Roundup: New Liturgical Movement

Shawn Tribe at the New Liturgical Movement has several very good posts up. This is a good blog to keep tabs with, and it has excellent resources.


The Ideological re-writing of the Second Vatican Council and Fundamental Misinterpretations

The Pope's Latinist

Interesting Blogs to Visit as my Posting Slows...

As some of you already know, I've made mention that I would need to slow my posting down at Te Deum Laudamus! This is in order to balance my time among other things I need to get done, including a large project: AdOrientem.com. I'm going to try to keep it to every 3 days in order to free up time. Anyone who blogs, knows that sometimes it can be time consuming, especially if Blogger is having a bad wiring day.

With that, I would like to draw your attention to some blogs I have recently added. I've been adding several in my Blog Roll - down towards the bottom of my sidebar. Please hunt and peck through them in between my posts. I credit many of my fellow Catholic bloggers with the content I bring you here quite often. If anyone finds anything troubling in a link in my sidebar, please email me at TeDeumBlog@aol.com so I may check it out and reconsider whether I want to maintain that link. I can't monitor what everyone says all of the time. I do my best to bring you orthodox Catholic content through other bloggers, but we bloggers are only human and not all knowing. If you find something offensive, I would like to know about it.



Notes about the Blogging Priests Section

As I began to add other blogs to my blogrolls, for my own benefit and yours, I discovered many blogging priests, who pretty much share the same thoughts on living Catholic as myself, and I'm sure, many of you. It is a blessing to have some priests participating in the "cyber-parish", so we can benefit from the perspectives of many priests.

I have reached out across the great river, to the UK where I have found some wonderful blogs by priests. They too have good links worth exploring.


FR. TIM FINIGAN (UK)

Fr. Tim Finigan's blog, The Hermeneutic of Continuity has been most enjoyable and I've made two previous links to his posts recently. One is when he stood up for authentic Catholicism by resigning his post as chairman of the school's governors, after Maria Williams, head of a Catholic secondary school did the same following a vote of no-confidence. She was accused of being "too Catholic".

Fr. Finigan also commented recently on the Times of London article covering the anticipated expansion of the Tridentine. He has another great post up, spot-on, and well worth reading. If you ever wondered whether environmentalists were influencing the Church, you'll enjoy his commentary. I wouldn't want to ruin it by quoting it in part, but trust me - it's a good one. Go read Fr. Tim Finigan on PFG and the New Religion.


FR. JOHN BOYLE (UK)

I've also added another UK priest, Fr. John Boyle and his blog, South Ashford Priest.
He has some good posts up, as well, including one called Clerical Contraception. It was interesting to spend some time in the second half of his September Archive where he discusses his recent trip to Kerala, India with his brother - also a priest, Fr. Stephen Boyle. I always find it intriguing to see how other Catholics witness the faith and Father brings us some wonderful photos, and discussions about their customs.

CLOSER TO HOME:

FR. ANDREW BLOOMFIELD (HERESY SERIES)

I have neglected to go back and revisit Fr. Andrew Bloomfield's post strings on heresies through the words of St. Irenaeus in the book, Against the Heresies. To follow this series, go to his Fr. Bloomfield's Blog, click on the September 2006 archive, down to his September 17th, 2006 entry for "Faith Seeking Understanding", and then scroll up through the weeks. Then, click on October 2006 archive from his home page and continue.


FR. JOHN ZUHLSDORF

Always great posts, with a patristics perspective, great translation posts, and currently, Father is running a series of reflections on the mysteries of the Rosary. Click through October of 2006 to start, where he began with the Luminous mysteries. I will be spending some time reading these, as I've only now discovered them. For me, it is very timely for such a discussion. Today, he reflects on the First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden.


FR. PAUL WEINBERGER (GREAT AUDIO HOMILIES)

As always, if you click on the Fr. Paul Weinberger link in my sidebar, it will take you to a website and internet radio station playing his audio sermons, which are always great.


