Sunday, September 14, 2008

Pope Benedict in Lourdes

The Holy Father is in Lourdes, France for the 150th Anniversary.

I don't have time to go over the material myself at this time, but would like to lead you to some resources.

Catholiques has sent me some YouTube links. I'm going to refer you to here to see more clips (not all are in English). Here is one such video:



I had the privilege of hearing the Holy Father speak during Adoration in the prairie at Lourdes. It was a very moving address. I'm sure Zenit will have it, as will some other sources.

Here are a few from Zenit



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Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

On this day last year, September 14, 2007, Fr. Eduard Perrone, the celebrant elevates the Chalice in the first public Mass - a Solemn High Mass - using the 1962 Missal at Grotto in about 40 years. It was the fruit of Summorum Pontificum - the motu proprio by Pope Benedict XVI which allowed for broader use of the Mass.



I deeply regret that I could not make it to Assumption Grotto today for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The last I had heard, Fr. Perrone was not going to be able to celebrate a Solemn High because there were not enough priests available who celebrate according to the 1962 Missal. We have a number of priests who celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form, including two associates, but circumstances just didn't allow for a Solemn High. That is, unless something changed since last week (feel free to explain in the combox how it went today and who had the Mass).
Related:
Here are more times you can catch it:


SOLEMN HIGH MASS ON THE FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS (LIVE) 2 hrs.

Solemn High Mass of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross in the Extraordinary Form. The Tradional Latin Mass from the Shrine of the Most Blessed

Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.
Sun 9/14/08 8:00 AM ET & 5 AM PT LIVE
Mon 9/15/08 12:00 AM ET & 9 PM PT (Sat) Encore

Those time are for Hanceville. I do know they match our time here in Detroit.
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Friday, September 12, 2008

Reminder: Helpers of God's Precious Infants Vigil Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the Helper's of God's Precious Infants fall prayer vigil is taking place in front of the notorious Hodari clinic, with Mass beginning at 7:30am at the Shrine of the Little Flower on Woodward. See details further down.

Rain is predicted for tomorrow, with a high in the low 70's. Consider that the murder of the innocents continues whether it rains, snows, or sleets. Standing in the rain is yet one more thing we can offer up. Pack some warm rain-gear. In fact, I'm going to see if I can find a raincoat tonight. I've been needing one for years. Or, get one of those clear plastic rain covers to go over a light jacket.

Do come to the Mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Flores, Detroit's newest Auxiliary Bishop.

Msgr. Philip J. Reilly, the priest who founded Helpers of God's Precious Infants, which began in New York, was praying out side of a clinic on that fateful morning of September 11, 2001. Here, he recounts his experience:

"On that morning the wind was blowing from lower Manhattan across New York Harbor to Brooklyn, namely in the direction where we were counseling. As a result all the soot and debris and dust from the fallen towers came over our heads to the point that it became midnight, at midday... Outside as things kept falling out of the heavens on our heads, inside abortion mill at 43rd and 3rd, they kept killing the unborn babies throughout the morning...I was unable to go to the (bombing) sight during that day because the killing at the clinic continued...

I eventually got to ‘ Ground Zero’. I arrived at Midnight..And then something happened to me at ‘Ground Zero’. (while praying the rosary) With my eyes still closed, I saw something different. What I saw was this:

I didn’t see a building. I saw a womb and in the womb I saw an unborn child, so safe, so secure, so contended and at peace. And suddenly I saw in that womb an object coming in and invading the privacy of the womb, the instrument of the Terrorist, of the abortionist, and the child being frightened with no place to go, no where to hide was being destroyed. And it was then I realized ‘Ground Zero’ is ‘On Going’. ‘On Going Ground Zero’, modern day Golgotha is anywhere peoples lives are being unjustly taken; where innocent lives are being taken and they need rescuers to come and help them.

They need ordinary people doing ordinary things with extraordinary results. ‘On going Ground Zero’ is not far from where most of us live. It is where Golgotha is. It is the place where Christ would go today. It is the place where John and Mary are at the foot of cross with the suffering Christ and it is where we must be.

