Friday, April 18, 2008

TLM to be celebrated in Carmel, Indiana

I just received word of a TLM to be celebrated in Carmel, Indiana at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, this Sunday - April 20th at 5:00pm. Click that link for map and details.

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Posted by Diane at 11:19 AM

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Amy Welborn: Pope Benedict is a uniter, not a divider

I really enjoyed the article by Amy Welborn at the blog set up by the NY Times where she was asked, among many others, to participate. Her post mirrors some thoughts I've been having since the Holy Father's visit began ('ll add link below). I left a comment there which I'll repeat here with fixes in brackets:

One thing that strikes me repeatedly about Pope Benedict and something we would do well to emulate, is that we don’t see him publicly violate charity regardless of the severity of an issue. He is frank and calls things out as they are [in other words, he does not give in to false charity by saying nothing], but his firmness is not one that lacks charity and [he shows] care for the dignity of those to whom it is aimed.

How often do we bloggers set charity aside to get one more dig at a fellow Catholic rather than engage in dialogue with the intellectual charity of which Pope Benedict XVI encourages and exemplifies?

I’ll be pondering that myself.


I want to expand on this thought while I have it.....

When I first got serious about my faith when Pope John Paul II died, I found myself extraordinarily hungry for all things Catholic. Just to be clear, I was seeking out an understanding of the mind of the Church in her teachings, not the mind of someone who has other ideas that are more aligned with the mind of the world.

I was relativisitic in my thinking and the light bulb went on for me, realizing that truth can't be in two opposing directions, nor can truth change directions. If Christ is Truth, then truth must be absolute.

As I learned about the faith at places like Catholic.com and through solid sermons at Assumption Grotto, an anger began to increase inside of me - an anger being caused with another realization: The catechism of my youth was not only deficient, it was a distortion of authentic Catholic teaching. And, it wasn't only the catechism: The sermons I had been hearing for the past 40 years were equally deficient and sometimes distorted. I felt duped.

Just for reference, I was born in 1962.

This anger began to build, creating a defensiveness in me. In my discussions with other Catholics, I tried to "help" people to understand with all the grace of Attila the Hun.

I tried to use humor too. Usually that humor was in the form of little digs which, as I see them now, served no other purpose than to get under the skin of other people. A little humor here and there is good, but it has to be properly ordered. Has anyone ever heard Pope Benedict, or the man Ratzinger ever take this approach to passing on the faith? No. He has a level of spiritual maturty that we should all strive for. However, pride sometimes gets in the way.

If you peruse discussions in the many Catholic forums out there, and even the posts on some Catholic blogs, you will see examples of all kinds of behaviors that are not in alignment with charity - digs, bad humor, and the Attila the Hun approach to catechesis.

We Catholic bloggers must ponder the words and actions of Pope Benedict. If we are to use the web to evangelize other people - especially poorly catechized Catholics and interested non-Catholics, we have to let go of the anger and let love for neighbor backfill that void. When our words are guided by love, the Holy Spirit will lead us in our quest to help others. Early on, several priests at Assumption Grotto encouraged me in this way with regards to discussions. It has taken much time to learn, and I continue to learn and make adjustments.

When we engage in discussions with others on the faith, even on the most sensitive of subjects, we have to work on the charity side of it. An examination of conscience needs to be done regularly in this regard. Bloggers would do well to make use of confession when they realize charity was violated. A good confessor, along with the graces of the sacrament, can go a long way into enabling God to fine tune us like strings on a violin. There is nothing sweeter than a well-tuned instrument and nothing more grand than an entire ensemble of well-tuned instruments in aiding others to see the beauty of our faith.

We can't make anyone play the 10-stringed harp; we must lead them to want to play it!

Now......go read Amy Welborns excellent article: A Uniter, Not a Divider

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Posted by Diane at 9:17 PM
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Pope Benedict in the US: Update - April 17, 2008

I was gone all day without computer access so I could not publish comments until now (I have them on moderate to filter out unwanted advertisements).

Even though I have heard the address given to the educators, as well as that given to people of other faiths which was back-to-back a couple hours ago, I have not had time to fully digest them. I think it was Fr. Neuhaus who commented that these speeches need to be read, highlighted and marked-up in order to make a quality commentary of any kind. I had thought the same thing as I listened and I didn't want to take notes knowing it would be available online.

There are experts out there far smarter than me whose commentaries I look forward to reading. As I find things out there in the coming days, I'll try to link to them.

You can find links to all texts at the web page EWTN has prepared which collects them all as they happen.







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Posted by Diane at 7:26 PM
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Reaction to Holy Father's Address to USCCB

Tom Peters has a post up with links to other posts and articles containing reaction from various people to the Pope's address to the USCCB in which he acknowledged that the sex abuse scandal had been "handled poorly by some bishops".

Remember, up until a few weeks ago, this was meant to be an "off-the-record, private meeting with the bishops", according to Raymond Arroyo of EWTN. But, reports Arroyo, several sources told him the Holy Father wanted the public to hear what he had to say through his own mouth, not from the mouths of a few bishops. I think the Pope learned well how his message can get sanitized when it comes through some members of the USCCB with regards to what he communicated on politicians and Holy Communion and what certain bishops communicated about the message.

What will be interesting is how the case of Nancy Pelosi, D-California, is handled. Ms. Pelosi said that she plans on attending Mass and will present herself for Communion. Hopefully, the Holy Father has been made aware.

Go read Tom Peters post at American Papist

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Posted by Diane at 5:23 AM
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Gotta See Video: Bullied Boy Sings Pie Jesu like an Angel

As I walked out the door this morning and went to shut the TV on which had just been running in the background on ABC, I had to stop for a moment thinking I was hearing the voice of an angel. I had to just watch. I don't normally watch Good Morning America which ran the story this morning, or American Idol, or much secular TV at all, but this ..... I was meant to see this so I could share it with you. I was determined to find it on YouTube and sure enough - it showed up tonight.

I found myself crying after the first few notes. This is in the UK.

I'm wondering how long he will be able to sing like this. Surely, his voice is due to change, or....not?

If he makes you cry or you find yourself watching more than once, you have to leave a comment!!!



Here is a related story out of a UK news source and more links below:



BULLIED BOY WOWS TALENT JUDGES

Published: Monday, 14 April 2008, 2:01PM
Teenager Andrew Johnston wowed Britain's Got Talent judges in the first-round of the TV show with his cherubic voice.

The 13-year old was one of a handful of acts, including contortionist Iona Luvsandorj, comedian Craig Harper and pop group Scala which made it through to the next round.

