Monday, February 09, 2004
I went to the Latin Mass Magazine conference in Montvale, New Jersey yesterday with fellow blogger Aristotle of Confessions of a Recovering Choir Director. The conference was good as usual, with intelligent speakers and great food. I was a bit disappointed in Michael Davies' talk however, since he mostly mentioned sad statistics on the state of the Church. He did mention some good things that have occurred in recent years but overall the forecast was rather gloomy, and the info was nothing new. I did manage to purchase two of his books and get them signed. He was a bit perplexed by my polish surname, apparently the English don't normally string a few constanants together --they really should try it. The books are Lead Kindly Light The Life of John Henry Newman and Saint John Fisher ($10 each!!!). This year's conference did not have the oomph of last year, which featured Chris Ferrara and Michael S. Rose, but it was nonetheless stimulating.
Finally! I have mentioned Dave Armstrong's Biblical Evidence for Catholicism as an important website in my return to the faith. His store of information is incredible, and he unknowingly introduced me to Chesterton, Belloc, Newman, etc.. I always wondered if he would blog, and now he has:
Cor ad cor loquitur
Cor ad cor loquitur
Thursday, February 05, 2004
I take no pride in saying I graduated from St. John's University. Academically and spiritually it is not a good school. While I was a student there, several lacrosse players were accused of raping a woman in one of the jocks' apartment. Tonight, on the way home from work I heard that 3 of the school's basketball players are now accused of rape. This is a good reason why Franciscan University of Steubenville gets my donation money and not my alma mater.
Update: Now the woman who made the accusation has been charged with lying. St. John's is still not a good Catholic school though.
Update: Now the woman who made the accusation has been charged with lying. St. John's is still not a good Catholic school though.
Monday, February 02, 2004
Good News (from Long Island!!!)
Forget the boobs who sang at the Superbowl. (Sorry) Fr. Charles Mangano and his sister Laurie have made albums and sang in concert many times for charity. Their Christmas show at Westbury Music Fair raised $70,000, half going to Little Flower Children's Services and half going to The Life Center of Long Island. The Life Center is expanding into my neighborhood and that brings up an interesting story. It seems a pro-life elderly gentleman had the misfortune of living in a run down house in a commercial area. In the shopping center right across from his house, a Planned Parenthood opened. The man makes sure a pro-life organization gets his house: The Life Center of Long Island who renovate and expand it. They are almost ready to open a center for women which will include a sonogram machine! Of course, Planned Parenthood is not happy, this article describes just one of the moves they made to try to stop The Life Center from opening in Massapequa.
Forget the boobs who sang at the Superbowl. (Sorry) Fr. Charles Mangano and his sister Laurie have made albums and sang in concert many times for charity. Their Christmas show at Westbury Music Fair raised $70,000, half going to Little Flower Children's Services and half going to The Life Center of Long Island. The Life Center is expanding into my neighborhood and that brings up an interesting story. It seems a pro-life elderly gentleman had the misfortune of living in a run down house in a commercial area. In the shopping center right across from his house, a Planned Parenthood opened. The man makes sure a pro-life organization gets his house: The Life Center of Long Island who renovate and expand it. They are almost ready to open a center for women which will include a sonogram machine! Of course, Planned Parenthood is not happy, this article describes just one of the moves they made to try to stop The Life Center from opening in Massapequa.
Sunday, February 01, 2004
Saturday, January 31, 2004
STOP IT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!!
Our Diocese, which Bishop McGann almost destroyed, is having a Synod called by the much better Bishop Murphy. The first step is to have listening sessions in each parish, with people writing down their opinions about various aspects of the local Church. ALL opinions are put on the website for all to see. This is a completely useless waste of time! The saying is true: Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one. The opinions are horrible and many times not even literate. The only thing this is doing is showing the ignorance of Catholics on Long Island.
Worst example so far (From the section on Liturgy):
"We need larger Communion hosts. I get hungry in Mass and the hosts are really good so I think we need larger ones. It will help keep people interested because when someone is hungry all they do is think of eating and not about Church when they are hungry in Church. They should also come in different flavors."
Our Diocese, which Bishop McGann almost destroyed, is having a Synod called by the much better Bishop Murphy. The first step is to have listening sessions in each parish, with people writing down their opinions about various aspects of the local Church. ALL opinions are put on the website for all to see. This is a completely useless waste of time! The saying is true: Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one. The opinions are horrible and many times not even literate. The only thing this is doing is showing the ignorance of Catholics on Long Island.
Worst example so far (From the section on Liturgy):
"We need larger Communion hosts. I get hungry in Mass and the hosts are really good so I think we need larger ones. It will help keep people interested because when someone is hungry all they do is think of eating and not about Church when they are hungry in Church. They should also come in different flavors."
WooHoo!
The Passion of the Christ is coming to a theater near me. I have a choice of Lynbrook, Stony Brook, Rockville Centre, or Westbury. Although I am disappointed that it is not at as widely distributed as I thought it would be. It is only showing in 1 theater in Manhattan!! It is also rated R "For sequences of graphic violence".
The Passion of the Christ is coming to a theater near me. I have a choice of Lynbrook, Stony Brook, Rockville Centre, or Westbury. Although I am disappointed that it is not at as widely distributed as I thought it would be. It is only showing in 1 theater in Manhattan!! It is also rated R "For sequences of graphic violence".
MEDIA SPIN OVER “THE PASSION”
“In short, there are no liberal critics of ‘The Passion’; there are only ‘conservatives’ who like it. Similarly, those who complain about anti-Christian films are anti-Semitic, and those who like good Christian films are also anti-Semitic. The upshot is that most Americans are anti-Semitic. Either that or those who hate Christians have no problem getting a job in the media.”
“In short, there are no liberal critics of ‘The Passion’; there are only ‘conservatives’ who like it. Similarly, those who complain about anti-Christian films are anti-Semitic, and those who like good Christian films are also anti-Semitic. The upshot is that most Americans are anti-Semitic. Either that or those who hate Christians have no problem getting a job in the media.”
Thursday, January 29, 2004
A local "Parish Voice" of the Long Island Voice of the Faithful had a meeting at a local park. A priest from New Jersey spoke, blah blah blah. The date of this meeting? January 22nd. Well it's not like any Voice of the Faithful would have anything else to do that day.
DEMAND FOR “THE PASSION” TICKETS EXPLODES
Memo to Bill Donohue: This type of stuff works both ways: although I think you are the best, when the Catholic League protests a movie too loudly there are those that are encouraged to see the thing.
Memo to Bill Donohue: This type of stuff works both ways: although I think you are the best, when the Catholic League protests a movie too loudly there are those that are encouraged to see the thing.
4th Mepham Football Player Arrested
FINALLY!
"Earlier this month, a Pennsylvania judge sentenced Phil Sofia, 17, to a four-month stint at a boot camp and his accomplice Ken Carney, 16, to a juvenile detention center, also for four months. Tom Diasparra, 16, who cut a plea deal with prosecutors, got probation and was freed.
The three were accused of taking part in the brutal hazing attacks on two 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old in August. The victims were sodomized with pine cones, golf balls and a broomstick dipped in Mineral Ice.
Sources said authorities expect to arrest a fifth attacker in the coming weeks."
A 4th jock from the Mepham High School football team was arrested in the rape and torture attacks that occurred in August 2003. Rich Guccione was his name and he would have been arrested earlier but the paperwork was lost! The article states that a 5th suspect is expected to be arrested soon. This will probably be Nick Paris. Guccione and Paris were known on the web as suspects since at least November. Why did it take so long for the police and prosecutors to charge these guys when there were Mepham students publishing their names on the internet for months???? It can't be that hard to get high school jocks to talk.
FINALLY!
"Earlier this month, a Pennsylvania judge sentenced Phil Sofia, 17, to a four-month stint at a boot camp and his accomplice Ken Carney, 16, to a juvenile detention center, also for four months. Tom Diasparra, 16, who cut a plea deal with prosecutors, got probation and was freed.
The three were accused of taking part in the brutal hazing attacks on two 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old in August. The victims were sodomized with pine cones, golf balls and a broomstick dipped in Mineral Ice.
Sources said authorities expect to arrest a fifth attacker in the coming weeks."
A 4th jock from the Mepham High School football team was arrested in the rape and torture attacks that occurred in August 2003. Rich Guccione was his name and he would have been arrested earlier but the paperwork was lost! The article states that a 5th suspect is expected to be arrested soon. This will probably be Nick Paris. Guccione and Paris were known on the web as suspects since at least November. Why did it take so long for the police and prosecutors to charge these guys when there were Mepham students publishing their names on the internet for months???? It can't be that hard to get high school jocks to talk.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Bishop Murphy Hears the Voices of His Priests
Good piece printed in Newsday's editorial section by the Diocese of Rockville Centre's spokeswoman, Joanne Novarro. Another article in the paper today announced that Novarro has quit this job, understandably, she needed some quiet time with her family.
Good piece printed in Newsday's editorial section by the Diocese of Rockville Centre's spokeswoman, Joanne Novarro. Another article in the paper today announced that Novarro has quit this job, understandably, she needed some quiet time with her family.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Many bloggers have posted the comments of the new Cardinal Gustaaf Joos who said that most gays were sexual perverts and only a small percentage true homosexuals. But most did not mention his more interesting comments:
"Asked about the merits of democracy, he said, "Politics, democracy. Don't make me laugh.
"The right to vote, what is that all about? I think it is curious a snot-nosed, 18-year-old has the same vote as a father of seven. One has no responsibilities whatsoever, the other provides tomorrow's citizens."
He should have his own tv show.
"Asked about the merits of democracy, he said, "Politics, democracy. Don't make me laugh.
"The right to vote, what is that all about? I think it is curious a snot-nosed, 18-year-old has the same vote as a father of seven. One has no responsibilities whatsoever, the other provides tomorrow's citizens."
He should have his own tv show.
Today I attended the traditional Latin Mass - I thought the post-Communion prayer was nice:
"Quos tantis, Domine, largiris uti mysteriis: quaesumus; ut effectibus nos eorum veraciter aptare digneris."
"Grant, Lord, that we who by Your generosity are admitted to frequent these great mysteries, may be made fit to profit by them as we ought."
"Quos tantis, Domine, largiris uti mysteriis: quaesumus; ut effectibus nos eorum veraciter aptare digneris."
"Grant, Lord, that we who by Your generosity are admitted to frequent these great mysteries, may be made fit to profit by them as we ought."
Air Force Honors Slain Chaplain
"Yesterday, Air Force members from the 514th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey dedicated an administrative building to Penzes, who served them as a reservist and chaplain for 28 years. It was the first time the U.S. Air Force had ever dedicated a building to a chaplain, said Brig. Gen. Christopher Joniec, who unveiled the plaque that will honor Penzes."
Fr. Penzes was the Catholic priest shot to death by a sick man who was not taking his meds. It was a horrible situation, Fr. Penzes was a good priest and a wonderful elderly woman attending Mass was also killed.
"Yesterday, Air Force members from the 514th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey dedicated an administrative building to Penzes, who served them as a reservist and chaplain for 28 years. It was the first time the U.S. Air Force had ever dedicated a building to a chaplain, said Brig. Gen. Christopher Joniec, who unveiled the plaque that will honor Penzes."
Fr. Penzes was the Catholic priest shot to death by a sick man who was not taking his meds. It was a horrible situation, Fr. Penzes was a good priest and a wonderful elderly woman attending Mass was also killed.
Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ made the front page of the NY Daily News today:
Love, hate & furor
Controversy grows over Mel Gibson's 'Passion'
"Against unbelievable odds, "The Passion of the Christ" is now shaping up to be the hottest ticket in the history of Hollywood when it finally hits theaters on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25."
That statement is a bit over the top!