Today I say to you: “Be not afraid to be rescuers for life at “On Going Ground Zero’. We are called to be rescuers of Christ to the unborn children and their mothers. We are called to Golgotha, to Calvary. Be not afraid to go to Golgotha. If not you, then who? If not now, than when? Go with Mary and John and be the presence of Christ to the people in darkness and despair.

They have been waiting too long. Let us not keep them waiting any longer. God bless you."

- Monsignor Philip J. Reilly
DETAILS AND MICHIGAN CATHOLIC COVERAGE

Michigan Catholic journalist, Bob Delaney, talks about the upcoming prayer vigil in the August 29 issue.

Detroit — Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Flores will join Helpers of God's Precious Infants for a Saturday, Sept. 13, Prayer Vigil for Life outside the Lathrup Village abortion clinic run by abortionist Dr. Alberto Hodari.

Hodari has been one of America's most high-profile abortionists ever since pro-life student activists posted a video of a talk he gave at the Wayne State University medical School in 2007 on the Internet site www.youtube.com.

In the video, Hodari suggests doctors have a right to lie to patients, dismisses ethical concerns about abortion, and tells the students he no longer bothers to wear surgical gloves during abortions or scrub between procedures.

He achieved even greater notoriety after aborted babies were found in his trash in February.

The local Helpers of God's Precious Infants usually draws several hundred participants to its vigils outside abortion clinics in Eastpointe and northeast Detroit. Sidewalk counseling is also a part of the vigils, and then some of the group's members provide counseling outside the clinics on a daily basis.

The vigil outside Hodari's clinic "will be a huge witness to the whole community," said Dan Goodnow, founder and president of the local Helpers group and a member of St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms.'

"We are really in warfare with the 'culture of death.' It's a battle between good and evil, and we are trying to bring God's love to the community at large," he said.

Besides urging women approaching or leaving a clinic to reconsider having an abortion, sidewalk counselors also offer to put them in contact with crisis pregnancy centers where they can obtain various forms of assistance.

Goodnow said it is very seldom that the initial approach by a sidewalk counselor will deter a woman from even entering an abortion clinic, but some will come back out after sitting for a while in the waiting room: "We've had turnarounds on the table in the back, at the last second before the abortion."

Over the years, he said, their turnaround rate has hovered around one in five women, sometimes approaching one in four. Lately, however, he said it has been more like one in six.

Mary Beckhold, who works with Goodnow, said one of the most gratifying things is when a woman will return to the abortion clinic site – not to go into the clinic, but to show the sidewalk counselors the baby she had after their intervention.

"It's great when they come back with the babies," said Beckhold, a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Grotto) Parish in northeast Detroit.




Prayer Vigil for Life
Mass: 7:30 a.m., Sat., Sept. 13, National Shrine of the Little Flower, 12 Mile and Woodward, Royal Oak

Rosary Vigil: 8:30 a.m., outside WomanCare of Southfield, 28505 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village

Park: At former St. Bede Church, 12 Mile and Southfield

After: Return to Shrine for 10:15 a.m. Eucharistic Benediction, followed by refreshments.



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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Bishops Finn and Naumann issue joint pastoral letter on voting and moral responsibility

This is some great action we see on the part of individual US Bishops. In this case Bishop Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, and Bishop Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, have issued a joint pastoral letter on voting and moral responsibility.

The Catholic Key blog - affiliated with the diocesan newspaper of Kansas City - St. Joseph of the same name has published the pastoral letter. I'll start you out here and you can follow the link to read the entire entry.

Thursday, September 11, 2008
KC Bishops on Moral Responsibility, Voting

"Could a Catholic in good conscience vote for a candidate who supports legalized abortion when there is a choice of another candidate who does not support abortion or any other intrinsically evil policy?"

Kansas City, Kansas Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Kansas City - St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn address that question and more in their Joint Pastoral dedicated on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and released today:

Our Moral Responsibility as Catholic Citizens
Joint Pastoral Letter – September 8, 2008
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend Robert W. Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Dear Friends in Christ,

With the approaching general election this November, we believe this to be an important moment for us to address together the responsibility of Catholics to be well informed and well formed voters.