Johnston performed Pie Jesu which left one of the judges, Amanda Holden in tears.

His amazing singing voice was discovered by a teacher when he was seven.

He has also had a particularly harsh upbringing in which he survived on a diet of bread and milk and was bullied for his love of opera.

He is currently head chorister in his home city of Carlisle.

Johnston said on the TV show: "I've been bullied since I was six because my mates have been telling me to leave the singing. They don't like that kind of music."

One of the judges, Simon Cowell asked him how he dealt with the bullies, he added: "I carry on singing."

Holden told him: "You could knock all those bullies out with that voice."

Johnston is favourite to win the ITV show which pulled in an audience of 10.6 million viewers last night.

And, I hope he wins!

Additonal story link: City choir boy has Cowell close to tears

We'll have to follow his progress. May God keep him pure.

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Posted by Diane at 10:42 PM
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Pope Benedict: Sex abuse scandal sometimes very badly handled

Since I could not be home when the Holy Father addressed the bishops, I taped it. I'm blogging as I'm listening to coverage of it.

According to Raymond Arroyo's commentary before the address began, this was suppose to be an "off the record, private meeting" between the Pope and bishops. It was only a few weeks ago that the Holy Father instructed organizers to put cameras in the crypt church below the Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where the address would be given. Raymond Arroyo says he had heard from several sources that the the Pontiff wanted the American people to hear what the Pope said, not what a few bishops said the Pope said.

Considering the topic, this needed to be public and I'm very grateful to the Holy Father for sharing it in this way.

Cardinal George of Chicago, and head of the USCCB opened with a very strong statement in which he acknowledged to the Holy Father that sexual abuse scandal was not handled well by some bishops.

Here it is in it's entirety. Read it slowly, and carefully. It is rich in so many ways.




Address to the Bishops
of the United States


During his Apostolic Journey to the United States the Holy Father met with the Bishops of the United States on 16 April 2008 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and delivered the following address.

Dear Brother Bishops,

It gives me great joy to greet you today, at the start of my visit to this country, and I thank Cardinal George for the gracious words he has addressed to me on your behalf. I want to thank all of you, especially the Officers of the Episcopal Conference, for the hard work that has gone into the preparation of this visit. My grateful appreciation goes also to the staff and volunteers of the National Shrine, who have welcomed us here this evening. American Catholics are noted for their loyal devotion to the see of Peter. My pastoral visit here is an opportunity to strengthen further the bonds of communion that unite us. We began by celebrating Evening Prayer in this Basilica dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a shrine of special significance to American Catholics, right in the heart of your capital city. Gathered in prayer with Mary, Mother of Jesus, we lovingly commend to our heavenly Father the people of God in every part of the United States.

For the Catholic communities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Louisville, this is a year of particular celebration, as it marks the bicentenary of the establishment of these local Churches as Dioceses. I join you in giving thanks for the many graces granted to the Church there during these two centuries. As this year also marks the bicentenary of the elevation of the founding see of Baltimore to an Archdiocese, it gives me an opportunity to recall with admiration and gratitude the life and ministry of John Carroll, the first Bishop of Baltimore - a worthy leader of the Catholic community in your newly independent nation. His tireless efforts to spread the Gospel in the vast territory under his care laid the foundations for the ecclesial life of your country and enabled the Church in America to grow to maturity. Today the Catholic community you serve is one of the largest in the world, and one of the most influential. How important it is, then, to let your light so shine before your fellow citizens and before the world, "that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Mt 5:16).

Many of the people to whom John Carroll and his fellow Bishops were ministering two centuries ago had travelled from distant lands. The diversity of their origins is reflected in the rich variety of ecclesial life in present-day America. Brother Bishops, I want to encourage you and your communities to continue to welcome the immigrants who join your ranks today, to share their joys and hopes, to support them in their sorrows and trials, and to help them flourish in their new home. This, indeed, is what your fellow countrymen have done for generations. From the beginning, they have opened their doors to the tired, the poor, the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free" (cf. Sonnet inscribed on the Statue of Liberty). These are the people whom America has made her own.

Of those who came to build a new life here, many were able to make good use of the resources and opportunities that they found, and to attain a high level of prosperity. Indeed, the people of this country are known for their great vitality and creativity. They are also known for their generosity. After the attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001, and again after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Americans displayed their readiness to come to the aid of their brothers and sisters in need. On the international level, the contribution made by the people of America to relief and rescue operations after the tsunami of December 2004 is a further illustration of this compassion. Let me express my particular appreciation for the many forms of humanitarian assistance provided by American Catholics through Catholic Charities and other agencies. Their generosity has borne fruit in the care shown to the poor and needy, and in the energy that has gone into building the nationwide network of Catholic parishes, hospitals, schools and universities. All of this gives great cause for thanksgiving.

America is also a land of great faith. Your people are remarkable for their religious fervor and they take pride in belonging to a worshipping community. They have confidence in God, and they do not hesitate to bring moral arguments rooted in biblical faith into their public discourse. Respect for freedom of religion is deeply ingrained in the American consciousness - a fact which has contributed to this country's attraction for generations of immigrants, seeking a home where they can worship freely in accordance with their beliefs.

In this connection, I happily acknowledge the presence among you of Bishops from all the venerable Eastern Churches in communion with the Successor of Peter, whom I greet with special joy. Dear Brothers, I ask you to assure your communities of my deep affection and my continued prayers, both for them and for the many brothers and sisters who remain in their land of origin. Your presence here is a reminder of the courageous witness to Christ of so many members of your communities, often amid suffering, in their respective homelands. It is also a great enrichment of the ecclesial life of America, giving vivid expression to the Church's catholicity and the variety of her liturgical and spiritual traditions.

It is in this fertile soil, nourished from so many different sources, that all of you, Brother Bishops, are called to sow the seeds of the Gospel today. This leads me to ask how, in the twenty-first century, a bishop can best fulfill the call to "make all things new in Christ, our hope"? How can he lead his people to "an encounter with the living God", the source of that life-transforming hope of which the Gospel speaks (cf. Spe Salvi, 4)? Perhaps he needs to begin by clearing away some of the barriers to such an encounter. While it is true that this country is marked by a genuinely religious spirit, the subtle influence of secularism can nevertheless color the way people allow their faith to influence their behavior. Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death? Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted. Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel.

