Saturday, September 29, 2012

Priestly ordination today in Rochester, Michigan

I still have not finished processing photos from last Saturday's prayer vigil, and I now have more photos from last night's Solemn High Mass at Assumption Grotto for Juventutem of Michigan.

I want to pass this information along.  Please pray for the soon to be Father Slaton on this, his ordination day.  He is being ordained today, the Feast of the Holy Archangels - Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

From the Michigan Catholic:
Deacon Robert Slaton will bring 2012 class to four Sept. 29

DETROIT — The Archdiocese of Detroit will get another new priest Saturday, Sept. 29, when Archbishop Allen Vigneron ordains Deacon Robert J. Slaton to the priesthood at St. Andrew Church in Rochester.

The 11 a.m. ceremony is open to the public.

Deacon Slaton is being ordained at the parish where he has served as a transitional deacon. His ordination is taking place at this time of year because his seminary graduation date was out-of-sync with that of the three other new priests ordained this year.

Deacon Slaton, 35, was baptized at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Grotto) Parish in Detroit, but mostly grew up at St. Gertrude Parish in St. Clair Shores.

He is the son of Larry and Linda Slaton, who are still members of the parish — now Our Lady of Hope Parish since its 2009 merger with St. Germaine Parish.

The young Robert Slaton attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary School and Lakeshore High School, both in St. Clair Shores, and went on to take courses at the Recording Institute of Detroit.

After several post-high school entry-level jobs, he worked as a recording engineer and a short-order cook and restaurant manager. 
He began attending Sacred Heart Major Seminary to learn more about his faith, but then entered the priestly formation program as a seminarian. Deacon Slaton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Master of Divinity degree and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the seminary.

Deacon Slaton said he fell away from the Church in his late teenage years, but began a period of “re-questioning” when he was 26. “I couldn’t make sense of life without some principle of order and morality in the universe,” he said.

Continue reading the rest of his story at the Michigan Catholic...


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Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Novena to Mother of God for the nation begins today


Dear Friends,

As many of you know, the United States is a nation facing a serious identity crisis. The upcoming election will likely determine whether or not the Catholic faith — and the faith of all of our brothers and sisters in Christ — will be more or significantly less welcome in a country whose essence was formed out of the fight for religious freedom.

Our worldwide EWTN family will soon begin a novena invoking Mary’s intercession for the Lord's special grace to be poured out upon the United States.

Please join with us and our friends around the world in prayer for a clear and unequivocal return to the devoted and hope-filled aspiration of our founding fathers: the freedom to live and worship as our conscience dictates.

The novena can be found below and will also be featured in the current issue of the National Catholic Register print edition:


Please share this with your friends and family — and ask all who claim the name of Christ to join us in this prayerful battle for our nation’s future.
Here’s more from EWTN:

"Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation"
Bishops to Lead Novena Prayers on Network

EWTN Global Catholic Network has collaborated with one of the pre-eminent Marian theologians in the U.S. on the creation of a new "Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation." Fr. Frederick Miller, Chair of the Department of Systematic Theology at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., composed the meditations and prayers which invoke Mary's intercession for our nation. The Novena will be prayed publicly beginning on the Feast of the Archangels, Saturday, September 29th through Oct. 7th, the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary,

"Catholics have always turned instinctively for help to the Mother of God in times of need," says Fr. Miller, "And so, in 2012, we turn to Our Lady for help. Many of the values that have shaped our country from the beginning seem to be at risk. Pope Benedict XVI and the American Bishops have noted the erosion of religious freedom, the first value guaranteed by the Constitution. This novena challenges all of us to a deeper conversion to Christ and a more generous life of charity. The proximity of this novena to the 2012 Presidential Election also offers an opportunity to pray for all of our government officials and to seek Divine assistance in the election."

The Novena is available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded for free from EWTN's Novena website at www.religiousliberties.org/novena. "This is a critical time for our nation," said Michael P. Warsaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN. "My hope is that as many people as possible will obtain a copy of this powerful Novena and join together in prayer. I also hope that people will spread the word about this important devotion to their friends and neighbors, prayer groups and parishes and in every way possible."

During the Novena, leading bishops from across the nation will be celebrating the televised Mass from Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondale, Alabama at 8 a.m. ET each day. Each bishop will deliver a homily highlighting the importance of prayer in the fight for religious liberty and will lead the novena prayers for that day. Celebrants will include Most Rev. James D. Conley, Bishop-designate of Lincoln (Neb.), who will open the novena; Kansas City Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Mobile (Ala.) Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi; Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput; and Birmingham (Ala.) Bishop Robert J. Baker, who will close the novena.


There is also a novena in the month of October.  It is the month of Mary and the US Bishops are encouraging a Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty.  Please follow this link to the USCCB resource page. 

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Juventutem comes to Assumption Grotto: Solemn High Mass Friday Night

Some months ago I wrote a post on Juventutem of Michigan. I am copying that into this post so you can read more about it. The reason I am doing this is because the chapter is coming to Assumption Grotto tomorrow night.

There will be a Solemn High Mass at 7:00 PM, preceded by a Rosary at 6:30 PM. While Juventutem is for 18-35 year olds, the Mass is open to anyone wanting to come. Here is the Facebook page for tomorrow's event.

 Below is what I had in my post on this group back in May...


The Michigan Catholic has a story on a Juventutem chapter here in Southeast Michigan. It is for those who are 18-35 who are devoted to the Mass of 1962. This is an interesting story. I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Schultz back in early March and he explained some of what he and his friends were doing.

 The last I heard, there were probably over a dozen parishes that had offered the extraordinary form Mass (aka, "Tridentine"), at least once a month or more. I'm not sure where those all are, but if people want to name them, and the Mass days/times in the combox, it would be an interesting collection.

I would think that Juventutem here in southeast Michigan would want to periodically move on different ends of the area for some Masses to draw additional members. With a little advertisement, I think it would grow, especially as the curious explore when they see the event coming to a parish near them. Unfortunately, so many of the suburban parishes are just not suited for the older form of the Mass. The altar can be transformed by experienced people in a matter of 20 minutes or so, but the backdrop offered by older parishes adds to the richness (not to mention the sound of chant and polyphony with the awesome acoustics in the old buildings). I'll start you out with the beginning of the article:


Young adult group shows love for Latin Mass 

Photo: Michigan Catholic

May 4, 2012 
By Robert Delaney  
Ann Arbor man, 29, helps start first U.S.chapter of ‘Juventutem’ 
Detroit — Paul Schultz might seem like an unlikely person to start up a local chapter of Juventutem, a group dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, commonly known as the Tridentine or Traditional Latin Mass. 

Not only was the 29-year-old attorney not around when the Tridentine Mass was the common form of the sacred liturgy in Catholic churches, but he didn’t even become a Catholic until his college years. 

And the first time Schultz attended a Tridentine Mass, he arrived late and they had run out of missalettes, he said, so he couldn’t even follow along with what was being said. 

“But I saw a whole church full of people behaving as if God was really up there on that altar,” Schultz said. 

Schultz, who was raised a Lutheran, said he had heard friends describe the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Real Presence, but his previous experiences at Mass hadn’t convinced him they really believed it. 

But the Latin Mass, he said, turned out to be a pivotal experience in his faith life.
Now, he and four other 20-somethings have started the first United States chapter affiliated with the Juventutem International Foundation, a Tridentine group for young adults. 

“Juventutem” is Latin for “youth” in the accusative case, as it appears in the prayers at the foot of the altar that precede the Tridentine Mass. 

Schultz is the oldest of the founding membership of the chapter, which also includes James and Shauna Hitchcock, Andrew Fanco and Aaron Harburg. 

Young people kneel during a Tridentine Mass on April 27 at St. Josaphat Church in Detroit. The Mass was the first gathering of Juventutem, a group for young people dedicated to the traditional Latin Mass. 

They see Juventutem as a group for like-minded Catholics between the ages of 18 to 35. The group will meet periodically to attend a Tridentine Mass, followed by a social get-together. 
Membership is open to Catholics within that age range willing to commit to a six-point program of prayer and participation that can be found online at juventutemmichigan.com.

Continue reading this interesting article on Juventutem at The Michigan Catholic

Juventutem Michigan also has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JuventutemMichigan, and you can follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Juventutem_MI

That is how I found this:



Congratulations, Paul Schultz, et al!   I'm also very glad to see Fr. Lee Acervo involved.  His mom and dad are in my Carmelite community at Grotto and he is a very solid priest .... who has a blog! 


For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Status Update...



My deepest regrets that I have not yet processed the photos from Saturday's prayer vigil with Archbishop Vigneron.  I hope to get to them in the next day or two so do check back.  

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Video: Bishop Paprocki Discusses Intrinsic Evil in Political Party Platforms

Bishop Paprocki explains what the Church considers intrinsic evil.  He has released this message in many formats, so I will offer video and text here.







Think and pray about your vote in upcoming election


My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
Much attention was given at the Democratic National Convention held recently in Charlotte, N.C., to the fact that all references to God had been purged from the draft version of the party platform. After outcries of protest from outside as well as within the Democratic Party, the sentence with the same reference to God used in 2008 was restored to read, "We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."
Before anyone relaxes and concludes that all is well now that the Democratic Party Platform contains a single passing reference to God, the way that this was done should give us pause. Convention chairman Antonio Villaraigosa had to call for the voice vote three times because each time the sound level for the "ayes" and the "nays" sounded about even, far short of the two-thirds necessary according to convention rules to amend the platform. That did not stop the convention chairman from declaring, "The ayes have it!"
What is troubling about that is the blatant disregard for the rules and for the apparent wishes of about half the delegates. The reference to God is back in the platform apparently because President Obama wanted it back in. That may be fine for now, but if a future president wants references to God taken out, apparently that can be done regardless of the wishes of the delegates if that is what The Leader wants. That does not bode well for democracy in the Democratic Party.
Even more troubling is that this whole discussion about God in the platform is a distraction from more disturbing matters that have been included in the platform. In 1992 Presidential candidate Bill Clinton famously said that abortion should be "safe, legal and rare." That was the party's official position until 2008. Apparently "rare" is so last century that it had to be dropped, because now the Democratic Party Platform says that abortion should be "safe and legal." Moreover the Democratic Party Platform supports the right to abortion "regardless of the ability to pay." Well, there are only three ways for that to happen: either taxpayers will be required to fund abortion, or insurance companies will be required to pay for them (as they are now required to pay for contraception), or hospitals will be forced to perform them for free.
Moreover, the Democratic Party Platform also supports same-sex marriage, recognizes that "gay rights are human rights," and calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law signed by President Clinton in 1996 that defined marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman.
Now, why am I mentioning these matters in the Democratic Party Platform? There are many positive and beneficial planks in the Democratic Party Platform, but I am pointing out those that explicitly endorse intrinsic evils. My job is not to tell you for whom you should vote. But I do have a duty to speak out on moral issues. I would be abdicating this duty if I remained silent out of fear of sounding "political" and didn't say anything about the morality of these issues. People of faith object to these platform positions that promote serious sins. I know that the Democratic Party's official "unequivocal" support for abortion is deeply troubling to pro-life Democrats.
So what about the Republicans? I have read the Republican Party Platform and there is nothing in it that supports or promotes an intrinsic evil or a serious sin. The Republican Party Platform does say that courts "should have the option of imposing the death penalty in capital murder cases." But the Catechism of the Catholic Church says (in paragraph 2267), "Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person. Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm — without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself — the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically nonexistent."
One might argue for different methods in the platform to address the needs of the poor, to feed the hungry and to solve the challenges of immigration, but these are prudential judgments about the most effective means of achieving morally desirable ends, not intrinsic evils.
Certainly there are "pro-choice" Republicans who support abortion rights and "Log Cabin Republicans" who promote same-sex marriage, and they are equally as wrong as their Democratic counterparts. But these positions do not have the official support of their party.
Again, I am not telling you which party or which candidates to vote for or against, but I am saying that you need to think and pray very carefully about your vote, because a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy.
I pray that God will give you the wisdom and guidance to make the morally right choices.
May God give us this grace. Amen.