Except for the election of our next President, the people of Northwestern Missouri and Northeastern Kansas will be choosing different candidates for different offices in our two dioceses. Yet the fundamental moral principles that should guide our choices as Catholic voters are the same.

For generations it has been the determination of Catholic Bishops not to endorse political candidates or parties. This approach was initiated by Archbishop John Carroll – the very first Catholic Bishop serving in the United States. It was long before there was an Internal Revenue Service Code, and had nothing to do with a desire to preserve tax-exempt status. Rather the Church in the United States realized early on that it must not tether the credibility of the Church to the uncertain future actions or statements of a particular politician or party. This understanding of the Church’s proper role in society was affirmed in the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern Word: “The Church, by reason of her role and competence, is not identified with any political community nor bound by its ties to any political system. It is at once the sign and the safeguard of the transcendental dimension of the human person.”(Gaudium et Spes n.76)

A Right to Speak Out on Issues

At the same time, it is important to note that the Catholic Church in the United States has always cherished its right to speak to the moral issues confronting our nation. The Church has understood its responsibility in a democratic society to do its best to form properly the consciences of her members. In continuity with the long history of the efforts of American Bishops to assist Catholics with the proper formation of their consciences, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) this past November issued a statement: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. In that document our brother bishops took care to note: “This statement is intended to reflect and complement, not substitute for, the ongoing teachings of bishops in our own dioceses and states.”

It is in this context that we offer the following reflections to assist the Catholic people of Northwestern Missouri and Northeastern Kansas in forming their consciences in preparation for casting their votes this November........
continue reading Bishops Finn and Naumann at Catholic Key...


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More ridiculous attacks on Sarah Palin...

It just keeps getting more disgusting....both from LifeNews


I also read a pretty good article today about how Palin has smashed the model for feminists (but I don't think it was a model that represented the vast majority of women from all walks of life, race, creed, religion ). Frankly, I'm sick and tired of these so-called "National Organization of Women" type feminists defining how I'm suppose to think and be. They don't speak for me and I know they don't speak for many women, but the NOW feminists in the media and political circles have had the upper hand. Not any more.

Hmmmm...... I wonder what the average age is of the NOW feminists. Perhaps it's not so much a matter of age, but hair color - gray.

We ain't gonna take it.....anymore.

Go read, Feminist Template Obliterated by Kathleen Parker in the USA Today.


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Remember to pray for the souls of those lost and for those who still suffer as a result of the senseless attacks on 9-11-2001.



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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

S.C. Dem chair: Palin primary qualification is she hasn't had an abortion

Yesterday it was the lipstick on a pig comment out of Obama; today, Politico.com reports that Carol Fowler, the Democratic Chair of South Carolina said that John McCain had chosen a running mate "whose primary qualification seems to be that she hasn’t had an abortion.”

Not only is the Democratic Party turned into the party of death, it has consistently been revealing it's true sexist and class-dividing position.


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Posted by Diane at 3:40 PM
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66 Year Old Father Drowns While Saving Son with Down Syndrome

It's a heartbreaking story, but one of love in North Virginia. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Thomas Vander Woude, 66, and for the full recovery of his 20 year old son, Joseph, whom he saved from drowning after the young man fell into a septic tank near the home. He is still in intensive care.

Mr. Vander Woude is also that father of the pastor of Queen of Apostles at Christendom College.

H/T to Steve Skojec

Related articles:





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Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Detroit's Holy Trinity Parish Robbed - Tabernacle with Blessed Sacrament Stolen

This is very sad to report. A historic parish in Detroit, ransacked by thieves and sacred items were stolen. It's not so much the gold Tabernacle, but the fact that the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity was in that Tabernacle. An ordination Chalice was stolen, as well as some other items.

Please make an act of reparation for the offenses made against the Blessed Sacrament. Pray for the conversion of those who have doen this. Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.

