Will it ever end?

Every time I get to the point that I think society can sink no lower, someone takes up the challenge. Witness the following:

It was designed to provoke conversation with non-believers.

However, a risqué poster depicting the Virgin Mary lying in bed with Joseph – suggesting they have just had sex - has sparked outrage with Catholics.

The billboard shows Mary with a disappointed look on her face, with a caption underneath stating: ‘Poor Joseph - God was a hard act to follow.’

The huge poster, referencing Mary's virgin birth of Jesus, has been placed in the centre of Auckland, New Zealand.

It was designed to catch the eye of non-believers, according to the St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church.

Protesters have now painted over the faces of Mary and Joesph in outrage.

But the vicar of the St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, was unrepentant.

He pointed out that his form of progressive Christianity is distinctive and 'is one of robust engagement’.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1236540/Outraged-Catholics-brand-Mary-Joesph-unsatisfying-sex-billboard-offensive-disrespectful.html#ixzz0ZygxrrPm

Irony... no, we don't get that here

As a fan of irony, I am guilty of a self-righteous chuckle as I read a story on the environmental impact of the Copenhagen Climate Summit published in the Telegraph. (story here)
I suppose this is not much different from banquets held to raise funds to combat hunger, but I can't help but take a certain delight in this.

Homily 2nd Sunday of Advent

(delivered at the conclusion of a retreat with deacons and ministers involved in the pro-life movement)

I am fond of Pogo, the Walt Kelly cartoon character, best known for the quote “We have met the enemy and he is us.” That quote certainly applies to society today, however it is a lesser known quote that struck me in preparation for this talk. Pogo also said, “We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.”

I think that is the position we find ourselves in today. As we have noted throughout this weekend, we are in conflict, at war with the prevailing culture. This becomes more evident with each successive news cycle. We believe in the value of all human life. Society values some lives more than others and all life is secondary to personal comfort and convenience. Self-indulgence is valued over personal responsibility.

There was a brief time when we thought Catholics had come to the point where they could be accepted in American culture while retaining an authentic catholic identity. That ship has sailed. People are allowed to call themselves “catholic” and to remain active in the culture, as long as they are willing to redefine those values that have been held by the church from the beginning. Witness the exchange between Bishop Tobin and Congressman Kennedy, or Nancy Pelosi’s assertion that there is debate within the magisterium as to when life begins so her support of abortion does not put her in conflict with church teaching.

Do you remember the days when portrayal of Catholics in popular media was characterized by things like Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald in “Going My Way”, Karl Malden as the compassionate priest in “On the Waterfront” or films like “Song of Bernadette”? I cringe now days when I see there is the role of a priest in a movie or television production, because I know what is coming. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be held accountable for our sins, but that it is dishonest to pretend that some societal problems are strictly a catholic thing, or to convict an entire group for the sins of a few individuals.

We are at war with a culture. It is time to change the culture. That sounds like a daunting task, but it can be done. In fact, each of you here is already hard at work at that task. We change the culture by our willingness to stand up for truth. We change the culture through our public witness to our values. We change the culture whenever we act for the preservation of life. Our children are constantly bombarded with messages of self-indulgence, selfishness, unrestrained sexuality, materialism, and hopelessness. We change the culture when we teach lessons of responsibility, fidelity, chastity, restraint and moderation. We change the culture when we surrender to God in prayer.

Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. I recall so vividly as a child being taught to pray the rosary for the conversion of Russia. In the midst of the Cold War that seemed impossible. I felt that those prayers would be wasted. But the walls fell, religion is revived in Russia. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, the action of the Holy Spirit, the culture in Russia was changed in part due to the efficacy of the prayers of millions of believers.

This weekend has been in part about challenging each of us here to continue our efforts in bringing about a change in the prevailing culture. Another part of this weekend is about celebrating what has been achieved and the work that continues to be done. It was so heartening to hear as the 40 days for life was coming to a conclusion that Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood center, left the organization after watching a baby being aborted, and is now working with those who prayed for her conversion. On Oct. 6, she quit her job as the Bryan center director. She walked across the street to the Coalition for Life, a pro-life group that was at that time joined with cities across the nation in a 40 Days for Life campaign.

David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life stated: "From the first campaign in 2004, we've prayed for Abby -- and for all abortion workers -- that they would come to see what abortion really is, and that they would leave the deadly business. Prayers are answered.”
One of the goals of this weekend was to re-energize those who may have begun to experience fatigue in their efforts or their prayers. In the words of Isaiah, we wanted to “…speak to the weary a word that would rouse them.” The scriptures this second Sunday of Advent speak such a word.

We are the New Jerusalem whom Baruch commands to “…stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.”

We look to the east for it is from the east that a new day dawns. The children we see are both those whom we have saved from the holocaust of abortion, and those whom we were unable to save but who are surely remembered by God. This vision of Israel’s return from exile speaks directly to the type of change we are called to bring about a return from culture of death to one of life and love.

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians resonates with us today: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

God has begun good work in you. In my little way I am proud to partner in those efforts. We are all challenged to continue in that work until the day of Christ Jesus. To a society that deems some lives more valuable than others, we will continue to emphasize that everyone ­­saint and sinner, rich and poor, young and old, athletic and physically disabled, the unborn child and even the abortionist ─ all persons are children of God and deserving of our love and prayers. As Katrina Zeno told us, they are in the image of God and part of God’s self-revelation to us. The world doesn’t want to hear it, but it needs to be said. All life is important.

As Christians, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to continue to deliver that message. Pogo was right, “We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.” As we continue with this liturgy and nourish ourselves with the life-giving bread given us by the author of life, let us recommit ourselves to surmounting the insurmountable.

Thank you for all that you do. May God bless you all in this Advent season.

How's this for logic?

Fans of the University of Georgia and dog lovers everywhere were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Uga VII, the university's beloved bulldog mascot. Though a replacement mascot might be in place in advance, the search for Uga VIII is expected to take a while.
In related news the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has written the athletic director of the University of Georgia encouraging him to "...honor Uga VII by choosing an animatronic or solely use a costumed mascot to represent the Georgia Bulldogs in the future." (story here)
I would have thought that PETA would encourage people to provide all animals with the type of pampered lifestyle that Uga VII enjoyed. Silly me. It seems that PETA would prefer that this particular breed, which they consider "mutated freaks" should not exist. In a logic that reminds me of Planned Parenthood's practice of defining some lives as not worth living, it seems in this case the "ethical treatment" of the breed would call for its extermination.
Curious world, isn't it?

After 20 years it's not too late...

I'm a sucker for "feel good" stories so this article by Rick Reilly on ESPN.com about a father being united with the son he never new he had hit me just right. Here's hoping for a "happily ever after" on this one.

Here's one to think about...

