to shake up boards of major corporations. The article mentioned that he was 77 and that reminded me of Pope Francis' election. Specifically, the first reactions I heard at work when the new Pope was announced was 'Why do they keep electing these older guys, why not someone younger?'. Icahn shows that age is not a factor when it comes to vitality and the article made me think: If a 77 year old (with billions of dollars) can be so influential in the corporate world where morality is not valued highly, can the 76 year old Pope be highly influential (with no money) in the Church where morality should be the #1 concern?
Related: Here is a post on the ages of Popes through the centuries from a blog at the NY Times.
Related: Here is a post on the ages of Popes through the centuries from a blog at the NY Times.
Catholic history and Genealogy
The Catholic Gene - Exploring Out Catholic Family History
I found this great group blog that happens to focus on my two great interests - Catholic history and genealogy. Check it out, and if you have not researched your family history consider starting now. It can be amazing how much you learn and how many people you are connected to in the world. You will, at some point, end up using the resources of the Mormon church, who have a theological reason to keep the world's largest collection of genealogy records: They believe in re-baptizing non-Mormons who have died. This post at The Catholic Gene looks at this issue which can be a bit tricky for a Catholic interested in genealogy.
"It is well-known that the LDS church has some of the greatest genealogical information in the world in both quantity and quality. They obtain those records by going out all over the world and collecting or copying the original records. What is less well known is the doctrinal motivation for collecting ancestral records. Not being a member of the LDS church I’m hesitant to characterize their purposes other than to say that I am informed that it has to do with so-called re-baptism of non-LDS ancestors. That is the least what the Vatican knew in 2008, when the Holy Father instructed Catholic parishes not to cooperate with Mormon records seekers.
This issue had been brewing for quite a while. In 1995, Mormons and Jews reached an agreement that the LDS church would no longer “re-baptize” or “seal” Holocaust survivors that some LDS members had characterized as their ancestors. In 2001, Pope John Paul II approved a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which stated that baptism in the LDS church cannot be held to be a valid Christian baptism. The statement went on to say that because of differences between the Catholic and Mormon understandings of the Trinity, “one cannot even consider this doctrine to be a heresy arising from a false understanding of Christian doctrine.”
I found this great group blog that happens to focus on my two great interests - Catholic history and genealogy. Check it out, and if you have not researched your family history consider starting now. It can be amazing how much you learn and how many people you are connected to in the world. You will, at some point, end up using the resources of the Mormon church, who have a theological reason to keep the world's largest collection of genealogy records: They believe in re-baptizing non-Mormons who have died. This post at The Catholic Gene looks at this issue which can be a bit tricky for a Catholic interested in genealogy.
"It is well-known that the LDS church has some of the greatest genealogical information in the world in both quantity and quality. They obtain those records by going out all over the world and collecting or copying the original records. What is less well known is the doctrinal motivation for collecting ancestral records. Not being a member of the LDS church I’m hesitant to characterize their purposes other than to say that I am informed that it has to do with so-called re-baptism of non-LDS ancestors. That is the least what the Vatican knew in 2008, when the Holy Father instructed Catholic parishes not to cooperate with Mormon records seekers.
This issue had been brewing for quite a while. In 1995, Mormons and Jews reached an agreement that the LDS church would no longer “re-baptize” or “seal” Holocaust survivors that some LDS members had characterized as their ancestors. In 2001, Pope John Paul II approved a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which stated that baptism in the LDS church cannot be held to be a valid Christian baptism. The statement went on to say that because of differences between the Catholic and Mormon understandings of the Trinity, “one cannot even consider this doctrine to be a heresy arising from a false understanding of Christian doctrine.”
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Catholic Founding Fathers - The Carroll Family
At the Catholic Education Resource Center, this article on the Carroll family was written by a direct descendent of one of the Carrolls.
"George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin. Nearly every schoolchild recognizes them as the Founding Fathers — signers of the Declaration of Independence, framers of the Constitution, heroes of the Revolutionary War.
There were a great many more Founding Fathers, however, even if their names are not so familiar as the above. Several of those lesser-known men who played key roles in the creation of the United States of America were Catholics. Chief among them were three members of the Carroll family of Maryland: Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence; his cousin Daniel Carroll; and Daniel Carroll's brother John Carroll, who became America's first Catholic bishop."
Read the rest here.
"George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin. Nearly every schoolchild recognizes them as the Founding Fathers — signers of the Declaration of Independence, framers of the Constitution, heroes of the Revolutionary War.
There were a great many more Founding Fathers, however, even if their names are not so familiar as the above. Several of those lesser-known men who played key roles in the creation of the United States of America were Catholics. Chief among them were three members of the Carroll family of Maryland: Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence; his cousin Daniel Carroll; and Daniel Carroll's brother John Carroll, who became America's first Catholic bishop."
Read the rest here.
French Benedictine abbey streams its daily round of Latin liturgy to a worldwide audience
"First you hear muffled footsteps. Then a discreet cough. Moments later, the black-robed monks begin intoning the service that they are broadcasting to the world. In Latin. Forget the Singing Nun. The Benedictine monks of Le Barroux Abbey in the Vaucluse region of south-eastern France don't have a hit record but they do know about podcasts and streaming.
They have taken the unusual step of distributing their religious offices on the internet. The idea came from worshippers from outside the monastery, known as oblates, who wanted to feel connected to the abbey's spiritual life, says Abbot Dom Louis-Marie. "So we looked into broadcasting via the internet. We decided to do it because it didn't involve any extra work for us."
Read the rest here.
They have taken the unusual step of distributing their religious offices on the internet. The idea came from worshippers from outside the monastery, known as oblates, who wanted to feel connected to the abbey's spiritual life, says Abbot Dom Louis-Marie. "So we looked into broadcasting via the internet. We decided to do it because it didn't involve any extra work for us."
Read the rest here.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Job Opening for Holy Trinity - Campus Minister
Job Description
Title: Full time Campus Minister
Place: Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Starting date: August 2013
Description: The campus ministry program at Holy Trinity is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The role of the campus minister is to offer opportunities for the spiritual growth and empowerment of young people. Responsibilities include organizing retreats; coordinating services; and facilitating opportunities for seasonal prayer and rituals, social justice activities, reflections and discussions, and Sacraments of Liturgy and Reconciliation. The campus minister works in collaboration with the school's Chaplain and Principal as well as with other faculty and administrators, related club moderators, and high school campus ministers in the Diocese of Rockville Centre (some night and weekend work is required).
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in theology required
Master's degree in theology preferred
Experience in working with youth at the secondary level
Salary range: Dependent on Qualifications
Application: Please send cover letter, resume and list of three professional references to Mr. Gene Fennell at gfennell@holytrinityhs.echalk.com
Source: Catholic Jobs
Title: Full time Campus Minister
Place: Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Starting date: August 2013
Description: The campus ministry program at Holy Trinity is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The role of the campus minister is to offer opportunities for the spiritual growth and empowerment of young people. Responsibilities include organizing retreats; coordinating services; and facilitating opportunities for seasonal prayer and rituals, social justice activities, reflections and discussions, and Sacraments of Liturgy and Reconciliation. The campus minister works in collaboration with the school's Chaplain and Principal as well as with other faculty and administrators, related club moderators, and high school campus ministers in the Diocese of Rockville Centre (some night and weekend work is required).
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in theology required
Master's degree in theology preferred
Experience in working with youth at the secondary level
Salary range: Dependent on Qualifications
Application: Please send cover letter, resume and list of three professional references to Mr. Gene Fennell at gfennell@holytrinityhs.echalk.com
Source: Catholic Jobs
F Scott Fitzgerald's gravesite
From The Independent, a column about the obscure burial place of the author of The Great Gatsby:
"When he died in 1940, the writer considered himself a failure. He was an alcoholic, broke, and reduced to writing mostly unused Hollywood screenplays. His marriage had collapsed and Zelda was diagnosed as a schizophrenic. Fitzgerald's family were from Rockville, and though he had never lived there himself, the plan was for his body to be buried at St Mary's in the family plot. But the church refused, on the grounds that he wasn't a practising Catholic. Moreover, noted the parish priest, "we find his books objectionable".
Instead, Fitzgerald was interred in nearby Rockville Cemetery. Few attended the funeral, and the Protestant minister who led the service didn't know who he was. The occasion was an eerie re-enactment of Gatsby's funeral, attended by not a single one of the hundreds of "friends" who went to the sumptuous parties at his Long Island mansion. Eight years later Fitzgerald was joined in death by Zelda. Only in 1975 were their remains moved to St Mary's."
