Friday, October 30, 2009

Blog Name Change

I have been meaning to do this for a while, but I have finally gotten around to changing the name of the blog. Don't worry, you will not have to worry about your Favorite/Bookmark link. It will remain the same.

The change is that I realized a while back that this is not the Archdiocese of Washington DC but simply the Archdiocese of Washington. Therefore, the name change to "An Archdiocese of Washington Catholic."

For those of you who are regular readers, I thank you. For those who stop by once in a while, thank you for visiting and I hope that you will come back more often. For the first timers, I hope that you come back again.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Update on Pastor Problem

A short time ago, I published a letter sent to Msgr. Fisher, who is responsible for priests in this Archdiocese. Some of you (okay, maybe it was just Melvin) asked which parish it was.

Instead of telling which parish it is, I think I should tell you which parish it is not:
  • St. Peter Claver (St. Inigoes, MD)
  • University of Maryland - Catholic Center
Look for the next installment, sometime next week.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hate Speech - You Reap What You Sow.

The Maryland Catholic Conference a few years ago pushed/supported hate crimes legislation against the killing of a homeless person. On this blog, I argued that the intentional killing of a homeless person is just as bad as the murder or a priest, nun or my own mother. There should be no special "hate crime" legislation. I also warned that this was a dangerous precedent to set. Once done, it could open the door for other "special groups."

I thought that this from Pipeline News, sums it up nicely:

The theatre of the absurd is illuminated when society adds to the mix the concept of motivation to determine what is a crime or is not. Not only is it necessary to then "guess" at why a person does something but if the punishment for an act which has been previously deemed criminal is "enhanced," then a situation is created where the untenable becomes the rule and anything becomes possible to criminalize and punish whether reasonable or not - which brings us to "hate crimes."

What is a hate crime? The answer is whatever law makers say it is. And what do law makers say is a hate crime - whatever a sufficiently strong pressure group wants it to be. There need not be any logic to it.

Last July in another of the Democrat's leader's tricky moves, the senate voted to expand the 1969 federal hate crimes law to include people attacked because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability by attaching it to a "must pass" defense appropriation bill. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid said: "This bill simply recognizes that there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim."


This is the first time in American history that thought alone is being criminalized. Until now the government has adhered to the admonition by Thomas Jefferson who said the reach of legislation should extend only to actions and not to opinions but now the law will punish people not just for what they did but what they were thinking when they did it.

Consider the effect this will have on the practice of religion and freedom of speech. Anyone speaking from a pulpit who preaches the biblical view of homosexuality may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Not only does the new law make thought a factor in criminality, it also extends the power of the federal government over the states. Despite many states also having enacted hate crimes legislation, it would provide federal grants to help with the prosecuting of hate crimes and funds programs to combat hate crimes.

The federal government can step in after the Justice Department certifies that a state is unwilling or unable to follow through on a purported hate crime.

It in not likely that this law will be able to be repealed in the future so it will remain the law of the land and another triumph of a special interest group, in this case the homosexual community.

For the full story, click here.

Nice job Maryland Catholic Conference, nice job. You must be really proud of yourselves now.


PS: For those of you will bring up Matthew Sheppard, please make certain to include the fact that he was a meth addict, that one of the three men who killed him was bi-sexual and that all of them killed him (and admitted so) not because he was gay, but because he was an easy target and they wanted his money. Seems these facts get swept under the rug.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Same Sex Marriage and DC

Our colleagues over at Restore DC Catholocism have a first hand account of the rally this past weekend.

Yesterday, hearings were held in DC. You can read about it here.

Unfortunately, I think that this is a lost cause. Not because I am for same sex marriage, but because we have not put the heat on our politicians, esp. those who call themselves Catholic to follow their faith.

We have also not paid attention to the words used in various pieces of legislation. Look at the DC law which has brought us to this horrible situation re that you cannot bring to a vote any legislation that may deny the "human rights" of another.

Is it possible that they can turn this against those institutions which do not wish to marry same sex couples? It is entirely possible, most likely probable and was probably part of the long term thinking. They will come after us saying: Either marry gay couples, or lose tax exemption, etc. You may say that this violates your human rights, but don't hold your breath that they will see it that way. Then, you will have little choice.