Related:



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Pray for an end to violence in India

In August, a Carmelite priest was tortured and killed in India after leaving a convent where he had just celebrated Holy Mass.

There has been an increase in violence against Catholics in that country. Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of the bishops conference there, has called for a day of prayer and fasting in India - not just for Catholics, but for people of all faiths there. We ought to contribute as well.

Recent headlines tell the story:


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Monday, September 8, 2008

Archbishop Chaput Speaks Out on Biden's "Meet the Press" segment



From the Archbishop of Denver.....again, and his auxiliary (my emphases in bold).



To Catholics of the Archdiocese of Denver:

When Catholics serve on the national stage, their actions and words impact the faith of Catholics around the country. As a result, they open themselves to legitimate scrutiny by local Catholics and local bishops on matters of Catholic belief. In 2008, although NBC probably didn’t intend it, Meet the Press has become a national window on the flawed moral reasoning of some Catholic public servants.

On August 24, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, describing herself as an ardent, practicing Catholic, misrepresented the overwhelming body of Catholic teaching against abortion to the show’s nationwide audience, while defending her “pro-choice” abortion views. On September 7, Sen. Joseph Biden compounded the problem to the same Meet the Press audience.

Sen. Biden is a man of distinguished public service. That doesn’t excuse poor logic or bad facts. Asked when life begins, Sen. Biden said that, “it’s a personal and private issue.” But in reality, modern biology knows exactly when human life begins: at the moment of conception. Religion has nothing to do with it. People might argue when human “personhood” begins – though that leads public policy in very dangerous directions – but no one can any longer claim that the beginning of life is a matter of religious opinion.

Sen. Biden also confused the nature of pluralism. Real pluralism thrives on healthy, non-violent disagreement; it requires an environment where people of conviction will struggle respectfully but vigorously to advance their beliefs. In his interview, the senator ob served that other people with strong religious views disagree with the Catholic approach to abortion. It’s certainly true that we need to acknowledge the views of other people and compromise whenever possible – but not at the expense of a developing child’s right to life. Abortion is a foundational issue; it is not an issue like housing policy or the price of foreign oil. It always involves the intentional killing of an innocent life, and it is always, grievously wrong. If, as Sen. Biden said, “I’m prepared as a matter of faith to accept that life begins at the moment of conception,” then he is not merely wrong about the science of new life; he also fails to defend the innocent life he already knows is there.

As the senator said in his interview, he has opposed public funding for abortions. To his great credit, he also backed a successful ban on partial-birth abortions. But his strong support for the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and the false “right” to abortion it enshrines, can’t be excused by any serious Catholic. Support for Roe and the “right to choose” an abortion simply masks what abortion is, and what abortion does. Roe is bad law. As long as it stands, it prevents returning the abortion issue to the states where it belongs, so that the American people can decide its future through fair debate and legislation.

In his Meet the Press interview, Sen. Biden used a morally exhausted argument that American Catholics have been hearing for 40 years: i.e., that Catholics can’t “impose” their religiously based views on the rest of the country. But resistance to abortion is a matter of human rights, not religious opinion. And the senator knows very well as a lawmaker that all law involves the imposition of some people’s convictions on everyone else. That is the nature of the law. American Catholics have allowed themselves to be bullied into accepting the destruction of more than a million developing unborn children a year. Other people have imposed their “pro-choice” beliefs on American society without any remorse for decades.

If we claim to be Catholic, then American Catholics, including public officials who describe themselves as Catholic, need to act accordingly. We need to put an end to Roe and the industry of permissive abortion it enables. Otherwise all of us – from senators and members of Congress, to Catholic laypeople in the pews – fail not only as believers and disciples, but also as citizens.

+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver

+James D. Conley
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver

Clapping Hands




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Help the Dominican Nuns of Summit with their Capital Campaign


There is a cloister of Dominican Nuns in Summit, NJ who are in need of some funds. They have launched a Capital Campaign. It is explained in this post on their blog, "Moniales OP".