For an affluent society, a further obstacle to an encounter with the living God lies in the subtle influence of materialism, which can all too easily focus the attention on the hundredfold, which God promises now in this time, at the expense of the eternal life which he promises in the age to come (cf. Mk 10:30). People today need to be reminded of the ultimate purpose of their lives. They need to recognize that implanted within them is a deep thirst for God. They need to be given opportunities to drink from the wells of his infinite love. It is easy to be entranced by the almost unlimited possibilities that science and technology place before us; it is easy to make the mistake of thinking we can obtain by our own efforts the fulfillment of our deepest needs. This is an illusion. Without God, who alone bestows upon us what we by ourselves cannot attain (cf. Spe Salvi, 31), our lives are ultimately empty. People need to be constantly reminded to cultivate a relationship with him who came that we might have life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). The goal of all our pastoral and catechetical work, the object of our preaching, and the focus of our sacramental ministry should be to help people establish and nurture that living relationship with "Christ Jesus, our hope" (1 Tim 1:1).

In a society which values personal freedom and autonomy, it is easy to lose sight of our dependence on others as well as the responsibilities that we bear towards them. This emphasis on individualism has even affected the Church (cf. Spe Salvi, 13-15), giving rise to a form of piety which sometimes emphasizes our private relationship with God at the expense of our calling to be members of a redeemed community. Yet from the beginning, God saw that "it is not good for man to be alone" (Gen 2:18). We were created as social beings who find fulfillment only in love - for God and for our neighbor. If we are truly to gaze upon him who is the source of our joy, we need to do so as members of the people of God (cf. Spe Salvi, 14). If this seems counter-cultural, that is simply further evidence of the urgent need for a renewed evangelization of culture.

Here in America, you are blessed with a Catholic laity of considerable cultural diversity, who place their wide-ranging gifts at the service of the Church and of society at large. They look to you to offer them encouragement, leadership and direction. In an age that is saturated with information, the importance of providing sound formation in the faith cannot be overstated. American Catholics have traditionally placed a high value on religious education, both in schools and in the context of adult formation programs. These need to be maintained and expanded. The many generous men and women who devote themselves to charitable activity need to be helped to renew their dedication through a "formation of the heart": an "encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others" (Deus Caritas Est, 31). At a time when advances in medical science bring new hope to many, they also give rise to previously unimagined ethical challenges. This makes it more important than ever to offer thorough formation in the Church's moral teaching to Catholics engaged in health care. Wise guidance is needed in all these apostolates, so that they may bear abundant fruit; if they are truly to promote the integral good of the human person, they too need to be made new in Christ our hope.

As preachers of the Gospel and leaders of the Catholic community, you are also called to participate in the exchange of ideas in the public square, helping to shape cultural attitudes. In a context where free speech is valued, and where vigorous and honest debate is encouraged, yours is a respected voice that has much to offer to the discussion of the pressing social and moral questions of the day. By ensuring that the Gospel is clearly heard, you not only form the people of your own community, but in view of the global reach of mass communication, you help to spread the message of Christian hope throughout the world.

Clearly, the Church's influence on public debate takes place on many different levels. In the United States, as elsewhere, there is much current and proposed legislation that gives cause for concern from the point of view of morality, and the Catholic community, under your guidance, needs to offer a clear and united witness on such matters. Even more important, though, is the gradual opening of the minds and hearts of the wider community to moral truth. Here much remains to be done. Crucial in this regard is the role of the lay faithful to act as a "leaven" in society. Yet it cannot be assumed that all Catholic citizens think in harmony with the Church's teaching on today's key ethical questions. Once again, it falls to you to ensure that the moral formation provided at every level of ecclesial life reflects the authentic teaching of the Gospel of life.

In this regard, a matter of deep concern to us all is the state of the family within society. Indeed, Cardinal George mentioned earlier that you have included the strengthening of marriage and family life among the priorities for your attention over the next few years. In this year's World Day of Peace Message I spoke of the essential contribution that healthy family life makes to peace within and between nations. In the family home we experience "some of the fundamental elements of peace: justice and love between brothers and sisters, the role of authority expressed by parents, loving concern for the members who are weaker because of youth, sickness or old age, mutual help in the necessities of life, readiness to accept others and, if necessary, to forgive them" (no. 3). The family is also the primary place for evangelization, for passing on the faith, for helping young people to appreciate the importance of religious practice and Sunday observance. How can we not be dismayed as we observe the sharp decline of the family as a basic element of Church and society? Divorce and infidelity have increased, and many young men and women are choosing to postpone marriage or to forego it altogether. To some young Catholics, the sacramental bond of marriage seems scarcely distinguishable from a civil bond, or even a purely informal and open-ended arrangement to live with another person. Hence we have an alarming decrease in the number of Catholic marriages in the United States together with an increase in cohabitation, in which the Christ-like mutual self-giving of spouses, sealed by a public promise to live out the demands of an indissoluble lifelong commitment, is simply absent. In such circumstances, children are denied the secure environment that they need in order truly to flourish as human beings, and society is denied the stable building blocks which it requires if the cohesion and moral focus of the community are to be maintained.

As my predecessor, Pope John Paul II taught, "The person principally responsible in the Diocese for the pastoral care of the family is the Bishop ... he must devote to it personal interest, care, time, personnel and resources, but above all personal support for the families and for all those who … assist him in the pastoral care of the family" (Familiaris Consortio, 73). It is your task to proclaim boldly the arguments from faith and reason in favor of the institution of marriage, understood as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, open to the transmission of life. This message should resonate with people today, because it is essentially an unconditional and unreserved "yes" to life, a "yes" to love, and a "yes" to the aspirations at the heart of our common humanity, as we strive to fulfill our deep yearning for intimacy with others and with the Lord.

Among the countersigns to the Gospel of life found in America and elsewhere is one that causes deep shame: the sexual abuse of minors. Many of you have spoken to me of the enormous pain that your communities have suffered when clerics have betrayed their priestly obligations and duties by such gravely immoral behavior. As you strive to eliminate this evil wherever it occurs, you may be assured of the prayerful support of God's people throughout the world. Rightly, you attach priority to showing compassion and care to the victims. It is your God-given responsibility as pastors to bind up the wounds caused by every breach of trust, to foster healing, to promote reconciliation and to reach out with loving concern to those so seriously wronged.

Responding to this situation has not been easy and, as the President of your Episcopal Conference has indicated, it was "sometimes very badly handled". Now that the scale and gravity of the problem is more clearly understood, you have been able to adopt more focused remedial and disciplinary measures and to promote a safe environment that gives greater protection to young people. While it must be remembered that the overwhelming majority of clergy and religious in America do outstanding work in bringing the liberating message of the Gospel to the people entrusted to their care, it is vitally important that the vulnerable always be shielded from those who would cause harm. In this regard, your efforts to heal and protect are bearing great fruit not only for those directly under your pastoral care, but for all of society.

