An Archdiocese of Washington Catholic

It is Catholic Schools Week!!!

2012-01-29T00:56:00.000-05:00

Heresies and Heretics

2012-01-27T00:44:00.002-05:00

On February 12, the Institute of Catholic Culture and its Director, Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo, proudly welcome Christopher Check, Executive Vice President of the Rockford Institute in Illinois to address one of the most troubling issues of the early church: heresies.

At the beginning of the third century, Constantine the Great consolidated power and began his reign over the Roman Empire. As the first Christian emperor, he declared freedom for Christianity and eventually made it the official religion of his empire. With this new freedom, however, came new challenges to the Faith and questions about the identity of Jesus Christ. Arius, a priest in Alexandria, Egypt began to teach a strange doctrine, claiming that Jesus was only a man and not divine. And while Arius gained many followers, one man stood up to this latest heresy, Athanasius the Great.

Christopher Check, holds a degree in English Literature from Rice University. His writings have appeared in, among others, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture, This Rock, Touchstone, The Wanderer, and the Chicago Tribune. He has addressed audiences at the University of London, the Pontifical Augustinian University in Rome, the Serbian Writers Union in Belgrade, the National Press Club, CatholicAnswers, the American Chesterton Society, Legatus, and Ave Maria University

Join Christopher Check and the Institute of Catholic Culture at 7:30 p.m. for this talk, held at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Ave., Reston, Virginia.

All are welcome, including heretics. (Just kidding about the heretic part, wanted to see if you were paying attention.)

No reservations required. Free admission. For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 540-635-7155.

The demise of religion in American Society is a good thing...

2012-01-26T08:45:00.002-05:00

Shaun Casey, the religious affairs adviser to presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008, said at a discussion on Tuesday about “God and Politics” that the demise of religious society in the United States is a good thing.

“I, frankly, am glad American civil religion is dying,” said Casey, who is an associate professor of Christian Ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Just one more piece of evidence of what many of us have been saying about Barack Obama. Yes, he wants to fundamentally change the US...for the worse.

For more, go to CNS News.

The Pope's Footwear (Papal Shoes) and more

2012-01-24T16:35:00.003-05:00

An interesting website about the Pope's footwear -- the who, what, when, where and why.

http://www.dieter-philippi.de/en/ecclesiastical-fineries/campagi-the-footgear-of-the-pope-and-the-clergy

Enjoy.

Right To Life March

2012-01-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

Today is the Right to Life March.

Unfortunately, I cannot get off from work.

Take a moment to pray for those marching. Pray that nothing happens to them.

Pray for those who commit such horrors upon he innocent, that their minds and hearts will be changed.

HHS Ruling...Some Thoughts

2012-01-21T08:23:00.005-05:00

By now, most of us know about Obama's draconian measure regarding birth control, etc. in regards to medical plans.

I predict the following, if Obama wins the election and court cases go against the Catholic Church and others:

1. Our Catholic hospitals will give up their Catholic identity to stay open. I don't see a Holy Cross Hospital closing down.
2. Most of our Catholic Schools and other organizations will not close but will ether (1) drop medical coverage and offer a cash payment to staff or (2) sell the school or organization to another company and get out of the business.
3. The Catholic Church will take a beating each time a hospital or school closes. They will be portrayed as mean spirited and not caring for the sick, elderly and children.
4. Oh, and your taxes will go up considerably, because you will not have the Catholic Church subsidizing hospitals anymore.

I wonder if all of those priests and nuns (and Catholycs) who voted for Obama are happy now? You can't say we did not warn you.

Random Thoughts before the weekend...

2012-01-20T00:22:00.002-05:00

Just some random thoughts...

1. The Facebook page of Justice for ILLEGAL Maryland Immigrants put out a plea asking for more people to friend them last week. There has been an increase by one (1). Maybe it is time for them to shut down the Facebook page and give up the issue.

2. The Facebook page of Justice for ILLEGAL Maryland Immigrants won't let people comment anymore (or at least me). I wonder what they are afraid of? I mean, if my ideas were that bad, and their ideas so good, they would have hundreds of thousands of supporters. But they seem to have the same three or four people saying LIKE.

3. I posted a comment over on the Catholic Standard page about not supporting the Cardinal's Appeal at 9:20pm on Wednesday night. I wonder how long it will remain up.

