As we celebrate the fourth of July, and begin to roll out those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer" (as Nat King Cole sings), let us each thank God that he has given us the chance to live in the greatest country on the Earth. It may not be perfect but few run away from it, and many do whatever they can to get here.
On a side note, I will be taking a couple of days off for vacation with a couple of million other folks.
Remember to get to Mass and say a couple of prayers for those in our Armed Services, and esp. our Military Chaplains.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Catholic Church's Fifth Column
Deacon Keith Fournier of Catholic Online, has written a interesting piece on the Catholic Church's Fifth Column.
I use the phrase “fifth column” in reference to people within our Church, fellow Catholics. These folks have rejected the teaching of the Church in an area of moral truth and, rather than honestly admit it and seek to change themselves so that they can properly inform their conscience and give a religious submission of intellect and will,(which is our obligation as faithful Catholics), they now attempt to confuse the faithful. However, they go even further.
They engage in a covert operation intended to undermine the Church. This is done in several ways. Sometimes it is through a kind of slow drip of dissent. Other times through a concerted campaign which overtly opposes the ‘Magisterium’ , the teaching office of the Catholic Church, though still containing its rebellion and opposition within the family of the Church. Still other times it goes beyond all propriety by overtly rejecting the clear teaching of the Church. Then, using a public forum, they intentionally try to hurt the Church and cause a scandal. It is to the last group that I now address this article.
Almost every week brings another instance (sometimes repeated) of this type of activity in the Archdiocese of Washington DC, such as the regular meetings of Voice of the Faithful at Holy Trinity, the DC City Council members (who are "practicing Catholics") who voted to recognize gay marriage or Knights of Columbus who support the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama.
Do you know of a Catholic institution (or maybe a priest of nun) in the Archdiocese of Washington that would fit the Fifth Column profile? Here is your chance to let everyone know.
Send me an email (awashingtondccatholic@gmail.com) and the reason why (just a couple of sentences -- not a research paper). If it is not just some rant and rave, dripping with hate, it may get published over the course of the next few weeks.
Please note, that I may wish to ask some further questions, so if there is an email address at which I can contact you at, that would be best.
I use the phrase “fifth column” in reference to people within our Church, fellow Catholics. These folks have rejected the teaching of the Church in an area of moral truth and, rather than honestly admit it and seek to change themselves so that they can properly inform their conscience and give a religious submission of intellect and will,(which is our obligation as faithful Catholics), they now attempt to confuse the faithful. However, they go even further.
They engage in a covert operation intended to undermine the Church. This is done in several ways. Sometimes it is through a kind of slow drip of dissent. Other times through a concerted campaign which overtly opposes the ‘Magisterium’ , the teaching office of the Catholic Church, though still containing its rebellion and opposition within the family of the Church. Still other times it goes beyond all propriety by overtly rejecting the clear teaching of the Church. Then, using a public forum, they intentionally try to hurt the Church and cause a scandal. It is to the last group that I now address this article.
Almost every week brings another instance (sometimes repeated) of this type of activity in the Archdiocese of Washington DC, such as the regular meetings of Voice of the Faithful at Holy Trinity, the DC City Council members (who are "practicing Catholics") who voted to recognize gay marriage or Knights of Columbus who support the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama.
Do you know of a Catholic institution (or maybe a priest of nun) in the Archdiocese of Washington that would fit the Fifth Column profile? Here is your chance to let everyone know.
Send me an email (awashingtondccatholic@gmail.com) and the reason why (just a couple of sentences -- not a research paper). If it is not just some rant and rave, dripping with hate, it may get published over the course of the next few weeks.
Please note, that I may wish to ask some further questions, so if there is an email address at which I can contact you at, that would be best.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Voce Italiana drunk on the Fr. Jenkins' Kool-Aid
My friend gave me the latest copy of Voce Italiana. Voce, as my friend commonly calls it, is a“An Italian American Gazette of the Greater Washington DC Area" published by Holy Rosary Church. Holy Rosary is what some refer to as a national or ethnic parish, since it caters to members of one particular ethnic group, in this case, Italians and Italian-Americans. However, as with any of these parishes (and I find nothing wrong with them), anyone is welcome.
As you know, I have blogged about them before.
Well, it seems that the editors of Voce have had a couple of glasses of the Fr. Jenkins' Kool-Aid, instead of a couple of good glasses of Italian wine. Although maybe they had a little too much wine first, and it lead to them to their clouded thinking.
In their editorial section, they decided to piggy back on an article from America Magazine. Right then and there, you know we were in for some subversive thinking Voce backs the idea that it is okay for Catholic schools (ie, Notre Dame) to give awards to non-Catholics, even when they differ in fundamental aspects of faith. Second, Catholics can come to different conclusions regarding matters of faith and it is okay.
Now, if you wish come to different conclusions on how to assist the poor (some say government, some say individual efforts), that is one thing. However, on such issues as abortion and stem cell use, give me a break.
Once again, we ask what is Fr. Tomasi (the Editor-in-Chief) of Voce Italiana thinking. He is a Catholic priest. This is published by a Catholic Church. No amount of side stepping can change that. And, where is the Archdiocese of Washington DC on this? Will they do anything? Probably not.