FINAL COMMENT ABOUT BLOGGING PRIESTS

I have seen people ridicule some blogging priests because they are spending time on the web. The way I see it, all priests need a break from their duties. Some use that free time to read, to play a musical instrument, to golf, visit friends, watch TV, engage in various hobbies, and other things most humans do. I've known many priests who work 8-5 and call it a day, while others work tirelessly from the time they awake until they go to bed. That some would spend a little time each day, or a few hours per week to bring us their thoughts, is to me - a delight. How many people are in parishes where banality rules? Following some priests, and the sermons and thoughts they post online, is the only way for some souls to get the fullness of the faith. It's why so many have turned to the internet. Not everyone is in a parish with a priest who talks about the hard issues. Perhaps it is a grace of God when someone in need, finds just the right words from a priest in his blog, or on a parish website. After all, it was Fr. Perrone's words I found online which ultimately caused me to select him as my new confessor, and to remain at his parish.


PRAY FOR OUR PRIESTS

Don't forget to pray for our priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit. You can see the schedule here, which is brought to us by Rosary from the Heart, and hosted at the Assumption Grotto website. Be sure to include in your prayers, the priests who do the Lord's work on the web.

Washington Post on expanded use of the Tridentine

A decent article on the motu proprio expected from Pope Benedict. H/T to Gerald Augustinus:

Pope Poised To Revive Latin Mass, Official Says
Ancient Tridentine Rite Was Replaced in 1960s

By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 13, 2006; A03

Pope Benedict XVI has drafted a document allowing wider use of the Tridentine Mass, the Latin rite that was largely replaced in the 1960s by Masses in English and other modern languages, a church official said yesterday.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the pope told colleagues in September that he was writing the document "motu proprio," a Latin phrase for on his own initiative, and that it was in its third draft.

"There will be a document, it will come out soon, and it will be significant," the official said. Benedict "will not let this be sidetracked," he added.

Wider use of the Tridentine Mass is a cause dear to the hearts of many Catholics, for both esthetic and ideological reasons. It was codified in 1570 and remained the standard Roman Catholic liturgy for nearly four centuries, until the gathering of church leaders known as the Second Vatican Council ushered in major reforms from 1962 to 1965.

To some Catholics, the return of the old Latin Mass is symbolic of a conservative turn away from what they view as the "excesses" that followed the Second Vatican Council, said the Rev. Thomas J. Scirghi, who teaches liturgical theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif.

He said many churchgoers associate the Tridentine Mass with beautiful Gregorian chants and a dignified service, while they associate the new Mass -- formalized in 1969 -- with guitars, drums and short-lived experiments such as "Pizza Masses" in which pizzas, rather than wafers, were consecrated in a bid to attract young people.

In fact, the new Mass can be celebrated with great solemnity, either in vernacular languages or in Latin, said Nathan D. Mitchell, professor of liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. And the Tridentine Mass, he added, "wasn't always celebrated with care, beauty, aplomb and musical finesse."

Continue reading Washington Post on Tridentine...

All one has to do is to visit Assumption Grotto to see just how solemn, reverent, and reserved a Latin Novus Ordo can be done. For anyone new visiting the blog, see the photo section of my sidebar.

Will Pope Benedict expand use of Tridentine Mass? Perhaps - and soon!

I received an email about a week ago with speculation that Benedict is about to, or has signed - a motu proprio (on his own initiative) to expand use of the Tridentine Mass.

CNS Covers this story as does The Times of London. In the latter, we read:

Pope Benedict XVI is understood to have signed a universal indult — or permission — for priests to celebrate again the Mass used throughout the Church for nearly 1,500 years. The indult could be published in the next few weeks, sources told The Times.

While this sounds like it has shifted from speculation to something far stronger, I'll believe it when it is officially announced by the Vatican. It's rumored to take place within the next 3 weeks or so. At that time, I fully expect it would hit mainstream media.

Some may be upset at the thought of more readily available Tridentine liturgies, but it does give some ultra-Traditionalists the opportunity to catch the pre-Vatican II Mass, without having to do so at a schismatic Church. For example, there are some dioceses where, despite appeals by John Paul II, bishops have not made the Tridentine "more generously available". It broadens chances that some of those in schismatic parishes may come back, perhaps even some of the priests. However, as the CNS article points out, for some ultra-traditionalists, there are other issues with Vatican 2 that may be an impediment.