4. A number of people asked me about Msgr. Pope's blog posting. Deep down, Msgr. Pope knows exactly what I am talking about but I did not expect him to respond to my charges (which are documented by the way). He could not do so, w/o having to acknowledge that they were true. I don't fault him btw.

5. You notice how we never know where the Cardinal will be. His schedule is kept a secret. I am told that he does not want protesters showing up, like they did for the dinner honoring Chris Matthews or when Cardinal McCarrick was heckled at the Gonzaga graduation.

6. You notice how the Catholic Standard no longer accepts Letters to the Editor? Either they have no positive letters or they got tired of those who do not support the Cardinal.

Have a great weekend.

Unions, Gay Marriage and the Catholic Church

2012-01-19T00:35:00.001-05:00

This year, it looks like the unions in Maryland, will be pulling out all the stops for the passage of gay marriage. See the WashingtonCompost (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/labor-leaders-in-md-promoting-same-sex-marriage-bill/2012/01/04/gIQAA6HuaP_story.html)

Now, John Sweeney (AFL-CIO President) is a good friend of Cardinal Wuerl and was even honored by him. Each year, we have a Mass honoring labor (and he unions).

However, will the Church continue to support the AFL-CIO, esp. when they pumped in over $500,000 to support gay marriage in Maryland last year. Who knows how much they will spend this year.

Personally, I believe that Cardinal Wuerl and the other bishops will do nothing and continue their alliances with labor unions, as they continue their support of this issue, as well as, the worst president in US history.

More Catholics Going to Catholic Court

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

It was once assumed that disagreements like these in the Roman Catholic Church would end one way: with the highest-ranking cleric getting the last word.

But that outcome is no longer a given as Catholics, emboldened following the clergy abuse scandals that erupted a decade ago this month, have sought another avenue of redress.

In recent years, clergy and lay people in the United States have increasingly turned to the church's internal legal system to challenge a bishop's or pastor's decision about even the most workaday issues in Catholic life, according to canon lawyers in academia, dioceses and in private practice. Sometimes, the challengers even win.

For more, go to CNSNews.com.

A Little Catholic Humor

2012-01-17T00:22:00.000-05:00

From a friend...this time, not Melvin. Enjoy.

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Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in kindergarten. (Personally, I don't know how Kindergarten can be trying but let's leave it at that.)

His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning.

It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful.

His grandmother remarked, "Doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?"

Bobby said, "Yes, God did it and he did it left handed."

This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him "What makes you say God did this with his left hand?"

"Well," said Bobby, "we learned in religion from Sr. Anna last week, that Jesus sits on God's right hand."

2012-01-14T00:35:00.001-05:00

Msgr. Pope posted on the blog of the Archdiocese of Washington a post regarding the dismissing and "dissing" of bishops. I first saw it on Deacon Greg's blog. Here are my comments.

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Let me say first, that from all indications, Msgr. Pope is a good and faithful priest. A person who works with me, and is in his parish, has nothing but the highest regard for him. I trust her when she tells me this. So, that may be one person, but I thought it was important to state.

However, I think Msgr. Pope raises a number of issues regarding those who criticize our Cardinals, Bishops and Priests. I will be the first to raise my hand and state that I have been very, very critical of Cardinal Wuerl, the Catholic Standard and even some of our priests. However, I have done it because I was sick and tired of writing and calling and there seemed to be nothing done.

Now, I am not talking about if the vestments should be dark purple or violet or if we should hold hands during the Our Father (which I am not in favor of). I am talking about what many of us sitting the pews consider scandalous.

For example, why were our parishes hosting Voice of the Faithful? An organization that is not looking simply to get rid of pedophile priests but making some really fundamental changes to the priesthood and other items.

Why is the official newspaper of the Archdiocese (and our priests) lauding pro-abortion and pro-homosexual politicians?

Why is the Archidocese telling us that support of the Dream Act in Maryland is basically on the same level of opposition to homosexual marriage?

Why does the Cardinal go to events which honor pro-abortion, and pro-homosexual celebrities, and then these events are either glossed over or never reported by the local Catholic newspaper?

Why are Catholic orgainizations within this Archdiocese, honoring pro-abortion and pro-homosexal supporters, and yet, because they bring in the big bucks, it seems to be okay. I can go on and on.