As I read the story of the man who was thought to be in a vegetative state for 23 years even though he was aware of all that was happening around him (Story here) I couldn't help but wonder how I would deal with such a situation.
Though it reads like a Rod Serling Night Gallery episode, I began to wonder if this might not be the ultimate contemplative experience. Unable to interact with the outside world, would I turn inward in a search for God or sink into insanity -- however short a trip that might be? The frustration of being unable to move or communicate with the physical world around me would put me in the position of being a spectator in my own life. Dare I admit that I find something intriguing about that idea? Perhaps it would be naught more than forced navel-gazing, but I believe I would be led to a quest for the divine.
It kinda makes ya think, but then again... that's all you could do.

Who's the boss?

Apparently Cardinal George's Presidential Address to the USCCB is raising the hackles of some who feel that they can best determine who and what is authentically catholic and the bishops should simply learn to live with that.
In his remarks, the Cardinal reminded the assembly of St. Ignatius of Antioch's advice to the Phildelphians that "...all who belong to God and Jesus Christ are with the bishop" and further "…that you do nothing without your bishop…”
In a secular society that clings to the Huey Long rallying cry of "Every Man a King," this does not sit comfortably with the masses. The secular press unsurprisingly presents the Cardinal's remarks as a power grab and attempt to regain control.
In anticipation of the Solemnity of Christ the King, I am reminded that my faith, my trust is placed not it myself or my own ideas, thoughts and desires, but in Christ. The bishop serves as Christ's vicar to the local church. While recognizing they are not perfect, I feel it is unjust to immediately ascribe nefarious motives to their actions. Unity will not be found among the faithful without the bishop.

A little child can teach them...

The Reverend Know-it-all frequently cites the wisdom of his friend Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz. I am honored to have had the opportunity to have a few conversations with the Rabbi and have been deeply impressed with his wisdom, humor, compassion, and the respect with which he treats all people. That respect means that he is going to tell them the truth even when that truth may make people feel uncomfortable. Part of that truth involves the reverence for life that is inherent in Orthodox Judaism, a reverence that is fully in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church on the issue.
For that reason, I was not surprised but very pleased to read the story from the Catholic News Service about Rachel Casey and her family. Rachel is not quite three years old and was born with Down syndrome and has various heart ailments. Her Irish Catholic family had been stationed in Israel where her father worked with United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. As the Caseys lived in an ultra-Orthodox area of Jerusalem where the United Nations is not held in high regard, they were concerned with the level of care that would be available for their daughter. In short, the level of care and acceptance far exceeded that available in their native Sligo, Ireland.
This story once again demonstrates how the least among us often serve as a catalyst for understanding between disparate groups.

A game of chicken?

Legislators in Washington D.C. appear to be on a collision course with the Archdiocese of Washington whose Catholic Charities arm partners with the city to provide services to about 68,000 people. Officials of the Archdiocese are concerned that if lawmakers adopt a proposal to allow same sex "marriages" the Church might be forced to provide benefits to same sex couples and thereby recognize those unions.

The marriage legislation is expected to pass next month and has the mayor's support.

Jane G. Belford, the chancellor of the Washington archdiocese, wrote Councilman Phil Mendelson on Wednesday asking for an exemption to protect the church's religious freedoms. The church wants to be exempt from any measure that would require it to extend benefits to same-sex couples or allow gays and lesbians to adopt children.

The Councilman considers such an exemption to be a dangerous precedent. "Allowing individual exemptions opens the door for anyone to discriminate based on assertions of religious principle," Mendelson said.

Once more the tension arises between the church being in the world but not of the world.

The Bishops step up to the plate

Last week for the first time in my memory, the Catholic Bishops of the United States stood up to be counted and effectively mobilized millions of Catholics to demand that the healthcare reform proposal include safeguards against public funding for the murder of the unborn.
I'm tired of using euphemisms such as "termination of unplanned pregnancies" or even "abortion", and I absolutely refuse to refer to these barbaric practices as part of "reproductive health care". Abortion is no more about health care than the showers at Birkenau were about hygiene.
Under pressure from the bishops and much of the Catholic electorate, legislators included the Stupak amendment at the last minute. For once the bishops effectively exercised their moral authority and had an impact on pending legislation. So now I am not surprised to hear the cry of "UNFAIR!" arise from many quarters -- particularly from those who formerly had been successful in forwarding their private agendas.
I am amazed however at the extent of the duplicity among these organizations. Those who loudly denounce the actions of the bishops as a violation of church and state fail to comment on religious organizations such as; the Rabbinical Assembly, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, Episcopal Church, Society for Humanistic Judaism, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, North American Federation of Temple Youth, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Presbyterian Church (USA), Women of Reform Judaism, Society for Humanistic Judaism, Church of the Brethren Women’s Caucus, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Lutheran Women’s Caucus, Christian Lesbians Out, YWCA, all of which support abortion coverage in the health care bill.
The loudest voices seem to be those such as Planned Parenthood, for whom the slaughter of innocents represents a major source of profit.
The battle is far from over. Indeed, I believe we are merely celebrating the the battle has finally been engaged.

Happy Veterans' Day

Even I teared up at this... and they say I don't have a heart!


The Return from Iraq - The most amazing home videos are here

thx to The Deacon's Bench

Director of abortion clinic quits, joins pro-life group

It was uplifting to read on ZENIT that Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood center quit her job and joined a pro-life group after witnessing an abortion.
I am encouraged to consider that if an individual can come to this change of heart, there is hope that society may eventually come to a similar metanoia. (story here)

A Christian Science health plan... If you get sick, we'll pray for you.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Sen. Orrin Hatch, with the backing of other prominent politicians, has succeeded in getting a provision into proposed health care bill that would allow Christian Science prayer treatments to be covered by insurers on the same footing as traditional clinical care.. (story here)
This approach may find footing among those who are afraid of the budgetary impact of universal health coverage. A prayer treatment costs less than an office visit co-pay under many traditional plans.

Who is the fraud?

Christopher Hitchens has once again wandered off into his own loony land as he goes off on a tirade against one whose life he claims has left millions worse off. Who might this be?
Hitler? Stalin? Mao Zedong? Pol Pot?
No, in Christopher Hitchens' world only one person could be that evil... Mother Teresa of course.
Information and Bill Donohue's response is here.

Tridentine rite High Mass at St. Peter's for 1st time in 40 years

The following is redacted from ZENIT. The full article can be found here.

An Extraordinary Tridentine Rite MilestoneArchbishop Burke Presides Over High Mass in St. Peter's

By Robert Moynihan

ROME, OCT. 19, 2009 (Zenit.org).- There has been almost no coverage anywhere in the mainstream press about an extraordinary event that occurred yesterday morning in St. Peter's Basilica -- the celebration by Archbishop Raymond Burke, head of the Apostolic Signature, of the first High Mass according to the old Latin rite in St. Peter’s Basilica in 40 years, since 1969.

And because of that lack of press coverage, the old Mass, that "mysterious tapestry of texts and actions," as Cardinal Ratzinger once termed it -- sometimes illogical, sometimes jumbled, but nevertheless always wonderful -- returned to St. Peter’s Basilica after 40 years without any special notice at all, almost, as it were, silently, almost like "a thief in the night."

Oct. 18 was the Feast of St. Luke, author of one of the Gospels, and also of the Book of Acts.

The chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament, which is on the right side of St. Peter’s Basilica, was filled to overflowing by the time the Mass began at just after 9:30 am.

Full house

Outside, it was raining, and a bit of water pooled and glistened in different places on the marble floor where those present repeatedly knelt down on the hard stone during the celebration.

I myself found a place to stand in the back, as all the seats were taken. About 400 people were present.

Many low old rite Masses have been celebrated in different chapels of the basilica over the years, especially in the past two years since the promulgation on July 7, 2007, of "Summorum Pontificum," Benedict XVI's "motu proprio" calling for wider celebration of the old Mass.

But this was the first High Mass in the old rite since 1969.

Monsignor Guido Pozzo, recently appointed by Benedict XVI to head the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith -- the commission in charge of dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X, which wishes to celebrate the Mass only in the old rite -- was also present.

A unique spiritual experience

The two choirs, of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, one of brothers and one of sisters, were extraordinary.

As one Italian who attended put it, "It seemed we were immersed in choirs of angels. The presence of the celestial dimension of the rite was almost tangible. Believe me, I am not exaggerating."

But the morning was marked by a bit of confusion.

Instead of beginning at 10 a.m., the Mass was moved forward to 9:30 a.m. This meant that some dozens of people, who had planned to arrive at 10 a.m., found the Mass already 30 minutes under way when they arrived, and the chapel full. Many of them were turned away by Vatican ushers, as I witnessed with my own eyes, looking out the window from the back of the chapel where I standing.

But some of those present said they were puzzled why the Vatican seemed to treat this Mass like a "poor sister," assigning it to a small chapel, and changing the celebration time at the last minute.


Papal high Mass?

The question that comes to mind after attending this event is, could the Pope celebrate such a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica?

There are some impediments.

The ceremonial for a pontifical High Mass in the old rite is elaborate, and it has been so many years since one has been celebrated that many feel it would not be celebrated smoothly, if the Pope decided to do it.

And many Vatican officials seem reluctant, at best, to embrace the return of the old Mass.

No high-ranking Vatican officials were present at the Mass except for Monsignor Pozzo.

And Vatian Radio yesterday broadcast a report on a Mass celebrated elsewhere in the Basilica for the 400th anniversary of St. Leonardi, but made no mention at all of Archbishop Burke’s Mass.

And so the Mass was celebrated quietly, almost unobserved.

And after Mass, in the square, the sun broke through the clouds, and bathed the piazza in a warm October light.

* * *

Robert Moynihan is founder and editor of the monthly magazine Inside the Vatican. He is the author of the book "Let God's Light Shine Forth: the Spiritual Vision of Pope Benedict XVI" (2005, Doubleday). Moynihan's blog can be found at www.insidethevatican.com. He can be reached at: editor@insidethevatican.com.

I sense an undercurrent of triumphalism in Archbishop Burke's remarks and in Moynihan's report, but that just might reflect my ambivalence regarding the emphasis some place on the spirituality of extraordinary form of the Mass as if that weren't present in the ordinary form. There is much to be valued in each form of the Mass. I too quickly tire of those who claim a blanket superiority of one form over the other. Not surprisingly readers of the National Catholic Reporter appear to be quick to attack both the Archbishop and the extraordinary form of the Mass.

Where is the outrage?

The Catholic Church has been taken to task, and rightly so, for instances of the sexual abuse of children that had committed by a few priests. The notoriety of those instances have created in the mind of the public a myth that the issue of child sexual abuse is a Catholic thing. Professionals who have studied the issue clearly understand that is not the case, yet the myth exists.
For this reason I was surprised to see the New York Times run a story on the rate of child sexual abuse in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and the failure of religious and civil authorities to pursue those cases.
I suffer from no delusion that these cases will receive much exposure in the mainstream media -- indeed, if reporters were actually to do their homework they would expose the rate of abuse in the public school systems of the nation. I simply wish to point out the societal hypocrisy when it comes to the issue of child sexual abuse and how failure to address the problem in cases where Catholics are not involved merely leaves our children in jeopardy.

A touch of class...

It seems that every time I find myself getting too cynical about the world someone steps up and simply does the right thing and makes me feel better about people. The latest such instance for me was hearing of the young woman who finished the Kentucky High School State Championship Golf Tournament five shots ahead of her nearest competitor and then had herself disqualified.
After the final round of the tourney, Emma Talley noticed that she had signed an incorrect scorecard which understated her round by a single stroke. Her coach recalled “I think it was only her and her family who actually knew about it. If she had kept her mouth shut, she would have won the trophy. But she's not like that.” Instead, Emma reported the error to the officials and was therefore automatically disqualified.
The second place finisher, Lindsay Gahm offered the trophy to Emma who declined it. “Lindsay didn't do anything wrong,” Talley said. “She's my friend, and she felt as bad as anybody else. I'm glad she kept it. She deserved it.”
I'd like to think that I would have done the same thing, but I will never really know. I do know however that Emma Talley has won my respect... but a state championship is still a better prize.
Story here.

Debunking the debunker

Last week it was widely reported in the press that Italian scientist Luigi Garlaschelli claimed to have reproduced the Shroud of Turin with materials and techniques available in the middle ages. Garlaschelli concludes therefore that the shroud to is a fake.
In response Barrie M. Schwortz, documenting photographer of the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) which has spent thousands of hours studying the shroud itself, derides the reports as "science by press release". Noting that the work of scientists is normally submitted for peer review, which was not done in this case, a quick reading of the press release indicates that "...it is apparent immediately that the author knows very little about the actual Shroud of Turin." He further notes that a detailed scientific response to this press release is being drafted by the online Shroud Science Group.
The Catholic Church never has formally asserted that the shroud is the actual burial cloth of Christ but recognizes that it serves as a valuable reminder of the passion of Jesus. However it appears that, in this year when the shroud is again to be publicly displayed, opponents of the shroud feel compelled to try to undermine claims of authenticity and are willing to misrepresent science to accomplish that end.

A bit premature don't you think?

I was gabberflasted this morning to wake to the news that our president has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the same man whose body of work was deemed insufficient for Arizona State University to award him an honorary degree even as they hosted him as a commencement speaker. Furthermore, nominations were due before Obama had finished even two weeks in office.
I have great hopes for Obama's presidency in spite of my opposition to his positions on life issues. By the end of his term of office may President Obama prove himself worthy of the honor he is being awarded this year. If he does, we certainly will have cause to celebrate.

A motorcycle club with style...

I was intrigued by the Jewish Motorcycle club touring Germany as a means of celebrating the 19th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany. The name of the club? The Hillel's Angels.

Those who call the street "Home"

As a board member of Emmaus Ministries which has as its mission outreach to men caught up in prostitution I often find myself struggling as I try to explain that ministry to friends and associates. How refreshing, and surprising, to see that an Archbishop in the Vatican offered a reflection that clearly addresses what Emmaus is about. The reflection states in part:

"Jesus meets people on the way, on the side of the road, in crowds and when he is alone," he said. "[...] The road is thus the place of encounter and transformation. It is the place of proclamation and evangelization, of healing and witness. In many ways it could be said that the road, the street, was both his home and pulpit."