"When he died in 1940, the writer considered himself a failure. He was an alcoholic, broke, and reduced to writing mostly unused Hollywood screenplays. His marriage had collapsed and Zelda was diagnosed as a schizophrenic. Fitzgerald's family were from Rockville, and though he had never lived there himself, the plan was for his body to be buried at St Mary's in the family plot. But the church refused, on the grounds that he wasn't a practising Catholic. Moreover, noted the parish priest, "we find his books objectionable".
Instead, Fitzgerald was interred in nearby Rockville Cemetery. Few attended the funeral, and the Protestant minister who led the service didn't know who he was. The occasion was an eerie re-enactment of Gatsby's funeral, attended by not a single one of the hundreds of "friends" who went to the sumptuous parties at his Long Island mansion. Eight years later Fitzgerald was joined in death by Zelda. Only in 1975 were their remains moved to St Mary's."
Friday, May 10, 2013
Catholic Events for Long Islanders
If you know of any events that would be interesting for Catholics on Long Island please email me by clicking the Email Me at the right. I would like to be able to keep Long Islanders informed of events going on within the Church - Diocese of Rockville Centre, Diocese of Brooklyn and the Archdiocese of New York. Thank you!
I will keep the Events link on the right so they can always be easily found.
I will keep the Events link on the right so they can always be easily found.
2 popes praying: Egyptian Copt and Pope Francis
The Associated Press
"VATICAN CITY —
Two popes prayed together Friday at the Vatican, one Catholic and one Orthodox, in a sign of improving ties following the election of new leaders for both churches.
Pope Francis welcomed the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, Pope Tawadros II, in the first such meeting at the Vatican in 40 years, saying his visit "strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood" between the two churches.
The Coptic and Catholic churches split in the fifth century over theocratic differences.
Christians comprise about 10 percent of Egypt's population. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt counts about 10 million faithful, while the Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt — whose faithful are loyal to Pope Francis — counts about 165,000.
Both, however, have complained about increased discrimination and attacks against them since the 2011 overthrow of longtime Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak, especially with the rise of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood."
Read the rest of this article with some pictures of the two Popes exchanging gifts. Since Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council the Church has had improved relations with other Christians. It is good to see old rifts healed a bit, so hopefully we will see the Church 'breath with both lungs' as Pope John Paul II said.
Pope Tawadros shows Pope Francis how to be gangsta with some bling:
(AP Photo/Andreas Solaro, pool)
Mommy Blogs
Catholic News Service has a story about Mommy blogs - this subspecies of Catholic blogs has fascinated me since they first started to show up in growing numbers. Unlike the typical blogs in the early years of 'St. Blogs Parish', (See this early list of Catholic blogs that I read 10 years ago) Mommy Blogs do not focus so much on Church politics, regular politics, the Liturgy wars, or the Church scandals. They are more focused on the daily life of a Catholic mother, the joys and challenges of mothering and raising children in the 'domestic Church'. I find the mommy blogs to be very high quality and interesting, even though I am a daddy and not a mommy.
The Catholic bloggers mentioned in the article are: Catholic Mom (Lisa Hendey), Not Strictly Spiritual (Mary DeTurris Poust), and Coffee Talk (Rebecca Teti).
Excerpt:
"WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One of Mary's titles is "Christ's First Disciple," and some of Christ's earliest followers were women, two of whom he appeared to first after his resurrection.
Now, some 2,000 years later, another special group of women, specifically Catholic moms who blog on the Internet about their faith, the Catholic Church, as well as the joys and challenges of parenthood and everyday family life, can be considered among Christ's newest evangelizers or "digital disciples."
"Part of our vocation as mothers is to be within our home and do our work with love, and (as Catholic bloggers) we can also do work that draws people closer to Christ and his church," said Lisa Hendey, a Catholic wife and mom blogger from Fresno, Calif.
In between carpool, dinner and homework duties, a growing number of Catholic moms have turned to Internet blogging as a newfound outlet to enrich their own Catholic faith, as well as the faith journeys of their regular readers, with whom they form a sort of spiritual camaraderie."
The Catholic bloggers mentioned in the article are: Catholic Mom (Lisa Hendey), Not Strictly Spiritual (Mary DeTurris Poust), and Coffee Talk (Rebecca Teti).
Excerpt:
"WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One of Mary's titles is "Christ's First Disciple," and some of Christ's earliest followers were women, two of whom he appeared to first after his resurrection.
Now, some 2,000 years later, another special group of women, specifically Catholic moms who blog on the Internet about their faith, the Catholic Church, as well as the joys and challenges of parenthood and everyday family life, can be considered among Christ's newest evangelizers or "digital disciples."
"Part of our vocation as mothers is to be within our home and do our work with love, and (as Catholic bloggers) we can also do work that draws people closer to Christ and his church," said Lisa Hendey, a Catholic wife and mom blogger from Fresno, Calif.
In between carpool, dinner and homework duties, a growing number of Catholic moms have turned to Internet blogging as a newfound outlet to enrich their own Catholic faith, as well as the faith journeys of their regular readers, with whom they form a sort of spiritual camaraderie."
Mass of the Children at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium - Perelman Stage
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
Proceeds of the event will go to support the 2014 New York Encounter cultural festival.
Tickets: $15 (normally $55)
Three easy ways to buy tickets: Visit: www.carnegiehall.org (enter code MCN16617) Call: 212.247.7800 (mention code MCN16617) In Person: Visit the Carnegie Hall Box Office (57th Street & 7th Avenue) |
|
John Rutter's
Mass of the Children
Featuring: The Georgia Boy Choir (David White, Conductor)
FESTIVAL CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA
Chamber Choir of Algoma - Church of the Divine Child Adult Choir
Ladywood High School Angelic Chorale - Roosevelt High School Acappella Choir -
St. Robert Catholic Chorale New Jersey Choral Society - Connecticut Choral Society Keystone State Boychoir The Choir of Historic St. Malachy's Church
Special solo performances by Megan Knapp and Keith Harris
Conducted by Eric Dale Knapp |
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Thursday, May 09, 2013
UK street preachers spread anti-crime gospel
Great story from AlJazeera on what I would call New Evangelization:
"London, United Kingdom - With her blue jacket and baseball cap - and armed with a prayer as well as a walkie-talkie - Audrey Golding is on her first patrol with London's growing army of "Street Pastors" carrying out what she sees as God's mission on Britain's boozy byways.
She is one of at least 11,000 volunteers in the Christian organisation who patrol towns and cities across the country at weekends to bring practical help - and, at times, a spiritual message - to young people out partying late at night."
...
"The Pastors patrol in pairs talking to revellers, maintaining contacts with bar staff, and helping drunken or troubled youths. At 85, their oldest member, Pat Fletcher, says she has never felt vulnerable in her five years patrolling.
They hand out lollipops, sandals for young women who have removed their high-heeled shoes, and "spikies" - small, plastic devices that allow people to prevent bottled drinks being “spiked” maliciously with spirits.
As a religiously motivated group, at times the Street Pastors will even openly pray in the street with or for a troubled youth when appropriate."
.....
""I am convinced that we avert some of the crime and violence," said Tomlinson, who has been patrolling for seven years. "The most important thing we can do is to maintain a presence, to be out there - and that makes a real difference."
Other locals agree. Police officers on duty and club door staff speak in glowing terms of the Street Pastors' work. "These guys are amazing: you have people sitting around blind-drunk and they will always come and talk to them and encourage them to go home," said Lawrence Dickson, the burly head doorman of Sutton's Wonderland nightclub.
The work of the Street Pastors highlights a strong emphasis on collaboration employed by local authorities such as the police through the so-called "Safer Sutton Partnership". In what is sometimes referred to as "joined-up" policing, officers consult regularly with the Pastors, bar owners and security guards - and respond rapidly to de-escalate signs of trouble.
"London, United Kingdom - With her blue jacket and baseball cap - and armed with a prayer as well as a walkie-talkie - Audrey Golding is on her first patrol with London's growing army of "Street Pastors" carrying out what she sees as God's mission on Britain's boozy byways.
She is one of at least 11,000 volunteers in the Christian organisation who patrol towns and cities across the country at weekends to bring practical help - and, at times, a spiritual message - to young people out partying late at night."
...
"The Pastors patrol in pairs talking to revellers, maintaining contacts with bar staff, and helping drunken or troubled youths. At 85, their oldest member, Pat Fletcher, says she has never felt vulnerable in her five years patrolling.