I think it is important to note that some of those most interested in the "old Mass" are younger people and younger priests. As many years as folk music was put before me (including several years playing a guitar myself, and another stringed instrument in one of my former parishes), I have gravitated to traditional sacred polyphony, and now....Gregorian Chant.

As for me, I hope that any expansion would not halt efforts to bring people the Latin Novus Ordo, done in traditional fashion, even if along side a Tridentine at differing times in the same parish.

CATHOLIC BLOGOSPHERE REACTION
What are other Catholic bloggers saying (check the comment boxes, as well)? The following are just excerpts, so click on their links for their complete posts.

Domenico Bettinelli Jr.

So is now the time? As I’ve said before, I have a sneaking suspicion that the apostolic exhortation for last year’s Synod on the Eucharist, expected next month, will furnish the occasion for some “reform of the reform” and a universal indult. And I do believe that the two will go together. I don’t Pope Benedict is interested in just returning to the Tridentine, but he wants to return to that organic development of the Liturgy that was promised from Vatican II.

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (What Does the Prayer Really Say?) - In response to a quote by Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, Manitoba (seen below).

Yes, Your Excellency, young people. This is a common experience through the whole world. Young people want the older form of Mass too. It never ceases to amaze me that the form of Mass which nourished countless souls for centuries and had the power to capture the hearts and minds of so many generations of our ancestors, in good times and bad, across hundreds of different cultures, should still have the power to attract young people. Amazing.

But the truly fun part of Mr. Thavis’s article was the comment that the possible future "ïndult" is just…

"... a sort of concession somebody has made … "

Ya gotta love that!

Catholic Answers Apologist, Jimmy Akin, who voices the same cautious skepticism about the rumor since it is coming from "unnamed sources", then later in his post, discovers that Catholic World Report, among other news sources has picked up the story. In a long post, which includes the "Pre-publication update for CWR, Jimmy says:

Given the number of news sources picking this up from unnamed sources, we are either dealing with one very talkative source of unofficial spreading of the word before the document's release to prepare the field.

Given the sources such as Cardinal Zen and Archbishop Weisgerber (apparently) going on public record about it, I'm guessing that a release may lie in the quite near future.

Fr. Tim Finigan (UK)

Stupid Times Headline:
"Pope set to bring back Latin Mass that divided the Church".

Oh for heaven's sake! You could just as well argue that the introduction of the Novus Ordo divided the Church. I wouldn't personally support that view entirely - I think that the division goes down to basic doctrine first of all. You could also make a cogent argument that the Classical Rite itself united the Church - that I would go along with.

Thomas at American Papist has additional links to blogger reactions.

There you have it. We'll keep tabs on this story as it unfolds.

It's pretty much thought that this will be unveiled when the Holy See finally releases the document on last year's synod on the Eucharist - within the next few weeks. I'm not holding my breath this time.

Will the Archdiocese of Detroit participate in sending 1 Billion Rosaries to Heaven for the Unborn Next Year?

Next year, I am hoping we can get something going throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit for the Worldwide Fatima Sanctity of Life Day. From what I understand, this first time event, will be held yearly. Perhaps Cardinal Maida will consider holding the Rosary following Masses at the Cathedral next year, and invite other parishes to do the same a month in advance. It was beautiful to know that all around the world large groups of people, and people in private, were participating in an effort to send 1 Billion Rosaries to heaven for the unborn. Fatima is a time-tested, Church approved apparition site.

While the Rosary may not be everyone's cup of tea, this Archdiocese has a very large group of Catholics devoted to it. They are not all gray-haired either. They are in every single parish within this archdiocese and there are varying age groups, with younger people taking an interest, thanks in large part to John Paul the Great.

My prayer is that Cardinal Maida and the Archdiocese will recognize the many devoted to the Rosary by participation in this worldwide event next year - officially. I think they would be surprised at the growing number of people taking an interest in the Rosary. Perhaps we should all be contacting our bishops and cardinals in the coming months to make such a humble request.

If your parish or diocese participated in this event, please drop a note in the comment box. If you don't know how or are intimidated, send me an email at: TeDeumBlog@aol.com . I would especially like to know if any diocese participated, and what they did.

Click here to see how Assumption Grotto participated

Our Lady of Fatima: Pray for us!