This special significance continues today, the prelate observed, for those "who work in the service of the Gospel." The road, he suggested, "continues to be a place of both proclamation and witness and transformation and healing."

"It is the place where Christ may still be encountered," the archbishop affirmed, "where his words and life may given, through gestures and actions, where the Church may through its various apostolates channel the grace of God."

It is nice to see that somebody actually gets it.

A "Debaptism" movement...

I was struck by a story I saw regarding a "Debaptism" movement which apparently is being pushed in England as sponsored by the National Secular Society (which is apparently willing to sell individuals certificates of Debaptism).
The certificate declares:

I ________ having been subjected to the Rite of Christian Baptism in infancy (before reaching an age of consent), hereby publicly revoke any implications of that Rite and renounce the Church that carried it out. In the name of human reason, I reject all its Creeds and all other such superstition in particular, the perfidious belief that any baby needs to be cleansed by Baptism of alleged ORIGINAL SIN, and the evil power of supposed demons. I wish to be excluded henceforth from enhanced claims of church membership numbers based on past baptismal statistics used, for example, for the purpose of securing legislative privilege.”

I respect the right of people to make their own choices however ill-informed and naive those choices may be. It is apparent that those who choose to go the route of "debaptism" have never benefited from being educated about the faith into which they were baptized, or from witnessing their parents living out that faith. In baptism these people may have been born into life of the Spirit, but alas it appears it was a spiritual still-birth as that new life was never nourished.
What further struck me was that I came across this story just minutes after sharing a discussion about the tragic death of a Chicago high school student who was beaten to death in a street fight. That beating death was described as an evil act demonstrating once again the need for the rediscovery of morality in our secular society. I can't help but wonder if prayer in our schools might help our young people find moral footing amidst the evils of the world around them.

Pius XII Proposed as Righteous among the nations

Information released from the Vatican archives in recent years is succeeding in making more and more people aware of the Pius XII's efforts to save Jews during the second World War. Though in the years immediately following WWII the efforts of the pope toward this end seemed to be fairly widely acknowledged; for the past decade following the publication of the poorly researched and biased Hitler's Pope by British author John Cornwell, the reputation of the late pontiff has been much maligned.
For this reason I find it encouraging that the Pave the Way Foundation has announced a petition to recognize Pope Pius XII as Righteous Among the Nations at Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. (story here)

Dare a deacon question a priest?

As a deacon, I know and am very comfortable with my place in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. I am a deacon for a reason. Though as a single male, I would certainly be eligible to pursue ordination to the presbyterate, somehow that doesn't seem to be what God wants of me. I frequently quip -- and as with all my jests there is a significant amount of truth behind it -- I believe that my salvation is dependent upon God having a sense of humor, but that my pursuing the priesthood would be pushing Him beyond His limits.

That is a long way of saying that I have a tremendous respect for priests and look to them for guidance. Most of the priests I know could tell you that I am as ready with questions as with opinions, and I am never too hesitant with the latter. I have a tendency to defer to presbyters in all matters dealing with theology, but even I must draw the line somewhere.

Perhaps I am not sufficiently progressive. Perhaps I shut out the "spirit of Vatican II" when I was busy reading the documents of Vatican II. Or, maybe, I just am as dumb as a sack of bricks. Whatever the reason, I must take exception to the portrayal by Fr. Richard McBrien, the Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, of Eucharistic Adoration as "...a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward" as he puts forth on the web site of the National Catholic Reporter. posting here

For if (as I truly believe and as the Church tells me) Christ is really present -- body, blood, soul and divinity -- in the eucharist reserved in the tabernacle, what better place is there to be than kneeling before him in adoration? Alas, I cannot (or my faith is not strong enough to lead me to) spend all my time in adoration. I can only spend what time I might and hope that through the course of the day I might encounter Christ in those whom I meet and serve.

I would ask Fr. McBrien to forgive me for questioning his position... but suddenly I have little desire to approach him for absolution.

Miraculously healed Deacon to visit Newman Oratory

Catholic News Agency reports that an American deacon whose cure from a crippling spine malady has been recognized as a miracle wrought though the intercession of Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman will visit Newman’s Birmingham Oratory in November. (story here)
This story was brought to my attention by the Reverend Know-it-all who has recently posted a couple of blogs responding to a questioner asking if there have been any incontrovertible miracles.
The story of the healing of Deacon Jack Sullivan of Massachusetts is one in which the cure was immediate and permanent following prayers asking the intercession of Cardinal Newman. “For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.”
I just celebrate the fact that at least one deacon is worthy of curing -- for this humble blogger, the best I can hope for is a light pickling.(a little preservation humor)
(more information here)

What is the state of Catholic Higher Education?

As "Catholic" institutions such as DePaul University strive to match their secular counterparts with programs such as their "Queer Studies" offering while seemingly distancing themselves from the actual teachings of Catholic Church, the question arises "What is the state of Catholic Higher Education?"
Dr. Anne Hendershott, former faculty member at the University of San Diego examines this question in her book Status Envy: the Politics of Higher Education.
Dr. Hendershott notes that, as catholic universities tend to be considered inferior to the top secular institutions, many of those catholic institutions have consciously distanced themselves from Catholic ideas and curriculum in favor of imitating secular institutions.
Presently Dr. Hendershott is a professor of urban studies at The King’s College in New York where she says she is allowed to be Catholic. (story here)

A Pastor's challenge to parents...

I was pleased to see this in my Sunday bulletin:

From the Pastor’s Desk
I once asked a rabbi if there was an orthodox Jewish institution where I might study the Talmud. He said, “No.” I was a little surprised. He continued, “The Talmud exists so that the 613 precepts of the law can be correctly followed. It is a mistake to teach Talmud to someone who is not going to observe its requirements. You would be wasting our time; you would be wasting yours.”
It is well established that if a child doesn’t attend church with his family, it is rare that he grows up to be an active Catholic. We Catholics believe that to be a Catholic, you have to go to Mass on Sunday. You may have a Catholic point of view and call yourself a Catholic, but to be Catholic you have to go to Mass and Communion.
There are some people who drop their children off for Mass and religious education, but don’t attend Mass themselves. As the Rabbi said, “You’re wasting our time and you’re wasting yours.” Why would you want your children to be involved in something that has so little meaning for you? It is counterproductive.
There are two ways that people experience conversion to Christ, the Faith and the Church: growing up in a Catholic home and encountering Christ as an adult. To bring children to church when I myself don’t participate may well deny them the possibility of ever becoming active Christians.
By not going to church, you give them the message that this is not important. They will grow up to believe that Mass is something children do. They will probably be immune to faith when they are adults because you are, in effect, vaccinating them against faith by giving them a weak dose of religion in their childhood. Worse than that, you are teaching them to lie. To receive Communion is to say that I want to belong to Christ for the rest of my life. They will hear in religion class that they have a moral responsibility to go to Mass every Sunday. They will see that you don’t go to Mass. Why confuse them?
Therefore I am asking, if you are not an active Catholic who attends Mass on Sunday with your children, please don’t send your children to religious education. There are of course exceptions. If grandparents or godparents are helping to raise children and they attend Mass with the children that will be fine. If a child sincerely asks to learn the faith, knowing that his or her parents are not involved, that too, will be fine. If you have a good reason for not attending Mass please call me. I would love to hear it. There are always exceptions to every rule.