I think that Msgr. Pope, instead of looking at those who criticise, should be asking the questions of the Cardinal, Catholic organizations within the Archdiocese and of the priests, who do these things.

The Heights...is Opus Dei...OMG says the NYT

2012-01-13T00:15:00.000-05:00

Mr. Cardenas teaches at The Heights School, a suburban Washington boys’ school affiliated with Opus Dei, the Catholic organization of which he is a member. By the standards of more famous Washington private schools, like Sidwell Friends or Georgetown Preparatory, The Heights is poor, little known and young — it was founded in 1969. But since then it has become the popular school for a small clique of Washingtonians: conservative Catholics.

For more, go to the NYSlime: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/us/the-heights-a-catholic-school-draws-beltway-conservatives.html?_r=4

A Note on the Passing of Msgr. Awalt

2012-01-12T00:41:00.000-05:00

I received this in my email box regarding Msgr. Awalt. I thought that I would share it with each of you.

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I am deeply sorry to hear that Msgr William J Awalt has passed away. He was the Pastor at St. Ann Church at Tenly Town, Washington DC during the years 1981 - 1987 during which time I was in residence in the rectory and he looked after me with such dedication and care. He was a great teacher from whom I learnt alot. He had a great heart for the missions. He not only gave me free residence even after I returned he used to send me a collection of donations from St. Ann Parish for my work here in Sri Lanka. May he Rest in Peace.

Msgr Emmanuel Fernando
Auxiliary Bishop Elect
Archdiocese of Colommbo Sri Lanka
(emmafdo@bell.net)

Study of Women Religious in US has Concluded

2012-01-11T00:35:00.001-05:00

A three-year survey of women's religious life in the United States has concluded with the filing of a final report by the Vatican-appointed Apostolic Visitator Mother Mary Clare Millea.

“Although there are concerns in religious life that warrant support and attention, the enduring reality is one of fidelity, joy, and hope,” Mother Millea said in a Jan. 9 release announcing the submission of her findings to the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

For the rest of the story, go to Catholic News Agency.

2012-01-10T00:08:00.000-05:00

Saturday, January 21, 2012
7pm - 10pm

A Fun filled evening of music and song featuring:

The Crooked Hat Jazz Quintet

The Heights Faculty Singers

and

SIXTUS

Beer, Wine, Soda, Coffee, Hot and Cold Appetizers
$30 for Adults; $15 for 13 and under.

ALL MONIES DONATED go to the ST. JOSEPH HOUSE

For reservations,contact John and Margie Cuff at 301-949-1715.

Location:

Fr. Rosensteel Council (Knights of Columbus)

9707 Rosensteel Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910-1157

(near the Forest Glen Metro - Red Line)

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St. Joseph’s House offers home-based care before- and after-school, which enables our parents, many of whom are parenting alone, to hold jobs. Two weekends a month, they offer respite care, which allows our families an opportunity to recharge and spend special time with their other children without the challenges of caring for a special needs child. In addition, St. Joseph’s House offers emergency 24-hour care (up to two weeks) which has allowed our parents to attend to other family crisis without worry.

St. John the Evangelist (Silver Spring) 3rd Grade

2012-01-08T09:01:00.003-05:00

It seems that they made the Washington comPost's Kids Post Class of Month.

Congratulations!

For the photo and article, please go here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/class-of-kidspost-st-john-the-evangelist-third-graders/2011/12/22/gIQAY66UdP_story.html

Ad Limina Visit. Should be soon.

2012-01-06T08:56:00.003-05:00

Cardinal Wuerl should be heading out on his Ad Limina visit w/ the Holy Father very soon.

It is one thing about this Archdiocese, it is so secretive even about such regular and standard type of events.

UPDATE: Thank you Anon for the correction.

Is SNAP's time up?

2012-01-04T12:57:00.003-05:00

This basic story was reported in this weekend's Washington comPost but did not give much detail as to why. I meant to do it this weekend, but did not get the chance. However, the Catholic News Agency goes into more detail, as SNAP may have received information in violation of a judge's gag order and then published some of that information.

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A group claiming to advocate for clergy sex abuse victims says it will not comply with a court order asking it to turn over documents, amid concerns that it had received information in violation of a judge’s gag order.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, has said that it will refuse to submit to a judge’s request for information involving allegations of sexual abuse against a Missouri priest.