For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Register Now: 14th Call to Holiness Conference Oct 13


The 14th Call to Holiness Conference will take place on October 13, 2012 and features a list of great speakers. Here is more info:
Celebrating Vatican II in the Modern Era

The 50th anniversary of Vatican II is the topic for the 14th Call to Holiness Conference to be held Saturday, October 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception School, 29500 Westbrook Ave. in Warren, Michigan near Detroit.

Speakers addressing various topics from Vatican II include: Bishop Alexander Sample, Dr. Monica Miller, Fr. John Trigilio, Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (aka, "Father Z"), Fr. Frank Phillips, Louie Verrecchio, Fr. Brian Harrison, and Peggy Stanton.

Conference attendees are invited to a specially scheduled 6:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church. Following the liturgy there will be a separately priced dinner with Fr. John Zuhlsdorf speaking.

A youth conference for teens will also be held Saturday, October 13th with most of the speakers from the main conference addressing the youth.

Additional information and online registration is available at the website www.CalltoHoliness.com or call 313-451-4659 to request a brochure to be mailed to you.

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Photos: Mass of Thanksgiving of Fr. John Eudes Brohl, ORC

I have a couple of photo-posts to make including this one which is of a Mass of Thanksgiving following ordination. The Mass took place last Sunday at Noon. Fr. John Eudes Brohl, ORC - an American - was ordained in Brazil where the order has it's seminary.

I also have photos of the prayer vigil held by Archbishop Vigneron this past Saturday, and will post them in the next day or two.

This is the new Mass, celebrated ad orientem, and concelebrated. Among the concelebrants were brother priests, also from the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross.

Here are a few pictures.   You can view the full set at my Smugmug account.











After Mass, Fr. John Eudes blessed the people with the relic of St. Theotonius and people lined up at the altar rail for veneration offered by Fr. Ludwig and Deacon Jim Wilder.






After the Mass, there was a reception in the gym and the recently ordained priest offered first blessings.



We see in the photo below a custom in some countries following ordination.  The hands of the priest re sacred and some respond to the newly consecrated hands by kissing them.




For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Video: Russian truck driver walks away after accident puts him thru windshield

You have to watch this video. A semi-crosses the lane and hits a smaller truck sending the driver through the windshield. He walks away!!!




For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Saturday: Archbp Vigneron to lead Helper's of God's Precious Infants Prayer Vigil



From the Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan:

Dear Pro-Life friends,

Attached is the e-flyer for the next Helpers of God's Precious Infants Prayer Vigil for Life.  It will be on held on September 22nd and will be lead by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit.
 
The Vigil will begin with 7:30 am Holy Mass at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores.  Immediately following the mass we will proceed to St Veronica Church in Eastpointe 
to begin the rosary procession to the two nearby abortion mills on E. 8 Mile Rd.  At 10:15am we will return to St. Joan of Arc for Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Refreshments will follow immediately in the adjacent parish center.

PLEASE do whatever you can to spread the word!
 ....


Sadly, we are all far too painfully aware that much is at stake at this critical time in our nation in the fight for Life and Religious Freedom. So please DO NOT MISS this providential opportunity
 to pray and stand for LIFE with our Shepherd, Archbishop Vigneron, at the foot of the Cross in Holy Mass, and also at the abortion mills - the modern day Calvary - for love of God and neighbor!

Thanks so very much!  Know that there is LOTS of room in both the church and on the grassy median on which we will pray with the Archbishop, 
SO DO COME - AND BRING YOUR PRO LIFE FRIENDS WITH YOU!   Hope to see you there!


Sincerely in Christ,

Mary B.
Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan


For those who have not yet been to a Helpers of God's Precious Infants prayer vigil, please know that it is just that. It is not a protest, therefore, they do not permit any signs or posters. The only things visible besides prayerful people is the crucifix at the front of the procession and the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe.



For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Phil Lawler on new USCCB appointment: "It's Terrific!"



There is a new face at the USCCB and some excitement with the appointment. First, the news:

Jonathan Reyes, director of social ministry for the Archdiocese of Denver and president and CEO of the archdiocese’s Catholic Charities and Community Services, has been named executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Reyes replaces John Carr, who retired after 25 years in his position.

Reyes, a father of seven, served as a history professor and vice president of academic affairs at Christendom College, as well as director of Christendom Press, before becoming vice president for campus ministry and leadership formation of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Reyes then became founding president of the Augustine Institute, a Denver-based theological institute, before going to work for the archdiocese.

