Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
NCR's-John Allen, Jr. UPDATE Day 3 USCCB
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
UPDATE: It's OFFICAL - NRLC Endorses Thompson
NCReporter:John Allen, Jr. on the USCCB Fall '07 Meeting
Prayers of Reparation
Prayer of Reparation
O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore thee profoundly. I offer thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of thee the conversion of poor sinners.
This is interesting...
Strange.
USCCB News:
Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Presidential AddressGeneral Meeting
November 12, 2007
All our prayers are for GOD'S WILL to be done...we pray and get outta-the-way....
Leadership:
Today, Americans often have an image of leadership that equates it to power. We often hear calls in society for strong and decisive leadership. At the same time, however, there is resentment toward those who seem to “lord it over” others—who use power and influence in a manner that conflicts with the strong current of individualism that characterizes our time and place. Still, the power of leadership is both a reality and a necessity.
And so, the questions for us as Bishops are these: What is the nature of our leadership and authority, and how do we exercise it? To answer, we must look to the true model of leadership: that of Jesus of Nazareth. And we must ask: how did Jesus lead? How did he use his authority? For us as Bishops, a deep and Christ-like vision of leadership must be at the heart of our service. Christ has called us, as successors of the Apostles, to be his voice in our time. And our time needs to hear the voice of Christ. The Old Testament reminds us of a basic truth: without a vision the people will perish (see Proverbs 29:18). That vision is Christ’s. It is carried by the Church; and we, like Jeremiah, must cry out and not hold back. Indeed at a time like this it should be all so clear to us: We cannot shrink from our calling to be shepherds, to be leaders.
[snip]Of course the source of Christ’s power, and its goal as well, was simply this: Truth. The ultimate basis of all truth, of all understanding, rests in God himself. As Christ made it his mission to show us his Father, to teach us to seek the will of his Father, we cannot in fidelity to him renounce or weaken our proclamation of the truth. In our day, that truth is so often related to questions of the moral life. For that reason, we need to continue to speak out and teach our people joyfully to embrace life, to incorporate fully the Church’s vision about chastity and the nature of marriage, and to understand the humanly and spiritually corrosive results of the contraceptive mentality and lifestyle. As shepherds, we will continue to be clear about the fundamental injustice of abortion and of sacrificing sacred human lives at their earliest moments for the sake of progress in medicine and science, or for convenience. We are in a position to speak to those issues not only because our theology holds God’s truth, but also because our contributions to health and to the relief of suffering, by means of our Catholic institutions, are second to none.
[snip]As shepherds, we must continue to move minds and hearts to care for those who are needy and disadvantaged. We will continue to speak that truth to all our elected leaders, and to those whose policies affect our society and our world, which so longs for justice and equity.
But even as the basis of our leadership is the moral and doctrinal truth for salvation given by Christ, our leadership is shaped by Christ in a further way. That is, he “did not regard equality with God [as] something to be grasped”; he took on the form of a slave (Philippians 2:6-7). He came among us and lived with us in a way that proclaimed the truth, but he did so first and foremost by example. Without compromise, Christ reached out with love and patience. But his leadership was not one that measured success moment to moment. It was a service, summarized by the magnificence of the washing of the feet, of the prayer for unity, and of submission of himself to the Cross for us, in accordance with the will of his Father. Few in our climate today would see that as a successful form of leadership. But with the eyes of faith, and not of the world, it is precisely that. And that is the model we are called to emulate.
Humility:
Living out such humility does seem paradoxical to many. Consider, for example, the stories that were reported recently, when Mother Teresa’s autobiography was published. Here was a person who exercised leadership in a very real way in our Church and our world, even if that leadership is essentially different from what we have been called to. Her leadership was one based in a fundamental and visible humility that challenged, but also attracted, our world. Still, some people were shocked—perhaps even scandalized—by her memoirs. They revealed that, as with many of the greatest of saints, her humility was not only lived externally. It was a deep spiritual reality. God, it seems, gave her periods of dryness during which he hid his face from her.
The example of Mother Teresa should cause us to reflect as Bishops. What is the state of our souls? Our leadership must be rooted in the humility of a life of prayer, every day and before the Eucharist. It must embrace Christ in the humbleness of the Sacrament of Penance. Our leadership as shepherds will never be authentic if our souls are not one with Christ the shepherd. The words of Mother Teresa herself are fit for our own meditation as Bishops in service to the God’s people: “It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent. If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.”