They hand out lollipops, sandals for young women who have removed their high-heeled shoes, and "spikies" - small, plastic devices that allow people to prevent bottled drinks being “spiked” maliciously with spirits.
As a religiously motivated group, at times the Street Pastors will even openly pray in the street with or for a troubled youth when appropriate."
.....
""I am convinced that we avert some of the crime and violence," said Tomlinson, who has been patrolling for seven years. "The most important thing we can do is to maintain a presence, to be out there - and that makes a real difference."
Other locals agree. Police officers on duty and club door staff speak in glowing terms of the Street Pastors' work. "These guys are amazing: you have people sitting around blind-drunk and they will always come and talk to them and encourage them to go home," said Lawrence Dickson, the burly head doorman of Sutton's Wonderland nightclub.
The work of the Street Pastors highlights a strong emphasis on collaboration employed by local authorities such as the police through the so-called "Safer Sutton Partnership". In what is sometimes referred to as "joined-up" policing, officers consult regularly with the Pastors, bar owners and security guards - and respond rapidly to de-escalate signs of trouble.
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Women of Faith Concert at St. Rose of Lima Church
A concert dedicated to all mothers, grandmothers, Godmothers, foster mothers, and all those who have been a maternal influence in our life will be held on Friday, May 10 at 8:00pm at St. Rose of Lima Church on Merrick Road in Massapequa. The concert will feature both the 100 voice Diocesan Choir of Rockville Centre, and the St. Rose of Lima Parish Choir, along with soloists and orchestra. The concert will be directed by Michael Wustrow and John Buckel. In addition to music in honor of the Blessed Mother, the featured work will be the St. Cecilia Mass of Charles Gounod.
Also known as the Messe Solennelle, the Mass dedicated to St. Cecilia is one of several Masses written by Gounod, who is also known for his many secular operas. This setting is very operatic in nature, capturing the texts of the Mass and presenting them with soloists, a full orchestra, and a large choir. The piety and sentiment are at times very subtle and other times overwhelming, but always related to the texts being sung.
The concert will also feature the two choirs divided antiphonally in the church, and will have several pieces dedicated to the Blessed Mother, including the famous Ave Maria of Franz Biebl.
Suggested ticket donation is $15 ($10 for students/seniors). A “Women of Faith” Honor Roll is also being created (living or deceased) and additional information may be requested at the time of ticket purchase. To obtain tickets and information about the “Women of Faith” Honor Roll, please contact the Diocesan Office of Worship at 516.678.5800 x504. or St. Rose of Lima Church at 516.798.4992 x240
New Long Island Catholic Blog!
Through Leticia at Causa Nostrae Laetitiae I found this great blog based on Long Island - Campfires and Cleats, by Chris - a homeschooling mother.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Shimabara Rebellion
The Latin Mass Magazine has introduced me to numerous Catholic people and historical events but unfortunately their articles are mostly unavailable online. It is well worth subscribing to the magazine anyway because the layout and quality are very good. The articles remind me of why I love Catholic history, culture and tradition. One such event I learned about through the magazine's most recent edition is the Shimabara Rebellion.
"The Shimabara Rebellion was an uprising in southwestern Japan lasting from December 17, 1637 to April 15, 1638, during the Edo period. It largely involved peasants, most of them Catholic Christians.
...Religious persecution of the local Catholics exacerbated the discontent, which turned into open revolt in 1637. The Tokugawa Shogunate sent a force of over 125,000 troops to suppress the rebellion and after a lengthy siege against the rebels at Hara Castle, defeated them.
In the wake of the rebellion, the rebel leader Amakusa Shiro was beheaded and the prohibition of Christianity was strictly enforced. Japan's national seclusion policy was tightened and official persecution of Christianity continued until the 1850s."
Statue of Amakusa Shiro, the rebellion leader who was only 16 years old.
Shiro's battle flag, which states Worship and Adore the Most Holy Sacrament (more details on the flag can be found here)
"The Shimabara Rebellion was an uprising in southwestern Japan lasting from December 17, 1637 to April 15, 1638, during the Edo period. It largely involved peasants, most of them Catholic Christians.
...Religious persecution of the local Catholics exacerbated the discontent, which turned into open revolt in 1637. The Tokugawa Shogunate sent a force of over 125,000 troops to suppress the rebellion and after a lengthy siege against the rebels at Hara Castle, defeated them.
In the wake of the rebellion, the rebel leader Amakusa Shiro was beheaded and the prohibition of Christianity was strictly enforced. Japan's national seclusion policy was tightened and official persecution of Christianity continued until the 1850s."
Statue of Amakusa Shiro, the rebellion leader who was only 16 years old.
3 girls kidnapped in Cleveland
The story of the 3 girls kidnapped and held captive for 10 years in Cleveland is just horrible. At least the girls are alive and reunited with their families. I hope the 3 Castro brothers that were arrested are thrown in prison for the rest of their lives, kept in general population, suffer greatly for years, and then convert and come to Jesus before dying at not too old an age. I often post stories involving violence by muslim radicals against non-muslims because there is a serious problem in the islamic culture that needs to be addressed until the violence ends. But the problem with violence and evil in our own culture of the USA is probably even greater and our whole society needs to be radically changed.
"Cleveland (CNN) -- When three women missing for about a decade turn up in your neighbor's house, little quirks look a little different.
That's what some neighbors of a fired Cleveland school bus driver said Tuesday, a day after a woman's screams led to the arrest of 52-year-old Ariel Castro and his two brothers -- and freedom for Amanda Berry and two other women, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, 23, and Michelle Knight, 32.
Each disappeared from the same Cleveland street -- Lorain Avenue -- three miles from the home in which they were found Monday. They were found when one of them broke out the bottom of a screen door and called for help Monday evening, startling a neighbor who came over and helped kick in the door.
"Help me, I am Amanda Berry," the now-27-year-old woman told police in a frantic 911 call from the neighbor's house. "I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years. And I'm here, I'm free now."
St. Michael the Archangel,
"Cleveland (CNN) -- When three women missing for about a decade turn up in your neighbor's house, little quirks look a little different.
That's what some neighbors of a fired Cleveland school bus driver said Tuesday, a day after a woman's screams led to the arrest of 52-year-old Ariel Castro and his two brothers -- and freedom for Amanda Berry and two other women, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, 23, and Michelle Knight, 32.
Each disappeared from the same Cleveland street -- Lorain Avenue -- three miles from the home in which they were found Monday. They were found when one of them broke out the bottom of a screen door and called for help Monday evening, startling a neighbor who came over and helped kick in the door.
"Help me, I am Amanda Berry," the now-27-year-old woman told police in a frantic 911 call from the neighbor's house. "I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years. And I'm here, I'm free now."
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
Catholic journal criticizes dissidents who support embargo
"In its latest edition, the magazine published by the Council of Laypersons of the Archdiocese of Havana criticized members of the opposition who advocate maintaining the economic sanctions against Cuba to accelerate democratic changes and guarantee individual freedom.
“Some people, both Cuban and foreigners, insist in asking important world centers of power to destabilize the Cuban government,” the publication Espacio Laical (Layperson Space) says in its editorial. “Cuba has a lot to change, but the protagonists of those changes cannot be the centers of power in certain strong and influential countries.”
The publication, headed by Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino, asks the centers of power to act “as friends who accompany us and not as judges who condemn us.” It also demands the government to exercise “a political evolution capable of expanding the opening process” and avoid “rigidities.”
Click here to read the rest of the article in the Miami Herald. The embargo against Cuba is a difficult issue - it has hurt the Cuban people but the government must be opposed in the strongest ways possible. Ultimately I believe dropping the embargo but continuing to oppose the Cuban regime will help the Cuban people while hopefully eliminating the Cuban government.
“Some people, both Cuban and foreigners, insist in asking important world centers of power to destabilize the Cuban government,” the publication Espacio Laical (Layperson Space) says in its editorial. “Cuba has a lot to change, but the protagonists of those changes cannot be the centers of power in certain strong and influential countries.”
The publication, headed by Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino, asks the centers of power to act “as friends who accompany us and not as judges who condemn us.” It also demands the government to exercise “a political evolution capable of expanding the opening process” and avoid “rigidities.”
Click here to read the rest of the article in the Miami Herald. The embargo against Cuba is a difficult issue - it has hurt the Cuban people but the government must be opposed in the strongest ways possible. Ultimately I believe dropping the embargo but continuing to oppose the Cuban regime will help the Cuban people while hopefully eliminating the Cuban government.