"The New York-based Catholic League bought 1,200 tickets at $9.75 apiece and will make them available to members for $5."
"We could probably sell 10,000 of these tickets," said Catholic League President William Donohue. "The reason I'm subsidizing it is to make a point - it's important to see this movie. And it's to drive Mel's critics crazy."
Bill Donohue is so refreshingly blunt!
"There were rumblings that Gibson's labor of love was a $25 million vanity project, something along the lines of John Travolta's "Battlefield Earth."
Heaven Forbid!!
Love, hate & furor
Controversy grows over Mel Gibson's 'Passion'
"Against unbelievable odds, "The Passion of the Christ" is now shaping up to be the hottest ticket in the history of Hollywood when it finally hits theaters on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25."
That statement is a bit over the top!
"The New York-based Catholic League bought 1,200 tickets at $9.75 apiece and will make them available to members for $5."
"We could probably sell 10,000 of these tickets," said Catholic League President William Donohue. "The reason I'm subsidizing it is to make a point - it's important to see this movie. And it's to drive Mel's critics crazy."
Bill Donohue is so refreshingly blunt!
"There were rumblings that Gibson's labor of love was a $25 million vanity project, something along the lines of John Travolta's "Battlefield Earth."
Heaven Forbid!!
Fr. Benedict Groeschel
When I began my journey back to the faith, I read a couple of books by Fr. Groeschel including the excellent The Reform of the Renewal. His intelligence and humor really impressed me. The first discovery I made of something orthodox and local was the Americans United for the Pope lectures at Kellenberg High School. At the second lecture I attended a man spoke briefly about a retreat he was running in the high school retreat house which would be led by Fr. Groeschel. He would be there the entire weekend so I could not pass up this opportunity. He was excellent and just as funny and intelligent as expected. I have since spent two weekends on retreats with him and heard him speak a few more times at the school. In December he had another retreat at the school but I passed it up since I had already been to two retreats and had some things I needed to do. I did however make plans to hear him speak on that Sunday, but alas, it snowed heavily and my friend and I decided not to risk the drive. Now of course we wish we had risked it since my friend has never heard Fr. Groeschel in person. Now that he has had this serious accident, I am realizing just how much he has meant to my spiritual journey. Here are some things from Fr. Groeschel that have stuck in my mind-please keep in mind these are mostly from my memory so they are paraphrases and may not be 100% accurate:
Gen X Revert: “How are you Father?”
Fr. Groeschel: (shrugging shoulders) “Ehhh…I’m old”
From Arise from Darkness:
“No one lives the Christian life perfectly. In my life I've known dumb Jesuits, confused Dominicans, proud Capuchins, rich Franciscans, and Salesians who can't stand small children. I've known merciless Sisters of Mercy and uncharitable Missionaries of Charity and foolish Daughters of Wisdom.”
On being called a “conservative” priest: “I don’t want to conserve anything …I want to blow the whole thing up!”
On dressing for Mass: “The middle class dress like they are going to the beach and the upper class dress like they are coming from the beach”
On meeting Mother Theresa for the first time: “I thought she was so ugly she was almost cute”
On his funeral: “If people at my funeral talk about me like I am already in Heaven, or the music is too sappy, I am going to get up out of that coffin and scare the daylights out of everyone!!”
On hearing, along with a Rabbi friend, at an outdoor Easter service, a minister preach that whether the physical resurrection of the body actually happened is not important: “I wanted to push the minister over the cliff, but then thought of the headlines- Priest Kills Minister While Rabbi Looks On”.
On Youth 2000: “I belong to Youth 1950”
On his community: “Our median age is 37 and if I drop dead tonight it will go down to 25”.
On translation: “In the old canon we said ‘From the rising of the sun to its dimunition,( to its setting)’-a beautiful poetic phrase, now we say ‘From East to West’. Whenever I hear that East to West I think of I-80!”
On the younger guys of his community: “The younger men in this community are so good I feel like I don’t deserve them. One guy I teach is so good, so holy, that on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception I wish him a Happy Name Day”.
On Reform from Scandal to Hope: “The fact is that the great majority of laity are more traditional and devout than they have been permitted to be by those who saw renewal as the principal object of Christian life.”
On the scandals from Scandal to Hope: “Does all this scandal shake your faith in the Church? I hope so, because ultimately your faith should not be in the Church. Ultimately our faith is in Jesus Christ, and we accept the Church. We support the Church. We believe in and belong to the Church because Christ established it on His apostles.”
When I began my journey back to the faith, I read a couple of books by Fr. Groeschel including the excellent The Reform of the Renewal. His intelligence and humor really impressed me. The first discovery I made of something orthodox and local was the Americans United for the Pope lectures at Kellenberg High School. At the second lecture I attended a man spoke briefly about a retreat he was running in the high school retreat house which would be led by Fr. Groeschel. He would be there the entire weekend so I could not pass up this opportunity. He was excellent and just as funny and intelligent as expected. I have since spent two weekends on retreats with him and heard him speak a few more times at the school. In December he had another retreat at the school but I passed it up since I had already been to two retreats and had some things I needed to do. I did however make plans to hear him speak on that Sunday, but alas, it snowed heavily and my friend and I decided not to risk the drive. Now of course we wish we had risked it since my friend has never heard Fr. Groeschel in person. Now that he has had this serious accident, I am realizing just how much he has meant to my spiritual journey. Here are some things from Fr. Groeschel that have stuck in my mind-please keep in mind these are mostly from my memory so they are paraphrases and may not be 100% accurate:
Gen X Revert: “How are you Father?”
Fr. Groeschel: (shrugging shoulders) “Ehhh…I’m old”
From Arise from Darkness:
“No one lives the Christian life perfectly. In my life I've known dumb Jesuits, confused Dominicans, proud Capuchins, rich Franciscans, and Salesians who can't stand small children. I've known merciless Sisters of Mercy and uncharitable Missionaries of Charity and foolish Daughters of Wisdom.”
On being called a “conservative” priest: “I don’t want to conserve anything …I want to blow the whole thing up!”
On dressing for Mass: “The middle class dress like they are going to the beach and the upper class dress like they are coming from the beach”
On meeting Mother Theresa for the first time: “I thought she was so ugly she was almost cute”
On his funeral: “If people at my funeral talk about me like I am already in Heaven, or the music is too sappy, I am going to get up out of that coffin and scare the daylights out of everyone!!”
On hearing, along with a Rabbi friend, at an outdoor Easter service, a minister preach that whether the physical resurrection of the body actually happened is not important: “I wanted to push the minister over the cliff, but then thought of the headlines- Priest Kills Minister While Rabbi Looks On”.
On Youth 2000: “I belong to Youth 1950”
On his community: “Our median age is 37 and if I drop dead tonight it will go down to 25”.
On translation: “In the old canon we said ‘From the rising of the sun to its dimunition,( to its setting)’-a beautiful poetic phrase, now we say ‘From East to West’. Whenever I hear that East to West I think of I-80!”
On the younger guys of his community: “The younger men in this community are so good I feel like I don’t deserve them. One guy I teach is so good, so holy, that on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception I wish him a Happy Name Day”.
On Reform from Scandal to Hope: “The fact is that the great majority of laity are more traditional and devout than they have been permitted to be by those who saw renewal as the principal object of Christian life.”
On the scandals from Scandal to Hope: “Does all this scandal shake your faith in the Church? I hope so, because ultimately your faith should not be in the Church. Ultimately our faith is in Jesus Christ, and we accept the Church. We support the Church. We believe in and belong to the Church because Christ established it on His apostles.”
Saturday, January 24, 2004
The Off the Record blog of the Catholic World News has a post about Bishop Murphy and his meeting with his priests. This line is so very true:
"Rockville Centre is a remarkable diocese. With 1.5 million Catholics, it should be a showcase of ministry in the Catholic Church."
I have said this before on this blog, our diocese should be one that is pumping out Catholic priests, nuns, brothers and lay leaders like crazy. There is no reason why the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska should have more seminarians than us, considering they have a fraction of the Catholic population! We are an example of how dissent and poor leadership can ruin the local Church. And there is great potential in this diocese. (more on that later)
One thing I disagree with in the post is the take on Bishop Murphy's new bishops residence. He took over the top floor of a 3 story building that was being renovated. This renovation was going on before he ever got to Long Island and it involved many buildings on the grounds of St. Agnes Cathedral, which used to house a high school. It just makes sense for the Bishop to live here rather than in the $950,000 home that Bishop McGann lived in. This home had been left to McGann by his family and was located in the residential area of Rockville Centre. When the Diocese sells this thing, it will pay for the renovation or at least cover most of the cost. Maybe our bishops residence should not have expensive furniture and a large industrial kitchen for large dinner parties, but I don't see why not. Would decor by Ikea make us any holier?? I am sure the Bishop could have lived in the Cathedral rectory and maybe that would have been my choice, but this residence issue is not worth much debate. Bishop Murphy is not perfect, but he is the most orthodox Bishop this Diocese has ever had, at least in my lifetime. I have seen some improvement under Murphy and this improvement is what really causes Bob Keeler, Dick Ryan, Voice of the Faithful and the like to moan and complain.
"Rockville Centre is a remarkable diocese. With 1.5 million Catholics, it should be a showcase of ministry in the Catholic Church."
I have said this before on this blog, our diocese should be one that is pumping out Catholic priests, nuns, brothers and lay leaders like crazy. There is no reason why the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska should have more seminarians than us, considering they have a fraction of the Catholic population! We are an example of how dissent and poor leadership can ruin the local Church. And there is great potential in this diocese. (more on that later)
One thing I disagree with in the post is the take on Bishop Murphy's new bishops residence. He took over the top floor of a 3 story building that was being renovated. This renovation was going on before he ever got to Long Island and it involved many buildings on the grounds of St. Agnes Cathedral, which used to house a high school. It just makes sense for the Bishop to live here rather than in the $950,000 home that Bishop McGann lived in. This home had been left to McGann by his family and was located in the residential area of Rockville Centre. When the Diocese sells this thing, it will pay for the renovation or at least cover most of the cost. Maybe our bishops residence should not have expensive furniture and a large industrial kitchen for large dinner parties, but I don't see why not. Would decor by Ikea make us any holier?? I am sure the Bishop could have lived in the Cathedral rectory and maybe that would have been my choice, but this residence issue is not worth much debate. Bishop Murphy is not perfect, but he is the most orthodox Bishop this Diocese has ever had, at least in my lifetime. I have seen some improvement under Murphy and this improvement is what really causes Bob Keeler, Dick Ryan, Voice of the Faithful and the like to moan and complain.
Distributism
I became aware of Distributism.org from El Camino Real and enjoy reading the site. I agree very much with some of the ideas presented but disagree with others. The first quote on the home page is awesome:
"If working people can be encouraged to look forward to obtaining a share in the land, the consequence will be that the gulf between vast wealth and sheer poverty will be bridged over, and the respective classes will be brought nearer to one another."
--Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, 1891
From what I can see this idea exists in reality in the USA where home ownership is at an all time high. The ability of people to move from being uneducated and poor to being educated and middle class is greatest here. My own grandfather never went past the 6th grade, dropping out of school to help support his family by working in the family bar. Today many of his grandchildren are college educated and most own homes. The ability to own a house and some land is greater here than perhaps any other country although house prices have increased beyond the reach of many younger people within the past 10 years. This is especially true here on Long Island where houses are regularly sold for more than $200,000. The idea in life is to allow the greatest number of people to own houses and some property, which distributism advocates.