If they are to achieve their full purpose, however, the policies and programs you have adopted need to be placed in a wider context. Children deserve to grow up with a healthy understanding of sexuality and its proper place in human relationships. They should be spared the degrading manifestations and the crude manipulation of sexuality so prevalent today. They have a right to be educated in authentic moral values rooted in the dignity of the human person. This brings us back to our consideration of the centrality of the family and the need to promote the Gospel of life. What does it mean to speak of child protection when pornography and violence can be viewed in so many homes through media widely available today? We need to reassess urgently the values underpinning society, so that a sound moral formation can be offered to young people and adults alike. All have a part to play in this task - not only parents, religious leaders, teachers and catechists, but the media and entertainment industries as well. Indeed, every member of society can contribute to this moral renewal and benefit from it. Truly caring about young people and the future of our civilization means recognizing our responsibility to promote and live by the authentic moral values which alone enable the human person to flourish. It falls to you, as pastors modelled upon Christ, the Good Shepherd, to proclaim this message loud and clear, and thus to address the sin of abuse within the wider context of sexual mores. Moreover, by acknowledging and confronting the problem when it occurs in an ecclesial setting, you can give a lead to others, since this scourge is found not only within your Dioceses, but in every sector of society. It calls for a determined, collective response.

Priests, too, need your guidance and closeness during this difficult time. They have experienced shame over what has occurred, and there are those who feel they have lost some of the trust and esteem they once enjoyed. Not a few are experiencing a closeness to Christ in his Passion as they struggle to come to terms with the consequences of the crisis. The Bishop, as father, brother and friend of his priests, can help them to draw spiritual fruit from this union with Christ by making them aware of the Lord's consoling presence in the midst of their suffering, and by encouraging them to walk with the Lord along the path of hope (cf. Spe Salvi, 39). As Pope John Paul II observed six years ago, "we must be confident that this time of trial will bring a purification of the entire Catholic community", leading to "a holier priesthood, a holier episcopate and a holier Church" (Address to the Cardinals of the United States, 23 April 2002, 4). There are many signs that, during the intervening period, such purification has indeed been taking place. Christ's abiding presence in the midst of our suffering is gradually transforming our darkness into light: all things are indeed being made new in Christ Jesus our hope.

At this stage a vital part of your task is to strengthen relationships with your clergy, especially in those cases where tension has arisen between priests and their bishops in the wake of the crisis. It is important that you continue to show them your concern, to support them, and to lead by example. In this way you will surely help them to encounter the living God, and point them towards the life-transforming hope of which the Gospel speaks. If you yourselves live in a manner closely configured to Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep, you will inspire your brother priests to rededicate themselves to the service of their flocks with Christ-like generosity. Indeed a clearer focus upon the imitation of Christ in holiness of life is exactly what is needed in order for us to move forward. We need to rediscover the joy of living a Christ-centred life, cultivating the virtues, and immersing ourselves in prayer. When the faithful know that their pastor is a man who prays and who dedicates his life to serving them, they respond with warmth and affection which nourishes and sustains the life of the whole community.

Time spent in prayer is never wasted, however urgent the duties that press upon us from every side. Adoration of Christ our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament prolongs and intensifies the union with him that is established through the Eucharistic celebration (cf. Sacramentum Caritatis, 66). Contemplation of the mysteries of the Rosary releases all their saving power and it conforms, unites and consecrates us to Jesus Christ (cf. Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 11, 15). Fidelity to the Liturgy of the Hours ensures that the whole of our day is sanctified and it continually reminds us of the need to remain focused on doing God's work, however many pressures and distractions may arise from the task at hand. Thus our devotion helps us to speak and act in persona Christi, to teach, govern and sanctify the faithful in the name of Jesus, to bring his reconciliation, his healing and his love to all his beloved brothers and sisters. This radical configuration to Christ, the Good Shepherd, lies at the heart of our pastoral ministry, and if we open ourselves through prayer to the power of the Spirit, he will give us the gifts we need to carry out our daunting task, so that we need never "be anxious how to speak or what to say" (Mt 10:19).

As I conclude my words to you this evening, I commend the Church in your country most particularly to the maternal care and intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States. May she who carried within her womb the hope of all the nations intercede for the people of this country, so that all may be made new in Jesus Christ her Son. My dear Brother Bishops, I assure each of you here present of my deep friendship and my participation in your pastoral concerns. To all of you, and to your clergy, religious and lay faithful, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in the Risen Lord.

Link to the page at EWTN with this address. That same page also contains a Response to Questions Posed by the U.S. Bishops and Presentation of a Chalice to the Archbishop of New Orleans, not shown here.

Have you prayed for the US bishops today?


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Posted by Diane at 9:48 PM
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Got prayer? Give it to the Pope!

It is easy to get caught up in news about the Holy Father's visit and discussing it. However, we need to consider the greater mission of Pope Benedict XVI and spend time praying for it's success.

There's no greater gift to give him on his birthday - today - than the gift of prayer. Pray that he is successful in reaching hearts with faith and reason at the UN and through the many addresses he will give here in the US. May young people hear the call to the priesthood or religious life through his visit as they did with John Paul II.

So much more could be said. However, let's just head to the adoration chapel and offer an hour for His Holiness, if not today, then tomorrow or the next day. If you can't make it today, offer a Rosary, a Litany, or 30 minutes reading Scripture or doing lectio divina. If you truly have no time to offer, then offer that up - your work - as a prayer! God will hear the cry of faithful hearts.

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Posted by Diane at 7:29 AM
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More coverage from the blogosphere on the Pope's visit

First, pause for a moment and offer a birthday prayer for Pope Benedict!

There is an article in Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) online about bloggers covering Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the US. Several well known bloggers are interviewed. Here are a few excerpts from Bloggers driving media coverage of U.S. papal visit, by Mary DeTurris Poust. You'll notice that while these folks were interviewed separately, they all say some of the same things, which mirror's my thoughts, as well. Blogging is "helping" the media to get a little more pure in Catholic coverage with time. The secular media, which once got away with all kinds of reporting errors and had a propensity to seek out dissenting members of the Catholic faith as "experts", has been nudged into corrections and getting perspectives from non-dissenters.