We’d like to tell you about our first-ever capital campaign: Building a Future Full of Hope. We are working to raise $500,000 for crucial renovations to the monastery and also to establish an endowment fund of $1,000,000 for the daily upkeep of the monastery. Our dream is also to raise enough to build a new wing, housing infirmary, library, guest rooms, parlors, and gift shop, although architects estimate that such a wing would cost a whopping 7 million dollars.

The renovations are necessary in order to make our hallways, refectory and kitchen fully accessible to all the nuns and to bring them up to safety codes.

The endowment is direly needed because, in spite of the constant generosity of so many of you, our good benefactors, we are having to dip into our savings every month in order to make ends meet.

The addition of a new wing would allow us to bring our infirmary and guest area up to safety codes, as well as allowing us precious space for the adequate care of the sick which we have never had. There would also be room for private guest visiting areas and for a new library, so intimately related to the life of contemplative nuns.

We are counting on the support of you, our good friends and loyal blog readers, for the success of this capital campaign. For more information, click on the picture or go to http://www.futurefullofhope.com/


I should add that you may occassionally see a comment from "Moniales". Now you know that the comment is coming out of a cloister. I have had many friendly discussions with them.

Some post samples from the Moniales OP blog (most are photostories):

The sisters have an entire line of handmande soaps and other products. Here are some select blogposts introducing the line and some of the products. You can browse and order online through a special site. Rumor has it you may be able to pick up some of these products in our Grotto giftshop soon! Consider each of these are made with prayerful hands and support a worthy cause.

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Posted by Diane at 7:31 PM
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Hurrican Ike - Hundreds Dead in Cuba, Haiti, as it heads to US

Please pray for the victims of Hurrican Ike. Much suffering is taking place in Haiti, Cuba and surrounding islands.

I just saw this same video on Fox News. The footage shows you the power of a hurricane as waves hitting the coast splash as high as buildings, with residents looking on. If you want to see what can happen with storm surge, here you go.

Please pray for these people and for anyone else in the path of Ike.



Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.


Related: Ike slams Cuba, Haiti death toll passes 600

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Now Joe Biden cites Aquinas on Abortion Issue

Oy vey! Get ready for more public instruction from the bishops. Watch and you'll see what I mean.

This is relativism at it's best folks. That is, different "truths" for different people, when in reality there is one objective truth here. If life begins at conception, you can't sanction the killing of that life because someone else believes otherwise.




It's clear that Mr. Biden is passionate about his position that he accepts the teachings of the Church for himself, but can't impose them on others.

This is a position many people I know take and they are equally passionate. Truly, as distressing as this all seems, that Catholics would protect the killing of other people because others don't believe life begins at conception, this public debate is good. People will have an opportunity to be catechized.

Using his rationale, if a bunch of people standing at a red light see it as green, does it mean they can "go"? The objective truth is that the light is red and can't be green no matter how many people want it to be green. We would defend the need for everyone, for the good of society, to stand at that red light until it truly turns green. Truth is unaffected by what people feel and popular opinion. Truth....is.

BISHOP MORLINO OF MADISON REACTS

There is an audio of a 15 minute homily by Bishop Morlino of Madison who had just saw the interview of Joe Biden before his Mass. He set aside his prepared homily to speak on this topic. I have not yet listened to it, but will later.

In all seriousness, pray for Mr. Biden and others like him who just don't get it.

If anyone is aware of bishops talking out, please drop me a comment here. We'll get a list going.

H/T: Whispers in the Loggia

EDIT: Fr. Z has a post up on the Biden - Meet the Press episode with a good commentary.

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Sunday, September 7, 2008

Abp Chaput's Book, "Render unto Caesar" in NYT best seller list...

Not long ago I told you how excerpts from Archbishop Chaput's book, "Render unto Caesar" made it into the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano as told by Italian Journalist Sandro Magister. In the book he talks about the role of Catholic politicians. Well, it made the NY Times top seller list in slot 27 this week, one notch ahead of Joe Biden's book, Promises to Keep.


Go buy this book - NOW!!! Push it up the list (only "New" purchases affect the Best Seller List).


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