The definition of Distributism on the website is good: “Distributism is an economic system in which private property, (especially the 'means of production'), is well distributed, in which as many people as possible are actual owners.” Again I can whole-heartedly endorse this idea. In fact, the rise in the number of employee owned companies is a testament to this idea. I can remember the buzz generated a few years back when Home Depot became real popular with its program of employees owning stock in the corporation. I think the major obstacle to this is the reality of human interaction. Even if I owned several thousand dollars worth of stock in my company, would I really be willing to stand up at a meeting and give strong opinions?? How long would I last when my ideas butt up against another employee’s ambitions? I have personally seen people buy stocks and become more interested in the economy and the direction of businesses so I know that ownership does mean something. The ideal is to have as many people as possible own their own businesses. As far as property goes, especially in developing countries there has to be a way not only for people to own it, but also the education to manage it or produce from it.
The section of the website I have the most difficulty with is the section on the practical suggestions to making distributism happen. I see no good coming from abolishing all government relief and pension programs –as flawed as many of these are, they have made some strides in lessening poverty. Social Security for example has meant that the elderly are no longer the severe poor and most severe poor are no longer elderly. I see no point in allowing a person to only have one bank account. Also, while usury is an evil, not all lender institutions and lending of capital is usurious. I like the idea of guilds but they will become corrupt like unions have and then they are no better than that which they were meant to replace. All in all, I love the site and the ideas of distributism are fascinating but I think the whole philosophy needs to be updated for the modern economy. Distributism was a good answer to the communist challenge but we now live in a post-communist world. I am very much interested in seeing capitalism reformed so that all may live in a society where it is possible, even easy, to become a saint. Distributism is not the sole answer, but a good start.
I became aware of Distributism.org from El Camino Real and enjoy reading the site. I agree very much with some of the ideas presented but disagree with others. The first quote on the home page is awesome:
"If working people can be encouraged to look forward to obtaining a share in the land, the consequence will be that the gulf between vast wealth and sheer poverty will be bridged over, and the respective classes will be brought nearer to one another."
--Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, 1891
From what I can see this idea exists in reality in the USA where home ownership is at an all time high. The ability of people to move from being uneducated and poor to being educated and middle class is greatest here. My own grandfather never went past the 6th grade, dropping out of school to help support his family by working in the family bar. Today many of his grandchildren are college educated and most own homes. The ability to own a house and some land is greater here than perhaps any other country although house prices have increased beyond the reach of many younger people within the past 10 years. This is especially true here on Long Island where houses are regularly sold for more than $200,000. The idea in life is to allow the greatest number of people to own houses and some property, which distributism advocates.
The definition of Distributism on the website is good: “Distributism is an economic system in which private property, (especially the 'means of production'), is well distributed, in which as many people as possible are actual owners.” Again I can whole-heartedly endorse this idea. In fact, the rise in the number of employee owned companies is a testament to this idea. I can remember the buzz generated a few years back when Home Depot became real popular with its program of employees owning stock in the corporation. I think the major obstacle to this is the reality of human interaction. Even if I owned several thousand dollars worth of stock in my company, would I really be willing to stand up at a meeting and give strong opinions?? How long would I last when my ideas butt up against another employee’s ambitions? I have personally seen people buy stocks and become more interested in the economy and the direction of businesses so I know that ownership does mean something. The ideal is to have as many people as possible own their own businesses. As far as property goes, especially in developing countries there has to be a way not only for people to own it, but also the education to manage it or produce from it.
The section of the website I have the most difficulty with is the section on the practical suggestions to making distributism happen. I see no good coming from abolishing all government relief and pension programs –as flawed as many of these are, they have made some strides in lessening poverty. Social Security for example has meant that the elderly are no longer the severe poor and most severe poor are no longer elderly. I see no point in allowing a person to only have one bank account. Also, while usury is an evil, not all lender institutions and lending of capital is usurious. I like the idea of guilds but they will become corrupt like unions have and then they are no better than that which they were meant to replace. All in all, I love the site and the ideas of distributism are fascinating but I think the whole philosophy needs to be updated for the modern economy. Distributism was a good answer to the communist challenge but we now live in a post-communist world. I am very much interested in seeing capitalism reformed so that all may live in a society where it is possible, even easy, to become a saint. Distributism is not the sole answer, but a good start.
Friday, January 23, 2004
The fourth suspect in the Mepham High School rape and torture case is looking for a lawyer now. Meanwhile, another 3 football players from another Long Island school were arrested for violent crimes. Their names are: Joseph Barracato, Daniel Dunphy, and Rocco Tenebruso. Remember what I posted about the culture of Long Island and the failure of Catholics to influence it??
Manuel Vega, Creator Of 'Toucan Sam' Icon RIP
"Vega, who spoke Spanish and English, felt a special connection to the many Latino students in the area, Hartman said. In 1967, Vega became the district coordinator of art and created the annual district arts fairs. More than 30 years later, the fairs still display the talents of Brentwood students every spring."
"Vega, who spoke Spanish and English, felt a special connection to the many Latino students in the area, Hartman said. In 1967, Vega became the district coordinator of art and created the annual district arts fairs. More than 30 years later, the fairs still display the talents of Brentwood students every spring."
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Bishop Murphy met with almost 200 priests yesterday
I don't have much to say about this. It was organized by some of the more liberal priests so I thought it stunk from the beginning. I would guess that nobody mentioned the horrible things that went on in the Diocese of Rockville Centre while Bishop McGann was here. I am just glad there has not been a single priest accused of molesting a child while Bishop Murphy has been here and hope the liberal priests were able to vent their frustrations at losing power, so we can all go back to ignoring them.
I don't have much to say about this. It was organized by some of the more liberal priests so I thought it stunk from the beginning. I would guess that nobody mentioned the horrible things that went on in the Diocese of Rockville Centre while Bishop McGann was here. I am just glad there has not been a single priest accused of molesting a child while Bishop Murphy has been here and hope the liberal priests were able to vent their frustrations at losing power, so we can all go back to ignoring them.
Monday, January 19, 2004
I don't know why the Long Island Voice of the Faithful is so concerned with being banned from meeting on Church property. Their February meeting will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, which, considering the type of theologians they promote, seems a perfectly appropriate place.
Browsing the blogs today I noticed that Amy Welborn has shut off her comments in the Life is so complex post to give everyone a rest. I just read through the 106 comments and it is a challenging thread. Rod Dreher, a writer I first encountered when he worked for the NY Post, has commented many times about his dismay over the situation involving Fr. Weinberger in Dallas. Some take him to task over his general attitude in regards the institutional Church. I have to say that I respect and admire Rod Dreher (who is the same age as me, according to one of his comments), both for his writing skills and his public conversion to Catholicism. I think he is right to focus on the corruption within the Church and to be angry about it. However, I also agree with Mark Shea who can't figure out why his children need to be concerned with what a Bishop does. I too, have only met a Bishop in passing and would not see the need to teach children about how corrupt or wrong a Bishop is. Fr. Groeschel is also mentioned and perhaps unfortunately, due to his current situation. Fr. Groeschel is another person I admire and respect a great deal. I heard him speak several times since October, 2001 and found that I disagreed with some of what he had to say regarding the media focus on the child molestation within the ranks of the priesthood. I also noticed a change in his talks about it over the course of the past two years-I think he came to realize the true scope of the problem. Fr. Groeschel is a great priest and has worked hard for reform in the Church. Rod Dreher is a great writer who has also worked hard for reform. The two have the same goals and they could actually learn a lot from each other. The whole thread is a tough one because it focuses on the response of Catholics to the corruption of the Catholic Bishops and people within the Church. Although tough to read, stuff like this is very valuable.
Speaking of challenging ideas:
I will be attending the Latin Mass Magazine conference in Montvale New Jersey on Feb. 8th. (Conference info is not on their website-they probably do not need to advertise as the first two conferences were very well attended. Michael Davies will give one of the talks. Anyone in the area would be advised to attend as the first two were excellent. I hope to hear challenging talks by the speakers as I did the first two years. I thought of this conference while reading the Open Book post because Rod Dreher sounds like the traditionalists at times. They too see the corruption in the Church, perhaps more acutely than most Catholics. I also thought of the conference because one talk at the conference fits right in with the Fr. Paul Weinberger situation:
“Obedience: Wielding a Virtue as a Weapon” by “Father X”.
Speaking of challenging ideas:
I will be attending the Latin Mass Magazine conference in Montvale New Jersey on Feb. 8th. (Conference info is not on their website-they probably do not need to advertise as the first two conferences were very well attended. Michael Davies will give one of the talks. Anyone in the area would be advised to attend as the first two were excellent. I hope to hear challenging talks by the speakers as I did the first two years. I thought of this conference while reading the Open Book post because Rod Dreher sounds like the traditionalists at times. They too see the corruption in the Church, perhaps more acutely than most Catholics. I also thought of the conference because one talk at the conference fits right in with the Fr. Paul Weinberger situation:
“Obedience: Wielding a Virtue as a Weapon” by “Father X”.
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Now that Ken Carney, Phil Sofia, and Tom Diasparra have been sentenced for leading the rape and torture of younger football players in the Mepham High School football camp, I would like to ponder a few things. Am I the only one who thinks the culture these guys grew up in helped lead to this crime? I do not know the faith or upbringing of Sofia and Diasparra but I do know that Carney's father's funeral was held at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Bellmore. Ken Carney had been in trouble before and was the ringleader of the assaults. The father had been in and out of jail and died at the age of 40, rumored to be suicide due to distress over his son's crimes. I wonder if these three young men, or any others in the neighborhood ever heard anything about morality or justice or judgment. I wonder if they had been raised with a sense of right and wrong, or if they grew up hearing the “God loves everybody no matter what you do” type of theology. Quite frankly, I am not surprised at anything people do around here because I never thought Long Island had many nice people on it. That sounds harsh but truth is truth. What is worse is that Long Island has more than a million Catholics on it, meaning that the culture of the island should reflect Catholicism to a large degree. I think the failure of the Church to teach its teachings, and for us Catholics to live out those teachings, are what causes this culture to stink. And that can lead to things like Mepham, which is a real shame.
From an email:
Sunday, January 18th, 1:30 - 4:00 pm
This Sunday, at the Church of Holy Innocents on West 37th Street in Manhattan, there will be a Holy Hour beginning at 1:30 pm, the praying of the Rosary at 2:30 pm, and Mass at 3:00 pm, all offered for the intention of Fr. Benedict Groeschel's return to good health.
Fr. Groeschel was scheduled to give a talk and celebrate Mass at Holy Innocents this Sunday. Let's continue to pray for his recovery!
Sunday, January 18th, 1:30 - 4:00 pm
This Sunday, at the Church of Holy Innocents on West 37th Street in Manhattan, there will be a Holy Hour beginning at 1:30 pm, the praying of the Rosary at 2:30 pm, and Mass at 3:00 pm, all offered for the intention of Fr. Benedict Groeschel's return to good health.
Fr. Groeschel was scheduled to give a talk and celebrate Mass at Holy Innocents this Sunday. Let's continue to pray for his recovery!
GEN X REVERT - BLOGOVERSARY!
January 18th, 2003 = 1 year
I forget exactly how I discovered it but when I saw Gerard’s list of Catholic Blogs I became hooked on reading them. I then started to comment on many of them and eventually figured I needed to start a blog of my own since commenting was just not enough. I noticed that the blogs in St. Blog’s sometimes contained comments from people who are less than happy with their Catholic upbringing or the horrible “Situation” of corruption in the Church. I had 16 years of Catholic school and never a bad experience in the Church. By starting my own blog I thought I could share the positive things I have found with others and counter the negativity I read. In this aspect my year of blogging was a miserable failure. I fell into the trap of reacting to other posts, news stories, and info on the net and mostly the reactions were critical or negative. I think this is still valuable but I wanted my blog to be positive and it has not always been. For my New Year’s resolution I am going to try to make it more positive, not by ignoring bad stuff or by never criticizing, but by trying to again share some of my positive experiences as a Catholic. I don’t know how much longer I am going to blog, it is still fun but I don’t think I have many profound things to say. I try to stick to areas of life involving Catholicism specifically and leave out other interests. (I am a big Rolling Stones fan-which you might guess from the way I introduced myself in my very first post).