I didn't know anything about this man, but Phil Lawler had some good things to say.  In fact, he's downright giddy about the appointment...


If you aren’t excited about this news story, you probably don’t understand it. This is big. This is huge. This is exciting! 
Have you been frustrated, over the years, with the political statements issued by the US bishops’ conference? If so, prepare for a welcome change. Have you wondered why the bishops never seem to listen to reasonable arguments by conservative Catholics? That’s about to change, too. 
When John Carr retired from the staff of the US bishops’ conference, after helping to shape the bishops’ statements on political issues for more then 25 years, we wondered whether his departure signaled a shift in USCCB policy. Today we have our answer: Yes, it does. 
Jonathan J. Reyes, who will be taking Carr’s post in December, will be coming to Washington from Denver, where he was head of Catholic Charities. His work there, and especially his involvement in projects like “Christ in the City,” testify to his belief that Christian charitable work is inseparable from evangelization. In other words he sees charitable work as a witness to faith, not a call for government support. 
The resumés of these two men provide a vivid contrast.... [continue reading USCCB appointment at Catholic Culture]



For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Photos: Archbishop Vigneron at Assumption Grotto; Veneration of St. Theotonius Relic

Archbishop Vigneron concelebrates a special morning Mass, followed by veneration of the relic of St. Theotonius
on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at Assumption Grotto


On this feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Archbishop Vigneron came to Assumption Grotto to celebrate a special Mass at 9:00 AM. A relic of St. Theotonius arrived at the parish on September 13th and will be venerated through Sunday. St. Theotonius is the co-founder of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross (ORC).

The Mass was a Latin Novus Ordo, concelebrated ad orientem. You can see in these pictures how the sanctuary looks now with the low altar recently removed.  There is a portable table altar that can be used, but Archbishop Vigneron has celebrated the high altar previously.  He seems very comfortable at the high altar and his latin is pleasing to the ears.   The archbishop also exercised certain options familiar to Grotto-goers, like having the offertory gifts already in the sanctuary and not inviting the people to share a sign of peace.  Not to be confused with being "stuffy," the people of the parish prefer it this way as it allows the focus to remain on God to Whom the prayers are directed. Many are unaware that these are legitimate options a celebrant can choose.

Tomorrow at Noon, Father John Eudes, ORC will celebrate his First Mass.  He will offer First Blessings in the school gym after Mass.














Archbishop Vigneron incenses the relic of St. Theotonius





Archbishop Vigneron blesses the people with the relic of St. Theotonius after Mass


Sisters of the Holy Cross venerate the relic of St. Theotonius











A slideshow was shown on the life of St. Theotonius after Mass

MORE PHOTOS: 

To see many more photos of this event, visit my Smugmug Gallery

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Archbishop Vigneron to Celebrate Mass at Grotto 9 AM Saturday



As I have mentioned previously, Archbishop Vigneron will be at Assumption Grotto tomorrow, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. He will be celebrating a special Mass at 9:00 AM. A relic of St. Theotonius, the co-founder of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, is at Assumption Grotto from September 13 -16. The canons assist regularly at Assumption Grottos and sisters from the order reside on the complex in an old convent where they maintain an Adoration chapel.

From a PDF on the event:


On the occasion of the 850th anniversary of his death, during this “Year of St. Theotonius” (February 18, 2012 to February 18, 2013), a major relic from Coimbra, Portugal of the arm of St. Theotonius is on an international tour of 11 countries to all the monasteries of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. It will be available for veneration in the Archdiocese of Detroit at Assumption Grotto Church (13770 Gratiot Ave, Detroit) from September 13 to 16, 2012. 
As a designated Church for the veneration of the relic by Archbishop Vigneron, the Holy See has granted under the usual conditions a plenary indulgence for all who participate in an event honoring the Saint. The elderly, sick, and those unable to attend for a serious reason, are likewise able to gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations, offering their prayers and sufferings to the merciful God through Mary.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit will celebrate the Holy Mass on Saturday, September 15, feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. On Sunday, September 16, a newly or- dained priest of the Order will celebrate a solemn Mass of thanksgiving. See complete schedule - click here