The media frenzy surrounding Pope Benedict’s visit to the United States is being driven in part by a newcomer on the media block: bloggers. For the first time in history, a U.S. papal visit is being covered around the clock by bloggers of all stripes – Catholic and secular, independent and staff, spiritually focused and news focused – and they are doing what they do best, bringing online readers information almost as fast as it happens.

It’s a new way of covering the pope, and, according to those on the front lines, it is changing the landscape of media coverage in general, bringing to light errors in the press that might otherwise go uncorrected and creating communities of people who not only read the news but participate in it through comments and e-mails.


It's the new evangelization at it's best!

Tom Peters at American Papist is quoted:



“Blogs add a personal dimension that mainstream coverage lacks (ostensibly for purposes of objectivity). They also present near-instant reaction to events and response to errors in mainstream reporting,” said Thomas Peters of American Papist, a popular Catholic blog which, as the name suggests, covers all things pope-related.

“They sometimes let you see the event ‘from the inside,’ by posting their own pictures, experiences, word-of-mouth and the thousand of little things that have trouble filtering through traditional media intact,” Peters told OSV in an e-mail interview as he geared up to cover the papal visit.



Catholic author and blogger Amy Welborn from Charlotte was both and formerly of Open Book was also quoted. I agree wholeheartedly with this viewpoint as I did with the one above. Amy has been asked to participate in the NY Times blog about the Pope's visit. You have to really scroll among other bloggers from various backgrounds to see her posts.


Amy Welborn, who writes the blog Charlotte Was Both and, during the papal visit, will also be blogging as part of a team for The New York Times’ A Papal Discussion blog, told OSV in an e-mail interview that, although she has nothing to prove it, she does think that “bloggers have had an impact on media coverage of the pope.”

She said that she is seeing “diversity in the press’ coverage” of the papal visit and that even the fact that she was asked to be part of the Times blog says something about the role of bloggers in modern media coverage.

“Bloggers can add a corrective to media errors, they can add context as the result of deeper knowledge of matters Catholic and papal, and they can add their own stories – for those bloggers that will be attending events,” she said.


And another popular Catholic blogger:


Jeff Miller, who blogs as The Curt Jester, another popular Catholic blog site, agreed with Welborn, saying that Catholic bloggers “add a dimension to traditional media coverage” that is often ignorant of the intricacies of Catholic teaching and tradition and, in the case of the papal visit, could try “to fit the pope and what the Church teaches into their own template.”

“Catholic bloggers can add a perspective not much seen in the media and can also critique the media coverage,” Miller said in an e-mail interview.


Rocco Palmo of Whispers in the Loggia had this to say:


Blog readers, Palmo said, are extra loyal and run the gamut – right and left, priests and bishops, people in the pews and non-Catholics. He said that the hunger for the information bloggers can provide is a sign that Catholic communications in this country “needs a new vision.”

I think perhaps that the USCCB's site, Christ Our Hope, and the blog that goes with it, are examples of this new vision of commnication. They have truly done a good job with this and it is manned, at least from all I've seen thus far, by young people visibly enthusiastic about our Pope.
OTHER BLOG NOTES

In other news from the blogosphere, the Rev. Robert Sirico's interview on Fox News regarding the Holy Father's visit can be seen at the Acton Institute's Power Blog.

I have also been led to the blog of Christopher Blosser which is dedicated to Pope Benedict's US visit. I'll be checking in on this blog along with others I have listed. Go check: Benedict in America.

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Posted by Diane at 6:14 AM
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Pope Benedict in the US: Day 1

The Holy Father has arrived in the US and is undoubtedly getting some rest. While it may have been late afternoon when Pope Benedict arrived in Washington DC, his body was telling him that it was after 10:00pm!!

He came down the steps in his usual sprint-like fashion. President Bush met him on the tarmak. If you missed the interview that Raymond Arroyo did with the President, you can read the transcript here, or choose an option on this page for viewing the video online (at least for now).

"ASHAMED"
Aside from the Pope's landing, news broke earlier today that the Holy Father had spoken on the sex scandal involving priests. Rocco Palmo has covered this at Whispers in the Loggia.

Zenit takes the right approach with this topic in the article - Pope: Good priests more important than many priests.

Zenit has some other good topics:
  • Benedit XVI gets unprecendented welcome
  • Bush to say nation open to Pope's message


    TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE

    From EWTN's coverage page:

    THE WHITE HOUSE
    Pope Benedict XVI is received by President and Mrs. Bush at a White House welcoming ceremony, followed by a private meeting between the President and the Pope, and the dignitaries of the two states.

    Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 AM
    Eastern Encore April 16, 2PM & 9PM.

    ADDRESS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES
    Pope Benedict XVI gathers with the 350 bishops of the United States for a prayer service and address at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

    Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 PM Eastern
    Encore April 16, 11:30PM. April 17, 4AM.

    Hmmmmm.....you gotta wonder if any bishop appointments will be made at this address.

    WATCH EWTN
    The secular media has a habit of finding dissenting priests, theologians and nuns for "expert" opinion. There has been more favorable reporting than in the past, but I would encourage you to watch EWTN for the excellent commentary.

    The commentators are well chosen. Along with Raymond Arroyo, there is Rev. Richard Neuhaus of First Things Magazine, and Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the K of C. I have been impressed with Carl in the many times he has been on EWTN and he has a new book out called Civilization of Love.

    There has been some good dialogue and discussion. Of course, I'm catching it between radio as it happened, and now an encore airing at 8:00pm EST.

    If you don't have cable TV, you can watch it online.


    OTHER NOTES FROM THE WEB

Media Research Center - a watchdog group for media bias - has a running list of clearly idiotic, and not so atypical, moves on the part of secular media. Here are a few highlights:


ADDITIONAL PAPAL VISIT COVERAGE

I work tomorrow, and then I have choir at Grotto right after. I'm hoping to come home to set my recorder up for the 5:00pm EST address to the USCCB. That should be interesting.Since I won't be able to blog much, if anything tomorrow, please check out these fine resources for coverage, commentary and analyses, along with EWTN.


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Posted by Diane at 7:53 PM
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FSSP School (grades 7-12) Seeking Teachers (California)

I received this email recently and go permission to share it as is since it is so well explained. This looks like a good opportunity for some folks. This is not in Michigan, but in California.

Dear Diane:

I was raised in Dearborn and have been visiting the Grotto for several years. I spent Christmas season there, and can’t tell you how moved I was by the Church, and the return of the Tridentine in such force to a Diocesan Parish. It made me feel at home. I remember the Latin Mass from my childhood, and a Detroit which was solidly Catholic.

