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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Links to Photos of Aborted Baby Burial...

Fr. Frank Pavone has noted in his latest email my blog homepage, with regards to photos I took of the burial of aborted babies at Assumption Grotto in Detroit. Welcome to all who are visiting my blog for the first time.

Since that took place a month ago and many are coming to my homepage trying to find it, I thought I would post a couple of links here.

Scroll along my sidebar for other lead photostories, and further down yet for many photoposts of Catholic life at Assumption Grotto in Detroit, and more.

Mass & Burial of Aborted Babies at Grotto (Te Deum Laudamus!)

YouTube Video of the Mass & burial of aborted babies by Priests for Life (Priests for Life)

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

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Consecrated Host Desecrated by Professor; Day of Prayer and Reparation this Friday

Professor Paul Myers, an atheist, got the Consecrated Host he was looking for and desecrated it as he advertised he would do if someone got him one.

Fr. John Trigilio of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy has called for a day of prayer and fasting this Friday on the Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori in reparation for this horrible act. Specifially, he is requesting that people make a holy hour.

Only Our Lord knows how many other souls were led into this kind of behavior by this man - far more than we probably know about. Just read the few vile comments left at the blog of Fr. John Trigilio. He permitted two or three so people could see. I went to the blog of Paul Myers and had read some of the comments there supporting him. It was sickening.

I'm not going to permit any vile comments period. I saw enough when I made my last post on this topic. I'm just going to reject them. There's enough hate speech against the Catholic Church to begin with and I won't allow this to be a forum for more.

A PROPER RESPONSE

It's good to be upset and hurt by this because it demonstrates a belief in the Real Presence. This should prompt us to make acts of reparation: sacrifies, prayers, holy hours. However, it is even more consoling to the Lord when that is accompanied not by hatred for the offender, but love as Our Father in heaven loves all of His children.

It's not enough to make an act of reparation for the actions of this man and all who follow him. Rather, we need to pray for him as a child of God - one whom the Lord loves unconditionally as much as the most devoted soul. Harsh words and anger will not convert anyone to the faith and will drive them further away.

I want to make all readers aware too, that Fr. Trigilio rightly points out that it is wrong to make threats of any kind against someone. As displeasing as it is to the Lord for someone to threaten or engage in physical violence against a person for any reason, how much more displeasing it is to the Lord if that threat or deed is done in His Name. The same goes for words and comments in blogs and forums.

Pray for Paul Myers and for all who are indifferent or hostile to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Meditate on Our Lord's words on the Cross: Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do. Also meditate on St. Maria Goretti and the extraordinary virtue she exercised in forgiving her attacker, Allessandro. She died at his hands, but she forgave him before she died. He died much later in life a converted soul and she told people before she died that she wanted Allessandro in heaven with her. He committed a terrible crime, one that cried out to heaven, but was graced with holiness for much

Here is more from Zenit: Desecration of Host not seen as Free Speech

Fr. John Trigilio's Blogpost: Biologist Balks at Request to Apologize (a must read)
Fr. Trigilio with an update: All rights are inalienable but none are absolute

Previous: Eucharist sought by professor Paul Z. Myers to desecrate



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

Chant class recording...

Denise over at Semper Fi has sent me this message with recordings now on her internet radio station:

Mr. Thomas Larson came to St. William the Confessor Catholic Church in Greenville Texas, and taught a course on Gregorian Chant, July 8 through July 22.

The last class was recorded and is available at Semper Fi Catholic Radio. The chant play list begins right below the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is amazing what children can learn in just two weeks and then sound this good.
Denise has many other recordings there at Semper Fi Catholic Radio. Grotto-goers who moved to her part of Texas have discovered a "Grotto-Southwest". I've been contacted by some whom have contacted me to let me know they are checking in on us through my blog. Their pastor, Fr. Paul Weinberger has very solid sermons and they upload them there. It's Fr. Perrone - Texas style. Just let it play while you work around the house at times. You won't be disappointed.


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

Monday, July 28, 2008

Excommunications lifted for 3 in St. Louis...