SNAP director David Clohessy told CNA on Jan. 3 that his organization should be held to a “different standard” of transparency than Church leaders and dioceses, which he described as “organizations that enable and conceal thousands of pedophiles to rape tens of thousands of kids.”

Story: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/snap-refuses-to-obey-court-order-for-abuse-documents/

The Real Presence Of Christ: A Study of St. John’s Book of Signs

2012-01-03T14:05:00.001-05:00

Annandale, VA (December 28, 2011)—The Institute of Catholic Culture is presenting a three-part Bible study series—January 12, 19, and 26—entitled The Real Presence of Christ: A Study of St. John’s Book of Signs. Led by Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, the lectures will consider the first part of the Gospel of Saint John and introduce attendees to the great mystery of God's presence among us.

President of Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, Dr. O’Donnell is the first layman to receive both his licentiate and doctoral degrees in Ascetical and Mystical Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. Dr. O’Donnell has taught at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, California and at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. He is a Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and he is a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Join Dr. O’Donnell and the Institute of Catholic Culture at 7:30 p.m. for this series of talks, held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 3829 Woodburn Rd., Annandale, VA.

All are welcome. No reservations required. Free admission. For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 540-635-7155.

So much for safe and legal...where is PP now?

2011-12-30T12:56:00.000-05:00

Two doctors accused of performing late-term abortions in Maryland have been arrested and charged with murder after police found a freezer full of 20-35 week fetuses.

The investigation of the doctors started over a year ago when they allegedly botched an abortion on an 18-year-old girl, leaving her with a ruptured uterus.

Though licensed in other states and never licensed in Maryland, Dr. Steven Brigham, 55, and Dr. Nicola Irene Riley, 46, ran a clinic in Elkton just near the Delaware border.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080394/Abortion-doctors-charged-murder-late-term-aborted-35-fetuses-stashed-freezer.html#ixzz1i2fFRtT9

St. Joseph House Fundraiser

2011-12-28T13:49:00.002-05:00

Greetings Everyone:

Looking to help a good, local charity, which is not only pro-life but faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church? Then look no further.

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Saturday, January 21, 2012 7pm - 10pm

A Fun filled evening of music and song featuring:

The Crooked Hat Jazz Quintet

The Heights Faculty Singers

and

SIXTUS

aka The Singing Seminarians.

Beer, Wine, Soda, Coffee, Hot and Cold Appetizers
$30 for Adults; $15 for 13 and under.

ALL MONIES DONATED go to the ST. JOSEPH HOUSE

For reservations,contact John and Margie Cuff at 301-949-1715.

Location: Fr. Rosensteel Council (Knights of Columbus)
9707 Rosensteel Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910-1157
(near the Forest Glen Metro - Red Line)

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A Little Catholic Humor...

2011-12-27T00:56:00.000-05:00

From Melvin...thank you...

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A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her small daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car.

She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that the fever was getting worse and said to the woman, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."

The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had locked their keys in their car. She looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."

She bowed her head and asked God to send her help. Within five minutes a beat-up old motor cycle pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.

The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?"

But she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got off of his bike and asked if he could help.

The woman said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?" The biker said, "Sure."

He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened.

The woman hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank you so much! You are a very nice man."

The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out an hour."

The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears, cried out loud, 'Oh, thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!'

Is GOD GOOD - or what!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T22:14:00.000-05:00

Keep Christ in Christmas and all year round.

Advertising on WMAL

2011-12-23T00:32:00.001-05:00

Over the last few days, the Archdiocese of Washington has been spending a fair amount of money on advertising on WMAL.

The bulk of the spending seems to be on FINDTHEPERFECTGIFT.ORG.

Second, Catholic Cemetaries. (This is actually year round.)

Third, I have caught one on Catholic schools Open Houses in January.

What do you think?

Justice for Maryland "ILLEGAL" Immigrants...

2011-12-21T00:28:00.001-05:00

just can't stand any criticism.

You see, recently on Facebook, the Justice for Maryland "ILLEGAL" Immigrants posted that there would be training sessions on how to support the DREAM aka NIGHTMARE Act. (Okay, they don't have illegal in their name..that is just my way of ensuring that you understand that they really are focusing their efforts on illegal aliens.)

I posted a comment that everyone should attend, learn the tactics/arguments, and then use it against the Dream Act.