Saturday Schedule

8:15 am to 9:00 am: Confessions 8:30 am: Holy Rosary

9:00 am: Holy Mass presided by Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit

Followed by prayers in honor of St. Theotonius and the Veneration of the Relics

10:30 am: PowerPoint presentation on the life of St. Theotonius and the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross in the Gym

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tomorrow is the Exaltation of the Cross: Be wary of "cross-less" spirituality



There are many christian spiritualities out there that focus on earthly happiness. This happens even in Catholic circles where the Cross has been rejected and neglected. Yet, we cannot imitate Christ without understanding the Cross.

Much of what Christ taught - by word and example - was that we show our love by how we treat God and neighbor. This often involves "soft sacrifices." Loving one's neighbor can come at an inconvenience - a small cross. If you have a choice between watching the football game and helping a neighbor who asks for help, one of those choices will involve some sacrifice. If it comes down to sleeping in, going to the mall; or, going to Mass on Sunday to give God his due - it is easy to see that the sacrifice of giving time to God is the cross in this case.

We have been told how much God loves us for decades. Now, it's time for us to understand how to love him back. He doesn't want blood sacrifices as we read about in the Old Testament. But we cannot love God and neighbor without picking up our daily crosses.

Anyone who would present the christian faith as one devoid of the cross is a false teacher.

With tomorrow being the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, consider finding a Mass if you can find a morning or evening Mass near you. 


At Assumption Grotto September 13-16
(Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate Mass on Saturday, September 15 in the morning)

There are some special events happening this weekend at Grotto starting tonight and ending Sunday by the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross (ORC not OSC) - the order of priests and sisters who help out at Assumption Grotto and give retreats.  Here is the schedule.  You can see the PDF for more information on all of this - click here.






Thursday, September 13




6:30 pm: Arrival of the relics Our Lady of the Assumption

Confessions

7:00 pm: Holy Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord – favorite devotion of St. Theotonius

Benediction
Individual Veneration of the Relics




Friday, September 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –
Titular Feast of the Order




8:15 am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church
2:00 - 3:00 pm: Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord (favorite devotion of St. Theotonius)

Eucharistic Benediction and reposition
6:30 pm: Solemn Latin Vespers




7:00 PM - Holy Mass of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
 


Prayers in honor of St. Theotonius and the Veneration of the Relics




Saturday, September 15 – Our Lady of Sorrows



8:15 am to 9:00 am: Confessions
8:30 am: Holy Rosary



9:00 am: Holy Mass presided by
Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit
 


Followed by prayers in honor of St. Theotonius and the Veneration of the Relics 10:30 am: PowerPoint presentation on the life of St. Theotonius and the Order of Canons Regular of
the Holy Cross in the Gym




Sunday, September 16 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 noon: Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving of newly ordained priest, Fr. John Eudes Brohl, ORC



Veneration of the Relics followed by Reception in Gym (opportunity to receive the individual blessing by Fr. John Eudes).  PowerPoint presentation on the life of St. Theotonius and the Order



For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The "War on Men"



I get tired of hearing that women don't have "access" to contraception unless the government provides them at the expense of taxpayers.   

We could use that argument on a number of things, like .... beer. Do men have less access to beer if it is not provided free from the U.S. government?

I doubt this would stop men from buying beer (and women too!)


For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Archbishop Vigneron to celebrate Mass at Assumption Grotto - September 15



Republishing this from the other day.  Events begin at Assumption Grotto on September 13th.

Those who frequent Assumption Grotto are familiar with the religious order priests and sisters who have been assisting there for over a decade now. The Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross (ORC not OSC) are remembering the 850th anniversary of the death of their co-founder, St. Theotonius, with the veneration of his relic.  My comments are bracketed below.

On the occasion of the 850th anniversary of his death, during this “Year of St. Theotonius” (February 18, 2012 to February 18, 2013), a major relic from Coimbra, Portugal of the arm of St. Theotonius is on an international tour of 11 countries to all the monasteries of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. It will be available for veneration in the Archdiocese of Detroit at Assumption Grotto Church (13770 Gratiot Ave, Detroit) from September 13 to 16, 2012.