The St. Blog’s parish is filled with wonderful people who can write so well and really make you think. I am going to post some of my old posts just because I find them interesting to re-read a year later. Unfortunately all my old comments are gone since the first commenting system suddenly went awol. I then replaced the second commenting system when it broke down too often. That system just went out and now I am back with Haloscan. In the 1 year of blogging I have only had one troll place a stupid comment about not liking Catholics which I deleted. I am insulted by this because I would have thought I would have attracted more angry anti-Catholics. Oh well, I guess my writing is not strong enough or my opinions good enough to be attracting trolls. It has been fun doing this and I have appreciated any comments left by readers. I especially like the fact that I have met people (real live people!!) through this blog, which just blew me away. I don’t read many blogs outside the parish but from what I can see, the most popular blogs are political in nature. Politics bores me-if religion is the last refuge of the scoundrel, then politics is the first. From what I can see, St. Blog’s parish has the most humorous, most deep, most thoughtful and thought-provoking bloggers around. I am proud to be a very small part of it.
January 18th, 2003 = 1 year
I forget exactly how I discovered it but when I saw Gerard’s list of Catholic Blogs I became hooked on reading them. I then started to comment on many of them and eventually figured I needed to start a blog of my own since commenting was just not enough. I noticed that the blogs in St. Blog’s sometimes contained comments from people who are less than happy with their Catholic upbringing or the horrible “Situation” of corruption in the Church. I had 16 years of Catholic school and never a bad experience in the Church. By starting my own blog I thought I could share the positive things I have found with others and counter the negativity I read. In this aspect my year of blogging was a miserable failure. I fell into the trap of reacting to other posts, news stories, and info on the net and mostly the reactions were critical or negative. I think this is still valuable but I wanted my blog to be positive and it has not always been. For my New Year’s resolution I am going to try to make it more positive, not by ignoring bad stuff or by never criticizing, but by trying to again share some of my positive experiences as a Catholic. I don’t know how much longer I am going to blog, it is still fun but I don’t think I have many profound things to say. I try to stick to areas of life involving Catholicism specifically and leave out other interests. (I am a big Rolling Stones fan-which you might guess from the way I introduced myself in my very first post).
The St. Blog’s parish is filled with wonderful people who can write so well and really make you think. I am going to post some of my old posts just because I find them interesting to re-read a year later. Unfortunately all my old comments are gone since the first commenting system suddenly went awol. I then replaced the second commenting system when it broke down too often. That system just went out and now I am back with Haloscan. In the 1 year of blogging I have only had one troll place a stupid comment about not liking Catholics which I deleted. I am insulted by this because I would have thought I would have attracted more angry anti-Catholics. Oh well, I guess my writing is not strong enough or my opinions good enough to be attracting trolls. It has been fun doing this and I have appreciated any comments left by readers. I especially like the fact that I have met people (real live people!!) through this blog, which just blew me away. I don’t read many blogs outside the parish but from what I can see, the most popular blogs are political in nature. Politics bores me-if religion is the last refuge of the scoundrel, then politics is the first. From what I can see, St. Blog’s parish has the most humorous, most deep, most thoughtful and thought-provoking bloggers around. I am proud to be a very small part of it.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
The article from Crisis Magazine with an inside look at the Long Island Voice of the Faithful is now online. I found this out by going to the Catholic World News blog. Check it out for yourself and tell me if you agree the author was very fair, balanced, and did a good job exposing the bias of a group that COULD do some good things in the Church. If only they were orthodox....
One thing that I would like to point out: the article mentions Richard McBrien being invited to speak to the group. Bishop McGann, the bishop who shuffled abusive priests around and lead the diocese when most of the abuse occurred, also invited McBrien to speak. This was at a meeting of all the priests of the diocese many years ago. Why would a group want to follow the same path of the Bishop who was responsible for the mess the diocese is in?? Interestingly, Bishop Murphy, the Bishop under whom there has been no cases of abuse by priests, invited Fr. Benedict Groeschel to speak to priests soon after he came here.
One thing that I would like to point out: the article mentions Richard McBrien being invited to speak to the group. Bishop McGann, the bishop who shuffled abusive priests around and lead the diocese when most of the abuse occurred, also invited McBrien to speak. This was at a meeting of all the priests of the diocese many years ago. Why would a group want to follow the same path of the Bishop who was responsible for the mess the diocese is in?? Interestingly, Bishop Murphy, the Bishop under whom there has been no cases of abuse by priests, invited Fr. Benedict Groeschel to speak to priests soon after he came here.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Please pray for Fr. Benedict Groeschel last night (Sun) he was in a car accident in Florida. I have read his books, attended 2 retreats with him, and heard him speak many times, he is one of the best. He is also a wonderful guy to talk to - a very good spiritual leader. He is in critical condition, please pray.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Mepham Sentencing Set for Next Week
"The three Mepham High School football players who admitted to sexually assaulting younger teammates will learn their fate at a court hearing in Pennsylvania next week, sources said yesterday."
This local case of rape and torture has brought national attention to the violent crimes committed by high school jocks. Fortunately that may bring pressure on schools to do something about this common problem.
Parents begin to fight back against hazing
"My wife teaches at a Catholic school," James Meeker says. "I'm captain of an American Airlines widebody, and went to the Air Force Academy. I've coached kids. I've been president of the PTSA. If we're getting blown off by the school district, what chance do single parents have?"
"The three Mepham High School football players who admitted to sexually assaulting younger teammates will learn their fate at a court hearing in Pennsylvania next week, sources said yesterday."
This local case of rape and torture has brought national attention to the violent crimes committed by high school jocks. Fortunately that may bring pressure on schools to do something about this common problem.
Parents begin to fight back against hazing
"My wife teaches at a Catholic school," James Meeker says. "I'm captain of an American Airlines widebody, and went to the Air Force Academy. I've coached kids. I've been president of the PTSA. If we're getting blown off by the school district, what chance do single parents have?"
N. Massapequa mother accused of killing her baby may have killed another child
This is one of the reasons that members of the ambulance medical technicians unit of the Nassau County Police department started the Children of Hope Foundation. I think it would be a good idea to link the Children of Hope site. Their profile follows:
"We were founded by members of the Ambulance Medical Technicians of the Nassau County Police Department. After a series of cases of infanticide in Nassau County, the emotional impact began taking its toll, on ourselves as well as the community. We sought a level of closure, peace and hope. Looking after these unfortunate victims of a society gone astray through a dignified burial gave us a sense of healing from this pain. We turned our focus toward the despondent people who would commit such a horrible desperate act. Our effort to enlighten these people to other means of solving their problems is the driving force of the Foundation. Although this is a huge undertaking, we believe that doing nothing, as more infants are found abandoned shortly after birth, would be a far greater tragedy."
This is one of the reasons that members of the ambulance medical technicians unit of the Nassau County Police department started the Children of Hope Foundation. I think it would be a good idea to link the Children of Hope site. Their profile follows:
"We were founded by members of the Ambulance Medical Technicians of the Nassau County Police Department. After a series of cases of infanticide in Nassau County, the emotional impact began taking its toll, on ourselves as well as the community. We sought a level of closure, peace and hope. Looking after these unfortunate victims of a society gone astray through a dignified burial gave us a sense of healing from this pain. We turned our focus toward the despondent people who would commit such a horrible desperate act. Our effort to enlighten these people to other means of solving their problems is the driving force of the Foundation. Although this is a huge undertaking, we believe that doing nothing, as more infants are found abandoned shortly after birth, would be a far greater tragedy."
Thursday, January 08, 2004
MEL GIBSON AND THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
When Chris from Maine Catholic and Beyond first asked for nominations for Catholic of the Year I suggested Mel Gibson, almost half in jest. When others listed their nominees I felt they might be better choices. When the final list of nominees was posted I checked it and read the question 3 times just to make sure and then I voted for Mel. I was stunned to see Mel in the lead, with 55% of the votes at the time. The more I thought about it the more I was convinced – Mel Gibson, of Lethal Weapon, Mad Max, Braveheart and Signs fame, had the greatest impact on the Faith during 2003. No other person stimulated such discussion about Catholicism or the Faith. Barbara Nicolosi hit the nail on the head in her interview on Godspy:
“When I was watching The Passion I thought, in this particular moment, where we're coming out of the priest sex scandal and all the rest, the Church in a slumber -we've negotiated terms with the world in every quadrant, we've just settled in. We're not leaven in the dough, we are the dough. We're mostly indistinguishable from "the world" in so many places, in every profession. All of a sudden this movie comes out.”
Mel is doing exactly what Vatican II called Catholics to do: take our faith into the modern world and act as leaven. I believe the film is doing that even though it was not released in 2003. The irony of a man who returned to the faith through the pre-conciliar Mass is not at all lost on me. It says more than anything about the state of the Church. What other Catholic was so public with their faith?? What other Catholic took the faith into their public work with such success? (Barbara Hall with her Joan of Arcadia, Maggie Gallagher, Rod Dreher, Fr. Fessio, Deal Hudson, Tom Monaghan, and Peggy Noonan are the only others that come to mind). If the question was worded differently I would have made another choice, but I believe the person with the most impact for the year was Gibson. Mel has sparked more debate on things Catholic than anything else this year and therefore I think it is right that he won this poll. The other person who should have been nominated, and I only thought of this now, was Tom Monaghan. By announcing the creation of Ave Maria University he has given hope to many that a truly Catholic University will be built. This has sparked some grumbling by the Catholic University establishment and, as Martha would say, that is a good thing.
One more comment on the Passion movie -- I think what some Catholic critics are really worried about in this movie is the public, outright, unabashed, total and traditional Catholicism in it. These types seem to me to be self-hating Catholics who do not want any type of traditional Catholicism in the public view except if it has been filtered through a politically correct lense.
When Chris from Maine Catholic and Beyond first asked for nominations for Catholic of the Year I suggested Mel Gibson, almost half in jest. When others listed their nominees I felt they might be better choices. When the final list of nominees was posted I checked it and read the question 3 times just to make sure and then I voted for Mel. I was stunned to see Mel in the lead, with 55% of the votes at the time. The more I thought about it the more I was convinced – Mel Gibson, of Lethal Weapon, Mad Max, Braveheart and Signs fame, had the greatest impact on the Faith during 2003. No other person stimulated such discussion about Catholicism or the Faith. Barbara Nicolosi hit the nail on the head in her interview on Godspy:
“When I was watching The Passion I thought, in this particular moment, where we're coming out of the priest sex scandal and all the rest, the Church in a slumber -we've negotiated terms with the world in every quadrant, we've just settled in. We're not leaven in the dough, we are the dough. We're mostly indistinguishable from "the world" in so many places, in every profession. All of a sudden this movie comes out.”
Mel is doing exactly what Vatican II called Catholics to do: take our faith into the modern world and act as leaven. I believe the film is doing that even though it was not released in 2003. The irony of a man who returned to the faith through the pre-conciliar Mass is not at all lost on me. It says more than anything about the state of the Church. What other Catholic was so public with their faith?? What other Catholic took the faith into their public work with such success? (Barbara Hall with her Joan of Arcadia, Maggie Gallagher, Rod Dreher, Fr. Fessio, Deal Hudson, Tom Monaghan, and Peggy Noonan are the only others that come to mind). If the question was worded differently I would have made another choice, but I believe the person with the most impact for the year was Gibson. Mel has sparked more debate on things Catholic than anything else this year and therefore I think it is right that he won this poll. The other person who should have been nominated, and I only thought of this now, was Tom Monaghan. By announcing the creation of Ave Maria University he has given hope to many that a truly Catholic University will be built. This has sparked some grumbling by the Catholic University establishment and, as Martha would say, that is a good thing.