It seems that the folks over at the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) and Justice for ILLEGAL Immigrants, did not like that suggestion. So, they removed any comments.

So, I posted the comment for a second time.

Oh, and for clarification, I was not calling for any meeting disruption or that sort of thing. Nope. Attend, learn and use it against them.

Well, I guess that did not sit well with them. So they did the following:

1. They removed all comments.
2. Removed me from the "LIKE" (Both the MCC and Justice folks)
3. Closed all comments.

I guess the folks over at the Justice for Maryland ILLEGAL Immigrants and Maryland Catholic Conference can't stand criticism.

Msgr. Awalt has passed away

2011-12-19T09:55:00.007-05:00

I just received the following from a reader of this blog...

Rev. Msgr. William J. Awalt died on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 11a.m. at the Byron House on the campus of Our Lady of Mercy Church. Potomac, Maryland.

All funeral services will be at Our Lady of Mercy.

Viewing will be Tuesday, December 20, 2011 from 3-9 p.m. with the Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.

Immaculata High School Comes to Life Again (Sort of)

2011-12-15T07:35:00.002-05:00

An $8 million Catholic church being built in Lower Paxton Township has taken recycling to new heights.

The new Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church — Romanesque in design, traditional in decor and sitting on the parish’s nearly 30-acre site along Interstate 81 in Lower Paxton Township — has made “adaptive reuse” its buzzword.

Its 41 stained-glass windows came from a closed Catholic church in Connecticut; the ornate Italian marble altar dating to 1921 once graced the former Immaculata Seminary in Washington, D.C., a girls’ school that closed in the 1970s.

To read more.

Vatican Council II and Star Wars - A Comparison

2011-12-12T00:36:00.001-05:00

Very funny and thought provoking stuff from the Vestal Morons, courtesy of Fr. Z.

Now, imagine John William's score playing as you read this...
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The outrageous but bizarrely supportable thesis statement that I lay before you is this: the Star Wars saga symbolizes the history of Vatican II. For those unschooled in the ways of Star Wars and recent Church History, this may not interest you … or will just be incoherent. But without further ado, let me start at the beginning, a long time ago, in an Ecumenical Council far, far away …

To read more, go here.

Students Rally Behind Catholic School Teacher

2011-12-09T07:57:00.002-05:00

A great story for a Friday. Have a wonderful weekend.

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Kate Truax, a beloved literature teacher for fifth, sixth and seventh graders at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Bethesda, Md. is receiving an outpouring of support from her students as she undergoes treatment for leukemia.

After receiving treatment for breast cancer during the 2009-2010 school year, Truax was diagnosed with leukemia.

She has been a patient at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, where she underwent a bone marrow transplant on Oct. 25. Truax’s students have eagerly volunteered to support Truax anyway they can.

For the full story, go to Catholic News Agency.

UPDATE: PLAN B DRUG - Politics Triumps Morals

2011-12-08T12:22:00.002-05:00

In a surprise move, the nation's health secretary stopped the Plan B morning-after pill from moving onto drugstore shelves next to the condoms, deciding Wednesday that young girls shouldn't be able to buy it on their own.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/12/07/hhs-secretary-sebelius-halts-over-counter-morning-after-pill/#ixzz1fxtf7pGb

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Now, why was this done?

Was it done because they were worried about the health of women and minors? Nope. Abortion trumps all else for the Most High, Lord High Barack Obama.

This was done simply for political reasons, as we are moving into an election year.

All the Most High, Lord Barack Obama and his minions need, is one or two minors dying from this. Many will turn against him.

All the Most High, Lord Barack Obama needs is for one or two news story to come out that a minor who was raped by her father or uncle, was forced to use the product before the election.

Also, this would help to consolidate faithful Muslims, Christians and Orthodox Jews against the Most High, Lord Barack Obama.

Killing the Unborn Comes to A Supermarket Shelf Near You

2011-12-07T08:07:00.002-05:00

The Food and Drug Administration has until Wednesday to respond to a request from the drug’s manufacturer to make the pill as easy to get as toilet paper and toothpaste, a move pushed by some doctors, health advocates, family-planning activists, members of Congress and others to help women prevent unwanted pregnancies.

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Once again, the administration of the most merciful, Lord High Barack Obama (who btw is on his 17 day vacation), really shows how much they are in the hands of the pro-abortionists and how cheap life is to them.

