Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Heard on the Radio This Morning...

On my way to work this morning, I heard a radio advertisement from the Archdiocese of Washington on WMAL. In a sense, it is taking the Come Home for Christmas campaign to the next level. After poking around on the website earlier this week, I have to say that the advertisements are nicely done.

The question is: What is the Return on Investment (ROI)? Will it being people back? Will it intrigue others to find out about Roman Catholicism?

However, you have to give credit where credit is due. Nice job.

http://findtheperfectgift.org/

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The New Translation

So this morning, like many of you, I went to Mass at my regular parish -- not the Latin Mass -- for a couple of different reasons. One of the reasons, as you suspect, was to see what was going to take place due to the new translations.

I noticed almost everyone (and I had a good vantage point looking over a good part of the congregation) had either a card with the changes, or were using the new Missalette.

On some parts, everyone was on cue. Others, even myself, at times were off. Even the celebrant had a bit of a hard time at moments.

But that is okay. It will take a while for everyone to get use to the changes.

How did everything go at your parish? Would love to hear from you.

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PS: There was a consultation at St. Michael's in Silver Spring a few weeks ago. (Thank you, you know who.) Have not heard anything on it. Anyone have any info?

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for living in the USA (contrary to the Occupy Wall Street/DC/Oakland/SF/etc. idiots).

So, take a moment to say THANK YOU to God.

And I say thank you to each of you, for taking your time to stop by my blog.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Priests grow up isolated from families...

There are many Catholycs (and Catholics) who question whether a priest can adequately advise individuals and families, as they are not married, do not have children etc.

I usually tell them that priests are not suddenly born as priests but grow up in families (good, bad and otherwise) and have a multitude of experiences. Many have brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and play a role in their lives. If we go by their logic, then a doctor can only treat someone with cancer if he/she has it.

Deacon Greg over at The Deacon's Bench, posted a story about Bishop Nickless of Souix City, Iowa. Bishop Nickless talks about growing up in a family and what his experiences have taught him. Further, he explains how he is married.

For more, go here.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Pope Approves US Anglican

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl announced today that an Anglican ordinariate in the United States will be canonically erected on Jan. 1, 2012, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.

Cardinal Wuerl is serving as the Vatican's delegate for establishing a U.S. Anglican ordinariate.

He explained that he recently received a letter from Cardinal William Joseph Levada, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, saying that Pope Benedict has approved the erection of a U.S. ordinariate.


Ordinariates are similar to dioceses but typically national in scope. Pope Benedict authorized the creation of ordinariates for Anglican communities seeking to enter the Catholic Church in his 2009 apostolic constitution, “Anglicanorum coetibus.”

They will allow entire communities to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while retaining elements of their Anglican heritage and liturgical practices.

For the complete story, go to Catholic News Agency.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Is Rome About to Call?

Over a year ago, I posted a something wondering when Cardinal Wuerl would be made a cardinal. A little over a month later, he recieved his red hat.

He has been put in charge of handling the transition of Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church.

Now he has been tapped to be the Relator-General of the 2012 World Synod of Bishops meeting on the New Evangelization.

In Sept. of last year, my buddy Melvin believed that in a little over a year, he would be called to Rome. I agreed with that.

Recently, Rocco over at Whispers in the Loggia has hinted about this. He has the inside scoop.

My timing might be off, but I believe he will wind up in Rome before the end of 2012.

What do you think?

Friday, November 11, 2011

Update: Former Georgetown Prep Priest put on Probation

A former priest was sentenced to five years of supervised probation Thursday for fondling two students at Georgetown Preparatory School, where he taught from 1989 to 2003, as prosecutors compared the school’s initial response in the case to the scandal unfolding at Penn State University.

Garrett Orr, 58, had pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense. He acknowledged fondling a 14-year-old student in 1989 and a 15-year-old student in 2002. The first victim didn’t report the abuse until many years later, but the second victim did, in fall 2003, when he told his guidance counselor.

For more, go to the Washington comPost: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/former-priest-put-on-probation-for-fondling-two-georgetown-prep-students/2011/11/10/gIQAHYkz9M_story.html

An aside: The spokesperson for "GP" is none other than Susan Gibbs, former PR person for the Archdiocese, now running her own PR shop.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Devil’s Deception and the Power of God:

On Thursday, November 13, at St. James Catholic Church, the Institute of Catholic Culture presents His Excellency, Bishop Nicolas J. Samra, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the position of Bishop of Newton, Massachusetts in June, 2011.