Monday, October 26, 2009

USCCB and Talk Radio - They are Making A Mistake

It seems that the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) has signed on to a request to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to investigate "hate speech" on the radio because of the stance of people like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, etc. In particular, it deals with the issue of illegal immigration or as the USCCB calls it "immigration."

Don't they realize that it is only a matter of time that they will come after anyone who supports our views on homosexuality, abortion, etc.

THe USCCB may think that they are taking the high moral ground but they are only fooling themselves.

Maybe they should be more concerned about speaking out about this.

For more on this, go to Catholic Culture.

Update (10pm): According to the Catholic News Agency, the USCCB denies that it joined the FCC petition. Read about it here.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Well, folks, I have been remiss in my Catholic Standard weekly update.

This week the Standard seems a little thinner than normal. Not certain if it due to reduced ads, or just not much happening. However, here is a summary for you.

The cover story is on the 150th Anniversary of St. Aloysius. We also have the blessing of the new vestibule at St. George's in Southern Maryland. There was also the blessing of a new room in St. Patrick's downtown.

Page 3 has an article and advertisement on "The People's Rally" against same-sex marriages. The only problem is that this has come out so late. It is hard to plan these things at the last minute. Come on guys.

A story from Catholic News Service states "USCCB officials say problems remain in health bill." Yea, like the whole damn concept.

The Archdiocesan Legal Network celebrated their 20th Anniversary.

We have an advertisement from Stone Ridge, which is a regular advertiser. You remember them, they invited former Lt. Gov. Townsend, a pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage person to speak at one of the graduations a couple of years ago. And who did the school blame for the bad publicity...why it was the protesters and those against the visit and making things difficult for the students. Gee, who invited who. (Now, I do not know if the same school officials are there are not. So, please correct if I am wrong.)

The Insight Column discusses funding of abortion in the health care reform package. I have a much more basic question: Will this really give us better healthcare? Personally, I doubt it and will cost us much more in the long run.

Blessed Sacrament parish hosts a bone marrow drive for Zach Balog. Pro-Life in action.

We have one story on the welcoming of our Anglican brothers and sisters back into the family of our Catholic faith (should they wish to join) and one on the Joint Declaration of Justification with Lutherans.

The Standard recognizes the 5th Anniversary of the death of Cardial Hickey, as well as, the death of Fr. Twohig. Fr. Twohig served in various parishes and at Gallard University.

Now, remember, your parish pays to have the Standard (whether they like it or not), so pick up a copy and drop a little in the plate for it.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Brookewood School on 630 WMAL This Morning...

Last week, I wrote about the fact that Brookewood School was banned from a public park in Kensington, MD.

Well, this morning it was on the Chris Plante Show (AM630 WMAL) this morning.

Man, did Chris lay into the Mayer and Kensington Town Council. Called them extortionists. Said they were even worse than Tony Soprano.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Which Parish Is It?

Over the last few days, there have been some postings (as well as some phone calls from Melvin) regarding the name of the parish.

All I can tell you is that it is not St. Matthew's Cathedral or the Shrine.

Do you think you know which parish it is?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Open Letter to the Fr. Fisher - Director of Priest Personnel

Note: A few months ago, I was contacted by a parishioner from a parish, which will not go named at this time. The parishioner informed me about a situation in his/her parish and asked if I would write about it. After contacting other parishioners from that parish and doing a bit of investigating, I decided that the story was true and would assist them.

I sent this note a few weeks ago to Fr. Fisher, the Director of Priest Personnel. I did receive a reply and forwarded it to the parishioners. After some thought, they have asked me to publish the letter.

At this point, the pastor and parish will not be named.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am writing this letter to you on behalf of a number of parishioners of a particular parish in the Archdiocese of Washington. They have contacted me over the course of the last few months, because they do not know what else they can do to get your attention on this matter.