Child abuse in church found to mirror society
When It Comes to Defending the Faith, There is No 'Plan B' (Judie Brown)
Newly Elected of USCCB:
Pres. Cardinal George- Chicago,IL
Vice-Pres. Bishop Gerald Kincanas- Tucson, AZ
And our prayers continue...COME, HOLY SPIRIT COME!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Thompson to Be Endorsed by Right to Life
Whew, I'm already worn out.
And I don't know the outcome of this situation: Protest over Robertson
Continued Reaction to Robertson/Guiliani endorsement:
Giuliani better off without Robertson Even in a world that creates strange bedfellows, Pat Robertson's endorsement last week of Rudolph W. Giuliani for president is bizarre.
Kathleen Parker: What's God got to do with the election?
US Social Conservatives Continue Criticism of Robertson's
CTA-Call to Action co-presidents outline successes
Call to Action gets back to its roots, tackling racism
CTA photos - Call to Action, Sunday 2007
This one looks like someone from a comic book- hero.
I believe that their 'numbers' are dwindling...try to look at the group pictures(seated). It's pretty dark in the background; it would probably be lit-up if there were more people attending this conference. Interesting.
USCCB Meeting - This week in Baltimore
We ask all this in HIS NAME JESUS CHRIST, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, and by the WILL OF GOD THE FATHER! AMEN.
News Round-up
Bishops turn away group critical of Lincoln Diocese (CTA)
Bishops Weigh Guidelines for Catholic VotersA group critical of the Lincoln Catholic diocese for not participating in a sex abuse survey says it was turned away when it tried to hand-deliver petitions to bishops meeting in Baltimore, Maryland.
The group Call to Action instead planned to sneak the petitions into the hotel where the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is gathered.
Catholic Bishops Vote This Week on Pro-Life Election 2008 Document
Musicam Sacram
COMMENTARY: US Bishops Gather. Faithful Pray for Clarity
Sunday, November 11, 2007
To Pat Robertson, Rudy Giuliani is the Lesser of Two Evils
Ditto, on that statement.That question will be put to Pat Robertson, not Rudy Giuliani, because Rudy is not changing his position. Pat Robertson, on the other hand, is making a 180-degree turn from his vehement opposition to Rudy’s stand on the moral issues.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Robertson answers those inevitable questions.
And yes it shall be interesting.
UPDATE:Roman Catholic Priest’s resigning angers Baltimore area residents
Friday, November 09, 2007
Leonardo Painting Has Coded 'Soundtrack'
Official site for the "Last Supper,": http://www.cenacolovinciano.it
Baltimore: Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien - is he 'cleaning'?
S. Baltimore pastor joined by Episcopal priest during Mass
[snip]Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien personally ordered the Rev. Ray Martin, who has led the Catholic Community of South Baltimore for five years, to resign from the three churches and sign a statement yesterday apologizing for "bringing scandal to the church."
Sean Caine, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, said this was one example of repeated administrative and liturgical offenses Martin had committed in more than a year.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Fr. Euteneuer responds to Jesuit who ‘Came Out’ at Campus Mass
November 8, 2007 johnmallon@cox.net
FRONT ROYAL, VA — The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, STL, president of Human Life International, (HLI) today published an “open letter” to Father Thomas J. Brennan, SJ, who declared that he was a homosexual during a student Mass, admitting that it was one of “the worst kept secrets” on campus.
Father Euteneuer’s response, “Homosexual Jesuit Needs Refresher Course in Priestly Love” was published in his weekly email newsletter, Spirit & Life, available Thursday after 3:00 PM EST on the HLI website (http://www.hli.org/). The letter called for Brennan to apologize to his congregation.
Father Euteneuer said, “There is something just plain wrong about abusing people’s trust in the priesthood in such a public way, and since you chose to ‘go public’ with this matter, a public response to your outrageous ‘outing’ is merited.”
“First of all,” Father Euteneuer said, “Holy Mass is not a forum for your self-expression. You chose the sacred liturgy and the pulpit reserved for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the launching pad for your personal testament to homosexuality … You’ve read the same documents I’ve read about the liturgy, and none of them say the liturgy is your personal stage.”