Monday, May 06, 2013
New Book: Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness
At The Catholic Thing.Org Brad Miner reviews the new book by Eric Metaxas which profiles these 7 men:
George Washington
William Wilberforce
Eric Liddell
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Jackie Robinson
Pope John Paul II
Charles W. Colson
"All of the heroes of 7 MEN were, in more ways than one, strong, and Metaxas writes that “God’s idea of making men strong was so that they would use that strength to protect women and children and anyone else.” They had chivalry, in other words (a subject dear to my heart). This is strength “given over to God’s purposes.” How else do such men found a nation (Washington), end slavery (Wilberforce), turn away from fame (Liddle), sacrifice everything (Bonhoeffer), break the color barrier (Robinson), change the world (John Paul II), and overcome public humiliation (Colson)?"
George Washington
William Wilberforce
Eric Liddell
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Jackie Robinson
Pope John Paul II
Charles W. Colson
"All of the heroes of 7 MEN were, in more ways than one, strong, and Metaxas writes that “God’s idea of making men strong was so that they would use that strength to protect women and children and anyone else.” They had chivalry, in other words (a subject dear to my heart). This is strength “given over to God’s purposes.” How else do such men found a nation (Washington), end slavery (Wilberforce), turn away from fame (Liddle), sacrifice everything (Bonhoeffer), break the color barrier (Robinson), change the world (John Paul II), and overcome public humiliation (Colson)?"
Are some people just born evil?
In the new book, ‘Confessions of a Sociopath,’ one
woman says yes—that those like her lack a moral compass and take joy
from our misery
"Her psychopathy manifests itself in generally soft violence: She
likes befriending other women, eliciting their deepest fears and most
shameful experiences, then using all that information against them: “I
indulge in inserting myself into a person’s psyche and quietly wreaking
as much havoc as I can,” she writes.
Thomas has set friends up
with each other, playing the long game and going after one half of the
couple when it will hurt most (she identifies as bisexual). She rose
academically and professionally through threats and bullying: gender
discrimination, fabricated claims of sexual harassment, anything that
would get her closer to her goals. She has destroyed others’ careers.“I am absolutely shameless when it comes to asking for, pushing for, and ultimately inducing people to give me what I want,” she writes, “whatever it takes.”
Read the whole article in The New York Post. This is exactly why real Catholicism is so necessary and why the Church and American society needs massive reform. We have way too many sociopaths around and instead of fighting them, we seem completely oblivious.
In the Spirit: Holy Wisdom Monastery now off-limits to Catholic priests
In the Spirit: Holy Wisdom Monastery now off-limits to Catholic priests : Wsj
"Bishop Robert Morlino is continuing to put more distance between the Madison Catholic Diocese and Holy Wisdom Monastery, a former Catholic monastery on the outskirts of Madison that is now a non-Catholic ecumenical retreat center.
In the latest development, Morlino is now prohibiting priests in the diocese from “attendance or participation at all events held at Holy Wisdom Monastery and all events sponsored or co-sponsored by Holy Wisdom Monastery or the Benedictine Women of Madison,” according to a March 7 letter to priests leaked to the State Journal.
Read the latest on this place from the Wisconsin State Journal.
For much more background and detail see Laetificat: The problem with Holy Wisdom Monastery
This is one of many examples of religious communities dwindling down and exiting the Church. It is a sad result of the loss of orthodoxy within the Church.
"Bishop Robert Morlino is continuing to put more distance between the Madison Catholic Diocese and Holy Wisdom Monastery, a former Catholic monastery on the outskirts of Madison that is now a non-Catholic ecumenical retreat center.
In the latest development, Morlino is now prohibiting priests in the diocese from “attendance or participation at all events held at Holy Wisdom Monastery and all events sponsored or co-sponsored by Holy Wisdom Monastery or the Benedictine Women of Madison,” according to a March 7 letter to priests leaked to the State Journal.
Read the latest on this place from the Wisconsin State Journal.
For much more background and detail see Laetificat: The problem with Holy Wisdom Monastery
This is one of many examples of religious communities dwindling down and exiting the Church. It is a sad result of the loss of orthodoxy within the Church.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Christos Anesti
Today is Easter Sunday for the Orthodox Christians. To see why Christians celebrate Easter on different dates see this detailed explanation at About.com.
New Evidence in Oswaldo Payá’s Death
The National Catholic Register has introduced me to the story of Oswaldo Paya, a Cuban Catholic who died in a car crash after being harrassed and threatened by the government for years.
New Evidence in Oswaldo Paya's Death
"WASHINGTON — When Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, 60, one of Cuba’s most famous — and intensely devout — Catholic activists was killed on July 22, 2012, his family, friends and human-rights advocates around the world considered the tragic death suspicious.
Now the U.S. State Department has called for an independent, international investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
Payá founded the Christian Liberation Movement (CLM) in 1988 to advocate for free speech, freedom of association, more private property rights and the right to have a voice in government decisions through elections in Cuba. The Register profiled Payá in a lengthy interview in 2010.
Calling for a national referendum on these freedoms, in an effort known as the Varela Project, in honor of a 19th-century Cuban-born priest, Father Felix Varela, the CLM gathered more than 25,000 signatures and presented them to the Cuban National Assembly in 2002 and 2003. As a result, most of the movement’s leaders were jailed in the "Black Spring" of 2003.
Many were released into exile in 2010 as a result of a deal worked out between the Church in Cuba, the Castro regime and the Spanish government."
Read more here
New Evidence in Oswaldo Paya's Death
"WASHINGTON — When Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, 60, one of Cuba’s most famous — and intensely devout — Catholic activists was killed on July 22, 2012, his family, friends and human-rights advocates around the world considered the tragic death suspicious.
Now the U.S. State Department has called for an independent, international investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
Payá founded the Christian Liberation Movement (CLM) in 1988 to advocate for free speech, freedom of association, more private property rights and the right to have a voice in government decisions through elections in Cuba. The Register profiled Payá in a lengthy interview in 2010.
Calling for a national referendum on these freedoms, in an effort known as the Varela Project, in honor of a 19th-century Cuban-born priest, Father Felix Varela, the CLM gathered more than 25,000 signatures and presented them to the Cuban National Assembly in 2002 and 2003. As a result, most of the movement’s leaders were jailed in the "Black Spring" of 2003.
Many were released into exile in 2010 as a result of a deal worked out between the Church in Cuba, the Castro regime and the Spanish government."
Read more here
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Sousa Mendes saved more lives than Schindler so why isn't he a household name too?
"With the Nazi invasion of France came an order from Portugal that no Jews or dissidents be granted passage. But one man stood tall against the decree – and in issuing visas for 30,000 people, Aristides de Sousa Mendes was to risk everything. Seventy years on, the people whose lives he saved are battling to restore his honour..."
Read more about this Catholic hero here.
See also the Sousa Mendes Foundation
His grandson wrote this article that points out the interesting fact that we have Mendes to thank for Huey Lewis and the News, Salvador Dali and Curious George!
Read more about this Catholic hero here.
See also the Sousa Mendes Foundation
His grandson wrote this article that points out the interesting fact that we have Mendes to thank for Huey Lewis and the News, Salvador Dali and Curious George!
Gen X Revert: Popping readers' faces for 10 years
Years ago this blog had Haloscan comments but those disappeared one day and I was left with the Google/Blogger comment system. Now, all I ever get is spam which is annoying except when I get good spam like this (on the post about Pope Francis canonizing 800 martyrs):
"The article provides proven useful to me personally. It's very useful and you are clearly really experienced in this field. You get popped my own face to different opinion of this specific matter together with intriguing and reliable content material."
Glad you enjoy my blog dear reader.
"The article provides proven useful to me personally. It's very useful and you are clearly really experienced in this field. You get popped my own face to different opinion of this specific matter together with intriguing and reliable content material."
Glad you enjoy my blog dear reader.
Egypt's Christians Celebrate Coptic Easter
Happy Easter to all the Eastern Christians celebrating it tomorrow, especially those suffering under muslim domination.
"Pope Tawadros II led his first Easter Mass as head of the ancient Coptic Church in Egypt praying for security and prosperity on Saturday at the same cathedral that was the site of sectarian clashes weeks earlier.
The Orthodox Easter mass, meant to be a religious celebration that marks the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion, took place amid increased attacks on churches.
Egypt's Orthodox Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the country's 90 million people, have long complained of discrimination. Clashes between Muslims and Christians have become more frequent after a breakdown in security following the ouster of longtime authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak from power in a 2011 uprising."
More here from ABC News
"Pope Tawadros II led his first Easter Mass as head of the ancient Coptic Church in Egypt praying for security and prosperity on Saturday at the same cathedral that was the site of sectarian clashes weeks earlier.
The Orthodox Easter mass, meant to be a religious celebration that marks the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion, took place amid increased attacks on churches.
Egypt's Orthodox Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the country's 90 million people, have long complained of discrimination. Clashes between Muslims and Christians have become more frequent after a breakdown in security following the ouster of longtime authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak from power in a 2011 uprising."
More here from ABC News
Friday, May 03, 2013
New Book by Alice Von Hildebrand
The great Alice Von Hildebrand is now 90 years young. She has written a small book - click on the name to see more details:
Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students
A brief exploration of the parallel lives of Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein based on their memoirs.
Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students
A brief exploration of the parallel lives of Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein based on their memoirs.
Embattled president of St. John's University, Fr. Donald Harrington, to step down
From the New York Post
"The embattled president of St. John's University is announcing his retirement today, and his chief of staff has already resigned in the face of an ongoing probe of lavish gifts they received from a corrupt dean at the Queens college who killed herself during a federal fraud trial, among other issues.
Father Donald Harrington, a Vincentian priest, who spent 24 years at the school, emailed his resignation as president to the St. John's community this afternoon. It is effective July 31.
His chief of staff Rob Wile's resignation is effective June 30, sources said."
...
"The stunning developments follow a series of damning articles in New York Magazine that explored the tight connections between Harrington, Wile and St. John's dean and fundraiser Cecilia Chang.
Chang, the the vice president for international relations and dean of the Institute of Asian Studies, killed herself in November during her ongoing Brooklyn federal trial on charges of embezzling more than $1 million from the school."
I posted about this scandal here after reading an article in Crisis Magazine. There are still many questions I would like to see answered including:
"The 2011 probe of Cecilia Chang, the corrupt former St. John’s dean who stole more than $1 million from the university, revealed that Rob Wile, chief of staff to St. John's president Father Donald Harrington, had charged $25,000 on brands like Prada, Ferragamo, and Lanvin to one of Chang's Taiwanese credit cards, which was billed to a university account. Now sources inside the investigation reveal that they told Harrington in 2011 that Wile should reimburse St. John's at least some of the money. Harrington said he'd consider the recommendation, "but it went nowhere," to the shock of one investigator.
Instead, "Wile got raises," as one source put it, after the investigation began in 2010. That year he received an additional payment of $150,000 in a category marked “other reportable compensation," according to an IRS form. Sources say the $150,000 included a $100,000 retention bonus and $50,000 in debt forgiveness. Wile received $370,000 in interest-free loans from St. John's and that year received more in compensation than any other current employee except the basketball coach, according to documents. He also approved some of Chang's expenses."
"The embattled president of St. John's University is announcing his retirement today, and his chief of staff has already resigned in the face of an ongoing probe of lavish gifts they received from a corrupt dean at the Queens college who killed herself during a federal fraud trial, among other issues.
Father Donald Harrington, a Vincentian priest, who spent 24 years at the school, emailed his resignation as president to the St. John's community this afternoon. It is effective July 31.
His chief of staff Rob Wile's resignation is effective June 30, sources said."
...
"The stunning developments follow a series of damning articles in New York Magazine that explored the tight connections between Harrington, Wile and St. John's dean and fundraiser Cecilia Chang.
Chang, the the vice president for international relations and dean of the Institute of Asian Studies, killed herself in November during her ongoing Brooklyn federal trial on charges of embezzling more than $1 million from the school."
I posted about this scandal here after reading an article in Crisis Magazine. There are still many questions I would like to see answered including:
- Why did Fr. Harrington participate in business partnerships with Wile that involved hundreds of thousands of dollars? As a Vincentian priest why would he need to make money in addition to what he is paid as president of a University?
- How did the board allow Wile to be paid such an high salary? Did anyone raise any alarms about this?
- Why did the University loan Wile money at no interest?
- Who on the board allowed these loans and are they still allowed to sit on the board?
- How did Chang get away with so much corrupt behavior for so many years? How does a Catholic University not clamp down on corruption quickly?
- How does the University's Catholic identity fit into this scandal? Are there going to be major reforms to prevent this corruption from happening again?
- What is the Vincentian community going to do to prevent their priests from being able to get involved in major business dealings involving corruption?
- Did Wile pay back every dime of the money he borrowed?
- Why is Wile being allowed to resign effective June 30? Shouldn't the University want him out immediately?
"The 2011 probe of Cecilia Chang, the corrupt former St. John’s dean who stole more than $1 million from the university, revealed that Rob Wile, chief of staff to St. John's president Father Donald Harrington, had charged $25,000 on brands like Prada, Ferragamo, and Lanvin to one of Chang's Taiwanese credit cards, which was billed to a university account. Now sources inside the investigation reveal that they told Harrington in 2011 that Wile should reimburse St. John's at least some of the money. Harrington said he'd consider the recommendation, "but it went nowhere," to the shock of one investigator.
Instead, "Wile got raises," as one source put it, after the investigation began in 2010. That year he received an additional payment of $150,000 in a category marked “other reportable compensation," according to an IRS form. Sources say the $150,000 included a $100,000 retention bonus and $50,000 in debt forgiveness. Wile received $370,000 in interest-free loans from St. John's and that year received more in compensation than any other current employee except the basketball coach, according to documents. He also approved some of Chang's expenses."
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Pope Francis to canonise 800 Italians slain during historic siege
"Pope Francis is preparing to canonise an estimated 800 Italian laymen killed by Ottoman soldiers in the 15th century. The canonisation service will be on May 12 in St Peter’s Square and it will be the first carried out by the Pontiff since he was elected in early March.
The killing of the martyrs by Ottoman troops, who launched a weeks-long siege of Otranto, a small port town at the most eastern tip of southern Italy, took place in 1480.
When Otranto residents refused to surrender to the Ottoman army, the soldiers were ordered to massacre all males over the age of 15. Many were ordered to convert to Islam or die, but Blessed Antonio Primaldo, a tailor, spoke on the prisoners’ behalf. “We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, and for Jesus Christ we are ready to die,” he said, according to Blessed John Paul II, who visited Otranto in 1980 for the 500th anniversary of the martyrs’ deaths."
More on the canonizations here.
More on the history of Otranto can be found on Catholic Answers here - How the 800 Martyrs of Otranto Saved Rome
The killing of the martyrs by Ottoman troops, who launched a weeks-long siege of Otranto, a small port town at the most eastern tip of southern Italy, took place in 1480.
When Otranto residents refused to surrender to the Ottoman army, the soldiers were ordered to massacre all males over the age of 15. Many were ordered to convert to Islam or die, but Blessed Antonio Primaldo, a tailor, spoke on the prisoners’ behalf. “We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, and for Jesus Christ we are ready to die,” he said, according to Blessed John Paul II, who visited Otranto in 1980 for the 500th anniversary of the martyrs’ deaths."
More on the canonizations here.
More on the history of Otranto can be found on Catholic Answers here - How the 800 Martyrs of Otranto Saved Rome
The Bishop of Rome as Christian Radical
Click this link to read the whole article by George Weigel in First Things.
"Pope Francis believes that the Church in Latin America took a decisive step toward a new future in 2007. Then, at the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, held at Aparecida in Brazil, the leaders of the Church moved far beyond the “kept” Catholicism of the past—the Catholicism that was “kept” by legal establishment or, more recently, cultural habit—and embraced a robustly Evangelical Catholicism in which, as the pope wrote, “the whole of ministry (is) in a missionary key.”
The move from “kept” Catholicism to Evangelical Catholicism is for everyone, the pope seems convinced."
"Pope Francis believes that the Church in Latin America took a decisive step toward a new future in 2007. Then, at the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, held at Aparecida in Brazil, the leaders of the Church moved far beyond the “kept” Catholicism of the past—the Catholicism that was “kept” by legal establishment or, more recently, cultural habit—and embraced a robustly Evangelical Catholicism in which, as the pope wrote, “the whole of ministry (is) in a missionary key.”
The move from “kept” Catholicism to Evangelical Catholicism is for everyone, the pope seems convinced."
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
In Rio slum, residents recall 1980 visit, look forward to Pope Francis
From Catholic News Service:
"RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) -- Carlos Rojas is the keeper of 240 keys at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Vidigal, a hillside slum in south Rio de Janeiro. He opens the church each morning, guards, cleans and closes it each night.
Before the church was built eight years ago, priests celebrated Mass in the street. Wanting their own space, Catholics in the community walked the hillside, going door-to-door, collecting signatures and eventually winning enough support to build their own sanctuary.
Brazil has more Catholics than any country in the world. In 1980 Blessed John Paul II visited the favela, or slum, and left his gold cross-shaped ring there, urging the community to sell it and use the money to better living conditions. Rojas was on the committee that helped to coordinate the visit.
In July, another pope will come to Brazil for World Youth Day."
"RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) -- Carlos Rojas is the keeper of 240 keys at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Vidigal, a hillside slum in south Rio de Janeiro. He opens the church each morning, guards, cleans and closes it each night.
Before the church was built eight years ago, priests celebrated Mass in the street. Wanting their own space, Catholics in the community walked the hillside, going door-to-door, collecting signatures and eventually winning enough support to build their own sanctuary.
Brazil has more Catholics than any country in the world. In 1980 Blessed John Paul II visited the favela, or slum, and left his gold cross-shaped ring there, urging the community to sell it and use the money to better living conditions. Rojas was on the committee that helped to coordinate the visit.
In July, another pope will come to Brazil for World Youth Day."
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
John W Blewett, RIP
John Blewett was the managing editor of The Latin Mass Magazine. I enjoyed his gentle humor at the Latin Mass conferences I attended in New Jersey. He led a full and interesting and important life.
"John Wesley Blewett, 84, of Santa Paula, California, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, as well as a successful businessman and dedicated leader in pro-life and Catholic causes, passed away on Friday, February 8, 2013, in Ventura, California. He died as he had hoped, surrounded by family and fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church.
A man of many careers, John brought the same determination, enthusiasm and energy to everything he did. His career included work as a longshoreman on the docks of Seattle during World War II, as a sportswriter for the Seattle Times, as an executive in the Kaiser family of companies, as Vice President of Thomas Aquinas College, as President & CEO of the Wanderer Forum, and finally, as Managing Editor of The Latin Mass Magazine.
John was born June 1, 1928, in Butte, Montana, and attended high school in Seattle, Washington. After serving two years in the Army, he attended Seattle University on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1951."
Full Obit here
"John Wesley Blewett, 84, of Santa Paula, California, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, as well as a successful businessman and dedicated leader in pro-life and Catholic causes, passed away on Friday, February 8, 2013, in Ventura, California. He died as he had hoped, surrounded by family and fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church.
A man of many careers, John brought the same determination, enthusiasm and energy to everything he did. His career included work as a longshoreman on the docks of Seattle during World War II, as a sportswriter for the Seattle Times, as an executive in the Kaiser family of companies, as Vice President of Thomas Aquinas College, as President & CEO of the Wanderer Forum, and finally, as Managing Editor of The Latin Mass Magazine.
John was born June 1, 1928, in Butte, Montana, and attended high school in Seattle, Washington. After serving two years in the Army, he attended Seattle University on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1951."
Full Obit here
Help the Orphans of Haiti
A Concert for Mercy
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 3:00PM
St. Agnes Parish Center, 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre, NY
To Benefit
"La Maison des enfants de Madame Mole” Orphanage , Haiti
Sisters of Charity of St. Louis
Donation: $10.00
Contact: Jemima Desroches, Administrative Assistant
Office of Multicultural Diversity, 516-678-5800, X407
Catholic Deacon Sentenced for Stealing From Collection Plates
It is rare to hear of a Deacon scandal - the thousands of deacons in the Church are generally models of Christian gentlemen.
"GRAND HAVEN, MI – Joseph Thomas Finnigan, the 73-year-old Catholic deacon who admitted stealing $120,000 from Grand Haven collection plates over some five years, will spend the next year of his life in jail and the rest of his life trying to pay back the money."
More details from Michigan Live
"GRAND HAVEN, MI – Joseph Thomas Finnigan, the 73-year-old Catholic deacon who admitted stealing $120,000 from Grand Haven collection plates over some five years, will spend the next year of his life in jail and the rest of his life trying to pay back the money."
More details from Michigan Live
Shanghai bishop Jin Luxian dies at age 96
"Born into a Catholic family in Shanghai in June 1916, Jin was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1938 and spent several years studying in France, Germany, and other European nations. Returning to his native Shanghai in 1951, Jin was imprisoned for nearly two decades under Communist China's founder, Mao Zedong, who ordered Chinese Catholics to cut their ties with the Vatican and jailed hundreds of priests and nuns as counter-revolutionaries.
Jin was paroled in 1972 and put to work as a translator based on his knowledge of several European languages. Following Mao's death in 1976, he was formally released and named Shanghai bishop in 1988 by the Patriotic Association. Although the Vatican recognized another priest as Shanghai bishop, Jin worked tirelessly to recover church property and rebuild congregations, achieving a remarkable degree of independence from the authorities in Beijing."
Click here for the rest. Pray for the Church in China, that it may be given more freedom and grow.
Jin was paroled in 1972 and put to work as a translator based on his knowledge of several European languages. Following Mao's death in 1976, he was formally released and named Shanghai bishop in 1988 by the Patriotic Association. Although the Vatican recognized another priest as Shanghai bishop, Jin worked tirelessly to recover church property and rebuild congregations, achieving a remarkable degree of independence from the authorities in Beijing."
Click here for the rest. Pray for the Church in China, that it may be given more freedom and grow.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Priest collapses, dies at altar during service
RIP
From New Zealand:
"Hundreds of parishioners watched in shock as a Catholic priest died at the altar during mass, moments after baptising a baby.
Napier's longest-serving priest, Monsignor Timothy Francis Hannigan, 81, collapsed at the altar during communion at St Patrick's Catholic Church on Sunday.
A doctor and nurses in the packed church rushed to help the popular priest when he slumped to the ground about 9.30am, but he died by the altar of the church where he had served for more than 30 years"
Read the whole story here
From New Zealand:
"Hundreds of parishioners watched in shock as a Catholic priest died at the altar during mass, moments after baptising a baby.
Napier's longest-serving priest, Monsignor Timothy Francis Hannigan, 81, collapsed at the altar during communion at St Patrick's Catholic Church on Sunday.
A doctor and nurses in the packed church rushed to help the popular priest when he slumped to the ground about 9.30am, but he died by the altar of the church where he had served for more than 30 years"
Read the whole story here
10 Reasons Why Youth Leaders Should Get In Shape
Go to the Christian Post to read the 10 reasons, which should apply to all priests, deacons, nuns, and all who work in ministry.
Related: Nerd Fitness posts stories of nerds (people who are into gaming, science fiction, etc..) who get into shape and level up their life. One of the stories involves a seminarian at Mundelein Seminary who lost 115 lbs.
"I’m originally from Odessa, TX, hometown to Permian football and Friday Night Lights (Steve’s note: great book, decent movie, INCREDIBLE TV show).
My journey began in the Summer of 2010 when I was studying Spanish in San Antonio, Texas. I had just gotten a physical the week before where my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure. I was weighed in at a whopping 376-pounds and was extremely unhappy with where my life was going (many tears were shed over my physical wellbeing).
I was in the Spanish program with a few buddies of mine who had always been health conscious.
I asked for their help and we developed an exercise routine that involved swimming and the elliptical machine for an hour a day, six times a week. With their help and support, I stuck to that program for the rest of the summer."
Read the whole story and an interview with Ryan here.
Related: Nerd Fitness posts stories of nerds (people who are into gaming, science fiction, etc..) who get into shape and level up their life. One of the stories involves a seminarian at Mundelein Seminary who lost 115 lbs.
"I’m originally from Odessa, TX, hometown to Permian football and Friday Night Lights (Steve’s note: great book, decent movie, INCREDIBLE TV show).
My journey began in the Summer of 2010 when I was studying Spanish in San Antonio, Texas. I had just gotten a physical the week before where my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure. I was weighed in at a whopping 376-pounds and was extremely unhappy with where my life was going (many tears were shed over my physical wellbeing).
I was in the Spanish program with a few buddies of mine who had always been health conscious.
I asked for their help and we developed an exercise routine that involved swimming and the elliptical machine for an hour a day, six times a week. With their help and support, I stuck to that program for the rest of the summer."
Read the whole story and an interview with Ryan here.
The Polish National Church
The Catholic Church has had many groups break away from it over the centuries, besides the protestants. One such group is the Polish National Church which seems to have been started in 1897 as a result of harsh treatment of Polish Catholics in the United States by the Church hierarchy and issues of parish ownership. In 1984 a dialogue was started between the Catholic Church and the Polish National Church and in 2006 a Joint Declaration on Unity was issued. Locally, there is a Polish National Catholic Church on Long Island - St. Francis in East Meadow. This is one of many examples of Christians breaking apart from one another and at the least we should be working to be as united as possible despite differences in practice, theology, ecclesiology, and worship. It also shows that, despite the Church being at a height of cultural influence and internal strength in the decades from the late 1800's right up to the 1960's, there were problems that caused divisions and break away groups. At least since Vatican II, the Church has been attempting to dialogue and unite closer with all groups and there has been some success.
Excerpt from the Joint Declaration:
"In response to an inquiry from the Archbishop of Baltimore, His Excellency William Keeler, then President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, His Eminence Edward Cardinal Cassidy, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, stated in 1993 that members of the Polish National Catholic Church in the United States and Canada may receive the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick from Roman Catholic priests if they ask for them on their own, are properly disposed and not otherwise excluded from the sacraments in line with the provisions of canon 844 �3 of The Code of Canon Law. This was followed in 1996 by a letter by Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb, the Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, to the bishops of the United States spelling out in more detail the conditions under which Polish National Catholics may receive the aforementioned sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. In 1998 the Polish National Catholic Church issued Guidelines for the Reception by Polish National Catholics of Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Canon 844 �2 of The Code of Canon Law also specifies conditions under which Roman Catholics may receive the sacraments in the Polish National Catholic Church."
Excerpt from the Joint Declaration:
"In response to an inquiry from the Archbishop of Baltimore, His Excellency William Keeler, then President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, His Eminence Edward Cardinal Cassidy, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, stated in 1993 that members of the Polish National Catholic Church in the United States and Canada may receive the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick from Roman Catholic priests if they ask for them on their own, are properly disposed and not otherwise excluded from the sacraments in line with the provisions of canon 844 �3 of The Code of Canon Law. This was followed in 1996 by a letter by Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb, the Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, to the bishops of the United States spelling out in more detail the conditions under which Polish National Catholics may receive the aforementioned sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. In 1998 the Polish National Catholic Church issued Guidelines for the Reception by Polish National Catholics of Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Canon 844 �2 of The Code of Canon Law also specifies conditions under which Roman Catholics may receive the sacraments in the Polish National Catholic Church."
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Religious Freedom Forums
From The Long Island Catholic:
"Rabbi Aryeh Spero, author of “Push Back: Reclaiming Our American Judeo-Christian Spirit,” will be speaking about religious freedom on Long Island May in early May.
On Wednesday, May 1, Rabbi Spero will be the guest at a public forum sponsored by the St. Patrick, Huntington, chapter of the national Catholics for Freedom of Religion (CFFR) at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, 440 West Neck Rd., Huntington.
On May 2nd, he will address a Catholics for Freedom of Religion at Infant Jesus Church in Port Jefferson.
For details on the Port Jefferson event, click PORT JEFFERSON RABBI SPERO FLYER FINAL
For details on the Huntington event, click HUNTINGTON RABBI SPERO FLYER REV FINAL.
"Rabbi Aryeh Spero, author of “Push Back: Reclaiming Our American Judeo-Christian Spirit,” will be speaking about religious freedom on Long Island May in early May.
On Wednesday, May 1, Rabbi Spero will be the guest at a public forum sponsored by the St. Patrick, Huntington, chapter of the national Catholics for Freedom of Religion (CFFR) at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, 440 West Neck Rd., Huntington.
On May 2nd, he will address a Catholics for Freedom of Religion at Infant Jesus Church in Port Jefferson.
For details on the Port Jefferson event, click PORT JEFFERSON RABBI SPERO FLYER FINAL
For details on the Huntington event, click HUNTINGTON RABBI SPERO FLYER REV FINAL.
Church Stabbing in New Mexico
Four people hurt in Albuquerque church stabbing
At least four people were hurt at an Albuquerque church Sunday when a visitor jumped out of the pews and stabbed a choir member during a song, police and witnesses said.
The victims did not appear to have life-threatening injuries, police said.
Two parishioners told the Los Angeles Times that after communion at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church on Sunday morning, a man in his teens or early 20s leaped from the pews and stabbed the choir's lead singer while the choir was singing."
At least four people were hurt at an Albuquerque church Sunday when a visitor jumped out of the pews and stabbed a choir member during a song, police and witnesses said.
The victims did not appear to have life-threatening injuries, police said.
Two parishioners told the Los Angeles Times that after communion at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church on Sunday morning, a man in his teens or early 20s leaped from the pews and stabbed the choir's lead singer while the choir was singing."
Scientists Find Way to Turn Stem Cells Into Brain Cells
Of course, once again, we are talking about ethical stem cells from bone marrow:
"Scientists have discovered an antibody that can turn stem cells from a patient's bone marrow directly into brain cells, a potential breakthrough in the treatment of neurological diseases and injuries.
Richard Lerner, of the Scripps Research Institute in California, says that when a specific antibody is injected into stem cells from bone marrow—which normally turn into white blood cells—the cells can be triggered to turn into brain cells.
"There's been a lot of research activity where people would like to repair brain and spinal cord injuries," Lerner says. "With this method, you can go to a person's own stem cells and turn them into brain cells that can repair nerve injuries."
Read the whole article from US News
"Scientists have discovered an antibody that can turn stem cells from a patient's bone marrow directly into brain cells, a potential breakthrough in the treatment of neurological diseases and injuries.
Richard Lerner, of the Scripps Research Institute in California, says that when a specific antibody is injected into stem cells from bone marrow—which normally turn into white blood cells—the cells can be triggered to turn into brain cells.
"There's been a lot of research activity where people would like to repair brain and spinal cord injuries," Lerner says. "With this method, you can go to a person's own stem cells and turn them into brain cells that can repair nerve injuries."
Read the whole article from US News
Long Island Press calls Islam a Religion under attack
Muslim Americans: Behind the Veil of a Religion Under Attack
The above is the title to an article in The Long Island Press. My response is 'Religion Under Attack', wait...What? Islam is not under attack in the United States, nor does the article actually show that it is. The article mocks the NYPD for keeping an eye on the Muslim community but there is obviously a problem around the world with Islamic terrorism and radicalization of young people and as the article points out, this directly has affected the US several times. Here in the US there has been no major backlash, no riots, no mass murder of Muslims after 9/11, after the underwear bomber, the Food Hood Massacre, the shoe bomber, the Times Square Bomber, the Boston bombers, so there is no fact behind Islam being a 'religion under attack'. In fact, worldwide, if you keep up with news from places like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria, Indonesia and the Philippines you realize that the religion that is under attack around the world is Christianity. So, while Muslims in the US and elsewhere do not deserve harrassment, questioning of their patriotism, and certainly not violence, they do need to recognize there is an issue in their communities and it needs to be addressed, just as Americans have issues with violence, incredible ignorance, and immorality and these need to be addressed as well. I do not want to see innocent Muslims in the US or elsewhere harmed in any way, but let's not kid ourselves, Islam is not under attack in the US, but around the world Christianity is.
The above is the title to an article in The Long Island Press. My response is 'Religion Under Attack', wait...What? Islam is not under attack in the United States, nor does the article actually show that it is. The article mocks the NYPD for keeping an eye on the Muslim community but there is obviously a problem around the world with Islamic terrorism and radicalization of young people and as the article points out, this directly has affected the US several times. Here in the US there has been no major backlash, no riots, no mass murder of Muslims after 9/11, after the underwear bomber, the Food Hood Massacre, the shoe bomber, the Times Square Bomber, the Boston bombers, so there is no fact behind Islam being a 'religion under attack'. In fact, worldwide, if you keep up with news from places like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria, Indonesia and the Philippines you realize that the religion that is under attack around the world is Christianity. So, while Muslims in the US and elsewhere do not deserve harrassment, questioning of their patriotism, and certainly not violence, they do need to recognize there is an issue in their communities and it needs to be addressed, just as Americans have issues with violence, incredible ignorance, and immorality and these need to be addressed as well. I do not want to see innocent Muslims in the US or elsewhere harmed in any way, but let's not kid ourselves, Islam is not under attack in the US, but around the world Christianity is.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Protesters demand Catholic Church take stand against drones
"SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The group was not large, but they say they're determined. Their demand? That leaders in the Catholic Church, like Syracuse's Bishop Robert Cunningham, take a strong stand, demanding the United States end their use of drones.