I am the principal of St. Stephen Acadamy a small grades 7-12 traditional classical liberal arts Catholic school which opened in September 2007. It is a school which complements our homeschooling parish. Most of our students were homeschooled before enrolling. Most have younger siblings who are home schooled. Our FSSP priests teach Theology, and out Tridentine liturgy nourishes all of us. Our students sing High Mass every Friday including the Propers. It is the type of school I think would complement the Assumption Grotto Parish.

We are looking for a teachers for this year, and am writing to see if you are willing to spread the word. We need a devout Catholic with an intellect in formation to know God. If you’re familiar with Thomas Aquinas College… a strong candidate would be trained in that style…. Primary source readings, discussion, classics, love of God permeating all.

May God bless you and keep you in His love!

Barbara Graichen

916-455-1350



See that webpage for information on teaching positions available.
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Posted by Diane at 4:39 AM
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Monday, April 14, 2008

Scalping Pope Tickets?


This is interesting.... from ABC local news in Washtington DC

With only 46,000 tickets printed and hundreds of thousands of requests, the papal mass tickets are making some, willing to pay whatever it takes to get a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI.

The tickets are non-transferable and not for sale and they are technically property of the Archdiocese. "This is for a free mass. It's liturgy, a religious event. It's not a rock concert," said Susan Gibbs with the Archdiocese of Washington.

The Archdiocese already sent out 25 "cease and desist" letters to people trying to sell their tickets and it's also warning people who buy them that the Secret Service will be notified.

Gibbs guarantees that tickets can and will be canceled if attained illegally, "We have the ability with all the electronics today, there's all sorts of security built in, so there's a possibility to flag a ticket and a possibility to cancel a ticket."


A google search of scalping pope tickets gives us no shortage of articles and blogposts...




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Posted by Diane at 4:56 PM
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The Internet and Impurity....



The Internet can be a good thing. We get to read Church encyclicals when they come out. We can read solid Catholic commentary on Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the US. We can participate in Catholic forums and evangelize through blogging. We can link with others who enjoy chant and sacred polyphony, and even read classics online. The list of good things is endless. But, so are the evil things, and that which tops the list is Internet pornography of all kinds.

The April 2008 issue of Homiletic and Pastoral Review is out and the lead article is entitled: Pornography, electronic media and priestly formation by Marysia Weber. I have not read the entire article yet, but it warrants some attention for lay people, seminarians, and priests alike.

We can learn many things from Judas - mainly, what not to do. Among those lessons is that even a man called by Jesus is given a free will to choose right or wrong. Judas was a priest and he made more than one bad choice - the first having to do with greed, the second with absolute pride whereby he hung himself rather than repent of his sinfulness. It is called sinful despair.

Thanks be to God the disciples in that time did not blow-off the Church instituted by Christ because a priest - Judas - committed sin by his own free will.

This article has to do with internet pornography and the lures. No one is immune to the temptation. More than likely you have already experienced that one wrong, innocent search term can lead to the most filthy of things. What matters is not that it was seen (by accident), but what you do at that point - remain there staring at it and clicking away (to get more), or shut the window and walk away. The latter is an act of virtue and temptation avoidance; the former is to put oneself in the occasion of sin, and a downright sinful choice. The person in the picture has a soul and when we choose to stare at such filth, we treat that person as an object, not a child of God.

I'm going to pull out one small part of the article and let you read the whole thing at HPR Online.

Saint Thomas Aquinas distinguishes two forms of unchastity:

1. He describes the unchastity of incontinence as a form of loss of self-control. This, he states, is less serious because the sensual urge can be reintegrated repeatedly into an order or reason that is disposed to the truth of real things. Reason corresponds to the reality made evident through faith and knowledge. In short, the person is motivated to repent and strive anew.

2. Saint Thomas characterizes the unchastity of intemperance as a deeply rooted attitude of unchastity in which the individual directs the will toward sin without much concern. The person has become habituated in what is inordinate pleasure or excesses in food, drink or sex. Desire for pleasure blinds the individual from confronting objective reality with selfless detachment, which alone makes true knowledge of the supernatural or divine possible.

The third daughter of sloth is mental torpor or sluggishness, in which the soul is lazy and indifferent to the interior struggle. This slippery slope emerges when men and women act on their passions because they no longer exercise self-discipline, neglect frequent examination of conscience, and stop praying for the grace of the Holy Spirit. At this level, emotions seduce reason and people are less amenable to reordering sensual urges, bordering on intemperance.

The fourth daughter of sloth is faintheartedness. This is a culpable disposition in which a person refuses to face up to difficult situations that can be addressed and overcome. When priests or religious are fainthearted, they refuse to make appropriate choices. The soul gives way to sins of omission and disregards graces offered by the Holy Spirit. Regular and thorough confession becomes less important or avoided. A priest or religious becomes indifferent to regular venial sins, justifies self-soothing behavior as a benefit, and becomes intemperate.

The fifth daughter of sloth includes rancor or bitter resentment and a critical spirit. People who struggle for sanctity annoy the slothful person. This is seen in the belittling of authority in the Church or the “smorgasbord” approach to the Church’s teachings. When this occurs, faith is becoming cool to cold.

The last daughter of sloth is ill-tempered antagonism or ill-will. The slothful soul makes a conscious, internal decision to commit evil for its own sake. For example, a priest or religious engages in inordinate activities including excesses in drink, food, drugs, sex or worldly interests. All of these actions neglect the promise of obedience, chastity and striving for holiness, all of which are rooted in a prime love relationship with God. This is one of the most serious sins a person can commit.

As you can see, sloth is subtle but very deadly. By nature, sloth is contrary to charity and emerges as the source from which many sins flow.
Go read Pornography, electronic media, and priestly formation at HPR Online

While I have not finished reading the article, one thing I will comment on here - again - pray for priests and seminarians. All the complaints one can muster can't compare to an hour of adoration for the benefit of our priests, religious and people discerning.


Posted by Diane at 3:37 PM
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Catholic Herald: Why everyone logs on to Fr. Z


I don't know how we missed it......but this gem of an article appeared in the Catholic Herald recently. In Fr. Z style, emphases in bold, comments in red.

Why everyone logs on to ‘Father Z’

He was once a long-haired Lutheran. But now, says Anna Arco, he is a legend in the conservative Catholic blogosphere

29 February 2008


Fr Z walks through the bitterly cold Oxford night with the firm, fast steps of a man who has relentless energy, determination and strong convictions. With his black trilby tilted at a raffish angle and his black scarf firmly tucked into his black coat, he looks like a character out The Matrix [where's Vincenzo???]. With three mobile devices on him he certainly carries enough electronic kit to warrant the simile. One can easily imagine him being as adept at programming complex computer codes as he is at celebrating a Mass in the extraordinary form.