It's a rarity to hear about excommunications. It's even of greater rarity to hear about excommunications being lifted. Bring out the fatted calf - this is great news. We need to pray for a full success there at St. Stanislaus. It is such a beautiful parish and it would be great to have it back with a parish full of people who are aligned with Rome.

I touched on this the other day, but here it is in Zenit...


Excommunication Lifted for 3 in St. Louis


Sought Reconciliation After Hiring Suspended Priest


ST. LOUIS, Missouri, JULY 28, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Three leaders of a former St. Louis parish who incurred excommunication for hiring a suspended priest have been reconciled with the Church.

According to a statement last week from the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Bernice Krauze, Stanley Rozanski and Robert Zabielski, members of the Board of Directors of St. Stanislaus Parish Corporation, met in June with Archbishop Raymond Burke to be reconciled fully with the Church.

"They are once again in full communion with the Catholic Church and are no longer under any censure," the archdiocese reported.

The St. Stanislaus Parish Corporation is associated with what used to be St. Stanislaus Kostka parish. The board of directors incurred excommunication in December 2005, a penalty that was later confirmed by the Vatican.

"The members of the board had committed the most grievous delict of schism by hiring a suspended priest, that is, a priest not in good standing in the Church, for the purpose of attempting to celebrate the sacraments and sacramentals at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, all outside of the communion of the Catholic Church," Archbishop Burke explained in his weekly column for the archdiocesan newspaper in May of this year.

The priest involved, Father Marek Bozek of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, had left his priestly assignment against the expressed will of his bishop, Bishop John Leibrecht, in order to be hired by the St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation.

The priest was suspended from all acts of the power of holy orders and of governance.

The three board members who gained back their communion with the Church have joined other parishioners of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka parish in filing a lawsuit against the St. Stanislaus Parish Corporation, the archdiocese reported.

The lawsuit is asking for the corporation to adhere to the 1891 bylaws, to which the parish and the Archdiocese of St. Louis had agreed.

If the lawsuit is successful, the Archdiocese of St. Louis is prepared to appoint a Catholic priest, Jesuit Father Michael Marchlewski, to St. Stanislaus as administrator.

Source






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Comment Box Problems

I am getting some emails indicating there are problems with the comment box. If you are trying to comment and don't see it going up, please send me an email at TeDeumBlog@gmail.com and let me know. I have heard other people on blogger complaining of the same problem of things not posting to the combox. Hopefully, it will get fixed soon.

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Al Kresta on Bishop Athanasius Schneider.....


Cute ending to the interview that Al Kresta had with Bishop Athanasius Schneider on Ave Maria Radio a few minutes ago. Actually, the Bishop was already off air and the clock had ticked passed 5:00 when Al came back on after the break.

He said that a few seconds prior he had just wrapped up talking to Bishop Schneider off-air and felt like he just wanted to sit and think about the Eucharist. Before going back off air for a second he said he had to get his bearings back which was not easy after that conversation.

Yeah, Al. We know.
Myself and others I have spoken with following the talks His Excellency gave at our parish yesterday felt the same way. In fact, it was all working hard on me yet today, and probably will for some time to come. I spoke in that same post about the unexpected examination of conscience that began to happen almost as soon as his talks began yesterday.

Al Kresta, like the rest of us who have had the pleasure of meeting this humble, simple bishop from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, will undoubtedly continue to ponder his words. It's one thing to hear him on the radio or read his words. It's quite another to be in his presence when he talks because there is an air of humility that simply can't be captured. It has a calming effect.

EDIT 7-28-08 at 8:26PM: The archived audio is up on Al Kresta's page. I don't know how long this will be available online so listen to it soon.

IMAGINE YEARS WITHOUT THE SACRAMENTS!

I could have missed it, but I don't think the bishop explained the part of his background where the people in Kazakshstan - a former republic of the Soviet Union - sometimes went years between receiving the Sacraments, including Communion. This is because the priests were imprisoned. He said that when one was released and the people could finally have Mass, they fasted for days in advance, had Mass and a big celebration. Of course, many of those Masses were held secretly in some home.