Fr. Simon

Vietnamese blogger arrested

A story on Zenit announces that a Vietnamese blogger who had the audacity to protest how the Vietnamese government distorted the remarks of Pope Benedict to the bishops of Vietnam on their ad limina visit has been arrested. (story here)
In republishing the original article by the state run newspaper, other newspapers called for the arrest of priests of Thai Ha and Vinh. That region has been the site of conflict between the Church and the government over the confiscation of Church property.
This gives me a greater sense of appreciation for the freedom I have in posting my own inane ramblings. I can only pray for our brothers and sisters in Vietnam where the church is now subject to a systematic persecution orchestrated by the government.

Sure 'n couldn't you tell he was Irish?

Obviously blessed with the gift of gab, and a better-than-average bloke to have on your side in a donnybrook, Muhammad Ali finally comes to terms with his Irish roots with a return to Ennis, Count Clare from whence his great-grandfather Abe Grady hailed. (story here)
The source of those good looks, wit and charm are now explained.

A call to stop the insanity...

Chicago-based Mercy for Animals is garnering attention for its release of an undercover video depicting the destruction of baby male chicks in a hatchery operation. The group, which promotes a vegan diet, accused egg hatcheries of being "perhaps the cruelest industry" in the world and is asking major retailers to include an advisory on egg cartons saying, "Warning: Male chicks are ground-up alive by the egg industry." (story here)
Perhaps Mercy for Animals would like to take up another cause with an expose of slaughter perpetrated by Planned Parenthood which is subsidized with taxpayer dollars. Why do I think such a request would fall on deaf ears?

Comedian sued by mother-in-law

More evidence that society has become entirely too litigious. Now I see that comic Sunda Croonquist is being sued by her mother-in-law because of her jokes. Ruth Zafrin says Croonquist’s mother-in-law jokes spread false, defamatory and racist lies. The jokes have become a staple of Croonquist’s routine.
Depending on the outcome of this case Don Rickles may be spending the remaining years of his life in court.

We're not reforming the reform...

Apparently there are sufficient rumors circulating that Pope Benedict XVI wants to "turn back the clock" on the liturgical reforms of Vatican II that the Vatican felt compelled to issue a statement denying those rumors. Story here. One such rumor is reported here.
I suppose such speculation is to be expected in light of the issuance of the Apostolic Letter "Summorum Pontificum" in July, 2007 which made the "extraordinary form" of the Roman Mass following the following the Roman Missal of 1962 (Tridentine Mass) more readily available to the people. However, Pope Benedict has made clear that he considers the Mass of Paul VI to be "...the ordinary expression of the 'Lex orandi' (Law of prayer) of the Catholic Church of the Latin rite." It is apparently little noted that both forms of the Mass are generally available and the existence of one form is not particularly threatened by the other.
As the Church is facing attacks for its stances on sexuality, a male priesthood, opposition to abortion, support of basic human rights, etc., there is no need for one more thing to muddy the waters. One extreme would apparently like to declare everything that came out of Vatican II null and void, while another extreme wants to use the "spirit of Vatican II" (which apparently has little to do with the actual documents of the council) as a license to pursue personal agendas. People like me can only try to remain faithful to the actual teachings of the church and continue to pray "Lord, teach me your ways."

Report: Science can't explain Guadalupe

Zenit reports on a presentation made at the International Marian Conference in Phoenix in which Adolfo Orozco, a physicist who for years has studied the tilma bearing the image of the Blessed Virgin, affirmed that there is no scientific explanation for the image.
Another presentation was made by an engineer who studied the eyes of the image on the tilma using digital imagery and discovered 13 figures in the cornea of the image corresponding to the persons who were present when Juan Diego presented his tilma to Bishop Juan Zumarraga in 1531. The report is fascinating.

Homily 21st Sunday Ordinary Time -- Choices

(below is the text of a homily delivered Sunday, August 23. An audio version of what was actually delivered may be found here.)

The following advertisement appeared in a London newspaper in 1912.
MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL.
HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS.
This was Ernest Shackleton’s ad to recruit members for his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. More than 5,000 men applied to join that expedition. They knew the hardships, but the reward seemed worth the risk.
Today’s gospel concludes the Bread of Life discourse from John’s Gospel which we have been hearing proclaimed for the past six weeks. Things have built up to a time of decision.
Like Shackleton, Jesus asks those who would follow him to make a choice to do something difficult. In this case to believe in Him. As a reward, he offers eternal life. The choice is left up to them.
God always leaves it up to us. We are the ones who have to choose, and the choice isn’t easy. As Fr. Simon continually reminds us, the root meaning of the word “faith” is trust. Faith cannot be instilled in us, it does not come from the outside, but it comes from within. Faith is a conscious choice to put our trust in something other than ourselves, in this case to put our trust in God.
It seems logical that we should do that. Even a pagan would recognize that, by definition, God is that being, greater than which nothing else exists. It would seem logical to trust in that which is greater. If that is true for a pagan, then to a Christian who believes in a God who is not remote, but imminent and infinitely loving, how much more should we be willing to trust God completely and to submit to his will?
But we seldom do. We prefer to rely on that little bit of control we delude ourselves into thinking we have over our lives. We can’t control the weather; we can’t control our appetites and desires; we can’t control our children; we can’t control our hair color without chemical help; yet we hesitate to turn control of our lives over to a God who loves us. We have our plans, we’d rather do it ourselves.
There is the wonderful line… do you want to hear God laugh? Tell Him what you’ve got planned.
We don’t wish to subordinate our wishes to those of God. But this is what God asks of us. This is what Paul is telling us in that second reading. You know the one that we feel uncomfortable about reading because of the line about wives making themselves subordinate to their husbands. We tend to overlook the fact that he asks us all to “be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
It is out of reverence for Christ that Paul is asking us to put our selfish desires second to the good of the ones we love.
To trust him. This is the same thing that was being asked of the Hebrew people in the first reading. Joshua asks whom will you trust? Whom will you serve? To whom will you make yourselves subordinate? Will it be to the nations and powers of the world, or will it be the God of Israel?
This choice set the Hebrew people apart from the rest of the world. It is a choice that sets us apart from the rest of the world. It is increasingly an uncommon choice.
In 1958, about 74% of Catholics attended weekly Mass. In its Data Composite Book for 2008, the Archdiocese of Chicago reports the "October Count" Mass attendance at 474,000 a week. That is just 20% of the reported Catholic population of 2,338,000 in the Archdiocese. The largest single religious denomination in Lake and Cook County, Illinois is non-practicing Catholics. That indicates what the popular choice is.
What Jesus asks is that we make a conscious choice to trust him, to follow him. This is a choice we are being asked to make not just once, but today, and again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.
Our life is to be a constant turning to, subordination to, and reliance upon God. The choice is not easy. It sets us apart. Those who are not here this morning have reasons. They work hard and this is their only chance to rest; or the kids have a soccer game; or Mass is something they don’t get much out of; or the people in church are hypocrites; it is too hot, too cold, too rainy or too sunny to go; or the homily is just too boring.
There are thousands of reasons not to come to Mass. There is, in my mind one compelling reason to come. That is because The Holy Eucharist, as Vatican II tells us, is "…the source and summit of the Christian life". This is the normative way in which we encounter Christ and join in intimate union with the God who loves us. This is a unique act of faith, of trust that unites us with God.
In a few minutes we will be invited to come forth, to express our faith in the Christ who, through the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon our gifts, makes himself present to us ─ body, blood, soul and divinity. Our response is to be a fully conscious decision to trust the Lord. We affirm that decision with our “Amen!”
We place our trust in Him. In return he offers eternal life.
I choose to trust Christ. In the course of the week there will come a time when I am faced with the choice between what I want and what the Lord wants. Sometimes I choose my own desires. It is then that He will ask if I too will leave. Then I pray I have the courage to say with Peter, “Master, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life."
Jesus, I trust in you.