The Rev. Mr. James Wilder - New Deacon for Grotto - Leads Fatima Rosary

Assumption Grotto did a fine job with the Fatima Worldwide Sanctity of Life Day, which Fr. Perrone plugged in his weekly bulletin a couple weeks ago before heading off to Italy on pilgrimage with Bob and Penny Lord, where he served as Spiritual Director for the group.

I participated following the 9:30am liturgy, with about 200+ parishioners. It was led by our new Deacon, the Rev. Mr. James Wilder, newly ordained on Saturday! Fr. John announced it from the pulpit at the Masses this weekend, after Cardinal Maida (God Bless him!) surprised us by giving the Grotto one of our own who was in the diaconate program. It was nice to see our new Deacon lead us in this Rosary.

Profiles of the 10 men ordained this past Saturday, including Jim's, can be seen on the AoD website. The Cardinal discusses the Diaconate program in Detroit in his October message.

After choir practice ended at noon, I decided to stick around for the 1:00 procession and Benediction, figuring it could be our last outdoor Sunday procession of the season, now that cold weather is settling in. I don't know why it hadn't occured to me that the priest would hold the post-Mass Rosary outdoors, but it was beautiful. Leaves were falling against a deep blue, cloudless sky, and I was kicking myself for not having the camera with me. There had to be close to 200 in attendance for the outdoor Rosary and Benediction, with most kneeling throughout, all around the grotto. It all ended at 1:30pm.

Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte - Photos

Christine of the blog, The World...IMHO, brings us photos from the Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte, NC

Read the captions, especially about the man in the wheelchair.

I do wish Detroit would do something like this.

H/T to Curt Jester

Pope Benedict to Theologians: We must purify our thoughts in silence - then talk

Here is a post made by "Teresa Benedetta" in the Papa Ratzinger Forums (Italy), which is a full translation of the Pope's recent homily to theologians. It was done without a prepared script. It's a joy to watch Pope Benedict in a magnificent teaching moment. To my mind, some of his words to theologians could apply to others, such as Catholic bloggers. A deep prayer life must be at the forefront of everyone's life, but especially for anyone who is doing any "work" for God. This is especially true in communication. Blogging can be an apostolate. But, it can also become a place to exhibit personal pride.

HOMILY TO FELLOW THEOLOGIANS, 10/6/06

Here is a translation of the homily delivered extemporaneously by the Holy Father today at the Mass he concelebrated in the Redemptoris Mater chapel of the Vatican with priests who are members of the International Theological Commission:

------------------------

Dear brothers and sisters,

I did not really prepare a homily today, just some notes on which to meditate. The mission of St. Bruno, the saint of the day, appears clearly interpreted, we might say, in the prayer for the day which reminds us that his mission was silence and contemplation.

Silence and contemplation have a purpose: they serve to keep - amid the daily distraction of daily life - (a space for) continuing union with God. That is the purpose: that union with God should always be in our spirit and transform all our being.

Silence and contemplation - St. Bruno's characteristics - help us to find amid the distractions of every day a profound and continuing union with God.

Silence and contemplation! But the calling of a theologian, a beautiful calling, is to talk. That is his mission: amid the loquacity of our time, and other times, amid the inflation of words, to keep the essential words alive and present. To present with words the Word that comes from God, the Word that is God.

But how can we, being part of this world with all its words, present the Word in words, if not through a process of purifying our own thoughts, which above, all should also be a purification of our words?

How can we open the world - ourselves, first of all - to the Word, without first entering into the silence of God, from which the Word proceeds?

For the purification of our words, and therefore, for the purification of words in the world, we need that silence which becomes meditation, which makes us enter into the silence of God and thus arrive at the point from which the Word was born, the redemptive Word.

St. Thomas Aquinas, following a long tradition, says that in theology, God is not the object that we speak of. This is our normal idea. In fact, God is not the object but the subject of theology.

He who speaks in theology should be God himself. Our thoughts and words should serve only so that God's word can be heard, can find room in the world.

So we find ourselves invited anew to this path of renouncing our own words, on a path of purification so that our words may only be an instrument through which God can speak, so that God is not the object but the subject of theology.

In this context, I am reminded of a beautiful sentence in the first Letter of St. Peter, chapter 1, verse 22. In Latin, it says - «Castificantes animas nostras in oboedentia veritatis» . Obedience to truth should castify our souls - and thus, guide us to right words and right actions.

In other words, to speak in search of applause, to speak according to what we think others want to hear, to speak in obedience to the dictatorship of common opinion, may be considered a prostitution of words and of the spirit.

The "chastity" that the apostle Peter refers to means not submitting ourselves to common standards, not to seek applause, but rather, obedience to the truth.

I think that is the fundamental virtue of theology, this difficult discipline of obedience to the truth - which makes us co-workers in the truth, the voice of truth, because we do not speak in the rivers of words that characterizes the world today, but in words that are purified and made chaste by obedience to the truth. And therefore, we can be truly bearers of the truth.

This also reminds me of St. Ignatius of Antioch who had this beautiful thought: "Wheover has understood the words of the Lord understands His silence, because the Lord can be known in His silence."

The analysis of Jesus's words can only go up to a certain point, which remains our thought. Only when we reach the silence of the Lord, in His being with the Father from whom the words come, only then can we really begin to understand the profundity of these words.

The words of Jesus were born from His silence on the mountain, as the Scriptures tell us, when He was with His Father. From the silence of His communion with the Father, from being immersed in the Father, His words were born.

(Likewise), only by arriving at this point of communion, and taking off from this point, we reach the true depth of the Word and we can be its authentic interpreters.

In talking to us, the Lord invites us to join him on the Mountain, and in silence, learn anew the true sense of His words.

Having said this, we come to the two readings today. Job had cried out to God, he had even struggled with God in the face of the evident injustices he had to deal with. And then he is confronted with the greatness of God. And he understands that in the face of the true greatness of God, our words are mere poverty and cannot even remotely approach the greatness of God, and so he says: "I have spoken twice, I will say no more."

Silence before the greatness of God, because our words become too puny. It reminds me of the last weeks of St. Thomas's life - when he stopped writing, he stopped speaking. His friends asked him: "Master, why don't you speak, why don't you write?" And he says, "Before what I have seen, all my words seem to me like straw."

The great expert on St.Thomas, Fr. Jean-Pierre Torrel, tells us not to misunderstand these words. Straw is not nothing. Straw carries the grain, and that is its great value. It carries the grain. So even the straw of words remains valid as a bearer of the grain.

This, I would say, even for us, is a relativization of our work as well as a valuation of it. It is also an indication to us so that the straw of our work should truly carry the grain of God's Word.

The Gospel today ends with, "Whoever listens to you, listens to me." What an admonition, what an examination of conscience these words require! Is it true that whoever hears me really hears the Lord? Let us pray and work that it may always be true that whoever listens to us, listens to Christ. Amen!

[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 06/10/2006 20.07]
Source (scroll down to entry 10/6/2006)

London teacher quits Catholic school after being called "too Catholic"

Well, it ought not surprise us. H/T to Gerald Augustinus. Fr. Tim Finigan in the UK, whose blog was added to my sidebar some time ago, is quoted in Ethics Daily, in this article:

Teacher Quits After Being Accused of Being Too Catholic

Al Webb
10-02-06

LONDON (RNS) The head of a Catholic secondary school in Britain has resigned after dissident students accused her of being too religious because she forced them to attend Mass.

According to London's Daily Mail newspaper, the rebel students at St. Luke's Sixth Form College in Sidcup, southeast England, were also angered that Maria Williams ordered them to march around a playing field singing hymns and carrying religious icons such as a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Another item on the list of complaints from the high-school-age pupils was an address by an American evangelist, Barbara McGuigan, who told them that no unmarried couples could have a successful relationship and called homosexuality a "disorder."

McGuigan, founder of the Catholic charity Voice of Virtue International, was a visiting lecturer at St. Luke's at the time.

The Daily Mail quoted one student, Michael Aldis, 18, as saying that under Williams' regime, "they used to herd us into Mass and then post teachers at the doors to stop us leaving."

He said he and fellow students were sharply critical of McGuigan, saying she "told us that if we had an abortion we'd go to hell forever, and she showed us pictures of
fetuses aborted after 12 and 20 weeks. Some of the girls were in tears, but no
one was allowed to leave."