You really have to understand his background to comprehend why he has such an intimate understanding of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Some might say that his words are not relevant for a society like ours where we have not had such experiences. I would say that the opposite is true. We can learn from our brothers and sisters in other countries about the very things we take for granted, one of which is easy access to Mass and the Sacraments.
EDIT: UPDATE ON EWTN INTERVIEW
I had mentioned in an earlier post that His Excellency traveled to Alabama where he celebrated Mass and then was interviewed for a future program. I still don't have the name of the program, but can tell you that it will be aired sometime in December 2008. I'll give you more when I have it.


More to come....


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

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan


EDIT 7-28-2008: More links have been added at the bottom of the page, including links to extensive photopost coverage from two parishes where Bishop Schneider spent time during his US visit.

His Excellency, Athanasius Schneider, ORC of Karaganda, Kazakhstan held two talks today at Assumption Grotto. There were about 120 people there on a quick count, which is good considering the typical summer drop in attendance with vacations, and high gas prices (we are a commuter parish with some people driving long distances for the experience).

Before I forget, I just want to remind you that Bishop Schneider will be interviewed on Al Kresta's show Monday which airs from 4-6pm EST. There is a "listen live" button so it can be picked up internationally. I'm not sure what time he goes on, but seems to me that it could be 4:30. If you can't listen to it, just pick it up the next day at Ave Maria Radio by clicking on the archives.

FIRST CONFERENCE: Dominus Est
The Bishop's book, Dominus Est, was published by the Vatican's own library in Italian. He wrote an article about the book which appeared in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, under the title: Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

I was also just captivated by what he was saying and didn't want to get distracted with writing. The whole history of how Communion was received from the first century on was fascinating. He spoke about various ways Our Lord was received, the conditions for receiving, the postures, and the actions following reception. He had no notes in front of him and it flowed well, though difficult at times to hear.

I am hearing-impaired and struggled somewhat at times to hear him fully during his talk on Dominus Est, so I am not able to offer many notes. If anyone has specifics they want to recall from either conference, feel free to share them in the combox. Please don't make use of "anonymous", but pick a pseudoname instead if you don't want to use your real name.


SECOND CONFERENCE: Catholicism in Kazakhstan
We learned about the history of catholicism in Kazakshtan under the former Soviet Union. I knew things were oppressive, but had no idea. Masses were held secretly in people's homes. Even burial was difficult. The priests were all imprisoned for a long time and the people had no sacraments. Can you imagine? It was so humbling to watch what fellow Catholics went through and turned my thoughts to places like China where such persecution plays itself out all over again. What struck me most was the fervor and resolve of the people to not lose their faith.

The talks were recorded and I'm waiting on word as to whether those will be made available.


NEWMAN HOUSE PRESS: Status of Dominus Est in English
We will get to read his notes when the book is released in English. I have not yet gotten an estimated date. The publisher, Newman House Press. told me that it is about 2/3's translated. Newman House was looking for some donations for the initial publication which is the most costly part of the process. Here is their contact info if you want to ask how you can help get Dominus Est published.


AN UNEXPECTED EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Was it just me, or did the Bishop's talks prompt an examination of conscience on reverence and ingratitude? I think if confessions had been held after these two talks the lines would have been long. It was in no way humiliating, but very, very humbling. It wasn't condescending, but thought provoking. He gently laid out some history, then made it abundantly clear in several ways, that the Consecrated Host IS the Second Person of the Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ, not some piece of bread. It was thought provoking, leading us to ponder our behavior in Church when we are before the Blessed Sacrament, or receiving Communion. I was also impressed when he spoke about his responsibility as bishop to teach the faithful about the Real Presence.

Listening to him, I felt as if I was hearing a bishop's bishop - one whose teachings on this subject will be studied by other bishops. This man, who is a patristics scholar, packs a lot of facts and references into his talks. I've never heard anyone talk about the history of how Communion has been received through the centuries than what Bishop Schneider offered. Dominus Est will probably be worth it's weight in gold for the footnotes and references, as well.

Below are some pics from the second talk in which His Excellecy shared a video with some history on the plight of Catholics in Kazakhstan.