The Visitators are coming!! The Visitators are coming!!

Two somewhat related stories caught my attention this morning. The first was NPR's Morning Edition story about American Women Religious reacting with suspicion in light of the apostolic visitation of the 340 religious communities that had been announced in December, 2008. The story also addressed a request from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith asking the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to clarify its stand on three doctrinal issues: that only men can be priests; that homosexual practice should not be sanctioned; and that the Catholic Church provides the way to salvation. (Their discomfort reminds me of a bumper sticker that read, "Jesus is coming... look busy!")
The second item was the story from Zenit reporting that vocations in the United States are attracted to traditional religious orders whose members tend to live and pray in community and "...wear a religious habit, work together in common apostolates, and are explicit about their fidelity to the Church and the teachings of the Magisterium."
Putting it into terms that are not particularly helpful but commonly used, the liberals are nervous, but it is the conservative orders that are growing. While one group sees a threat to the "spirit of Vatican II", the other finds strength in faithfulness to the Church.
I fully expect the secular media to cast a negative light on the apostolic visitation, to avoid stories on the growing orders which are more likely to welcome the visitation and to make interminable references to the Inquisition (which is maligned for its false portrayal of as part of the "Black Legend", but which in fact was welcomed by much of the populace and saved perhaps millions of people from arbitrary summary judgment by secular authorities). However, as was the case with the apostolic visitation of the seminaries a couple of years ago, this may well prove to be a wonderful opportunity for self-examination, renewal and improvement on the part of women religious.

East is East... but is East best?

I noticed on the Deacon's Bench and on Catholic Culture News Briefs that Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa has announced in the diocesan publication The Eastern Oklahoma Catholic that when he is celebrating Mass at the cathedral he will do so ad orientem, or facing in the same direction as the people.
While he recognizes some benefits of the celebrant facing the people as has been standard following the Second Vatican Council, Bishop Slattery sees a problem in that "... it can give the appearance that the priest and the people were engaged in a conversation about God, rather than the worship of God."
I believe many others will follow Bishop Slattery's lead (my pastor may well be one of the early adopters of this return to the traditional orientation) but I am not quite sure how I feel about it. Nowhere in the documents of Vatican II was the change in orientation from ad orientem to versus populum mandated, but it has been a part of my lived worship experience for the past 40 years.
Many a lively discussion will result from Bishop Slattery's initiative, but that is part of the reason I enjoy church work so much. As the great philosopher Roseanne Roseannadanna said, "It's always something!"

The Deacon's Bench: You have never seen anything quite like this. Really.

The Deacon's Bench: You have never seen anything quite like this. Really. An amazing video and a moving remembrance.

Still the last legitimate prejudice in America

It has been apparent for years that anti-Catholicism is the last prejudice to be tolerated in secular society. Animus that would find not be countenanced should it be directed against any other religious, ethnic or racial group is treated as simple entertainment when directed against the Catholic Church and its teachings.
As an example consider the upcoming, season finale of the Penn & Teller Showtime series "Bullsh*t". On his Twitter page, Penn Jillette brags how he rips a Catholic encyclical on sexuality: “I’m dressed as Darth with a condom c--k light saber.”
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights has taken out an ad in the trade publication Variety calling for CBS, the parent company of Showtime, to finally draw the line.
On its website the show is described as "...a high-octane, weird, wacky, entertaining journey through some bizarre territory that no one else is brave enough to touch," and boasts that the team of Penn and Teller are "...confirmed skeptics and pro-science atheists (they refer to God as "an imaginary friend")."
I have an overactive sense of humor and like to quip that because of this I am known as "bad Deacon!," however, even I know where to draw the line, particularly when I take into account the legacy we have inherited from this secular society which has sought to do away with God.

Can we not support health care reform?

The health care debate in the United States is rapidly devolving into the same type of shouting match that marks all too much of contemporary political discourse. Those opposed to any change in health care see more socialists than Joe McCarthy could find on May Day in Moscow. Meanwhile proponents in charge of crafting the proposals appear to be willing to sacrifice the whole package rather than yield any ground on their agenda issues such as publicly funded abortion.
In his letter of August 11, Cardinal Rigali restated the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) long standing support for health care reform with the requirement that such reform must include provisions that protect life from conception to natural death and provide for freedom of conscience for health care workers.
I support the bishops in their stance and recognize that with 50 million Americans uninsured the need for health care reform is apparent. However, I was intrigued by an editorial in The Tablet which examined the question and brought to mind that the institution of National Health Service in the UK came about without the support of Catholic bishops for similar reasons as face the church in the US. The editorial laments the bishops failure "...to put the promotion of social justice above their churchly priorities," and views that as a mistake.
The times and situations are different, however the editorial is worth reading. At least it is more reasoned and less polemic than what we are hearing in most of the US.

Maybe it is about time...