For those unfamiliar with the internet, the name Fr Z (the "Z" is pronounced "zee") may mean little, but to thousands of wired-up Catholics across the globe, Fr John Zuhlsdorf's well-informed opinions, translations and analyses of matters liturgical are a daily reading requirement [hooked on Zonics]. Rumoured to have direct sources in very high places, he is read by members of the Roman Curia, bishops, priests, seminarians and lay people around the world. His articles have made their way into Curial meetings and he says that several bishops have consulted him on documents relating to Summorum Pontificum, the Apostolic Letter with which the Pope Benedict XVI liberated the traditional Mass. Fr Z is a true phenomenon of the information age: a power blogger and a priest.

He tells the story of one seminary rector who said some unfavourable things about Summorum Pontificum. Students at the seminary e-mailed Fr Zuhlsdorf shortly after the meeting. He posted it on his blog and within hours the news had made its way across the world.

"It created quite a stir in that particular community," says Fr Zuhlsdorf. "I know now that people are being a lot more careful about what they say. They [the bishops] are realising that the blogosphere and the internet, with the way the media is today, they know that they are going to be called to account for what they say or do." [I've been saying since I got involved blogging in 2006 that the internet is the Catholic underground - an underground of truth. At one time seminaries could control the information seminarians had through libraries stuffed with progressive material and a lack of wholesome, time-tested Catholic reading in theology and philosophy. Now, in a flash, everyone, everywhere has access. Fr. Z's blog provides another level of truth - truth in translations. How many of us realized how poor the translations were until we began to see examples rapidly coming out on his blog following recent encyclicals. Fr. Z has put a light on that which was in darkness and it's amazing how people begin scrambling when they realize the little game doesn't work anymore].

A confessed tech-geek, Fr Zuhlsdorf started his adventures with the internet in its early days, back in the 1990s. He effectively hotwired a Vatican telephone in order to access cyberspace with an analogue connection back when analogue was the only option and Compuserve almost the only service provider [gads! Can you imagine how much waiting there was in those days with that?]. In the days before proper websites, when forums were the in thing, Fr Zuhlsdorf quickly became the moderator for the Catholic Online Forum, which he still does today. His "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" column in the American weekly newspaper The Wanderer dealt with the inadequacies of ICEL translations by providing new translations which he made. It became the inspiration for his blog.

In the last two years, his blog, at http://wdtprs.com/blog/, has had over 2.1 million visitors [that's over 5,500 hits daily - nice job Fr. Z!]. By the standards of today's blogosphere, which has well over 50 million blogs struggling to get noticed, this is not bad going at all. He receives over 500 e-mails a day and says he wishes that he could answer all of them. Traffic on his blog has been so heavy that it has caused the server to crash. More often than not, he has the first news on items concerning the Motu Proprio and whenever something new does develop relating to the extraordinary form, his blog is the rapidly becoming the first port of call. [That's why we check daily]

"I feel that I have an obligation to comment now that I'm one of the bigger ones and people are starting to turn to me quickly," he says. "I'm one of the first blogs people go to when something happens and as long as I can have something useful to contribute I feel the responsibility to ante up." But he tries to limit himself from spending too much time at the computer so that he can live "a regular priestly life" [Father is a power-typer too!].

He feels his blog offers marginalised traditionalists a chance to vent their frustrations, discuss their needs and start the healing process that Pope Benedict XVI began with Summorum Pontificum. [And, he does a good job of dealing with radicals on either side of the spectrum]

As with many high-profile bloggers, Fr Zuhlsdorf's neatly formulated thoughts are only a mouse-click away, but finding the man behind the blog is a little more difficult [just check the Sabine Farm!].

It is apt that our interview in Oxford, where he has been taking part in a Newman Society colloquium on blogging, takes place in the Eagle and Child, the pub where the Inklings used to meet. He tells me that J R R Tolkien's books played a prominent part in his early life and he says that a childhood correspondence with "the Professor" shortly before Tolkien's death may have been one of things that made him more receptive to Catholicism later on in life. Born to Lutheran parents of German extraction in Minnesota, the man who coined the slogan "Save the Liturgy, Save the World" was turned off by the "ugliness" of the Lutheran mindset. Music and Shakespeare were the two passions of his childhood, nurtured by his grandmother, a former school teacher. While he was interested in religion, he had none himself.

Perhaps his love for the extraordinary form, his conviction that lex orandi is indeed lex credendi and his admiration for the beauties of the liturgy, have their roots in his conversion story. As a young drama major at the University of Minnesota, he was introduced to Latin and loved it. Long-haired and mustachioed, the now clean-shaven Fr Zuhlsdorf worked as a cook in a restaurant to support himself through his studies. "I was practically a pagan then," he says. [and now we know why he likes to talk about cooking and comes across as a pretty darn good chef]

One Sunday, called in to work as the restaurant was short staffed, his car refused to start. So he borrowed his friend's battered jalopy and drove through the freezing Minnesotan morning, fiddling with the dial of the old AM radio desperately trying to find something decent to listen to. Chancing on some Gregorian chants, he was mesmerised. When he realised that the music was being broadcast live from a church in St Paul, Minnesota, he resolved to go. He was fascinated by what he saw at St Agnes, which is built in Austrian Baroque style and intrigued by the congregation. "I kept asking myself: 'Who are these people and what do they believe that they do this every Sunday?' " he says. "I wrote my name and phone number down on a piece of paper and handed it over to the guy on the other side of the Communion rail."

Mgr Richard Schuler, the parish priest, rang Zuhlsdorf up and invited him to come round and talk [thanks be to God that note wasn't blown off. This is what I call "new" evangelization]. After a year and a half of directly engaging with the liturgy in the church choir, which was complemented with a rigorous reading list [something we should all be doing], Zuhlsdorf found that he could answer his own objections to Catholicism and decided to convert. For a long time he resisted the vocation to the priesthood, but eventually came round to it and was ordained in May 1991 in Rome by Pope John Paul II. He was incardinated in the suburbicarian diocese of Velletri-Segni.

His work at the Ecclesia Dei commission, the Vatican body which deals with matters pertaining to the older form of the Mass, put him into the corridors of power and it was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), who suggested the topic for Fr Zuhlsdorf's licence thesis.