As a designated Church for the veneration of the relic by Archbishop Vigneron, the Holy See has granted under the usual conditions a plenary indulgence for all who participate in an event honoring the Saint. The elderly, sick, and those unable to attend for a serious reason, are likewise able to gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations, offering their prayers and sufferings to the merciful God through Mary.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit will celebrate the Holy Mass on Saturday, September 15, feast of Our Lady of Sorrows [at 9:00 AM]. On Sunday, September 16, a newly ordained priest of the Order will celebrate a solemn Mass of thanksgiving. See complete schedule on the back [link below].


If I had to guess, I believe this will be the newer form of the Mass, but it will be celebrated ad orientem at the high altar, and possibly in Latin. The last time Archbishop Vigneron celebrated Mass at Grotto - on August 15, 2009 - he celebrated a Latin Novus Ordo, ad orientem.

SEE THIS FLYER FOR HOURLY AND DAILY EVENTS


For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

September 8: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary



Today the Church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From Catholic Culture:

Mary was born to be the mother of the Savior of the world, the spiritual mother of all men, and the holiest of God's creatures. Because of her Son's infinite merits, she was conceived and born immaculate and full of grace. Through her, Queen of heaven and of earth, all grace is given to men. Through her, by the will of the Trinity, the unbelieving receive the gift of faith; the afflicted are tendered the works of mercy; and the members of Christ grow in likeness of their Head. In Mary all human nature is exalted. We rejoice in her birthday, as the Church has done from the earliest times. This is one of the three birthdays in the Church Calendar — the Birth of Jesus (December 25), the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24) and the Birthday of Mary. All three were born without original sin, although Mary and Jesus were conceived without sin, and St. John was cleansed of original sin while in the womb at the Visitation of Mary.


Here is a prayer written by St. Anselm:

Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin; give me strength against thine enemies, and against the enemy of the whole human race. Give me strength humbly to pray to thee. Give me strength to praise thee in prayer with all my powers, through the merits of thy most sacred nativity, which for the entire Christian world was a birth of joy, the hope and solace of its life.

When thou wast born, O most holy Virgin, then was the world made light.

Happy is thy stock, holy thy root, and blessed thy fruit, for thou alone as a virgin, filled with the Holy Spirit, didst merit to conceive thy God, as a virgin to bear Thy God, as a virgin to bring Him forth, and after His birth to remain a virgin.

Have mercy therefore upon me a sinner, and give me aid, O Lady, so that just as thy nativity, glorious from the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Juda, illustrious from the stock of David, didst announce joy to the entire world, so may it fill me with true joy and cleanse me from every sin.

Pray for me, O Virgin most prudent, that the gladsome joys of thy most helpful nativity may put a cloak over all my sins.

O holy Mother of God, flowering as the lily, pray to thy sweet Son for me, a wretched sinner. Amen.

There is more at the Stairway Heaven blog written last year.



For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Friday, September 7, 2012

First Friday Devotions, Dawn Eden on Catholic Answers, and Cardinal Dolan's Prayer at DNC

Today is First Friday. The first Friday of every month is when many make devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Go to an Adoration chapel if you can get to one today. Assumption Grotto holds Adoration in the parish church rather than in the small chapel today, until about 6:30.  

Sacred Heart devotion fell by the wayside along with many other time-tested devotions, but has been making a big comeback. I wrote a lengthy post about the need to make reparation, especially before making petitions. Specifically, if we are going to ask God to sanctify the United States, ought we not first make an act of reparation for what we and others have done to offend God? Here is a portion of what was in my post on this:

Pope Pius XI on Reparation


Pius XI wrote extensively about reparation in his 1928 encyclical, Miserentissimus Redemptor (on Reparation to the Sacred Heart), it is hard not to imagine that it was written for today. In fact, it is truly timeless and something worth revisiting considering the problems we now face.  While the Month of the Sacred Heart (June) is now behind us, devotion to the Sacred Heart is performed around the year, particularly on the First Friday of each month. This particular encyclical treats the subject of reparation very deeply, and it is a relatively short read.