In recent weeks I have been deeply troubled by my perception of the state of the Catholic Church in the United States. When I was a child, Catholic families may have been a minority, but they were a very visible minority.
Catholics were the ones ordering the fish special in restaurants on Fridays even when the restaurant was a steak house. Catholics were the ones who invariably said, "Good morning Father" (or sister) whenever they passed a priest or religious sister on the street; and it was easy to spot the priests and religious because they always wore distinctive garb -- there was no doubt who they were. Catholics went to mass on Sunday and said grace before meals even in restaurants. Catholics crossed themselves and said a silent prayer if an ambulance went by.
In 1958, about 74% of Catholics attended weekly Mass. In its Data Composite Book for 2008, the Archdiocese of Chicago reports the "October Count" Mass attendance at 474,000 a week. That is just 20% of the reported Catholic population of 2,338,000 in the Archdiocese. The largest single religious denomination in Lake and Cook County, Illinois is non-practicing Catholics.
This is not news to the priests, deacons or lay people involved in the school and religious education programs around the archdiocese. For years we have witnessed the dynamic of parents who drop their children off for religious education classes but never seem to find their way into the church itself; couples who do not worship at any church, live together but want to have a full Catholic wedding; and parents who come requesting baptism for their children into a faith that they stopped practicing decades ago. Our parochial schools are more valued by some parents as inexpensive private education than as the Catholic schools they are intended to be.
For years our apparent response has been to say, "What'cha gonna do?" We trust God and pray that the grace of the sacraments might entice those who have fallen away into coming back. For this reason we have been hesitant to voice our reservations and made the sacraments readily available to those who do not value them.
I fear that the result of making these treasured sacraments readily available has been not to lure those who have fallen away back to the church, but rather to cheapen those sacraments in their eyes. You get what you pay for, therefore the sacraments cannot be of much value if they are offered so freely.
So again, "What'cha gonna do?" Perhaps it is time to focus our energies and resources on the "faithful remnant", that 20% who practice their faith. Where the lowering of standards in an attempt to be more "pastoral" has only continued the decline in the practice of the faith, perhaps the lived witness of the devoted few if fully supported may prove to be more efficacious in the process of evangelization and conversion.
Perhaps it will not work, but I know that continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results is insanity.

Between Vespers and Compline, perhaps a new hour called "Happy"

Catholic News Service offers the following quote from Trappist Father Isaac Majoor, prior of the Abbey of Our Lady of Konigshoeven in the Netherlands which seems to help make the enjoyment of a beverage a more contemplative and prayerful exercise.

"Don't drink it too quickly. Create an atmosphere of silence and peace. It helps you reflect on your day."

Fr. Majoor is on a tour of the U. S. promoting the new ale "Isid'or" produced by his monastery in celebration of its 125th anniversary. Another story here

Is it really better not to know?

It has been a difficult time in Chicago as 36 students of Chicago Public Schools died in the past school years as a result of gun violence. We all know that "...guns don't kill people, people kill people." The NRA makes sure that message gets out. What is surprising is that they let the number of Chicago students killed by guns this year get out.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carol Marin has an interesting commentary is today's paper on how successful the NRA has been in preventing studies that might assemble the data to inform the public on the level of gun violence in America.
The NRA acknowledges their efforts to block such research. "We've interjected ourselves when we think there would be biased, outcome-based research," Todd Vandermyde, the NRA's legislative liaison for Illinois, said Tuesday by phone. This was in reference to a study proposed by the Center for Disease Control. I guess I never thought of them as a biased group. If the truth is uncomfortable perhaps it is better not to discover it.
Ms. Marin's piece today has put me in the awkward position of reflecting on the importance of the efforts of Rev. Michael Pfleger to force Chicago to face up to the severity of the problem of gun violence in Chicago. Fr. Pfleger is a man with whom I have major issues on many matters liturgical and theological, but I readily acknowledge his willingness to speak out boldly on major issues. As one side seeks to maintain a level of ignorance, perhaps it is necessary to have a Pfleger making noise.

Is your faith worth suffering for?

A half-million Vietnamese gathered in various cities in Vietnam to protest the vicious beating of two Catholic priests by police. Zenit reports the story here, and Asia News tells the story here.
In a second story, Asia News reports death threats against believers in Dong Hoi following the arrest of a Catholic who allowed his home to be used for services. (story here)
It is also reported that "...the police and groups of thugs are roaming the streets and attacking those who visibly wear Catholic religious symbols."
Meanwhile in the United States, 75% of Catholics find that going to Mass on Sunday is just too inconvenient and most would be reluctant to be seen saying grace with their family before a meal in a restaurant.
The same faith that is worth suffering and dying for in Vietnam is too often approached with indifference in the United States. Curious isn't it?

A "two-track" faith?

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams indicates that the worldwide Anglican Communion will have to accept "...the possibility ... of a 'two-track' model, two ways of witnessing to the Anglican heritage, one of which had decided that local autonomy had to be the prevailing value system." (story here) This is in an attempt to maintain unity by allowing individual churches to hold different opinions about gay clergy and same-sex unions.
Perhaps taking a page from Solomon, the archbishop seems to be willing to sacrifice the child so that each group can have a piece of what they want. Though I note that Solomon never did actually cut the baby in two.
The Archbishop presented his reflections on his website (link here) on Monday. Archbishop Williams notes that a key question is "...whether the Church is free to recognise same-sex unions by means of public blessings that are seen as being, at the very least, analogous to Christian marriage," and he also recognizes that a positive answer to that requires a rethinking of the way the church has read the bible for the past two thousand years.
I am led to wonder that if, in an effort to be all inclusive by having a tent that is open on all sides with no regard for scripture or tradition, we find ourselves completely outside any tent and merely wandering in the wilderness.

Thoughts on a Wedding Dance

With well over 8 million viewings on YouTube, most have been exposed to the video of the dancing procession at the wedding of Kevin Heinz and Jill Peterson. The exuberance of the dance is truly contagious and is the main reason why this video went viral (some puns are too easy).

Maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy, but I am uncomfortable with this entrance to a church wedding. I do note that this was not a Catholic church and am willing to cut a lot of slack, but I am a believer that certain places and certain events demand a greater degree of reverence.
This dance would have been wonderful at a reception, but had it taken place in a Catholic church where we believe that Christ is truly present in eucharist reserved in the tabernacle, and as prelude to the sacrament of a couple entering into a lifetime commitment of marriage, I would have been greatly upset.
After reading many comments regarding this video, I recognize this places me in the great minority but -- stealing from the Byrds, who stole from Ecclesiastes -- there is a time and a place for everything. A sacramental wedding at a Catholic church is neither the time or place.
This distinction is also innately recognized at a New Orleans jazz funeral. The mourners there also dance in celebration, but not at the solemn ceremonies at church nor at the graveside, but as they go forth from those places.
Alas, I fear that this wedding procession will now be copied incessantly and I am going to irritate some bridezilla when I tell her it will not be allowed if I am involved in the ceremony. Then again, in those instances in which I am involved with marriage preparation, I try to explain that our concern is not for the wedding, but for the marriage.

Well this is refreshing...

Heisman Trophy winner and star quarterback of the National Champion University of Florida apparently stunned his interviewers when he acknowledged that he is saving himself for marriage. From Mike Bianchi and the Orlando Sentinel:

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- You no longer need to wonder if the devoutly spiritual Tim Tebow is a virgin.

Now you know.

Responding to a question from radio reporters at SEC Media Days Thursday about whether he is saving himself for marriage, Tebow laughed initially and then said seriously, "Yes, I am."

When another reporter stumbled through and couldn't finish a follow-up question, the 21-year-old University of Florida quarterback laughed and said, "I think you're stunned right now. You can't even ask a question. ... I was ready for that question, but I don't think ya'll were."

I don't know about you, but this just makes me respect Tebow even more. In a sports world where far too many young athletes are having children out of wedlock, the most popular player in America proudly admits he is saving himself for marriage.