"One day, not long after the document came out on the ecclesial vocation of theologians, I met Cardinal Ratzinger in the hall and I said: 'Your Eminence, I read the new letter.' He said very politely: 'What did you think?' It was an astonishing thing that the Prefect of the CDF was asking me what I thought of the letter and I said: 'Well, Your Eminence, I didn't really like it very well.' [nothing like a little honesty] And he was a little surprised and said: 'Why?' And I said: 'Well, you spend so many pages on talking about theologians but you don't say who a theologian is.' [I too thnk it is an interesting question given how disoriented theologians have become]. He looked at me a little quizzically and said: 'Why don't you tell us?' And I said 'How do I do this?' And he said: 'You're working in Patristics at the Augustinianum; why don't you ask St Augustine who a theologian was?' " [I've often prayed to the very saint whose works I read for understanding] Fr Zuhlsdorf is now working on his doctorate in Patristics at the Augustinianum in Rome, but divides his time between the Eternal City and the United States, where he has a rural hideaway in the Midwest which he calls the Sabine Farm, after Horace. In the meantime, with things changing as much as they are, he is blogging up a storm.

Source article at the Catholic Herald online. It's a delightful article on the mysterious Fr. Z.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS!
As a reminder, please pray for our priests. Be sure to include all blogging priests, especially those whose blogs you read. With the volume of hits received at his blog, we should keep Fr. Z in our prayers. I hate to admit this, but existing Catholics, among others, are in need of evangelizing and this is exactly what Father is achieving in many cases. Having consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary, I have asked her to include him in my daily offerings and sacrifices along with others who are entrusted to me through Opus Angelorum's "spiritual adoption", and those priests, bishops, seminarians of my parish and archdiocese (this should be automatic for us all).

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is coming fast and it is on this feast day that we receive the names of new priests to pray for through OA, which is dedicated very much to the sanctification of the priesthood, which was the subject of a recent letter from the Congregation of the Clergy. You can receive or submit names to the sisters throughout the year.

A reminder again that the powerful homily on the priesthood and praying for priests by Rev. Wolfgang Seitz, ORC from the Missa Cantata recently on EWTN is now available in MP3 on the page: Archive – EWTN Televised Extraordinary Form Masses (see April 6, 2008). Fr. Wolfgang works regularly out of Assumption Grotto in Detroit where he celebrates the TLM in rotation with other priests. He is also on rotation at St. Josaphat in Detroit.

The holiness of priests can be influenced with our prayers. Don't neglect this most important work!


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Posted by Diane at 5:04 AM
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Saturday, April 12, 2008

Te Deum Blog Recent Posts for April 12, 2008

With the many posts I've made of late, I think it would be good to pull some of them together.

First, I am looking for some assistance as I try to change my header back to something respectable with the many photographs I take. I need help with the html part of it.

Recent Photo Posts

Other:

Posted by Diane at 10:04 AM

Media Bias and Pope Benedict's US Visit





Many of us are watching carefully how the secular media plays Pope Benedict's visit. Believe me, much research will be done and distributed to gage this. One thing we want to keep an eye on is who these news outlets use for their "expert" analyses.

Based on the above cartoon, and the secular media's propensity to seek out the greatest of dissenting clergy and religious for their "expert catholic" analysis, Paul Nichols came up with the above cartoon and Fr. John Trigilio has a commentary that pretty much sums up the behavior of the media in this regard.

I highly recommend watching EWTN either on TV or via the Internet for papal coverage, as opposed to major TV or cable networks. Ditto with newspaper articles. I'll be checking in on some blogs that I know will deal with media bias and will try to put some of it in the spotlight.

If you are wondering why your loved ones, who get all of their catechises from the New York Times, CNN, et al., are diosriented in the faith, you can thank these news outlets for seeking out those whose "theology" coincides not with Church teaching, but how they would like the Church to change. D'oh!!!

Journalism 101: Report facts, not what you desire to be factual or how you would like the Catholic Church to be. Get your facts from those who will give you the Church's true position and accurate details, not from those on the list of dissenting authors and theologians who teach with the mind of the world. Facts should come from priests, religious and theologians and other experts who are fully aligned with the teaching Magisterium and teach with the mind of the Church. This means that those routinely tapped by secular media who present their hippy-era distortions of Catholicism are not wise choices.

Let's put it another way for journalists: Would you present an Islamic Jihadist as an expert in American liberty? Hopefully, not! Then don't consult a dissenting Catholic and present them as an expert on Catholic thought - that is blatantly biased and aimed at distorting facts for some other purpose.

Journalism 102: I would also like to point out to the secular media that these dissenting Catholics are....well,....aging quickly and have equally aging followers. Note the crowd and the age group that follows Pope Benedict! While certain members of the media continue to try to give Pope Benedict a negative image, young people are busy studying his words and seeing the depth and purity of his thinking. Good journalists should take notice and do the same.

You might also want to listen to Teresa Tomeo on Ave Maria Radio from 8-10am EST (listen live on the net), or on EWTN radio from 9-10. Teresa has a two hour program, but only the second hour is broadcast internationally on EWTN. Teresa speaks a lot on media bias and no doubt will be watching the coverage of the Pope's visit with one eye open to that bias.

PRAY FOR DISSENTERS - ESPECIALLY PRIESTS

This is a good time to remind everyone that while it's ok to be disappointed and even angry with the distorted view of Catholicism presented by some Catholic priests, they are still priests. Pray for them. It is easy to comprehend now what I've said in many posts: The mark of the priesthood on the soul of a man is in the cross-hairs of the Angel of Darkness. If he takes one priest down a path of distortion, that distortion is magnified by the number of people who fall for it and spread it. This is widespread today, affecting perhaps an entire generation or more.

I know it is easy to stay angry at these people because of the damage they have caused among the people of God. Don't be angry. Love them. Pray for them and have hope that they will respond to Christ's grace and correct the errors they have spread.

Please listen to the homily given on April 6th, 2008 during the Missa Cantata on EWTN where Rev. Wolfgang Seitz, ORC speaks deeply of the need to pray for priests. If you aren't moved to pray for these folks, especially those who have left the narrow path, I'll be suprised. Hopefully, my link below works, if not you can find it in the list above with the date.

If your knees are not bent in prayer for us[priests], we will fall!

- Rev. Wolfgang Seitz, ORC, April 6, 2008 Homily for the Feast of the Good Shepherd.


Homily MP3 - Pray for Priests!

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Posted by Diane at 8:54 AM
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