One more comment on the Passion movie -- I think what some Catholic critics are really worried about in this movie is the public, outright, unabashed, total and traditional Catholicism in it. These types seem to me to be self-hating Catholics who do not want any type of traditional Catholicism in the public view except if it has been filtered through a politically correct lense.
Monday, January 05, 2004
Several St. Blog's parishioners have mentioned the assignment of Reg Cawcutt to a parish even after all he has said and done. Perhaps the only thing that will get him out of the priesthood for good is if he says a Mass in Latin - it seems this Church is only interesting in keeping the bad priests and not the good ones. The Secret Agent Man has a great post on this situation.
I just received the January 2004 issue of Crisis Magazine and it has the article by Danny DeBruin about his time with the Long Island Voice of the Faithful. The article is not yet online. Just as I thought the local group is tilted toward those who support dissent. Every invited speaker that the article (or the group's own website for that matter) lists is a dissenter. The article also mentions the talk given by the sex abuse survivor that I just posted. The author makes the same point I did about the group doing a good job by inviting this speaker and supporting abuse survivors. If they would just disavow dissent and support Church teachings fully, then the group would be legitimate and do good work, maybe even as good as Roman Catholic Faithful which has had real success in getting rid of bad priests and bishops.
Another point the article makes is that many of the VOF people were or are being educated by the seminary or the "Pastoral Formation Institute". This is part of the problem in this diocese - after so many years of faulty teaching being promoted by the same Bishop McGann who shuffled around abusive priests - these places are no guarantee of a good Catholic education.
One thing the article does not mention is that many Long Island Voice of the Faithful members supported Fr. Papa. This priest had porno site cookies (including child porn sites) on his computer in the rectory. In fact the group has not called for this priest to resign or to never be assigned to another parish. This is because he supported VOF. How is this priest a "priest of intregrity"??
Another point the article makes is that many of the VOF people were or are being educated by the seminary or the "Pastoral Formation Institute". This is part of the problem in this diocese - after so many years of faulty teaching being promoted by the same Bishop McGann who shuffled around abusive priests - these places are no guarantee of a good Catholic education.
One thing the article does not mention is that many Long Island Voice of the Faithful members supported Fr. Papa. This priest had porno site cookies (including child porn sites) on his computer in the rectory. In fact the group has not called for this priest to resign or to never be assigned to another parish. This is because he supported VOF. How is this priest a "priest of intregrity"??
Sunday, January 04, 2004
For the third week in a row I attended the traditional latin Mass - which is a record for me I believe. For the second week in a row there were two seminarians from the Fraternity of St. Peter assisting at the Mass. The Mass was the Most Holy Name of Jesus and the Gospel was perhaps the shortest I have ever seen:
"At that time, when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the Child, His Name was called Jesus, the Name given Him by the angel before He was conceived in the womb."
"At that time, when eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the Child, His Name was called Jesus, the Name given Him by the angel before He was conceived in the womb."
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Since I was born and raised in Massapequa I always like to hear about celebrities who were born and raised here. That would include the Baldwin brothers, Peggy Noonan, Jerry Seinfeld, and Brian Setzer. Kathy of Relasped Catholic links to this article about Brian Setzer, formerly of the Stray Cats. I was told years ago that he was a genuinely nice guy and I am glad to see he appreciates religion.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Somebody stop me before I end up like the guy in the bronx who was trapped in his apartment under a pile of magazines and newspapers! I saw this notice on the Catholic World News blog about Spence Publishing having a sale and ended up buying four books:
Faith of the Fatherless by Paul Vitz
Homosexuality and American Public Life by Christopher Wolfe
The Church Impotent by Leon Podles
Shows About Nothing by Thomas Hibbs
Faith of the Fatherless by Paul Vitz
Homosexuality and American Public Life by Christopher Wolfe
The Church Impotent by Leon Podles
Shows About Nothing by Thomas Hibbs
Musical Masses
So there is a long tradition of putting masses to music? Were the masses of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven composed to be listened to? or to actually be used during a Mass?? I have the Ave Maria Mass by Stephen Edwards and like it. It was commissioned by the great Thomas Monaghan for the founding of Ave Maria College and School of Law but then dedicated to the victims of Sept. 11th. The Kyrie is beautiful, so is the Sanctus. The Gratias Deo at the end is stirring and inspirational.
So there is a long tradition of putting masses to music? Were the masses of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven composed to be listened to? or to actually be used during a Mass?? I have the Ave Maria Mass by Stephen Edwards and like it. It was commissioned by the great Thomas Monaghan for the founding of Ave Maria College and School of Law but then dedicated to the victims of Sept. 11th. The Kyrie is beautiful, so is the Sanctus. The Gratias Deo at the end is stirring and inspirational.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The year 2003 saw the War with Iraq, which was probably not a just war but one which removed an evil regime and started millions on the road to a better life. The War on Terrorism had some successes during the year and the heat has been kept on the fanatics within Islam. I hope this will continue into 2004. Locally, the release of the Suffolk County Grand Jury report on the Diocese of Rockville Centre proved that Bishop McGann was not good at keeping corruption out of the local Church, and was in fact part of it. The report did not have much effect since all of the incidents were from years ago - but at least most Catholics are more educated when it comes to the Diocese. The economy has improved in the U.S. and hopefully this trend will continue. The "Great Enema" (Mark Shea's term) of the Church calmed down a bit but thankfully continued. At least now, when bishops such as Grahman in Dallas pull stunts, they have a lot more media attention focused on them. Here are some of my hopes for 2004:
*That the War on Terrorism will continue especially with a focus on the hatred preached in mosques throughout the world.
*That the governments of Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, and China will be overthrown
*That the Catholics in Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia, the middle east, Africa, Cuba, and Indonesia will continue to grow in numbers and faith despite persecution and that all people will support them
*That the USA will reform its culture so that it will prosper and influence the world to the good
*That the purge of bad priests, bad bishops, bad theologians will continue in the Church and the New Evangelization will take hold
*That the so called "Catholic" Universities and colleges will either reform or go out of business and the real Catholic Universities and colleges (Steubenville, Ava Maria, Campion, etc..) will grow and succeed
*That the generation of heretics, haters, and fools will retire from positions within the Church so that younger people can once again grow up with a Catholic upbringing
*That the vocation crisis in communities such as the Nashville Dominicans, FSSP, and Franciscan Friars of the Renewal be solved with more space for their new members
*That all religious vocations are supported and nourished
*That Catholic seminaries are reformed or shut down
*That good priests are supported and dissenters ignored
*That the US will open new relations with countries of our own hemisphere and forget about "old Europe"
*That "old Europe" will be dominated by the "new Europe" such as Poland, etc..
*That developing countries continue to develop so jobs, water, roads, education are all more accessible to people
*That Liturgical reform takes hold so abuses in many dioceses end and that Ecclesia Dei is respected in all dioceses
*That Catholic groups such as Adoremus, Catholics United for the Faith, and Roman Catholic Faithful grow and are successful in their apostolates
*That when Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ movie is released it is a critical and commercial success
The year 2003 saw the War with Iraq, which was probably not a just war but one which removed an evil regime and started millions on the road to a better life. The War on Terrorism had some successes during the year and the heat has been kept on the fanatics within Islam. I hope this will continue into 2004. Locally, the release of the Suffolk County Grand Jury report on the Diocese of Rockville Centre proved that Bishop McGann was not good at keeping corruption out of the local Church, and was in fact part of it. The report did not have much effect since all of the incidents were from years ago - but at least most Catholics are more educated when it comes to the Diocese. The economy has improved in the U.S. and hopefully this trend will continue. The "Great Enema" (Mark Shea's term) of the Church calmed down a bit but thankfully continued. At least now, when bishops such as Grahman in Dallas pull stunts, they have a lot more media attention focused on them. Here are some of my hopes for 2004:
*That the War on Terrorism will continue especially with a focus on the hatred preached in mosques throughout the world.
*That the governments of Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, and China will be overthrown
*That the Catholics in Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia, the middle east, Africa, Cuba, and Indonesia will continue to grow in numbers and faith despite persecution and that all people will support them
*That the USA will reform its culture so that it will prosper and influence the world to the good
*That the purge of bad priests, bad bishops, bad theologians will continue in the Church and the New Evangelization will take hold
*That the so called "Catholic" Universities and colleges will either reform or go out of business and the real Catholic Universities and colleges (Steubenville, Ava Maria, Campion, etc..) will grow and succeed
*That the generation of heretics, haters, and fools will retire from positions within the Church so that younger people can once again grow up with a Catholic upbringing
*That the vocation crisis in communities such as the Nashville Dominicans, FSSP, and Franciscan Friars of the Renewal be solved with more space for their new members
*That all religious vocations are supported and nourished
*That Catholic seminaries are reformed or shut down
*That good priests are supported and dissenters ignored
*That the US will open new relations with countries of our own hemisphere and forget about "old Europe"
*That "old Europe" will be dominated by the "new Europe" such as Poland, etc..
*That developing countries continue to develop so jobs, water, roads, education are all more accessible to people
*That Liturgical reform takes hold so abuses in many dioceses end and that Ecclesia Dei is respected in all dioceses
*That Catholic groups such as Adoremus, Catholics United for the Faith, and Roman Catholic Faithful grow and are successful in their apostolates
*That when Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ movie is released it is a critical and commercial success
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Monday, December 29, 2003
Voice of the Faithful Long Island had John Salveson, who had been abused by a priest, speak at one of their meetings. The talk is excellent and is posted here. I hope that people who heard the talk were able to pick up a few things that I noticed. I have found that many of the stories of abuse by priests have some similar threads.
“I went through a long period as a child when I aspired to be a priest. I can still remember being fascinated by the book The Making of a Priest, which I would read at night under the covers of my bed with the aid of a flashlight, when I was supposed to be asleep.”
So those who contend that the vocation crisis is in part a result of corruption are correct, this person may or may not have had a vocation but being abused certainly would have squelched it.
“..in 1969, I met Father Robert Huneke, a new priest in our parish. He was young, smart, funny and sarcastic. He had us call him Father Bob and quickly became popular”
Beware of priests who want to appear to be just like anyone else.
“He was the sponsor of our Folk Mass group and was instrumental in getting us all to sign up for "Christian Awakening" a weekend retreat program involving several Long Island parishes. He let us smoke cigarettes around him and criticized the other parish priests in front of us. He swore. He was like no other priest I had ever met.”
Classic –allowed children to smoke, cursed AND criticized other priests in front of children. I have seen so many stories of abusive priests who criticized others in front of people- no real priest would do this. Of course, to immature children this is “cool” so it is done by pedophiles to win their favor.
“Over breakfast, Father Bob told me that what "we" did was okay. He explained that it was okay to show love for each other, and that God accepted and encouraged it.”
This is familiar, people trying to encourage disgusting behavior by justifying it as “love” that God accepts.
“I wrote to Bishop John Mc Gann of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island in 1980, telling him of my abuse and asking him to let me know what had happened to Father Huneke.”
Many Catholics on Long Island knew Bishop McGann was not doing his duty as a Bishop in many ways, but they were ignored and called “conservative” “old fashioned” and “rigid”.
“My first attempt to "go public" and expose the abuse involved speaking to a reporter at Newsday, Long Island's most widely read newspaper. The paper wouldn't publish the story. The reporter, a religion writer assigned to the story, told me I seemed more like some sort of "Teacher’s pet" to her than an abuse victim. The editors suggested that if I located other victims they might consider an article… By the end of the evening, I had a list of about 10 other victims of Father Huneke. The newspaper was still uncomfortable with the story, despite my new revelations.”