Near the beginning, in paragraph 4, Pope Pius XI says something that caught my attention, given our current situation here in the United States. Remember, this was written in 1928.

"...But since in the last century, and in this present century, things have come to such a pass, that by the machinations of wicked men the sovereignty of Christ Our Lord has been denied and war is publicly waged against the Church, by passing laws and promoting plebiscites repugnant to Divine and natural law,..."

Paragraphs 16 and 17 are worth quoting in full because they too seem remarkably written for today:

16. But it is yet more to be lamented, Venerable Brethren, that among the faithful themselves, washed in Baptism with the blood of the immaculate Lamb, and enriched with grace, there are found so many men of every class, who laboring under an incredible ignorance of Divine things and infected with false doctrines, far from their Father's home, lead a life involved in vices, a life which is not brightened by the light of true faith, nor gladdened by the hope of future beatitude, nor refreshed and cherished by the fire of charity; so that they truly seem to sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Moreover, among the faithful there is a greatly increasing carelessness of ecclesiastical discipline, and of those ancient institutions on which all Christian life rests, by which domestic society is governed, and the sanctity of marriage is safeguarded; the education of children is altogether neglected, or else it is depraved by too indulgent blandishments, and the Church is even robbed of the power of giving the young a Christian education; there is a sad forgetfulness of Christian modesty especially in the life and the dress of women; there is an unbridled cupidity of transitory things, a want of moderation in civic affairs, an unbounded ambition of popular favor, a depreciation of legitimate authority, and lastly a contempt for the word of God, whereby faith itself is injured, or is brought into proximate peril. 
17. But all these evils as it were culminate in the cowardice and the sloth of those who, after the manner of the sleeping and fleeing disciples, wavering in their faith, miserably forsake Christ when He is oppressed by anguish or surrounded by the satellites of Satan, and in the perfidy of those others who following the example of the traitor Judas, either partake of the holy table rashly and sacrilegiously, or go over to the camp of the enemy. And thus, even against our will, the thought rises in the mind that now those days draw near of which Our Lord prophesied: "And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold" (Matth. xxiv, 12).

Of course, abortion was not legal in the U.S. in 1928 and in many other countries. While there were always some abortions happening illegally, since Roe v. Wade more than 54 million persons were deprived of the opportunity to know, love, and serve God giving us more then 54 million acts of reparation to make collectively.  This says nothing of the children they were destined to have, and their offspring.  From among these discarded people were priests and religious who could have served our parishes and schools (keeping them open), scientists who could have discovered cures for cancer, engineers who could have solved the problems of famine, diplomats who could have prevented wars, musicians and artists, and many ordinary people. Abortions don't end when they become illegal; they end when hearts are won over to Christ!  Moreover, no one is beyond God's mercy for those who seek it, including women who have had abortions, and for those who encouraged them.

In paragraph 18, Pius XI writes, "Now, whosoever of the faithful have piously pondered on all these things must need be inflamed with the charity of Christ in His agony and make a more vehement endeavor to expiate their own faults and those of others, to repair the honor of Christ, and to promote the eternal salvation of souls."  In the next paragraph, we are reminded of how the Angel consoled Jesus in the garden.  When we make acts of reparation - big and small -  they are consoling to Our Lord because He is not confined by time.


There is a Prayer of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the end of the encyclical, Miserentissimus Redemptor.  And, there are a number of other prayers associated with this devotion.

When you have time, visit my post on reparation and see what others had to say about reparation including Fr. John Hardon, SJ, and how St. Dominic Savio made reparation a part of his life, and some discussion of Fatima and Divine Mercy






On another topic, Dawn Eden, who visited Detroit this past spring to talk about her new book, My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints, will be on Catholic Answers Live with Patrick Coffin tonight at 7 PM Eastern.  If you don't get it on the radio, you can tune in online.  

Visit Dawn's blog to see where she has been on her book tour, to hear audio, see video, and get more information about where she is visiting next. 



Now, if you missed Cardinal Dolan's benediction at the Democratic National Convention, you can watch it here. I think Fox News and C-Span were the only two that carried it. The networks bowed out. You will find some of this pleasantly surprising and bold.



 


Here is the full text of Cardinal Dolan's prayer for those who want to read it.


For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.