Williams resigned in mid-September after a no-confidence vote from her staff. The Rev. Tim Finigan, chairman of the school's governors, quickly followed with his own resignation, angrily insisting that "it is ridiculous to call a Catholic institution too Catholic."

"It's a Catholic college," Finigan fumed. "That's what it's advertised as, and that's what students sign up to. There will be some religious worship -- that will be part of the life of the college."

Williams was unavailable immediately for comment on her resignation.

Fr. Tim Finigan responds in his blog to this article.

Actually, we could use some of that in this country in a few colleges that remain Catholic only in name. Then, these colleges should be declared non-Catholic.

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 4

Such events always draw a good share of religious and clergy. Below, Fr. Val Rykowski - Spiritual Director of Holy Trinity Apostolate talks to one of the local Dominicans. Fr. Val, many years past what would be considered "mandatory retirement age" was introduced as "our very own version of the Energizer Bunny". That's no joke. What few times I've seen this priest on my visits to Ss. Cyril & Methodius, he could put this 44 year old to shame.

All kidding aside, if you ever have the priviledge of assisting at Holy Mass when Fr. Val is celebrating, I can guarantee you will either cry, or work very hard at not crying when he gets into the Eucharistic prayer. Seminarians should look to his example of witnessing for all of us the Real Presence. Seeing him pour out love from his very being during Mass, as he consecrates the Body and Blood of Our Lord, caused me to focus more intently at what was truly taking place.

These remaining photos were taken by Jeff Williams of some of the religious and clergy present.

A beautiful statue of the woman who gave birth to Our Lord.

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 1
Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 2
Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 3
Te Deum Laudamus! Home

This concludes the Cardinal Arinze in Detroit photo-post series.

October Rosary News

More photos of Cardinal Arinze's visit to Detroit tomorrow. I would like to use this morning to get out some important, time-sensitive news.

SUNDAY,OCTOBER 8, 2006
This Sunday, October 8, is the Fatima Worldwide Sanctity of Life Day. The World Apostolate of Prayer is asking everyone to say a Rosary. They are hoping to send 1 billion prayers to heaven for the sanctity of life. Fr. Edward Perrone, pastor of Assumption Grotto, has asked the priests to lead all of us in the Rosary following all of the Masses Sunday, while he is out of the country on pilgrimage. Please plan on spending an additional 15-20 minutes in Church for this most worthy cause, or recite it privately, or as a family, if there is nothing happening in the parish. While only a few parishes are promoting it this year, next year it would be nice to see a diocesan-wide effort.

DAILY, EVENING MASS & ROSARY AT GROTTO IN OCTOBER
With October being the month of the Rosary, and October 7, being the Feast of the Holy Rosary, noteworthy, is that Assumption Grotto is having public recitation of this prayer after the 7:00pm Mass each evening for the month of October. Please join us there when you can for Mass and the Rosary. It will also be done following the noon Mass on Sundays, weather permitting - in the Grotto.

OCTOBER 13, 2006 - FINAL FATIMA DEVOTION
We also have our monthly Fatima Devotions which will be ending this October 13th. It involves a procession to the Grotto (weather permitting), skit by children re-enacting the vision for that day, the Rosary, and a talk by one of the priests in the school gym.

OCTOBER 21, 2006 - MASS & ROSARY (HGPI-MICHIGAN)
I received word from Robert Rossi of St. Edmund Parish in Warren, through John B., that the parish will be having Mass and a Rosary with Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea, Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 11:00am. This Rosary is sponsored by Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan, and the St. Edmund's Knights of Columbus.

Edit: Got clarification from Robert Rossi that the Rosary will be held indoors at St. Edmund.

Right to Life - Life Chain 06 at Assumption Grotto

October 1, 2006 marked the annual Right to Life - Life Chain event. This is a peaceful event where people come, pick up a sign provided, and stand humbly and quietly by the road side from 2:00-3:30pm. Many people driving by honked their horns in support.

Considering that the event began an hour after the last Mass, and with so many people going to the 9:30am Mass, it was a pretty good turnout at nearly 130. Of course, it makes it easy when you can pick up a barbequed hot dog or hamburger - the usual Sunday special for a buck or two. Plus, it was the monthly Holy Hour for Vocations, with adoration.