You can read about this in the Washington comPost.

1,600 Rally to End Carhart's Murder

2011-12-06T07:55:00.001-05:00

GERMANTOWN, Maryland, December 5, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The sound of public prayer pierced the chill outside late-term abortionist Leroy Carhart’s Germantown clinic this morning as hundreds of local pro-lifers gathered to make one thing clear: one year into Carhart’s Maryland business, the opposition, far from dying out, is stronger than ever.

A surprising number of cars on nearby Wisteria Lane honked in solidarity throughout the two-hour event, which focused on the power of prayer and staked its territory with 720 white wooden crosses - representing the estimated number of children killed at the clinic since Carhart settled there last December 5. (Carhart once claimed to perform 60 abortions per month.)

To read more, to to LifeSiteNews.com.

U.S. hearing probes Obama admin decision to deny bishops grant over abortion

2011-12-05T07:34:00.004-05:00

I am posting this, since it has not gotten much attention in the US press (what else is new). Personally, I think that the USCCB has grounds for a HUGE lawsuit against the US Government. I also think that this should be a wake up call that the Catholic Church should not get into contracts w/ governments to provide services.

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A Congressional watchdog committee is investigating whether the Obama administration denied millions of dollars in grant money to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops because of its religious objections to abortion.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Congressman Darrell Issa, held a two-hour hearing on the issue Thursday morning.

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, who sits on the committee, told LifeSiteNews.com that Obama administration political appointees “changed the rules in the middle of the game” and ignored “objective criteria” to deny federal funds to any group that refuses to condone “abortion, contraception, or sterilization.”

Life Site News

Poll Fixing at the Washington comPost?

2011-12-02T00:10:00.000-05:00

It seems that the Washington comPost did a little "poll fixing" in regards to a question asked on girls serving Mass. Check out Fr. Z's blog for the full story:

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/11/curious-development-with-that-wapo-poll-about-altar-girls/#comments

CUA can have Same-Sex Dorms!

2011-12-01T07:40:00.001-05:00

Catholic University is allowed to segregate students’ living quarters into same-sex dormitories, according to a ruling handed down Tuesday.

The District's Office of Human Rights said that same-sex dorms do not constitute discrimination or disparate treatment of either sex.

Read more, go The Washington Times

Heard on the Radio This Morning...

2011-11-30T09:58:00.002-05:00

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/

The New Translation

2011-11-27T17:45:00.002-05:00

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?

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

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.

Priests grow up isolated from families...

2011-11-21T08:36:00.003-05:00

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.

Pope Approves US Anglican

2011-11-16T08:38:00.001-05:00

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.

Is Rome About to Call?

2011-11-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

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?

Update: Former Georgetown Prep Priest put on Probation

2011-11-11T09:12:00.002-05:00

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.

The Devil’s Deception and the Power of God:

2011-11-09T00:07:00.000-05:00

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.

Is Rome About to Call?

2011-11-08T20:10:00.003-05:00

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!

2011-11-08T00:07:00.002-05:00

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.

BFast this Sunday to support the St.Joseph House

2011-11-05T10:38:00.004-04:00

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

The Latin Mass at Old St. John the Evangelist

2011-11-04T00:09:00.001-04:00

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.

All Soul's Day

2011-11-02T00:05:00.001-04:00

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.

All Saint's Day

2011-11-01T00:03:00.001-04:00

Try to get to Mass today.

Catholics Need Not Apply...

2011-10-29T20:27:00.003-04:00

The bishops have finally awoken (FINALLY) to the fact that the Obama Administration is one of the most anti-Catholic administrations that we have ever seen. Anyone who opposes their pro-abortion, pro-gay agenda are penalized and and attacked.

But you notice, how Cardinal Wuerl remains silent.

They have the Saul Alinsky method down to a "T".

You can read about it here: http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=22300

Fr. Aldo Trent - This Wednesday!

2011-10-24T21:19:00.002-04:00

A reader asked if I could share this with you.

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Fr. Aldo Trento, an Italian Missionary Priest, and is coming from Paraguay and will be giving witnesses. The man is truly a saint. His works have grown to include a clinic, a hospice, an orphanage, a school, a homeless shelter, a nursing home, and several organizations to teach poor and marginalized populations the dignity of work and the embrace of love. His mission has been lauded by the Paraguayan government, and is recognized internationally. Come hear him recount the experiences he has been living over the past 20 years in Latin America.