So Newsday remained silent when faced with a case of sexual abuse of a minor?? Interesting.
The talk ends on a beautiful note:
“Father Hesburgh got off the train in Baltimore. He reached above me for his travel bag, shook my hand and started to walk down the aisle. About halfway off the train, he turned and walked back to me. He said, "If no one has said it to you, I apologize for what happened to you". No one had ever said that to me. To this day, he remains the only priest who has said it. It meant more to me than he will ever know.”
This was a great testimony by this victim and I applaud Voice of the Faithful for having him speak. I think this choice of speaker towers over their choice of Richard McBrien. I just hope that people who read this speech, or heard it live, will see some of the things that I noticed. A good priest would never encourage sin, bad mouth people in front of children, or try to say homosexual sex is accepted by God. No good bishop would tolerate this type of behavior from a priest when confronted with it.
“I went through a long period as a child when I aspired to be a priest. I can still remember being fascinated by the book The Making of a Priest, which I would read at night under the covers of my bed with the aid of a flashlight, when I was supposed to be asleep.”
So those who contend that the vocation crisis is in part a result of corruption are correct, this person may or may not have had a vocation but being abused certainly would have squelched it.
“..in 1969, I met Father Robert Huneke, a new priest in our parish. He was young, smart, funny and sarcastic. He had us call him Father Bob and quickly became popular”
Beware of priests who want to appear to be just like anyone else.
“He was the sponsor of our Folk Mass group and was instrumental in getting us all to sign up for "Christian Awakening" a weekend retreat program involving several Long Island parishes. He let us smoke cigarettes around him and criticized the other parish priests in front of us. He swore. He was like no other priest I had ever met.”
Classic –allowed children to smoke, cursed AND criticized other priests in front of children. I have seen so many stories of abusive priests who criticized others in front of people- no real priest would do this. Of course, to immature children this is “cool” so it is done by pedophiles to win their favor.
“Over breakfast, Father Bob told me that what "we" did was okay. He explained that it was okay to show love for each other, and that God accepted and encouraged it.”
This is familiar, people trying to encourage disgusting behavior by justifying it as “love” that God accepts.
“I wrote to Bishop John Mc Gann of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island in 1980, telling him of my abuse and asking him to let me know what had happened to Father Huneke.”
Many Catholics on Long Island knew Bishop McGann was not doing his duty as a Bishop in many ways, but they were ignored and called “conservative” “old fashioned” and “rigid”.
“My first attempt to "go public" and expose the abuse involved speaking to a reporter at Newsday, Long Island's most widely read newspaper. The paper wouldn't publish the story. The reporter, a religion writer assigned to the story, told me I seemed more like some sort of "Teacher’s pet" to her than an abuse victim. The editors suggested that if I located other victims they might consider an article… By the end of the evening, I had a list of about 10 other victims of Father Huneke. The newspaper was still uncomfortable with the story, despite my new revelations.”
So Newsday remained silent when faced with a case of sexual abuse of a minor?? Interesting.
The talk ends on a beautiful note:
“Father Hesburgh got off the train in Baltimore. He reached above me for his travel bag, shook my hand and started to walk down the aisle. About halfway off the train, he turned and walked back to me. He said, "If no one has said it to you, I apologize for what happened to you". No one had ever said that to me. To this day, he remains the only priest who has said it. It meant more to me than he will ever know.”
This was a great testimony by this victim and I applaud Voice of the Faithful for having him speak. I think this choice of speaker towers over their choice of Richard McBrien. I just hope that people who read this speech, or heard it live, will see some of the things that I noticed. A good priest would never encourage sin, bad mouth people in front of children, or try to say homosexual sex is accepted by God. No good bishop would tolerate this type of behavior from a priest when confronted with it.
Friday, December 26, 2003
Chris of Maine Catholic and Beyond is having a poll to determine the "Catholic of the Year". (scroll down to the bottom for the poll). The poll's exact wording is:
"Which of the following people would you consider the Catholic who had the most impact on the Faith in 2003?"
And the nominees are :
Cardinal Francis Arinze
Bishop Raymond L. Burke
Bishop Timothy Dolan
Mel Gibson
Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Scott Hahn
Peggy Noonan
Archbishop Sean O'Malley
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
Mark Shea
Cardinal Angelo Soldano
George Weigel
I won't tell you who is in the lead or anything but after the voting is over I will discuss my nomination and vote.
"Which of the following people would you consider the Catholic who had the most impact on the Faith in 2003?"
And the nominees are :
Cardinal Francis Arinze
Bishop Raymond L. Burke
Bishop Timothy Dolan
Mel Gibson
Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Scott Hahn
Peggy Noonan
Archbishop Sean O'Malley
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
Mark Shea
Cardinal Angelo Soldano
George Weigel
I won't tell you who is in the lead or anything but after the voting is over I will discuss my nomination and vote.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shown round about them. And they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them: Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men.
... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Sunday, December 21, 2003
In Mexico, a Very Slow Build
Cathedral Nears Finish After 106 Years of Tumult
"Zamora, Mexico - On a festive day in 1898, workers laid the cornerstone for the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, boasting that their little strawberry-growing town in central Mexico would soon have a towering neo-Gothic cathedral to rival the grandest in Europe.
Nearly 106 years later workmen are still cutting stone and hauling mortar, saying that within two years they will finally finish a project that has soared and suffered through a century of Mexico's tumultuous relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. "
Cathedral Nears Finish After 106 Years of Tumult
"Zamora, Mexico - On a festive day in 1898, workers laid the cornerstone for the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, boasting that their little strawberry-growing town in central Mexico would soon have a towering neo-Gothic cathedral to rival the grandest in Europe.
Nearly 106 years later workmen are still cutting stone and hauling mortar, saying that within two years they will finally finish a project that has soared and suffered through a century of Mexico's tumultuous relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. "
Eve Tushnet links to Godspy's interview with Barbara Nicolosi of Church of the Masses. Great interview, just go and read the whole thing.
"When I was watching The Passion I thought, in this particular moment, where we're coming out of the priest sex scandal and all the rest, the Church in a slumber -we've negotiated terms with the world in every quadrant, we've just settled in. We're not leaven in the dough, we are the dough. We're mostly indistinguishable from "the world" in so many places, in every profession. All of a sudden this movie comes out. It's going to rank with some of the greatest works of devout art that the Church has ever produced. I have absolutely no problem saying that. It's right up there with the other masters of their art forms. We don't deserve this film."
"When I was watching The Passion I thought, in this particular moment, where we're coming out of the priest sex scandal and all the rest, the Church in a slumber -we've negotiated terms with the world in every quadrant, we've just settled in. We're not leaven in the dough, we are the dough. We're mostly indistinguishable from "the world" in so many places, in every profession. All of a sudden this movie comes out. It's going to rank with some of the greatest works of devout art that the Church has ever produced. I have absolutely no problem saying that. It's right up there with the other masters of their art forms. We don't deserve this film."
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Ken Carney, Phil Sofia and Tom Diasparra are the names of 3 men who raped and tortured teenage boys. Some of the very disturbing details can be found in this article. The story of the Mepham High School football rapes is a local story that drew some national headlines, most recently in Sports Illustrated. Even worse than the rapes and torture was the fact that the Mepham High coaches and administrators were slow to cooperate with investigators. The district even tried to seal the records of the civil cases brought by the victims. Even worse than that is the fact that this type of brutal violence had gone on for years as shown in this article.
Here is another quote from a Call to Action conference, this one from 1997:
"The majority of us here represent a generation that's been wandering around almost 40 years since the Council, but what about the next generation? Could it be that our concerns have no relevance for the Boomers and Generation X? They don't seem turned on by our debates about who's to be ordained, what gender is needed for marriages, and whether or not we use inclusive language. As we keep insisting on these issues, could we just be the new conservators of a vision of church that doesn't speak to them in their search? Could this be the Spirit's invitation for us to probe more deeply who we are and what will ground us?"
--Michael Crosby, O.F.M. Cap
To answer this question---YES! You are the conservators of a corrupt Church that gave us disgusting priests who raped children! You are the conservators of a Church that left behind the Gospel of Jesus Christ! As another Franciscan priest, Fr. Groeschel said: "I'm not a conservative, I want to blow the whole thing up!"
"The majority of us here represent a generation that's been wandering around almost 40 years since the Council, but what about the next generation? Could it be that our concerns have no relevance for the Boomers and Generation X? They don't seem turned on by our debates about who's to be ordained, what gender is needed for marriages, and whether or not we use inclusive language. As we keep insisting on these issues, could we just be the new conservators of a vision of church that doesn't speak to them in their search? Could this be the Spirit's invitation for us to probe more deeply who we are and what will ground us?"
--Michael Crosby, O.F.M. Cap
To answer this question---YES! You are the conservators of a corrupt Church that gave us disgusting priests who raped children! You are the conservators of a Church that left behind the Gospel of Jesus Christ! As another Franciscan priest, Fr. Groeschel said: "I'm not a conservative, I want to blow the whole thing up!"
"In Vatican II, Luther and the Modernists would find a home for many of their ideas."
--Anthony Padovano, speaker at the 2000 Call to Action conference
Is he right? And if so, can a Catholic then accept this council in its entirety?
--Anthony Padovano, speaker at the 2000 Call to Action conference
Is he right? And if so, can a Catholic then accept this council in its entirety?
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
I just found this: a father and son, both firefighters, both died in the World Trade Center. Another son lived-he carried Fr. Judge's body out of the WTC.
At Catholic and Enjoying It! there is a discussion on The Perennial Santa Question-what to teach the kiddies re Santa. I have always enjoyed Andy Edelstein's column on fathering and this week he happens to touch on a similiar thing with Tooth Shall Set Ye Free .
U.S. Diplomats, Families Urged to Leave Saudi Arabia
"We remain fully confident that Saudi authorities are doing everything they can to protect their citizens and foreign nationals in the kingdom against terrorist attacks," department spokesman Lou Fintor said."
Saudi Arabia Bans Dolls, Stuffed Animals
"We remain fully confident that Saudi authorities are doing everything they can to protect their citizens and foreign nationals in the kingdom against terrorist attacks," department spokesman Lou Fintor said."
Saudi Arabia Bans Dolls, Stuffed Animals
I am so proud to be from Massapequa! Joey Buttafuoco, convicted rapist, has been arrested again, this time for fraud.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Among cities with more than 1 million residents, New York was the safest by far - with a crime rate nearly four times lower than in Dallas, three times lower than in Phoenix and roughly half as high as in Philadelphia or Los Angeles.
New York City continues to have a lower than expected crime rate. This has been the case for several years now and hopefully it will continue. I never thought of Phoenix or Dallas having high crime rates at all.
New York City continues to have a lower than expected crime rate. This has been the case for several years now and hopefully it will continue. I never thought of Phoenix or Dallas having high crime rates at all.
I went to an Advent Evening of Recollection tonight with the priest at the center of this story:
Priest: Former Bishop Ignored Abuse Reports
Statement links McGann to church cover-up in 1980s
He was an awesome preacher-one of the best I have ever heard.
Priest: Former Bishop Ignored Abuse Reports
Statement links McGann to church cover-up in 1980s
He was an awesome preacher-one of the best I have ever heard.
The Catholic League is on the job and Bill Donohue is in top form:
"What both of these cases have in common is the tendency of well-educated people to engage in thought control. The cultural fascists in the U.S. are more likely to be found in salons than in saloons; more likely to be intoxicated with ideology than booze. Given a choice between dealing with old-fashioned rednecks and the Multicultural Gestapo, I'll take the former any day- at least they're capable of sobering up once and a while."