THE BISHOP'S RING: IT'S THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
His Excellency permitted me to take one final photograph - of his bishop's ring. I wish the details were clearer, but it is unmistakeably the Miraculous Medal. He humbly permitted people to kiss his ring, which caught me off guard because I have seen some bishops gently pull their hand back. Because of this, I never attempted to kiss the ring of a bishop.

Some feel it is more humble to not let people kiss the ring, but I think the opposite is true. I did not see it prideful on his part at all, but more of an act of humility. He generously offered blessings upon people as they took his hand. One of the sisters observed that by having the Miraculous Medal as a ring, the people are kissing an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as the ring of an apostolic successor.




Well, that's all I have for now. I am hopeful we will see His Excellency in Detroit again in a year or so. I'll keep my ear to the wire.

MORE POSTS ON BISHOP SCHNEIDER IN METRO DETROIT
There is still time to hear the excellent homily given by Bp Schneider during the EWTN Mass on July 22. It is only up for 14 days from the time of posting so go to my first link below for details on how to find it and download it, even if you can't listen to it right away.


Other resources:


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

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights



I was fortunate to catch wind that Bishop Schneider would be at Sts Cyril & Methodius parish in Sterling Heights - a suburb of Detroit which is approximately 30 minutes from Assumption Grotto. We often refer to it as "Little Grotto" or "Grotto North". In fact, it is not uncommon to see parishioners from the two parishes traveling back and forth for various functions, Masses and events.

I took in Saturday morning Mass at Sts Cyril & Methodius today, and had emailed the pastor, Fr. Ben, in advance, asking his permission to take pictures. He was very kind in guiding me several times during the Mass as to where I could photograph.

Since I use no flash (which draws attention to me and away from the action in the Mass), I must mount the camera to a tripod to elimininate blur associated with camera shake. Some of these photos may feature dark faces, but only the natural lighting available was used.

His Excellency celebrated the Novus Ordo in the vernacular. Last Saturday, he celebrated the Extraordinary Form at Sts Cyril & Methodius' 6:00pm Mass.

Bishop Schneider will be talking after the Noon Mass on Sunday, July 27th, at Assumption Grotto.







Below, Fr. Val Rykowski, who is concelebrating says part of the Eucharistic Prayer as Bishop Schneider looks on. Fr. Val is a most beloved priest who is 92 years young, has been a priest 65 years, and is still going strong. He is indeed, Metro-Detroit's version of the energizer bunny. You would have to see him celebrate Mass to appreciate him. He is the only priest I have ever known to cry visibly during the Consecration (and it is hard not to cry with him). It was my deepest pleasure to include him in the photographs.












I have subscribed to a new service at Smugmug.com where I have a homepage that is in development. It is my understanding that you can order prints through Smugmug and they will be sent to your home. I don't get a penny from the sale of photos at this time, but it enables you to have the pics you want, without my having to invest the time to make them.

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

Reminder: Bishop Schneider's Talks Tomorrow!


Bp Athanasius Schneider, ORC, preaches the homily on July 20th at the 9:30am Mass at Assumption Grotto

This is just a reminder that a rare opportunity to hear Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, the author of Dominus Est, recently published in Italian by the Vatican's library, will take place Sunday, July 27th following the Noon Mass. The English version is in translation, and is about 2/3 complete. I'll provide updates as I get them.

See the details here about the book, more links, and some tips if you should visit Assumption Grotto.

See my sidebar for other events soon to take place at Assumption Grotto, including a Vatican Eucharistic Exhibit and for the Assumption Feast Day schedule.


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Vatican Approves New English Translation for the Order of the Mass

From the USCCB website:

WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has receivedapproval (recognitio) from the Holy See’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for the new English-language translation of the Order of Mass (Ordo Missae).

This is the first section of the translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal. It includes most of the texts used in every celebration of the Mass, including the responses that will be said by the people.

In its letter, the Congregation pointed out that while the texts are binding, the approval “does not intend that these texts are to be put into use immediately.”

Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation, explained the reasons for providing the text at this time. The purpose is to provide “time for the pastoral preparation of priests, deacons and for appropriate catechesis of the lay faithful. It will likewise facilitate the devising of musical settings for parts of the Mass.”

The text is covered by copyright law and the Statutes of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy.