He will be speaking at Georgetown University this Wednesday, Oct. 26th at 6:30pm. See the attached image.

This says so much...

2011-10-24T00:57:00.000-04:00

This says so much about how many of those with Down's Syndrome are aborted before they even have a chance to be born. Remember, the Archdiocese's White Mass had a pro-abortionist on their Honorary Committee. This should be a wake up call to them.

http://www.patheos.com/community/deaconsbench/2011/10/22/occupy-life/

Guess the Archdiocese can't handle the truth...

2011-10-23T15:16:00.004-04:00

Last Friday, on Facebook, the Archdiocese of Washington reminded everyone about the White Mass (to honor those with disabilities) today.

I decided to inquire about Mark Shriver, who is not only pro-abortion but on the Honorary Committee. Considering the fact that many couples are urged to abort, when they learn they have a child with a disability, I did not think that this was appropriate.

Guess what?

They took my posting down, sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Guess they must have been embarrassed at the truth.

True Marriage in Maryland Needs Your Help

2011-10-20T07:33:00.003-04:00

Although I am not always a fan of the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC), sometimes they do the right thing.

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Issue: You raised your voices earlier this year and stopped the redefinition of marriage in our state. And the whole country took notice. We need you to stand strong and make your voices heard again. Maryland's General Assembly is meeting this week in special session and it is time to remind legislators that Maryland's Catholics support the long-held definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

You will receive two CAN alerts from the Maryland Catholic Conference. One will target your delegates, who sent the same-sex marriage bill back to committee without taking a vote. The second alert will target your state senator, who either voted for or against the bill. Please open both alerts and make your voice heard!

Two weeks ago a statewide poll showed an 8 percentage-point swing against same-sex marriage since January. Before the legislative session began in January and before people realized how close the General Assembly was to redefining marriage, 51% of respondents said that they would favor same-sex marriage with 44% against. Now, the numbers are flipping with 49% opposed to same-sex marriage and 48% in favor.

Marriage, recognized by societies throughout human history, originates in a simple biological fact. This unique union of one man and one woman is the only human relationship capable of creating children and nurturing them together as father and mother.

Treating heterosexual and same-sex relationships differently is not unjust discrimination, and upholding the truth of marriage does not ignore the rights or the equal dignity of all human persons. Instead, stripping marriage of its unique connection to parenthood erases a child's right to a mother and father, and ignores an essential question of why government favors marriage between one man and one woman over all other relationships.

Action: Please click here now. Urge your state senator to support traditional marriage and oppose same-sex marriage.

Pro-Abortion Supporter on White Mass Committee

2011-10-17T22:09:00.004-04:00

It seems that the Archdiocese has once again blown it big time!

Our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism, shows that we have a Pro-Abortion supporter as part of the White Mass Committee. The White Mass is to remember and honor those with disabilities.

Now, we have a supporter of abortion - Mark Shriver -- on the committee. Considering how abortion is used by many to get rid of disabled children, what does the Cardinal and the Archdiocese have to say about this?

Here is part of his interview with Bob Levey in 202:

Takoma Park, Md.: Hello, thank you for taking our questions today.

Connie Morella is, of course, a Republican, despite her forays into more progressive issues/legislation. I will say that I have been very impressed with her work on women's issues, both domestic and international. I have supported her (though I am a democrat) because she has been such a leader on these issues.

So my question is, will women's issues-- family planning, basic education for girls, maternal and child health, trafficking-- be a strong part of your agenda if you are elected?

Mark Shriver: Women's issues are critically important and I will continue to fight for a women's right to choose; family planning funds; maternal and child heath funding and education for girls both here and abroad.

Cooking with our Saints

2011-10-15T01:34:00.000-04:00

Come cook with our Saints at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly. On Saturday, October 22, we are honoring St. Rose of Lima, the Patron Saint of Peru. The guest speaker is Miriam Calvo, a Peruvian Catholic, who will be speaking about Catholic life in Peru and teaching us some of the native dishes of her country, including Papa a la Huancaína and Lomo Saltado.

St. Rose, born in 1586 as Isabel de Herrara, focused her life on God and devotion to the Blessed Mother and Christ. St. Rose joined the Third Order of St. Dominic. Throughout her life, she offered much charity, time and energy to the poorest people in Lima.