Bishop Nicholas Samra will discuss how God created man in his own image and bestowed upon him the gift of dominion over all creation. However, Adam and Eve, our first parents, were deceived by the Devil in the guise of a serpent, and forsook their relationship with their Creator, thus entering into slavery to sin. Mankind suffered under the domination of the Demons until the Incarnation of the Word of God—Jesus—overthrew Satan’s powers and delivered man into the loving hand of his Creator.

Join Bishop Samra and the Institute of Catholic Culture at 7:30 p.m. for this event focusing on the delivery of mankind from the snares of the Devil. The location is St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave., Falls Church, Va. All are welcome. No reservations required. Free admission. For more information, please visit
www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 540-635-7155.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Is Rome About to Call?

Over a year ago, I posted a something wondering when Cardinal Wuerl would be made a cardinal. A little over a month later, he recieved his red hat.

He has been made in charge of handling the transition of Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church. Now he has been tapped to be the Relator-General of the 2012 World Synod of Bishops meeting on the New Evangelization.

In Sept. of last year, my buddy Melvin believed that in a little over a year, he would be called to Rome. I agreed with that.

Recently, Rocco over at Whispers in the Loggia has hinted about this. He has the inside scoop.

My timing might be off, but I believe he will wind up in Rome before the end of 2012.


What do you think?

Happy Birthday!

It has been four years since I started this blog.

It started out as a way of sharing my thoughts with those in this Archdiocese, as they did not like the fact that there were those who opposed some of their efforts and lack of ensuring that this is a Catholic church. And, this is not a plug for women's ordination, or any of that non-sense.

In some ways, I think I have made a difference. For example, I know that VOTF is not announcing their meetings in parish bulletins, but they are still meeting in parishes. It makes it just a bit more difficult for them. CCHD is more quiet these days, hurt by those of calling for a boycott and the embarrassment of giving money to pro-abortion and pro-gay groups. The Standard is a little more careful about profiling people, as well as, accepting certain advertisements.

In other ways, I know that things remain the same -- the honoring of pro-abortionists at Church sponsored events. Or honoring those who have messed up, such as the CCHD Director. Giving Holy Communion to pro-abortionists.

The Archdiocese is much more tight on information, as well as, how it gets out - a much more coordinated approach. Got to give them credit on it -- restrict the flow of information and make it a more coordinated effort. No photos of the Cardinal honoring pro-abortionists or showing Joe Biden receiving Holy Communion. Keep those things out.

The purpose of strengthening their Communications effort is showing fruit (even if it at times is rotten). They have increased their communication, moved into social networking, and using email much more.

Thank you for reading this blog. We cannot make a difference in this Archdiocese without you.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

BFast this Sunday to support the St.Joseph House

I am a supporter of this group. Cubby and Dan are good, faithful Catholics and they do amazing work - all on donations. For more information on the St. Joseph House, click here: http://www.saintjosephshouse.net/

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This Sunday, the Knights of Columbus - Fr. Rosensteel Council -- will be having their monthly breakfast. ALL YOU CAN EAT. This month, the proceeds will go to benefit the St. Joseph House.

For those of you who go to the Latin Mass, it is right next door. It is also near the Forest Glen Metro.

8am till 12noon
9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Latin Mass at Old St. John the Evangelist

I finally got myself together and attended The Latin Mass at Old St. John's on Rosensteel Ave. in Silver Spring.

This was the third time I have done it and am really going to make an effort to attend a couple more times, to ensure that I understand.

This is longer than my normal parish Mass by about 20 to 30 minutes.


For those who do not attend, it is different.

In one manner, I must say that the people who do attend, dress up for church. Now, I am not here to chastise those who are coming from or going to work. I have been there and done that. Nor am I criticizing those who cannot affort to dress up a bit due to income. But is is nice to see everyone looking a bit more dressed up than the sneaker and jeans crowd at my local parish.

The choir was very good. Nice job.

Msgr. Richard Hughes was having a bit of a difficult time hearing, so he sometimes sang when he shouldn't have. But there was no harm done. I thank him for saying the Mass. I should have hung around to thank him and kiss his hands. He gave a nice, simple homily.

This time, I understood a bit more this time than the last two times. However, I had a hard time focusing due to work related issues. I keep praying that God will help me through this difficult time.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

All Soul's Day

Pray for our family and friends who have gone before us. Pray for those souls who have no one to pray for them. Pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory.