Secular or Sacred?

More on the Washington National Cathedral: Music and Meditation at the Labyrinth, Sermons, Centering Prayer Programs-more Centering Prayer info, "Save the Earth"-Double Feature,
Sacred Circles (and I see Carol Lee Flinders is presenting soon).

You gotta see where Darth Vader is placed in the Cathedral! Whoa! (Be careful--"Don't go over to the dark side" after viewing!) All the Star Wars fans must love this and make pilgrimages to the church (?). Cathedral-Self-guided tour- "Wacky Western Gargoyles". Virtual Tour.

To find Darth Vader you have to leave the building through the ramp entrance. This is located at the northwest corner of the nave, through the double wooden doors of Lincoln Bay. Go down the ramp, and step into the parking lot. Then, turn around and look back up at the tower closest to you. He is almost impossible to see without the assistance of binoculars.

I sure would hate to see the image of an Ipod or image of Amercian Idol-Taylor Hicks in the stained glass window or on a column!

This reminds me of the time we were visiting colleges with our college bound student. We visited the campus of "The University of the South"-Swanee in TN. When we arrived we were impressed with the outside architecture of the (Episcopal sponsored private college) chapel on campus. It is Gothic looking and we thought that it was pretty until we took the inside tour of the building and property.
Our guide directed us to look up at the newly renovated stained glass windows- "You can see the image of a VW"! What? Excuse me? See what? "Yes, the artist placed the image of a Volkswagen Beetle in the stained glass." Needless to say, I was the only person in the touring/visiting group of parents and possible students, that did not see the actual image. My husband did tho. My child does not attend this college even though they offered a full 4 yr. scholarship. Horrible. Need I say more?

So, this is where we got the labyrinths, centering prayer and columbariums!? Oops, I mean this is where the 'ideas' came from -Episcopals? Be on the look out in your local Catholic diocese for the following...labyrinths, centering prayer groups/retreats, secular items displayed in windows or architecture, and of course columbariums! See - centering prayer-yoga (more here) and the see-the columbarium- "for burial of ashes". So now we encourage cremation? Building an area for ashes adjacent or inside a Catholic Church (btw this is NOT near a cemetery)? What does the church say about this? Isn't this encouraging cremation by building this structure? They do charge for the space and there's plenty of room in the area cemetery for this structure. So then what is the reason for a columbarium?

More from Mount St. Agnes (RSM) & Carol Lee Flinders

From the Dec. 2005-MSA -"The Scoop"- Spiritual Feminism Workshop. Carol Lee Flinders' association with this institute-Sophia Institute in Charleston, South Carolina.

"If women are to bring forth a new paradigm, built on inclusiveness, mutuality, and reverence for nature, their inner work must be as sustained and systematic as their analysis and their activism. To that end, this workshop will offer a meditative practice that can be carried out in any religious tradition (or none), and that is an ideal foundation for spiritually informed activism."

I have always noticed their systematic drive to change institutions. I consider that burning and razing institutions. Nothing like selfishness to run your emotions and behavior.
Get ready it's getting ready to be a bumpy and dangerous ride on that "train". Even though "the train has left the station" we can still derail and detour it. But let's not get "side-tracked"-defeated by their behavior or their plans. We keep pushing forward-onward and upward assisting in building up HIS KINGDOM on earth-NOT her kingdom!

Catholic Charities-Issues

Hat tip to Dom Bettinelli for the info on Catholic Charities Boston (scroll down to Nov 11, 05 4:46 pm posting).
I too have deep issues with Catholic Charities U.S.A.

I have raised my concerns with others over the years and today I found these items to support my findings.
My issues stem from the fact that there are so many that have their "hand in the pot" (i.e. the religious nuns-Sisters of Mercy) while openly and arrogantly dissenting Holy Mother's teachings. For shame on all those that lead others away from the Holy Mother Church. Woe to them, those that have been given much.

I offer the following for your discernment:
Catholic Charities USA-Advocacy
Catholic Charities USA-Who We Are pdf. file
Catholic Charities-Parish Social Ministry Training Calendar
Catholic Charities-Parish Social Ministry Training
Catholic Charities Pres. Rev. Larry Snyder- "Father Snyder earns a salary of $180,000 in his new role."-??
Catholic Charities-program("tentacle")-JustFaith-Creator & Director-Jack Jezreel (scroll down)-"Google"-JustFaith + Dissent= Catholic Action Network. (scroll down)

More here too on J. Jezreel, with one of my buddies--from Mount St. Agnes (MSA/RSM'S)--Carol Lee Flinders at a CTA conference giving a homliy?!!
(I can't follow the pics.-I don't know if that is her giving a homily) Of course these people are all hanging together with those I know here in Birmingham.
I knew they were all sitting up in that tree---those birds-"Birds of a feather...."

So you see there are large issues here.

And then this came from Deal Hudson-"The Window"-titled article-"Boston's Catholic Charities Honors Public Dissenter"-
"Catholic Charities in Boston is continuing to steer a steady course away from Church authority. Invitations for the Catholic Charities annual Christmas dinner were recently sent out naming their honoree, Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Menino has distinguished himself with his public support of abortion and gay marriage. He is often quoted in the press bashing pro-life lay groups, politicians and theologians."

And another hat tip to Carrie Tomko for this article by James Fitzpatrick, since I believe it sums up the "words speak" by liberals.

We all have to use the discerning gifts that have been bestowed upon us by OUR LOVING FATHER.