"What both of these cases have in common is the tendency of well-educated people to engage in thought control. The cultural fascists in the U.S. are more likely to be found in salons than in saloons; more likely to be intoxicated with ideology than booze. Given a choice between dealing with old-fashioned rednecks and the Multicultural Gestapo, I'll take the former any day- at least they're capable of sobering up once and a while."
Saturday, December 13, 2003
I think the St. Blog's award for Best Comment of the Year in the category of humor goes to Victor Lams commenting on E-Pression. Read Zorak's post, and then Victor's comment.
Friday, December 12, 2003
The December 2003 issue of The Catholic World Report contains a sampling of quotes on the health of Pope John Paul II that include:
"Once again the Pope's health is a matter of interest and concern, and that, in turn, raises the issue of papal succession. The Holy Father has fallen twice in recent months, breaking first his arm and then his hip." -Rev. Richard McBrien (National Catholic Reporter)
"With the obvious signs of the Pope's failing health, there is much speculation about what the issues will be in the minds of the cardinals when they go into a conclave to elect the next pontiff." -Rev. Andrew Greeley (National Catholic Reporter)
"...(T)he new building...could well be used for the next conclave. The building will be ready in 1996. Is this a clue?" -(the late) Peter Hebblethwaite (National Catholic Reporter)
"I have just been through the greatest period of agony-and of growth-in my life....I am not the same man. And so this is the person who will go into the conclave." -the late) Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (New York Times Magazine)
Interestingly, all the above quotes are from 1994.
"Once again the Pope's health is a matter of interest and concern, and that, in turn, raises the issue of papal succession. The Holy Father has fallen twice in recent months, breaking first his arm and then his hip." -Rev. Richard McBrien (National Catholic Reporter)
"With the obvious signs of the Pope's failing health, there is much speculation about what the issues will be in the minds of the cardinals when they go into a conclave to elect the next pontiff." -Rev. Andrew Greeley (National Catholic Reporter)
"...(T)he new building...could well be used for the next conclave. The building will be ready in 1996. Is this a clue?" -(the late) Peter Hebblethwaite (National Catholic Reporter)
"I have just been through the greatest period of agony-and of growth-in my life....I am not the same man. And so this is the person who will go into the conclave." -the late) Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (New York Times Magazine)
Interestingly, all the above quotes are from 1994.
Nice story about a guy who is from my parish
"Johnny, 19, also wanted “them rosaries.” Johnny said he was a member of the Latin Kings gang, dealt drugs and had been on probation for robbery and assault. His surrogate parents, an aunt and uncle (a drug dealer) turned him out of the house.
At the prayer group, Johnny said he finally found “people who really care and they are not even related to me.” His life, like Will’s, has changed. He plans to be baptized on December 8"
"Johnny, 19, also wanted “them rosaries.” Johnny said he was a member of the Latin Kings gang, dealt drugs and had been on probation for robbery and assault. His surrogate parents, an aunt and uncle (a drug dealer) turned him out of the house.
At the prayer group, Johnny said he finally found “people who really care and they are not even related to me.” His life, like Will’s, has changed. He plans to be baptized on December 8"
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
No wonder this guy has thousands of readers:
Mark Shea on professional environmentalists: "I apologize to the Earth for needing to exhale and keep warm. Can we move on now?"
Mark Shea on professional environmentalists: "I apologize to the Earth for needing to exhale and keep warm. Can we move on now?"
Fr. Benedict Groeschel will be speaking and offering Mass at Kellenberg High School on Sunday December 14th, from 1-5 pm. All are welcome!
Sunday, December 07, 2003
A Jesuit's Jesuit
"So in this time when reports of Jesuits dying of AIDS and rampant homosexuality in the ranks, the term "a Jesuit's Jesuit" has taken a whole new meaning. But in the original meaning of the term, Joseph Fessio is indeed a Jesuit's Jesuit and a real priest. We have not heard the last of him."
"So in this time when reports of Jesuits dying of AIDS and rampant homosexuality in the ranks, the term "a Jesuit's Jesuit" has taken a whole new meaning. But in the original meaning of the term, Joseph Fessio is indeed a Jesuit's Jesuit and a real priest. We have not heard the last of him."
The Diocese of Rockville Centre (from website 12/7/03)
*1.5 million Catholics
*19 seminarians
The Diocese of Lincoln (from website 12/7/03)
*89,412 Catholics
*34 seminarians
*1.5 million Catholics
*19 seminarians
The Diocese of Lincoln (from website 12/7/03)
*89,412 Catholics
*34 seminarians
Saturday, December 06, 2003
I have heard of a "Dear John" letter but today I received a "Dear Akbar" email.
"I am Dr. Useni Ibrahim, a member of the contract award and review committee set up by the government of the federation for the awarding and reviewing of new and transpired contracts. I was mandated by team of my colleagues to contact you."
You know the rest, we have $10 million dollars and want to transfer it to your account, etc... I have received a few of these emails but they don't normally start with Dear Akbar...and just what is the "government of the federation"?? (BTW-my name is not Akbar)
"I am Dr. Useni Ibrahim, a member of the contract award and review committee set up by the government of the federation for the awarding and reviewing of new and transpired contracts. I was mandated by team of my colleagues to contact you."
You know the rest, we have $10 million dollars and want to transfer it to your account, etc... I have received a few of these emails but they don't normally start with Dear Akbar...and just what is the "government of the federation"?? (BTW-my name is not Akbar)
The National Catholic Register has been featuring the cartoon Umbert the Unborn since 2001. This cartoon is very good and now the paper's parent company is publishing an Umbert book. It is called Umbert the Unborn A Womb With A View and can be pre-ordered by calling 1-800-356-9916 ext. 3809
Update: The Register article is now online
Update: The Register article is now online
Friday, December 05, 2003
I am not the type who goes ballistic over people putting up Christmas decorations too early or stores making a big deal out of the holiday. I love Christmas and all its trappings. One thing that is annoying this year is the giant (6ft.) blowup, lighted Santa Clauses, reindeer and snowmen on lawns. These are totally tacky.
Nicole, at her beautiful blog Notes to Myself has broken down the gender of St. Blog parishioners! Now I would like to see someone break down the locations of bloggers although that would be harder to do.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
YO MOMA!
I have been listening to NPR lately, which makes me a bit "crunchy" I guess. Anyway, at lunch today I caught a bit of an interview with two people discussing "Hidden God: Film and Faith" which is a film festival and a publication both based at MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art). I only caught about 5 -10 minutes of the interview but it sounded very interesting. Babette's Feast is one of the films being shown. I first heard about this film from the "50 Best Catholic Movies of All Time". Also, both Groundhog Day and Crimes and Misdemeanors are listed. These two films were discussed in an epilogue to The Church and The Culture War: Secular Anarchy or Sacred Order by Joyce Little. I blogged about this excellent book a long time ago. The discussion of these two films is worth the price of the book itself.
I have been listening to NPR lately, which makes me a bit "crunchy" I guess. Anyway, at lunch today I caught a bit of an interview with two people discussing "Hidden God: Film and Faith" which is a film festival and a publication both based at MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art). I only caught about 5 -10 minutes of the interview but it sounded very interesting. Babette's Feast is one of the films being shown. I first heard about this film from the "50 Best Catholic Movies of All Time". Also, both Groundhog Day and Crimes and Misdemeanors are listed. These two films were discussed in an epilogue to The Church and The Culture War: Secular Anarchy or Sacred Order by Joyce Little. I blogged about this excellent book a long time ago. The discussion of these two films is worth the price of the book itself.
Next Month in Crisis:
"In parishes across the country, Catholics are joining local chapters of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF). While critics and some bishops accuse the group of being a front for dissenters, VOTF leadership denies the charges. Who's right? Danny DeBruin knows. Six months ago, he joined the Long Island VOTF. Next month, he'll tell you what he discovered..."
I can't wait for this, it will in the January 2004 issue!
"In parishes across the country, Catholics are joining local chapters of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF). While critics and some bishops accuse the group of being a front for dissenters, VOTF leadership denies the charges. Who's right? Danny DeBruin knows. Six months ago, he joined the Long Island VOTF. Next month, he'll tell you what he discovered..."
I can't wait for this, it will in the January 2004 issue!
Sunday, November 30, 2003
A St. Blog's family discovers Tradition
I have nothing but respect for traditional Catholics -they are partly responsible for my reverting to the faith. This includes Catholics who attend "indult" Masses and those who attend SSPX chapels. I find many of their criticisms, ideas and questions right on and no refutations I have read have convinced me otherwise. All the reading I have done (The Great Facade, etc..) has not convinced me to attend the traditional latin Mass exclusively however. I am lucky as we have an weekly "indult" Mass within a 20 minute drive. I wish my diocese and others were more traditional and orthodox and people really understood the severity of the crisis in the Church. I hope and pray the SSPX will be "reconnected" or "regularized" with the Church or whatever so that good Catholics like the Inmans will not have to fret over decisions on how to find true Catholicism in a parish setting. The idea of an apostolic administration is a good one, and the growth of the traditional Mass and traditional orders is positive. Hopefully there will be less parishes that offend Catholics and send them fleeing to the SSPX chapels but for now I think the traditional groups of all types will continue to grow, and with good reason.
I have nothing but respect for traditional Catholics -they are partly responsible for my reverting to the faith. This includes Catholics who attend "indult" Masses and those who attend SSPX chapels. I find many of their criticisms, ideas and questions right on and no refutations I have read have convinced me otherwise. All the reading I have done (The Great Facade, etc..) has not convinced me to attend the traditional latin Mass exclusively however. I am lucky as we have an weekly "indult" Mass within a 20 minute drive. I wish my diocese and others were more traditional and orthodox and people really understood the severity of the crisis in the Church. I hope and pray the SSPX will be "reconnected" or "regularized" with the Church or whatever so that good Catholics like the Inmans will not have to fret over decisions on how to find true Catholicism in a parish setting. The idea of an apostolic administration is a good one, and the growth of the traditional Mass and traditional orders is positive. Hopefully there will be less parishes that offend Catholics and send them fleeing to the SSPX chapels but for now I think the traditional groups of all types will continue to grow, and with good reason.
RELIC FROM TILMA OF TEPEYAC COMING TO ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL IN NEW YORK
I am not going to miss this.
Update: I missed this.
I am not going to miss this.
Update: I missed this.
Saturday, November 29, 2003
The most recent Latin Mass Magazine came in with a renewal reminder notice. I did not have to think much about renewing especially after glancing at the variety of articles. A few years ago I began subscribing to Catholic magazines with zeal, perhaps too much zeal, and have recently let a few lapse. First, Homiletic and Pastoral Review because it is geared more towards priests and was a little boring. Second, Faith and Family, although beautiful, is expensive and geared more towards families and women. Crisis was almost next because I object to their attitude towards Michael S. Rose. Printing two articles against him, which he refuted, made me wonder whether Crisis was getting off track. I ended up renewing due to their great variety of articles on music, art, prayer, politics, and culture. This magazine is the only one that comes close to Latin Mass Magazine. The Fall 2003 edition of Latin Mass contains a great but sad editorial by Editor-In-Chief Fr. James McLucas. He describes the fatigue of many priests who have come up against the entrenched bureaucracy of parish committees, parish workers and volunteers who have their own vision for the parish that leaves no room for any traditional Catholicism. Although he is describing priests who long to celebrate the traditional latin mass, I think this problem is seen in many priests who just want more devotion and orthodoxy in the Church. This quote could be said about many priests, not just those who would be called “traditionalists”:
“There are good men within the Holy See who understand why an increasing number of priests, mostly in their 30’s and 40’s, are conscience-seared and conflicted about serving an increasingly secularized ecclesiastical structure which prevents the Church from being a certain trumpet. These priests have endured being bullied into submission by the use of tactics that include employing the virtue of obedience as a weapon, and by circumventing canon law so as to neutralize the protections that is supposedly offered the priest (future grist for another day).”