The more significant changes of the people’s parts are:

  • et cum spiritu tuo is rendered as “And with your spirit”

  • In the Confiteor, the text “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault” has been added

  • The Gloria has been translated differently and the structure is different from the present text

  • In the Preface dialogue the translation of “Dignum et justum est” is “It is right and just”

  • The first line of the Sanctus now reads “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts”

  • The response of the people at the Ecce Agnus Dei is “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”


At this time, no date is available as to when the entire translation of the Roman Missal will be released
Source page

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Friday, July 25, 2008

Studying the Critiquing of Dissenters...

One way to learn about the Catholic faith is to first study the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

A good way to supplement that, among others, is to read the critiquing of dissenters written works. I have found that when someone - priest or lay person, who is solid in his understanding of catechesis and theology, publicly examines the words of dissenting priests and theologians, there are many things to learn. It will get you thinking.

Fr. Z has a piece up in which he critiques an article by dissident Hans Kung. In order to understand common errors circulating about Catholicism today, I would encourage you to read Fr. Z's take on the article.

LA STAMPA: Hans KÃœNG on Pres. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI




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

This day 40 years ago: Humanae Vitae - July 25, 1968



It was this day, 40 years ago, that Pope Paul VI gave to the Church one of the most prophetic encyclicals - one that would be dissented against by lay people and cleric alike. The Encyclical Letter, Humanae Vitae - on Human Life is far better understood today, and in increasing numbers followed, as people become better informed.

It was the document that clarified contraception. Why? In a nutshell, God is the author of life and when two people, joined in Sacramental Marriage engage in the marital act, it is not only unitive for them, but is procreative and must be open to life.

This document is now online at the Vatican's website and it takes just one evening to read (I was about 3/4 through in less than an hour and will probably finish it tonight). Here are some excerpts with emphasis mine in bold, added emphasis in blue, and comments in red.


Union and Procreation

12. This particular doctrine, often expounded by the magisterium of the Church, is based on the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act.

The reason is that the fundamental nature of the marriage act, while uniting husband and wife in the closest intimacy, also renders them capable of generating new life—and this as a result of laws written into the actual nature of man and of woman. And if each of these essential qualities, the unitive and the procreative, is preserved, the use of marriage fully retains its sense of true mutual love and its ordination to the supreme responsibility of parenthood to which man is called. We believe that our contemporaries are particularly capable of seeing that this teaching is in harmony with human reason.


I found this interesting...


Faithfulness to God's Design

13. Men rightly observe that a conjugal act imposed on one's partner without regard to his or her condition or personal and reasonable wishes in the matter, is no true act of love, and therefore offends the moral order in its particular application to the intimate relationship of husband and wife. If they further reflect, they must also recognize that an act of mutual love which impairs the capacity to transmit life which God the Creator, through specific laws, has built into it, frustrates His design which constitutes the norm of marriage, and contradicts the will of the Author of life. Hence to use this divine gift while depriving it, even if only partially, of its meaning and purpose, is equally repugnant to the nature of man and of woman, and is consequently in opposition to the plan of God and His holy will. But to experience the gift of married love while respecting the laws of conception is to acknowledge that one is not the master of the sources of life but rather the minister of the design established by the Creator. Just as man does not have unlimited dominion over his body in general, so also, and with more particular reason, he has no such dominion over his specifically sexual faculties, for these are concerned by their very nature with the generation of life, of which God is the source. "Human life is sacred—all men must recognize that fact," Our predecessor Pope John XXIII recalled. "From its very inception it reveals the creating hand of God." (13)



Many rebelled against it, and I know of women who tell me that word circulated about which confessors they could go to who would not condemn contraception. But, at what cost was all this dissent done? When I say it was prophetic, here is just one paragraph from the encyclical:

Consequences of Artificial Methods

17. Responsible men can become more deeply convinced of the truth of the doctrine laid down by the Church on this issue if they reflect on the consequences of methods and plans for artificial birth control. Let them first consider how easily this course of action could open wide the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards [we often wonder just how low those moral standards can go - I don't even think Pope Paul could fully comprehend them all back then]. Not much experience is needed to be fully aware of human weakness and to understand that human beings—and especially the young, who are so exposed to temptation—need incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law. Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection.