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 3

I've just received some photos from fellow Grotto parishioner, Jeff Williams. He has a very good lens with a stabilizer in it (eliminates hand-shake so camera doesn't need to be mounted), but even with that, he thought it might be a challenge with low lighting. But, they came out really well.

Each table had a cross like this on it. They were blessed by Cardinal Arinze and the participants had an opportunity to take it home for a $35 donation. There weren't enough for the many who wanted one.

A shot Jeff got of Fr. Pablo Straub before the breakfast began.

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 1

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 2

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 4

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 2

More photos I took at the event with Cardinal Arinze in Detroit. It was really a challenge with the darkness and no tripod. Flash had to be used, and I lightened these as best I could without further affecting quality.

In this photo, you see Teresa Tomeo of Catholic Connection on Ave Maria Radio (syndicated on EWTN Radio) looking on at Cardinal Maida as he welcomes Cardinal Arzine to Detroit.

Here you see the full table of invited guests, (left to right): Fr. Benjamin Kosnac (pastor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius), Sister Joseph Andrew, OP, Fr. Jacques Daley, OSB (EWTN), Bishop John M. Quinn (Auxiliary - Detroit), Fr. Tad Pacholczyk (second speaker), Adam Cardinal Maida of Detroit, Teresa Tomeo (Ave Maria Radio), Cardinal Arinze (at the podium), Bishop Carlson - Saginaw, Bishop Earl Boyea (Auxiliary - Detroit), Bishop Moses B. Anderson, SSE (ret Auxiliary - Detroit), Fr. Val Rykowski (Spiritual Director of Holy Trinity Apostolate and "priest extraordinaire"), Fr. Pablo Straub (EWTN; click his name for photos of him in Warren, MI this spring), and Al Kresta (Ave Maria Radio)




Teresa Tomeo at the Podium, Cardinal Arinze, and Bishop Carlson.


Bishops Carlson (left) and Boyea.


Fr. Tad Pacholczyk (left) and Cardinal Maida during an exchange prior to breakfast.



Cardinal Arinze Arrives at Andiamo's in Warren, MI: Photo Post 1

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 3

Cardinal Arinze in Detroit: Photo Post 4

Stay tuned for more photos.

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

NBC to air Madonna "Crucifixion"? Or not?

Now might be a good time to hammer the peacock network, NBC, with emails and letters. They are actually looking at airing some real anti-Catholic trash. Hopefully, all Christians would see it as a slap in the face to Christianity itself. I can't see how such a thing applies to Catholics only.

From Media Research Center by L. Brent Bozell, in part:

Numbers like that haven’t escaped some TV executives. Her latest benefactor is the NBC television network, which announced in July that it would air a two-hour special of her concerts at London’s Wembley stadium. Would they include the infamous mock-crucifixion in her song “Live to Tell”? In August, NBC executive Kevin Reilly declared, "She felt like that was a cornerstone of the show. We viewed it and didn't see it as being inappropriate."

Notice that Madonna insisted her stunt as Jesus in a blouse and skirt could not easily be edited out. She said it was crucial, and in a way, it really is. Without religious controversy, she is merely an aging drama queen in an overpopulated crowd of heavy-breathing pop divas, all playing prostitutes for the wealth and infamy.

Now it appears that NBC is rethinking the endorsement. Clearly they committed to her without feeling the public-relations need to sniff before they bought this smelly package. In the wake of an outpouring of objections from the likes of the American Family Association, the Catholic League, and others, NBC is now back-pedaling. The network now states it is “awaiting delivery of the special, and once we see it in its entirety, we can make a final decision.”

For those of you keeping score at home, it seems that in the last few weeks, NBC is attempting to create a new public campaign to insult Catholics and evangelicals alike, as if NBC stood for Notoriously Bashing Christians.

They picked up the wildly successful, biblically-based “Veggie Tales” animated series for Saturday mornings, but executives ordered the cartoon makers to excise the Bible verses and the God stuff. And they began the new drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” with a plot about Christians (“a psycho religious cult”) ruining television today.