“We met with the Bishop about a year ago and he couldn't make up his mind then as to whether or not this was a moral issue. We feel that it's an outstanding moral issue,” said Jack Gilroy, anti-drone protester.
The Bishop was not in Syracuse as the protest happened. But he does not appear ready to make a judgment yet on the drone issue.
“The Bishop feels very strongly about it. As a Catholic he is, obviously, opposed to killing. But he needs to make an informed decision. It's a very complicated issue,” said Danielle Cummings, Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese."
The article is small and can be read here. I am conflicted about drones also - while they can be more accurate than traditional military methods of fighting, it is not right that a state can decide who is an enemy and kill them and everyone around them. On the other hand, terrorism has to be fought wherever it is and we cannot send troops into every nation with Islamic terrorists.
“We met with the Bishop about a year ago and he couldn't make up his mind then as to whether or not this was a moral issue. We feel that it's an outstanding moral issue,” said Jack Gilroy, anti-drone protester.
The Bishop was not in Syracuse as the protest happened. But he does not appear ready to make a judgment yet on the drone issue.
“The Bishop feels very strongly about it. As a Catholic he is, obviously, opposed to killing. But he needs to make an informed decision. It's a very complicated issue,” said Danielle Cummings, Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese."
The article is small and can be read here. I am conflicted about drones also - while they can be more accurate than traditional military methods of fighting, it is not right that a state can decide who is an enemy and kill them and everyone around them. On the other hand, terrorism has to be fought wherever it is and we cannot send troops into every nation with Islamic terrorists.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church now offers Latin Mass on Sundays
This story is from North Carolina and represents part of the legacy of Pope Benedict and the return to tradition that is ultimately going to help the Church. The story was written by a Hugh Fisher, who should be congratulated for writing one of the best stories on the Latin Mass return I have read. It does not contain any of the buzzwords (back to the people, nostaglia, etc....) and it quite accurate.
"It’s become common for churches of different denominations to add contemporary worship services, which often feature modern music and a more relaxed style of worship.
Meanwhile, in Salisbury, one church has responded to requests from parishioners by adding an option for worship that is older, not newer.
Since April 7, Sacred Heart Catholic Church has been offering the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, also called the “Latin Mass,” as one option for Sunday worship.
Worshipers at the 4 p.m. service now pray along with Gregorian chants sung by a newly-formed Latin choir, as Father Jason Barone and servers offer prayers that have changed very little since the 16th century."
Read the whole article, it is worth it.
"It’s become common for churches of different denominations to add contemporary worship services, which often feature modern music and a more relaxed style of worship.
Meanwhile, in Salisbury, one church has responded to requests from parishioners by adding an option for worship that is older, not newer.
Since April 7, Sacred Heart Catholic Church has been offering the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, also called the “Latin Mass,” as one option for Sunday worship.
Worshipers at the 4 p.m. service now pray along with Gregorian chants sung by a newly-formed Latin choir, as Father Jason Barone and servers offer prayers that have changed very little since the 16th century."
Read the whole article, it is worth it.
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Ban on the Buiding of Non-Muslim Place of Worship
"Bishops from several European countries are criticizing Saudi Minister of Justice, Mohamed el-Eissi, after he insisted that "the cradle of the Muslim sanctities will not allow the establishment of any other places of worship."
The statement has reflected the Saudi government's intention to resume its ban on the building of non-Muslim places of worship within Saudi territories, or even the observance of non-Islamic religious rituals."
Read more at the Christian Post
The statement has reflected the Saudi government's intention to resume its ban on the building of non-Muslim places of worship within Saudi territories, or even the observance of non-Islamic religious rituals."
Read more at the Christian Post
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Robert J. Coyle
Msgr. Robert Coyle, former paster of Corpus Christi in Mineola, was ordained a Bishop today in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. He will be an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Steubenville
Steubenville has come up several times recently in my reading - that is the Franciscan University of Steubenville. This school has been sort of the epicenter of the evangelical / charismatic Catholic movement.
"Before he entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular, he graduated in 1985 with a bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, working as a pharmacy training manager from 1984-1990. In 1990, he earned his juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and spent the next 10 years as a practicing attorney in Sacramento and Pittsburgh, focusing on healthcare litigation, primarily with the representation of hospitals and physicians.
The Cresson, Pennsylvania, native entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular in 2000 and made his solemn profession of vows in 2005. He was ordained to the priesthood in December 2006. "
"In partnership with Franciscan University, the Legacy Project is developing programs uniquely oriented to the intellectual mission of a university community.
As the leading American institution for the study of Dietrich von Hildebrand and personalism in the spirit of John Henry Newman, Max Scheler, Karol Wojtyla, Romano Guardini, and other philosophical champions of human dignity, Franciscan University is the natural setting for the Legacy Project’s first academic center.
Two of the Legacy Project’s flagship programs have come to Franciscan University:
• Graduate Fellowship: During the academic year and summer, the Legacy Project gives financial awards to MA level students supporting their study of von Hildebrand and their collaboration with the Legacy Project.
• Summer Seminar: Our annual Summer Seminar will be held July 15-19, 2013 on the campus of Franciscan University, which provides accommodations to participants, and makes available its facilities and considerable resources, among which is one of only three complete copies of Dietrich von Hildebrand’s papers."
See the Legacy Project website for more info about this great man-
"Founded in 2004 by Franciscan University alumnus John Henry Crosby, the Legacy Project seeks to preserve and promote the thought and witness of Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889-1977), seminal philosopher, ardent Christian, fierce foe of Nazism, and fervent champion of beauty. Von Hildebrand developed and enriched the Western philosophical tradition through many original insights. His conversion to Catholicism at the age of 24 opened new vistas and enabled him to write many profound works unfolding Catholic faith and morals."
- I read a post by Sam Rocha (a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville) the other day responding to a Salon author who wrote about the horrible rape case in the city of Steubenville. He criticized the author, who attended Franciscan University of Steubenville teen conferences, for mixing the city and the University conferences together in what he considered a cheap way. His post was good, and I find myself a bit envious of those who attended strongly Catholic colleges and Universities since I did not. Yes, I have seen criticisms of various types of Franciscan U by some grads who seem reliable, but overall I think it does a good job of helping Catholics become better Catholics, or even just staying Catholic, where most Catholic colleges do the exact opposite.
- I also read that Franciscan University has a new president - Fr. Sean Sheridan:
"Before he entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular, he graduated in 1985 with a bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, working as a pharmacy training manager from 1984-1990. In 1990, he earned his juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and spent the next 10 years as a practicing attorney in Sacramento and Pittsburgh, focusing on healthcare litigation, primarily with the representation of hospitals and physicians.
The Cresson, Pennsylvania, native entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular in 2000 and made his solemn profession of vows in 2005. He was ordained to the priesthood in December 2006. "
- I then received an email from the Dietrich Von Hildebrand Legacy Project detailing their new partnership with Franciscan University of Steubenville.
"In partnership with Franciscan University, the Legacy Project is developing programs uniquely oriented to the intellectual mission of a university community.
As the leading American institution for the study of Dietrich von Hildebrand and personalism in the spirit of John Henry Newman, Max Scheler, Karol Wojtyla, Romano Guardini, and other philosophical champions of human dignity, Franciscan University is the natural setting for the Legacy Project’s first academic center.
Two of the Legacy Project’s flagship programs have come to Franciscan University:
• Graduate Fellowship: During the academic year and summer, the Legacy Project gives financial awards to MA level students supporting their study of von Hildebrand and their collaboration with the Legacy Project.
• Summer Seminar: Our annual Summer Seminar will be held July 15-19, 2013 on the campus of Franciscan University, which provides accommodations to participants, and makes available its facilities and considerable resources, among which is one of only three complete copies of Dietrich von Hildebrand’s papers."
See the Legacy Project website for more info about this great man-
"Founded in 2004 by Franciscan University alumnus John Henry Crosby, the Legacy Project seeks to preserve and promote the thought and witness of Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889-1977), seminal philosopher, ardent Christian, fierce foe of Nazism, and fervent champion of beauty. Von Hildebrand developed and enriched the Western philosophical tradition through many original insights. His conversion to Catholicism at the age of 24 opened new vistas and enabled him to write many profound works unfolding Catholic faith and morals."
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