Finally, careful consideration should be given to the danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Who will blame a government which in its attempt to resolve the problems affecting an entire country resorts to the same measures as are regarded as lawful by married people in the solution of a particular family difficulty? Who will prevent public authorities from favoring those contraceptive methods which they consider more effective? Should they regard this as necessary, they may even impose their use on everyone. It could well happen, therefore, that when people, either individually or in family or social life, experience the inherent difficulties of the divine law and are determined to avoid them, they may give into the hands of public authorities the power to intervene in the most personal and intimate responsibility of husband and wife [thus hindering the actions of God, the author of life].

Contraception has cost millions of babies their lives. Many do not know that the pill can actually be an abortifacient. We are now fighting against things like human cloning and embryonic stem cell research which sacrifices one human being for others. Women have become mere objects of sex, and for many women, so have men. It is mere recreation in many societies today, without any due care for what is pleasing or displeasing to God. So many have sex outside of marriage, and in extra marital affiars without any thought that they are violating the most basic laws laid down in the Ten Commandments. They are now treated as nothing more than the Ten Suggestions.

More on Humanae Vitae:









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Of Excommunications and Grace in St. Louis

You may recall the odd situation at St. Stanislaus Kostka in St. Louis where an unusual lay-trustee board was excommunicated by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke after a series of odd twists and turns which included hiring a wayward priest from another diocese.

Fr. Marek Bozek had come across as a traditionalist priest, but it didn't take long for the fruits of disobedience to become visible: The priest later attracted the disobedient, from gays and lesbians flaunting their status to those pridefully dissenting from various teachings.
His excellency was vilified, especially by the secular press for "picking on" these people, and even in dissenting Catholic circles. Now, the fruits of his efforts are showing the effectiveness that excommunication can have when used.

Several of those board members have gone forward to seek reconciliation with Burke and the Church and three have joined him in a lawsuit against Bozek and company. The Archbishop has been working to laicize the wayward priest who has thumbed his nose at every attempt to made to reign him in and now the Vatican will decide his fate.

This is the way it is suppose to happen. Excommunication is the Church's form of tough love and its purpose isn't to kick people out, but to get them to think about the seriousness of their position and to reconcile with the Church.

Here are other posts made on this, the first of which I recommend if you do not have much background in this issue. I went back through the history and the most unusual situation that sparked it all. This was a really devastating story that may have a good ending after all, especially if those reconciled parishioners can get their parish back from Bozek.







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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Paderborn, Germany: St. Liborius - Traditional Processions and a Flabellum




This is liturgical eye-candy at it's best. The New Liturgical Movement's German correspondent, Gregor Kollmorgen, has an extensive photostory on a special celebration in Paderborn, Germany related to St. Liborious.

Gregor explains who he is and then goes into how the procession and things seen, have evolved. It is a fascinating read.

You have to visit NLM to see the post. I recommend reading especially about the flabellum made of peacock feathers (right), and the very old shrine that is carried (above). See his post (link below) why peacock feathers are used.

Gregor explains: In the new calendar, St. Liborius is only celebrated in the German-speaking countries, and some specific dioceses and places, but in the EF, he is celebrated worldwide at least with a commemoration today.
We have such a treasury of things to be explored in the Catholic faith. How much easier it is now that Pope Benedict XVI has opened the doors to the pre-Vatican II Mass




Many of the pictures seen at NLM are from this site and if you speak German, there is plenty to explore there

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

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Bp Schneider on local and national Catholic media...







AUDIO OF HOMILY - GET IT NOW!

I mentioned earlier that Bishop Scheider's homily from the Mass he celebrated on EWTN would soon be available. I found it this evening. It will only be online for about a total of 14 days from the time they uploaded it. If you want to hear it, download it now and you can listen to it or save it for later. His Excellency gave an excellent homily on Mary Magdalene.

One thing I like about this bishop is that his style is very much like Pope Benedict. It is humble and inviting. It is not harsh, but gentle. This manner of preaching does not escalate negativity or anger in humble souls, and is capable of leaving the prideful more humbled. This level of speech is beyond mere style because it is not developed through public speaking classes, but through prayer and grace. It is pure love of Christ and neighbor manifested in a highly virtuous form of speaking.