As you know, I have blogged about them before.
Well, it seems that the editors of Voce have had a couple of glasses of the Fr. Jenkins' Kool-Aid, instead of a couple of good glasses of Italian wine. Although maybe they had a little too much wine first, and it lead to them to their clouded thinking.
In their editorial section, they decided to piggy back on an article from America Magazine. Right then and there, you know we were in for some subversive thinking Voce backs the idea that it is okay for Catholic schools (ie, Notre Dame) to give awards to non-Catholics, even when they differ in fundamental aspects of faith. Second, Catholics can come to different conclusions regarding matters of faith and it is okay.
Now, if you wish come to different conclusions on how to assist the poor (some say government, some say individual efforts), that is one thing. However, on such issues as abortion and stem cell use, give me a break.
Once again, we ask what is Fr. Tomasi (the Editor-in-Chief) of Voce Italiana thinking. He is a Catholic priest. This is published by a Catholic Church. No amount of side stepping can change that. And, where is the Archdiocese of Washington DC on this? Will they do anything? Probably not.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Catholics in the News...
So, when I got home from work the other day, I found a copy of the local newspaper, the Gazette.
As I read through it, there were I found out that Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School (People's Republic of Takoma Park) was honored by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions to the youth of the community.
In addition, Christina M. Byrne, MSW (Director of Professional Standards) Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington DC was honored as part of the Leadership Montgomery Class of '09. Although I am not certain of what one does to be recognized as part of this, I offer her my congratulations.
As I read through it, there were I found out that Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School (People's Republic of Takoma Park) was honored by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions to the youth of the community.
In addition, Christina M. Byrne, MSW (Director of Professional Standards) Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington DC was honored as part of the Leadership Montgomery Class of '09. Although I am not certain of what one does to be recognized as part of this, I offer her my congratulations.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Catholic Standard - Weekly Update
Once again, due to personal issues, I was not able to get this out to you earlier. So, mea culpa.
In This Week at a Glance, we once again see how the USCCB is really a do nothing group. They support Bishop D'Arcy on Notre Dame but do they do much else. Nope. They are also working on ensuring that there is "comprehensive immigration reform." What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. Here in MoCo illegal immigration is fueling our crime rate. Almost every week, we see another story of how an illegal immigrant (not just any immigrant but illegal ones) has committed a crime of one sort of another. And yes, gay marriage was moving at a very quick pace, but the bishops seem to move rather slowly on this one. Case in point: Washington DC.
The Archbishop participated in the prayer service at Metro Headquarters for those who died and those who were injured in the train accident last Monday. Thank you.
Another story on how the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program has shown that it makes good economic and academic sense.
Our newly ordained priests have been given their assignments. One may be coming to your parish. If so, welcome him with open arms. They are a blessing to all.
A more complete story about the Sunday TV Mass appeared in this issue. If PBS was for the public good, then they should be funded by the public, not the government.
The very sad story of the death of Fr. Vakoc, who was wounded in Iraq in 1992, is covered. Pray for him and all of our military chaplains.
As always, if you don't get the Catholic Standard, pick one up in your parish. Remember, they are required to take a certain number of copies -- whether they like it or not.
++++++
On another note, there have been a number of comments posted recently to this blog regarding Archbishop Wuerl. While I am no fan of his, and believe that he has done more harm than good, the tone of a number of these comments has gotten out of control. Therefore, the last couple of comments sent in will not be posted.
Once again, I welcome everyone to post a comment but ask you to mindful of what you are posting.
In This Week at a Glance, we once again see how the USCCB is really a do nothing group. They support Bishop D'Arcy on Notre Dame but do they do much else. Nope. They are also working on ensuring that there is "comprehensive immigration reform." What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. Here in MoCo illegal immigration is fueling our crime rate. Almost every week, we see another story of how an illegal immigrant (not just any immigrant but illegal ones) has committed a crime of one sort of another. And yes, gay marriage was moving at a very quick pace, but the bishops seem to move rather slowly on this one. Case in point: Washington DC.
The Archbishop participated in the prayer service at Metro Headquarters for those who died and those who were injured in the train accident last Monday. Thank you.
Another story on how the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program has shown that it makes good economic and academic sense.
Our newly ordained priests have been given their assignments. One may be coming to your parish. If so, welcome him with open arms. They are a blessing to all.
A more complete story about the Sunday TV Mass appeared in this issue. If PBS was for the public good, then they should be funded by the public, not the government.
The very sad story of the death of Fr. Vakoc, who was wounded in Iraq in 1992, is covered. Pray for him and all of our military chaplains.
As always, if you don't get the Catholic Standard, pick one up in your parish. Remember, they are required to take a certain number of copies -- whether they like it or not.
++++++
On another note, there have been a number of comments posted recently to this blog regarding Archbishop Wuerl. While I am no fan of his, and believe that he has done more harm than good, the tone of a number of these comments has gotten out of control. Therefore, the last couple of comments sent in will not be posted.
Once again, I welcome everyone to post a comment but ask you to mindful of what you are posting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