One of your parishes is slowly dying - spiritually, as well as, financially. It is not due to financial misconduct or some sort of sexual abuse. It is something much simpler and basic. It is because of the lack of pastoral interaction from the pastor. They rarely see him, especially at events which involve the school, unless there is an official from the diocese present. Anyone who in the slightest way disagrees with him, is either berated or shunned. In doing a bit of research, he has done this at his previous assignments. Some have even written to me that they have been told that the priests in this parish are too busy to make sick calls.

Each week, these parishioners tell me that they either learn or hear of another parishioner has left or is thinking seriously of leaving. Some of these people have been parishioners for ten, fifteen or twenty or more years. No, they are not leaving the Catholic church, they are simply leaving that particular parish.

They have explained to me that they have written to the Archdiocese, as well as, Archbishop Wuerl but to no avail. They have attempted to meet with you and the Archbishop, but to no avail. One even went so far as to confront the Archbishop at a public event on this matter, asking to meet, giving a business card but has not heard anything.

They are asking you to please do something before more people leave the parish. They see the parish slowly dying.

Isn't there anything that can be done about a pastor who is does not seem to care about his parish? Would you want someone on your staff who behaved in this manner? Is it not the Archbishop's duty to ensure that parishioners are properly lead? If you do not realize it by now, the parish I am talking about is located on (location deleted).

They have asked me to obtain a response from you for them.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Update: Rush Takes the Most Merciful to Task on DC Opportunity Scholarships

2:10pm (EST): Once again, Rush Limbaugh has taken the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama to task for pulling the DC Opportunity Scholarships from District children.

Once again, we are reminded of how children will be left to suffer in public education. And people call Rush racist.

Keep Fr. Joe in your Prayers

Periodically, I go and visit the links that I post on this site.

Not too long ago, I went to Fr. Joe's Blog. He had not posted for a while and his posting of the 9th, shows that he has some health issues.

Although I do not know him, please keep him in your prayers.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Anti-Catholic Bigotry Alive and Well in MoCo

I just picked up my copy of the Montgomery County Gazette to find that anti-Catholic bigotry is alive and well in Montgomery County, Maryland. (Actually, that is not really true, it has been alive and well for a long time esp. in the County Council and the Maryland State legislature, but that is another story.)

According to the Gazette:

As the battle for which private hospital can call upcounty its home picks up speed, some critics say Holy Cross Hospital, governed by Catholic religious doctrine, provides less health care coverage than any other hospital in the area and should not be allowed to expand.

But Holy Cross counters that many of the services it is morally prohibited from providing are not usually performed in a hospital anyway and that its charity work more than makes up for the few services it cannot offer.

The discussion about what Holy Cross can and can not do for its patients has heated up this month as the state's commission reviews a proposal for Holy Cross, which announced in August 2008 a plan to build a 93-bed hospital on Montgomery College's campus in Germantown, and another proposal for Adventist HealthCare, which announced in April a plan to build a 100-bed hospital on part of a health care campus in Clarksburg. It is unlikely the commission will approve both hospitals, and it has not yet set a date for when it will make a decision.

So who are the bigots that oppose this? Well, it is the usual suspects:*
  • NOW - Montgomery County Chapter (aka NAGS)
  • Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington (largest abortion provider)
  • National Women's Law Center
  • American United for the Separation of Church and State
  • Pro-Choice Maryland
  • MergerWatch Project

In fact, the paper goes on to say (and I think that it is a pretty balanced article) that Holy Cross treated about 9,000 uninsured patients in the Silver Spring area. Wow!

I would love to see the bigots step up to the plate and do even 50% of that amount.

So, PP, NAGs, Pro-Abortion Maryland, instead of trying to stop Holy Cross, why don't you start your own hospital/clinic and offer the level of free service that they do.

Bigots. Plain and simple.

*Note, the paper edition (A-7) names the bigots. The on-line version does not.

UPDATE (7:40am): The Washington Examiner has this story, including the bigoted opposition on the Montgomery County Council.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

He has destroyed our economy, now seeks to destroy True Marriage.

The Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama has made things worse with our economy, now he is attempting to destroy True (not traditional) Marriage.