BISHOP SCHNEIDER INTERVIEW ON AVE MARIA RADIO

I have also learned this evening that Bishop Schneider will be interviewed by Al Kresta on Ave Maria Radio on Monday. Al Kresta's show can be heard on AM 990 locally in southeast Michigan, or on the internet anywhere in the world, starting at 4:00pm EST. Just click "Listen Live".

INTERVIEW ON EWTN

His Excellency was interviewed at EWTN for a forthcoming program, but I am still working on finding out what program and when.

Other posts on Bishop Scneider




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

Obama and the "Born Alive Infant Protection Act"

When it comes to abortion, some people like to tune out the facts. I have never understood how anyone can support something they don't have the courage to fully comprehend, visually.

I want to draw your attention to the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Back in January, Terence Jeffrey explained (emphases mine, with added emphasis in red)...
Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion presidential candidate ever.

He is so pro-abortion he refused as an Illinois state senator to support legislation to protect babies who survived late-term abortions because he did not want to concede -- as he explained in a cold-blooded speech on the Illinois Senate floor -- that these babies, fully outside their mothers' wombs, with their hearts beating and lungs heaving, were in fact "persons."

"Persons," of course, are guaranteed equal protection of the law under the 14th Amendment.

In 2004, U.S. Senate-candidate Obama mischaracterized his opposition to this legislation. Now, as a presidential frontrunner, he should be held accountable for what he actually said and did about the Born Alive Infants Bill.

State and federal versions of this bill became an issue earlier this decade because of "induced labor abortion." This is usually performed on a baby with Down's Syndrome or another problem discovered on the cusp of viability. A doctor medicates the mother to cause premature labor. Babies surviving labor are left untreated to die.

Jill Stanek, who was a nurse at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill., testified in the U.S. Congress in 2000 and 2001 about how "induced labor abortions" were handled at her hospital.

"One night," she said in testimony entered into the Congressional Record, "a nursing co-worker was taking an aborted Down's Syndrome baby who was born alive to our Soiled Utility Room because his parents did not want to hold him, and she did not have the time to hold him. I couldn't bear the thought of this suffering child lying alone in a Soiled Utility Room, so I cradled and rocked him for the 45 minutes that he lived......." [continue reading]

There you have it folks. A baby is born alive in the midst of an abortion and the baby is left to die. Jill Stanek paid the ultimate price an employee can for standing up for the rights of the unborn: She was fired from Christ Hospital - an evangelical Lutheran institution!

You can read Jill's full testimony at Priests for Life.

This video is a clip of Bill O'Reilly interviewing Jill about what was happening in this so-called christian hospital.




Now that you know who Jill Stanek is, and what she did, and why she was fired, watch this video of James Carville porky-pigging his way through Obama's position. I'm quite familiar with Carville - a democratic strategist and what caught my eye in this video is how he is unable to talk into the camera. Not only does he look down as he tries to defend Obama's record, he looks down again as he throws a dig at Jill's credibility, pointing out, "she was fired".





For those who don't know Porky Pig, I give you, the Porky Pig channel at AOL where you can watch and see the uncanny resemblance between the cartoon character's speech pattern and Carville's song and dance.

OBAMA'S BARBARIC POSITION

Now, I have to ask a question: If Barak Obama supported the slaughter of seals for their fur, or the slaughter of elephants and rhino's for their tusks, or the destruction of forests for wood, how many of those who currently support him, would still do so?

Excuse me for not comprehending how a human being, especially one who is born alive in the act of an abortion, is not grounds for abandoning support for this candidate! He has supported a most barbaric act against a defenseless human being - a baby.

Obama says that his position is based on the fact that there was no exception for the health of the mother. What about the health of the baby?!?!?!?

Let's take a look at one last video. This is from the Creative Minority Report and it is called, Obama's Mad World. There is one, very brief graphic image, but this is must-see video, especially if you are unsure about all of this, indifferent, or supportive.



HOPE?!?!?