Perhaps not coincidently, one of the talks at the next Latin Mass magazine conference in Montvale, New Jersey will be on “Obedience: Wielding a Virtue as a Weapon”. The details for this third annual conference are in the edition also, and I will attend as I enjoyed the first two. Michael Davies, an Englishman who is a legend in traditional Catholic circles will also give a talk. Some articles from this issue I can’t wait to jump into are:
Vatican II Renewal: Myth or Reality? By Kenneth Jones
Building Goddess Paganism by Donna Steichen
The Incarnation and Western Civilization by Thaddeus Kozinski
The Monks and Civilization by Thomas Woods
Saint for the Season: The Disconcerting Sanctity of Thomas Becket by Diane Moczar
Architecture: Treasures of Tradition in the World’s Most Tragic City by Michael Rose
Visible Man: The Story of H.G. Wells by Matthew Anger and Edward Lengel
General Sherman’s Relentless Battle by Steve O’Brien
Alfred Hitchcock: Spiritual Director? By James Bemis
If Catholics were more aware of our great spiritual, artistic, cultural and theological heritage, much of the garbage of the past 35 years would never have been able to penetrate the Church. Latin Mass and Crisis magazines are doing a great job in teaching Catholics about their heritage.
“There are good men within the Holy See who understand why an increasing number of priests, mostly in their 30’s and 40’s, are conscience-seared and conflicted about serving an increasingly secularized ecclesiastical structure which prevents the Church from being a certain trumpet. These priests have endured being bullied into submission by the use of tactics that include employing the virtue of obedience as a weapon, and by circumventing canon law so as to neutralize the protections that is supposedly offered the priest (future grist for another day).”
Perhaps not coincidently, one of the talks at the next Latin Mass magazine conference in Montvale, New Jersey will be on “Obedience: Wielding a Virtue as a Weapon”. The details for this third annual conference are in the edition also, and I will attend as I enjoyed the first two. Michael Davies, an Englishman who is a legend in traditional Catholic circles will also give a talk. Some articles from this issue I can’t wait to jump into are:
Vatican II Renewal: Myth or Reality? By Kenneth Jones
Building Goddess Paganism by Donna Steichen
The Incarnation and Western Civilization by Thaddeus Kozinski
The Monks and Civilization by Thomas Woods
Saint for the Season: The Disconcerting Sanctity of Thomas Becket by Diane Moczar
Architecture: Treasures of Tradition in the World’s Most Tragic City by Michael Rose
Visible Man: The Story of H.G. Wells by Matthew Anger and Edward Lengel
General Sherman’s Relentless Battle by Steve O’Brien
Alfred Hitchcock: Spiritual Director? By James Bemis
If Catholics were more aware of our great spiritual, artistic, cultural and theological heritage, much of the garbage of the past 35 years would never have been able to penetrate the Church. Latin Mass and Crisis magazines are doing a great job in teaching Catholics about their heritage.
Friday, November 28, 2003
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Since checking the Ratzinger Fan Club site again after posting above, I noticed in the Guestbook my praise of the site is in between: "he is a prat who has sent my religion back to the dark ages" and "Ratzinger, you are truly the AntiChrist and have brought a return to a stale and empty Pre-Vatican II church. I know God will judge you accordingly for leading so many Catholics astray."
Una Voce International Meets in Rome
This meeting was very upbeat due to the incredible strides made this year by those "attached" to the traditional latin Mass. But to me, the highlight of the article was this:
"Christopher Haehnel, who had accompanied his father to Rome, dearly wished to meet Cardinal Ratzinger, to have his photograph taken with him, and to present him with a Tee-Shirt from the "Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club". Mr. Davies presented the Tee Shirt during the private audience, and it was accepted by the Cardinal with great good humour. "Very true," he remarked apropos the words : "Truth is not decided by a majority vote."
Too bad they didn't give him the "Laying the smackdown on heresy since 1981" mug.
This meeting was very upbeat due to the incredible strides made this year by those "attached" to the traditional latin Mass. But to me, the highlight of the article was this:
"Christopher Haehnel, who had accompanied his father to Rome, dearly wished to meet Cardinal Ratzinger, to have his photograph taken with him, and to present him with a Tee-Shirt from the "Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club". Mr. Davies presented the Tee Shirt during the private audience, and it was accepted by the Cardinal with great good humour. "Very true," he remarked apropos the words : "Truth is not decided by a majority vote."
Too bad they didn't give him the "Laying the smackdown on heresy since 1981" mug.
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Turkey's Mosques to Preach Anti-Terror
"The Rev. Ian Sherwood, the British consulate chaplain in Istanbul, said not enough Islamic leaders have condemned the attacks.
"I'm appalled that I've not received any statements from a Muslim teacher anywhere in the world to express sorrow or reconciliation. It's a real weakness that has to be addressed," he said after the service. "
"The Rev. Ian Sherwood, the British consulate chaplain in Istanbul, said not enough Islamic leaders have condemned the attacks.
"I'm appalled that I've not received any statements from a Muslim teacher anywhere in the world to express sorrow or reconciliation. It's a real weakness that has to be addressed," he said after the service. "
Saturday, November 22, 2003
The NY Daily News has published the names of 3 of the Mepham High School rapists and pictures of 2 of them. The said they did this even though the rapists are juveniles because of "the horrific nature of the crime". I think this may be a good thing as people should know the names and faces of dangerous criminals in their neighborhood. I have known the 3 names for weeks now and even published a "memo" to the 3 using just their last names on this site but after a couple of days I took it down because I wasn't sure if this was right. I think, but am not sure, the Daily News did the right thing. Without being charged as adults, these rapists will practically get away scot free. Now hopefully the other two involved in the rapes will be charged. I also hope that this will send a very strong message to every high school sports team in the country.
Update: Newsday has an article online about the Daily News printing the names and photos of the rapists. Seems the lawyer for one of the jocks complained about it, but the article contains some half-truths. The article states the "identities had only been whispered house to house in Bellmore". Actually, the names of the 3 rapists involved in the attack could be found on the News12 Long Island Sound Off message board. Also, someone created a website (Mepham.us) that contains a message board where the 3 names of the attackers were given, then confirmed and spelling corrected by students from Mepham weeks ago. This board also contains the names of the two other attackers, both of whom have not yet been charged. Is this another example of the "new media" topping the "old media"?
Update: Newsday has an article online about the Daily News printing the names and photos of the rapists. Seems the lawyer for one of the jocks complained about it, but the article contains some half-truths. The article states the "identities had only been whispered house to house in Bellmore". Actually, the names of the 3 rapists involved in the attack could be found on the News12 Long Island Sound Off message board. Also, someone created a website (Mepham.us) that contains a message board where the 3 names of the attackers were given, then confirmed and spelling corrected by students from Mepham weeks ago. This board also contains the names of the two other attackers, both of whom have not yet been charged. Is this another example of the "new media" topping the "old media"?
Friday, November 21, 2003
TRANSUBSTANTIATING THE CULTURE: ANDY WARHOL'S SECRET
Cool article about Warhol, a complicated and contradictory Catholic. From Godspy.
Cool article about Warhol, a complicated and contradictory Catholic. From Godspy.
Voice of the Faithful to Begin Vigils
*Sigh* So many of the VOF types here are good Catholics who want to do the right thing. Why can't they forget about being able to meet on Church grounds? Is it that they want the stamp of approval so badly? I wish they would concentrate on working in the diocese to reform it and make it rival Lincoln, Nebraska as one of the "best" dioceses in the country. I just can't help but think that they are wasting a lot of energy that could be very useful to the Church here.
*Sigh* So many of the VOF types here are good Catholics who want to do the right thing. Why can't they forget about being able to meet on Church grounds? Is it that they want the stamp of approval so badly? I wish they would concentrate on working in the diocese to reform it and make it rival Lincoln, Nebraska as one of the "best" dioceses in the country. I just can't help but think that they are wasting a lot of energy that could be very useful to the Church here.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Priests for Life Offers $50,000 Reward
"Priests for Life, the Catholic association which assists clergy of all denominations to address the abortion issue, announced today that it is offering $50,000 to anyone providing authorities with information leading to the capture of fugitives wanted for abortion clinic shootings."
This was a great idea and apparently they have had some criticism of it. To read about it click on the link and scroll down to the Commentary.
"Priests for Life, the Catholic association which assists clergy of all denominations to address the abortion issue, announced today that it is offering $50,000 to anyone providing authorities with information leading to the capture of fugitives wanted for abortion clinic shootings."
This was a great idea and apparently they have had some criticism of it. To read about it click on the link and scroll down to the Commentary.
Dead comedian’s brother brings a ‘live’ message about addiction
I was (am) a big fan of Chris Farley's wacky comedy. I didn't know he named his motivational speaker character after a priest. Like most of SNL the bit was overplayed and overdone but the first sketch with this character is still one of the funniest bits ever from that tired old show. Farley's death was really a tragedy-too bad his faith couldn't reach deep enough or whatever so he could overcome his problems.
Chris Farley Foundation
I was (am) a big fan of Chris Farley's wacky comedy. I didn't know he named his motivational speaker character after a priest. Like most of SNL the bit was overplayed and overdone but the first sketch with this character is still one of the funniest bits ever from that tired old show. Farley's death was really a tragedy-too bad his faith couldn't reach deep enough or whatever so he could overcome his problems.
Chris Farley Foundation
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Heart, Mind & Strength links to an article about some people blaming the television show ER for the nursing shortage. I heard this on NPR on the way home from work and laughed out loud. The nursing shortage has been a problem in this country for years now and it is real serious. I saw how great nurses are when my dad had cancer-it was the nurses who were there in the home with the patient day after day. Nursing is a very noble profession and although I think it is a bit silly to blame ER for a situation that existed before the show was on the air, I hope that this group's campaign will raise awareness. With the baby boomers getting older the health care industry is going to become even larger and the problems in the field must be dealt with now. I would hope that government, universities and private industries could create scholarships and programs to encourage more people to become nurses. I think the fact that it is an industry traditionally dominated by women is keeping many men from considering the field. And the fact that nurses are overworked and underappreciated keeps the turnover rate high. Hopefully the field will see nurses paid better and treated better so their ranks grow.
Mepham Letter Warns of Execution
The story of the Mepham High School rapes just keeps getting worse. There are many other stories regarding Mepham located here.
The story of the Mepham High School rapes just keeps getting worse. There are many other stories regarding Mepham located here.
Monday, November 17, 2003
Guard Sentenced For Art Theft
Jailguards on Riker's Island stole a Salvador Dali sketch of the Crucifixion and replaced it with a copy. One of them destroyed the original to get rid of the evidence.
Jailguards on Riker's Island stole a Salvador Dali sketch of the Crucifixion and replaced it with a copy. One of them destroyed the original to get rid of the evidence.
Well, I wanted to post about today's NY Post article regarding Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ movie. I read it first thing this morning and immediately noticed that the only "non-professional" in the group liked the movie. The priest, professor, rabbi, and film reviewer all criticized the movie based mostly on it's depiction of jews. But since I came home and read a few blogs, I noticed that Amy Welborn and Envoy Encore have already posted this and received several comments. I am not the only one who noticed that people basically saw what they wanted to see. Also, I noticed others commented on the violence in the movie, which is my only concern. I don't know if I can stand watching 2 hours of torture and death.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Puttin' on my top hat...
Tonight I am off to the Faith on Tap Coffee House featuring music, coffee, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Hopefully I will see the Recovering Choir Director there.
Tonight I am off to the Faith on Tap Coffee House featuring music, coffee, and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Hopefully I will see the Recovering Choir Director there.
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