This past Saturday evening, Barack Obama became the first U.S. President to make an appearance at the Human Rights Campaign, the largest pro-gay “marriage” organization in the country. President Obama delivered an impassioned speech in which he criticized the concept of the traditional family and announced that his administration will work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA.)

Read the rest of the story here from Catholic News Agency.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

catholics for The Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama

Katherine and the other folks who run the "catholics for the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama" blog, seem to love to post anything that any Catholic bishop or priest that seems to support him. Well, it seems that the bishops have begun to realize that maybe the socialized medicine thing isn't in the best insterest of the people of God: http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2009/10/breaking-catholic-bishops-on-health-care-change-bills-or-else.html

However, they seem not to have posted that story or even my comment with that story.

I guess it doesn't just fit in with the hope and changey thing.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Independent Catholic School Banned from Parck

It seems that an Brookewood School, an independent Catholic school in Montgomery County Maryland has been banned from a park in Kensington.

I know some of the parents who send their children to the school and they are not only MoCo residents, but live within a 15 minute drive thru local streets. I wonder if the Mayor of Kensington would do the same if they were illegal aliens.

Considering how much money these parents save MoCo and the town by sending their children to private school (over $11,000 per year per student), he should be down on his hands and knees thanking GOD for the money they save him and the town.

From ABC News:

The girls at Kensington's Brookewood School are banned from using a public park right across the street for recess.

"I don't think it's really fair because we're part of the community too and we want to play in the park," said Jill Collins, a fifth-grade student. The town council unanimously passed a resolution this week saying only caretakers with children five years old and younger can be in Reinhardt Park from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Read the entire story here.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Stop Kevin Jennings

From the American Papist (HT):

Homosexual activists are attempting to teach school kids inappropriate material about the homosexual "lifestyle" starting as early as kindergarden (this really is happening already - and almost always its the parents who are the last to know) One of the leaders of this "queering" movement, Kevin Jennings, was appointed by the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama to the Deparment of Education.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Gay Marriage Bill Introduced in DC Council; Some Catholic Lawmakers Support

David Catania introduced legislation to recognize gay marriage in the District of Columbia.

Vincent Gray, a Catholic, is a co-sponsor. Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) of St. Anthony's parish is supporting the measure. Yvette Alexander of Holy Redeemer has declined to co-sponsor the legislation but she did support it much earlier in the year.

Here is my original story on this.
Here is the Washington Post's take on it.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Reading about a Community's Slow Death (and the author seems to revel in it)

No, I am not talking about a town or location filled with all sorts of toxic chemicals. It is about how one nun, seems to rejoice in her "freedom" but does not realize that she is really killing her community, just as many others are, with toxic thoughts and actions.

I take this story from Fr. Z's blog and write about it, only because it takes place in this Diocese. Some of you may know her. I don't but I feel sorry for her.

Confessions of a Modern Nun
The Vatican visitation prompts reflection on a religious divide.
Ilia Delio OCTOBER 12, 2009 (America Magazine)
Religious life among women is undergoing a massive evolutionary change that can only be described as cataclysmic. The Vatican’s apostolic visitation of congregations of women religious in the United States and the recent investigation of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious indicate that Rome is unhappy with so-called post-Vatican II nuns who have donned secular clothes and abandoned traditional community life. The current statistics show a trend. The number of religious sisters and cloistered nuns in the United States was almost 180,000 in 1965. In 2009 there are just over 59,000, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University. A steady decline in the number of women religious, together with the fact that their median age is 75, is a sign that religious life in the United States is a dying institution. Yet new communities have sprouted up in which women religious don a traditional habit and follow a daily schedule of prayer and service. These communities are attracting youthful, vibrant vocations. On the surface, the future of religious life seems to be on their side.

To read more, go here.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

It is that time of the week for the review of My Catholic Standard, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Our cover story deals with the confirmation of 78 teenagers and adults at St. Andrew Kim Parish in Olney. Congratulations to all.

Our Page 3 story covers an overview of how Catholic schools are planning to deal with the H1N1 flu. One way is to ensure that all schools put homework assignments and self study assignments on line. There are still schools which seem to resist this easy and basic step.