Where is the so-called hope for the baby Americans that were left on a cold table or shelf in some corner for their hearts to stop beating? What kind of man stands off to the side indifferent to, or supportive of such a thing?

And, just what kind of change is in store for the US? It will become an even greater culture of death than it is now. If he can accept the murder of the innocents, what do you think will happen with the elderly and disabled in America?


UNDERSTANDING ABORTION

If you are pro-choice or unsure of where you stand, please visit the Priests for Life photo/video page on various procedures. You won't see any images in the first click to this page - it is merely a list. Please understand what you are supporting or holding indifferent.

ARE YOU HURTING FROM AN ABORTION?

God is merciful to all who seek his forgiveness. Visit these resources to get emotional and spiritual help if you have had an abortion.

FURTHER READING



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

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Workshops for the Extraordinary Form - Laity and Priests & Seminarians


There are some workshops taking place at St. John Cantius in Chicago. They have designed a workshop on the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM, aka extraordinary form) for the laity which will take place August 25-29, and one for Priests and Seminarian in the fall, September 8-12.
These fill up fast, so sign up soon! They had a workshop in June that was a complete success. I had heard that people were being turned away because there simply was no more room.


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July 22 EWTN Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider



If you have not seen the EWTN Mass today, to try to catch it at Noon, or Midnight (record it!). These snapshots were just taken using alt-print and cropped in microsoft paint since I have no other means to capture them.

I managed to catch the homily as I headed out the door to work. What a magnificent, humble homily on Mary Magdalene.

He talked about how each of us is called to the vocation of sainthood, pointing out that if Mary Magdalene, who had 7 demons cast out of her could become a saint, then so can we.

He talked more about conversion and about Mary Magdalene's tears of repentance.

His finaly point was that we need to receive Jesus in the same humble way as did Mary Magdalene, falling to our knees before Him.






Related Posts:

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

Video: Bishop Schneider during Ordinations in Austria (a beautiful example)

The sounds and sights of this short video clip of recent ordinations in Austria are very beautiful. It took place at the basilica of the Most Holy Trinity on the Sonntagberg in Lower Austria for three deacons of the Servi Jesu et Mariae order - a new foundation of traditional jesuits, who were ordained to the priesthood.

Gregor Kollmorgen at the NLM made a post in January with some good background when the founder, Fr Adreas Honisch, SJM, passed away.

As explained in my photopost on Bp Schneider's visit at Assumption Grotto Sunday, His Excellency will have the morning Mass on EWTN (8:00 EST, typically rebroadcast at Noon and Midnight). The bishop is returning to Assumption Grotto July 27th to give two talks, one of which will be on his book Dominus Est, the other on the Church in Asia.



Bishop Schneider's article in L'Osservatore Romano on Dominus Est

-Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider



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Sunday, July 20, 2008

Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1


EDIT July 21st 8:30pm: Just got word that His Excellency is at EWTN and will have the televised, 8:00am morning Mass. You can watch it in streaming video at EWTN.com if you don't get it on TV (click the Television tab at the top).

Most parishioners learned by surprise that we would have a visitor with us today: Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan. His Excellency is visiting the US through the 29th of July, if I recall the date of his departure. He spent this Sunday at Assumption Grotto, and will spend next Sunday at the parish as well. He will give two talks next Sunday- July 27th, the first about his book Dominus Est, the second about the Church in Asia. See yesterdays post for more info.

These first photos were taken before the 9:30am TLM. Bp Schneider preached at this Mass and then celebrated the Noon Mass, which was a Novus Ordo in the vernacular, but celebrated ad orientem as it always is at Grotto. I regret that due to the hours already spent editing photos and uploading, I won't have any time to put up notes about the sermon.

At no point was flash ever used. It is all no-flash photography making use of whatever lighting was available in the Church, and outdoors. Click on any pic to enlarge.









This is not the usus antiquior. Rather it is the Novus Ordo celebrated ad orientem, as it always is at Assumption Grotto.




It is customary at Assumption Grotto to have a brief adoration following the noon Mass, with Benediction. Weather permitting, it follows a Eucharistic Procession to the outdoor Grotto. There are far fewer people there in July, but we had a decent crowd today.


















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