I'm not much of a Gators fan, but I certainly respect this young man.

Set for the baptism? Why not get married too?

As one who in the course of baptismal preparation classes routinely meets couples who have been married in a civil ceremony (if at all) and who are looking to have their child baptized, this article about an initiative undertaken by the Church of England offering a two-for-one service of wedding for the couple and baptism for their child caught my attention.
I often try to take advantage of the occasion of the baptism as an opportunity to bring up the possibility having the couple enter into a sacramental union, but question whether this approach is wise. However, I believe that there is something of value to the initiative itself.

Twisting and turning

Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, Ph.D. is Director of Education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia and author of a column "Making Sense out of Bioethics" published in many Catholic diocesan newspapers as well as on the NCBC website.
His latest column explores the contortion the pro-abortion lobby goes through to justify their position and their readiness to twist logic to do so. In the end he portrays abortion as the "insurance" which allows people the freedom to engage in the unrestrained, uncommitted, unlimited couplings which are the fruit of the sexual revolution.

In the final analysis, this stands as probably the single greatest tragedy of our time, that the unordered and inordinate sexual desires of men and women have been allowed to twist the most rudimentary moral logic to the point of death for so many of our children.

I find this a fairly accurate indictment of our culture in which one person values the other person based solely upon how and to what degree that person enables one to fulfill his/her own desires.

Ah, fame is a fickle thing...

The votes are in and the fans of the "King of Pop" were unable to churn up enough interest to have their idol's image cast in butter. This from the Iowa State Fair web site:

After a week of voting, the results of the Iowa State Fair online poll are in. With a margin of 65.24% “no” to 34.76% “yes,” fairgoers have voted down the inclusion of Michael Jackson in the moonwalk butter sculpture planned for the 2009 Iowa State Fair.

More than 100,000 votes were cast in the unscientific online poll conducted from July 9 to July 16.

In addition to the butter Jersey cow, a separate sculpture will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk on July 20, 1969. In honor of Armstrong’s “giant leap for mankind,” this year’s sculpture will include an astronaut, an American flag and a buttery rendition of the surface of the moon. The butter sculptures will be on display in a 40-degree cooler in the Fair’s Agriculture Building.

Bishop issues directive on placement of tabernacles

Bishop John M D'Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has promulgated norms for the placement of tabernacles in churches of the diocese. These norms were promulgated on the feast of Corpus Christi and take effect August 4, 2009, the feast of St. John Vianney.
In essence the norms call for the tabernacle to be "...prominently located in the sanctuary of the church, along the central axis behind the main altar."
Along with the growing re-emergence of Eucharistic Adoration in parishes, this practice may further emphasize the centrality of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to Catholic life and worship.
Good on you, Bishop D'Arcy.

New deacons in Hong Kong

I was interested to see that the Diocese of Hong Kong ordained three men to the permanent diaconate on July 11 bringing the number of permanent deacons in the diocese to 11 (they have a long way to go to catch up with the over 600 deacons in the Archdiocese of Chicago).
My brother deacons who feel that the current minimum of four years formation for the Archdiocese of Chicago is onerous might be surprised that these men have completed a seven-year program.
Congratulations to the newly ordained.

Just a small step

Forty years ago I was working for Mr. Henry T. Groves on his farm near Louisville, KY. Due to a moment of inattentiveness and an errant footstep while mowing the lawn in front of the farm house, I managed to severely cut my toe. Thanks to the fine work of a couple of physicians, the toe was saved and the lasting effects of the injury ultimately proved to be negligible. But the injury was severe enough to keep me away from work for several weeks.
This comes to mind only because of my recollection that I was able to follow the lunar landing of Apollo XI because I was laid up at home. As I was injured and did not have to get up to be at the farm at 6:00 a.m. the next day, I was able to witness Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon.
A footstep is a simple thing, and a very significant thing as is demonstrated by Armstrong's first step and this video from CatholicVote.org.



with thanks to The Deacon's Bench

Is butter fit for the "King of Pop"?

This certainly has to be one of the great moral questions of the age., and leave it to the good folks of Iowa to forthrightly face it. (story here)
It appears that shortly after Michael Jackson's death, The Iowa State Fair announced that they would honor him with a display of his likeness sculpted in butter. But the announcement raised concerns of many critics in the Hawkeye State who felt that the late entertainer was not worthy of such an honor. Though assured by state fair officials that the proposed sculpture would not be displayed with the same degree of prominence accorded to the traditional butter sculpture of a cow (how's that for a golden calf?), the critics were not satisfied.
Organizers chose to let voters decide. Voters can go to iowastatefair.org to weigh in on the matter. Voting closes at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2009.

Harry gets Vatican blessing

Some will be surprised to learn that L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, has lauded the newly released film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince giving the movie a 4-star review and praising the film for supporting values of "...friendship, altruism, loyalty, and self-giving."
This is a change from earlier condemnations of the series for promoting witchcraft as positive. story here
I wonder if someone there read ahead and discovered that the final book of the series develops the character of Harry into a very Christ-like figure.

A hopeful sign

The nomination by President Obama of Dr. Regina Benjamin to the post of Surgeon General of the United States provides a bit of hope to Catholics. In 2006, Dr. Benjamin was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross by Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of service to the Church and the pontiff. Retired Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb of Mobile exspressed his pleasure at the nomination and described Dr. Benjamin as a person with a great sense of responsibility and one who is authentic in her Catholicism.
CNS story here.
I remain cynical but am cautiously optimistic with this nomination.

One to go... and do you want fries with that?

Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper has taken heat over a You Tube video showing him receiving a consecrated host from a priest at the funeral mass for Romeo LeBlanc. The video shows him receiving, but not consuming the host. The prime minister's office and the Speaker of the Senate, Noel Kinsella, have issued statements attesting that Mr. Harper did indeed consume the host.
However, that will not stop people from holding his feet to the fire.

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Cameron Cardow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Do you love the Lord... or just his stuff?

Yesterday I read a posting on Deacon Greg Kandra's blog The Deacon's Bench reacting to a Slate article on the "Prosperity Gospel" and Joel Osteen one of its gurus. The article takes a look at how Osteen's message is being received in light of the recession.
What most intrigued me was that as I was reading this piece that pointed out "...the belief in 'positive confession,' or the idea that the faithful can 'name it and claim it'—even Waikiki timeshares or Rolls-Royces with corn-silk leather trim—and God will provide it," I was listening to Fr. Richard Simon's homily for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary time in which he makes the point that we tend to ask God for things, but God wants to give us himself.
It may be unkind, but it struck me that those who follow the "Prosperity Gospel" tend to approach God in the same manner as a spoiled child approaches his parent -- more concerned with the gift than with the giver, and seemingly unconcerned with the love for which the gift can only be considered a poor substitute.
Deacon Kandra wonderfully summed up Osteen's theology as "...all crown and no cross." When Our Lady offered Maximillian Kolbe a choice between the two in a vision, the future saint and martyr asked for both. That is a more authentic Christianity to my way of thinking.