On the same page as the Bishop of Rockville Centre NY calling for healthcare for illegal immigrants, there is a CNS story about Bishop Martino of Scranton. The headline (from CNS) seems to imply that the bishop resigned due to the fact that he threatened to deny Communion to VP Biden during the last election. If yes, then it is a sad commentary on the Church when CNS seems to revel in this fact.

Page 6 brings us a request for assistance with BOAST.

Page 11 brings us a half page advertisement on the 17th International Week of Prayer and Fasting, which focuses on strengthening the pro-life movement but on Page 12 we see the Standard announce the SOAR dinner to honor pro-abortion and pro-homosexual marriage Cokie and Steve Roberts. Really guys, have you no shame.

We have a story of Fr. Leo Patalinghug who beats Bobby Flay in a “Throwdown.” If you don’t know what it is, check out the Food Network on cable television.

Elizabeth Ann Seton celebrates 50 years. Fr. Daly discusses the death of a friend. And there is a story about how humor is a necessary part of a healthy spiritual life.

The Standard remembers Sarah Forbes, wife of Deacon Rodney Forbes, who was remembered for sowing over 700 stoles for area deacons. Prayers to her and her family members.

There is still no story on the Archbishop’s honoring of John Sweeney. We also have no story on the fact that three of the DC Council members are Catholic and voting to recognize gay marriage. I guess there was not enough space in the Catholic Standard this week.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Two DC Stories - Schools and Gay Marriage

Yesterday, I happened to have CNN on and saw a commerial calling upon the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama to support the DC Opportunity Scholarships. WOW.

Then, I saw this story a short time ago on the Washington Examiner:

Since earning passage in Congress in 2003, the program has granted federally funded vouchers for children to attend private school in the District. But this year, a Democratic Congress is less inclined to renew it.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., chairman of the appropriations subcommittee responsible for the vouchers' funding, has criticized the program for a lack of proof that students are doing any better in private schools than in public institutions.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has recommended continued funding only until the 1,700 students currently enrolled have graduated.
But parents, students and teachers have consistently expressed enthusiastic support.
Wearing a yellow shirt emblazoned with "Put Kids First," Anacostia resident Virginia Thomas shouted support for the program that allows her to send two children to Academia de la Recta Porta International Christian Day School.
"They are excellent children, they are polite, they are mannerable, they don't fight, they don't cuss," she said, explaining that private school offers a more orderly environment than Anacostia's public options.
As she cheered, speakers not often in agreement took to the podium. D.C. Councilman Marion Barry, D-Ward 8, altered the words of the spiritual "Go Down Moses" to "Go down, Mr. President, go down to the Capitol and save D.C. schools."
Barry was followed by President George W. Bush's education secretary Margaret Spellings -- an advocate during her four years in office.
Father Stephen Carter, pastor at Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Mount Pleasant, made the trip with his students.
"There's a lot of praying going on," Carter said, dressed in the brown cloak of Franciscans. "You wait for a miracle. Because it's a long shot -- a very long shot."


According to the Examiner, D.C. Councilman David Catania said he will introduce legislation Tuesday that would legalize same-sex marriages in the nation’s capital.

DC has three Councilmembers who are Catholic. All have supported this effort.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Sex Abuse in Catholic Church was Homosexual Problem

When the scandal broke, I attended my parish meeting. I was told in no uncertain terms by everyone that the scandal had nothing to do with homosexual priests. Something told me that this could not be quite right, since having sex w/ a 14 year old boy was not something that a pedophile would be after. They are usually after much younger victims. Well, my hunch was correct.

The sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in the US and abroad was a matter of homosexuals preying on adolescent boys, not one of pedophilia, said the Vatican's representative at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. It is "more correct," said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, to speak of ephebophilia, a homosexual attraction to adolescent males, than pedophilia, in relation to the scandals.

"Of all priests involved in the abuses, 80 to 90 per cent belong to this sexual orientation minority which is sexually engaged with adolescent boys between the ages of 11 and 17," said Tomasi. His statement is backed up by a report commissioned by the US bishops that found that in the overwhelming majority of cases the clergy involved were homosexuals, with 81 percent of victims being adolescent males.

More from LifeSite News.