He continued, “[Celibacy] is a form of Christian chastity to which you and I are called, and I trust that you are faithful to it. … A heterosexual celibate renounces his natural desire for wife and children in order to embrace the Bride of Christ in a direct spousal relationship. A homosexual celibate renounces an unholy desire for members of the same sex: that is a renunciation of a disorder, not the embrace of a Bride.
“When even a celibate priest chooses to go public about his homosexual identity as an expression of ‘diversity’ or ‘pride’, the faithful are rightfully confused and scandalized. Not only do you owe them an apology, you owe them a better example of priesthood. They deserve a priest who is clear about the Church’s doctrine about homosexual acts and who teaches it unambiguously. … If you do not clearly witness the Church’s teaching about your own vocation, how can you teach others to be faithful to theirs?”
-30-
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Women warned against Catholic ordination
Interfaith Concert to be held in Basilica - National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
7:30pm Concert UPPER CHURCH
InterFaith Website Links (InterFaith Organizations)
- Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions
- Fellowship of Reconciliation
- Institute on Religion and Public Policy
- The Interfaith Alliance
- The Interfaith Center of New York
- Interfaith Climate Change Network
- International Committee for the Peace Council
- The International Interfaith Center
- Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice
- The National Religious Partnership for the Environment
- The North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) (Our Assistant Director, Mike Goggin, is the current Chairperson of the NAIN Board of Directors!)
- The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
- The Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue
- Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding
- Temple of Understanding
- United Religions Initiative
- United States Conference of Religions for Peace
- World Conference of Religions for Peace
Tsunami Dialogue -Cardinal McCarrick participates
Can. 1205 Sacred places are those which are designated for divine worship or for the burial of the faithful by a dedication or a blessing which the liturgical books prescribe for this purpose.
Can. 1210 Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.
Can. 1214 By the term church is understood a sacred building designated for divine worship to which the faithful have the right of entry for the exercise, especially the public exercise, of divine worship.
Can. 1221 Entry to a church is to be free and gratuitous during the time of sacred celebrations.
ALTARS (Code of Canon Law)
IFC's 27th (2006) Annual InterFaith Concert
A Celebration of the Sacred in Song, Dance and Chant
(at Washington Hebrew Congregation )
Question: Should an event like this be held in the Shrine?
Prayer to Mary Help of Christians
Dear Mother, Help of Christians, we come to you in confidence with our needs and like the sons and daughters of St. John Bosco, relying on your unfailing help. Bring us all to your Son and guide our hearts to bless the work of the Salesian Priests, Brothers and Sisters,as you protected their founder in his great work for the Church. Amen.
May all do the ordaining will of the FATHER!
USCCB Pres. Nominees List
Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin
Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee
Cardinal Francis George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky
Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia
Bishop Dennis Schnurr of Duluth
Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie
Bishop Allen Vigneron of Oakland
Catholics & Politics
Lay Catholics call for greater civility in American political debate
Prominent Catholics Call for Civility in Politics
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (Wash.,D.C.)
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good -Commentators
Catholic Culture Review--Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good- **RATINGS** -FIDELITY -DANGER!
The Common Good - Newsletter (Aug. '07)
NETWORK
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
VeriChip & State Disaster Preparedness
The system, which employs implantable tags to identify and track the remains of deceased individuals, is seeing gains in sales as states acquire it for disaster preparedness.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Microchip Clinic (Vet.)
The clinic members were on hand to handle any possible issues that might come up during the evaluations as well as to hold a microchip clinic, according to Robin Degatina, a pet clinic technician. Dr. Kristy Clopton explained what microchipping does for an owner.
Pretty soon we'll see these 'clinics' being held at our local hospitals and doctor offices'...maybe even on those dr./medical channels on the tvs located in the reception areas.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
'HP' News Items:
Wizard waves a rainbow flag
Renewed calls for ban on 'Harry Potter' over witchcraft, homosexuality
Can't Rowling just be quiet?
[snip]That's the way it works in fiction. Characters tell their creators who they are and what they're going to do, not the other way round. Any novel worth reading "gets away" from the writer, with characters doing and saying things that may be completely contrary to the author's intentions.
At a later point in the Carnegie Hall event, Rowling said, "The Potter books in general are a prolonged argument for tolerance, a prolonged plea for an end to bigotry, and I think it's one of the reasons some people don't like the books."
Anyone who has read the books with pleasure, as I have, knows this to be true. Prejudice runs like an evil spell through the series, with Muggles and wizards looking down on one another, while elves are forced into virtual domestic slavery, and other magical creatures — giants, centaurs — are pushed to the margins of existence by the dominant group. Rowling's satirical intent is clear.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Prayers please for Fr. Francis Mary, MFVA and for EWTN (mp3-AUDIO)
Fr. Francis Mary has left EWTN. A 'veil tip' WI Catholic Musings for 'Fr.'s Letter'.
Prayers for all concerned parties most especially the MFVA's, EWTN, and all of us--THE BODY OF CHRIST!
Petition in Honor of the Precious Blood
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
All Souls
Praying for the Dead and Gaining Indulgences During November
Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great
DICTATED BY OUR LORD
TO RELEASE 1,000 SOULS FROM PURGATORY EACH TIME IT IS SAID
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said throughout the world today,
for all the holy Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church,
those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
WIRED: Gallery: Our Readers' Coolest Geek-o'-Lanterns
Pray with your children as you carve.
LORD open my mind so that I may learn about YOU. (Cut the top off.)
Cleanse my sins and forgive me. (Clean the inside.)
Open my eyes so that I may see YOUR LOVE. (Cut the eyes in the shape of hearts.)
Let me give YOU thanks for all things YOU'VE given me instead of turning my nose up at them. (Cut the nose in shape of a cross.)
Open my ears to hear YOUR WORD (Cut ears in shape of a bible.)
Open my mouth so that I may spread YOUR WORD. (Cut the mouth in the shape of fish.)
Let my smile shine with the LIGHT OF YOU.
Pass out prayer cards with your candy...pass along holiness this day of 'All Hallows Eve'---the day before All Saints Day.
'Bella' turns in highest per screen performance
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
"Plan Mexico"
"This would be the first part of a multi-year funding request of $1.4 billion."
Plan Mexico
Bush Reveals Plan Mexico, Proposes $1.5 Billion Anti-Drug Aid Package
Bush announces $1.4 billion drug plan for Mexico
Bush stonewalls on Mexican military aid White House, State Department refuse to answer WND questions
30 'Aha!' Moments from 30 Leading Influencers at the Rethink Conference
"This conference will confront outdated and pre-conceived ideas, offer new perspectives and open our minds to all kinds of possibilities that connect us with our shifting culture without compromising our core values." ("shifting culture"...huh?)
Speakers confirmed so far:
George Barna
Pres. George H. W. Bush
Dr. Ben Carson
Dr. Tim Clinton
Dr. Henry Cloud
Chuck Colson
George Foreman
Jon Gordon
Dan Kimball
Larry King
H.B. London, Jr.
Erwin McManus
Miles McPherson
Mark Mittelberg
Rupert Murdoch
John Ortberg
Nancy Ortberg
Dr. Les Parrott
Donna Schuller
Dr. Robert A. Schuller
Dr. Robert H. Schuller
Jay Sekulow
Gary Smalley
Ben Stein
Lee Strobel
Dr. John Townsend
Kay Warren
—and more to be announced soon!
Yeah...what's up with this event? - What is Robert Schuller 'rethinking'? Crystal Cathedral conference accused of twisting biblical Christianity
Vatican Information Services:10-30-07
THE MEDIA: AT THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN ACTIVISM AND SERVICE. Seeking the Truth in order to share it with others" is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for the 42nd World Communications Day, due to be celebrated on May 4, 2008. In a communique released today Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, writes that such a theme "calls on us to reflect on the role played by the media and especially the increasing risk of their becoming self-absorbed and no longer tools at the service of truth - something which is meant to be sought and shared." .../IN BRIEF/...VIS 071030 (250)
More Britney
Catholics slam Britney Spears pix as 'bottom of barrel' stunt
Catholic League's Response: Britney's Confessional Shoot
Monday, October 29, 2007
Alert B. Donohue at Catholic League!
SPEARS TO SPARK CATHOLIC CONTROVERSY WITH NEW PROMO PICS
Alert! All adults around Britney PLEASE help her!!!