The two-and-a-half-hour Saturday afternoon classes include hands-on instruction, kitchen safety tips, a chance to sit down and eat what students cooked, and a take-home folder of the recipes so participants can cook “saintly” meals at home. Price: $15 per session. Class size limited to 12. Time: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Veronica Catholic Church, 3460 Centreville Rd., Chantilly. For information or to register, please call Sandy Greeley, 703-471-6454 or email at cookasia@verizon.net.

Obama Administration Shafts Catholics Once Again

2011-10-13T08:02:00.003-04:00

Catholic News Service (CNS) reports the following:

Since 2006, the U.S. Catholic bishops' Migration and Refugee Services has helped more than 2,700 victims of human trafficking obtain food, clothing and access to medical care.

That service has come to a halt because the agency recently learned it did not receive a new grant award for this work from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. MRS' prior contract for the trafficking program ended Oct. 10.

Mercy Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told Catholic News Service Oct. 11 that she hoped the Catholic Church's "position against abortion, sterilization and artificial contraception has not entered into this decision" by the HHS refugee office to reject MRS' application for a new grant, "especially since this administration has said it stands fully behind freedom of conscience."

Well, Sr. Walsh, you know as well as I do, that it is exactly because of our pro-life, true marriage stances that this administration has once again put the screws to the Catholic Church. Let us face facts. I know that you are in the PR business but let's just call it for what it is.

This should send the following messages to everyone:

1. The Catholic Church should not get into government contracts. They may be lucrative and allow us to help others, but in the end, we are on the losing end of the stick. Why? Because the radical left (and leftist Catholycs) are willing to shut us out because of our pro-life, true marriage stance. Remember, we stand in their way. Let's do what we can, with our own funds, to assist and not be tied to the government.

2. Catholics who voted for the Most Miserable should take note of this and realized that you have helped to bring this on. Many of us warned that these things would happen, and they have come to pass. So, let me be the first to say: I TOLD YOU SO. (I know some of you are pretty proud of yourselves at this moment.)

3. I wonder how many Catholics/Catholycs who were employed due to this funding, voted for the The Most Merciful, the Lord High Barack Obama? How many of them thought that George Bush was the most terrible president of them all and that Obama would bring hope and change? Well, what do you think now? How much hope do you have now? Because all you will have is the change in your pocket and the hope that you can snag another job. Nice job.

CCHD Corruption

2011-10-12T07:41:00.002-04:00

For the last few years, a number of bloggers have raised the cry over the fact that money collect by Catholics, have been used to support organizations that go against Catholic teaching. This was slowly and silently organized by the radical left Catholics -- who like to call themselves progressives, to hide the fact of their pro-abortion, pro-homosexual support.

Many of us want CCHD completely shut down and reorganized only as a last resort.

This year, the Archdiocese of Washington very quietly combined the communication campaign with the CCHD campaign. The Archdiocese was probably too cowardly to end the collection, so they figured they would collect something, rather than nothing.

I have documented some of the corruption of the CCHD program over the years. However, our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism, has a number of postings on the corruption of the CCHD. Go over, and take a look at these postings.

The Tiber Has Been Crossed!

2011-10-10T07:06:00.002-04:00

The Rev. Mark Lewis awoke early on the last morning of his life as an Anglican priest and dressed in a suit and tie instead of his usual priestly regalia. That’s different, he thought, for the first of many times on a day when so much was different for St. Luke’s, the small Episcopal church in Maryland where Lewis had been rector since 2006.

On Sunday — with Lewis wearing lay clothing and sitting with St. Luke’s parishioners inside the Crypt Church at Washington’s Basilica of the National Shine of the Immaculate Conception — most of the parish from Bladensburg converted to Catholicism.

You may read the rest here.

Kathleen Sebelius raises money for NARAL

2011-10-07T00:46:00.000-04:00

It seems that on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, Kathleen Sebelius (the HHS Secretary) attended and spoke at a fundraiser for NARAL in Chicago.

Not only does she do whatever she can in her position to destroy the Church's moral teachings, now she is raising money for those who oppose her.

When will any member of our clergy have the intestinal fortitude to say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. You can no longer present yourself for Holy Communion."

In fact, when will she be Excommunicated.

Fr. William Norvel to head Josephite Order

2011-10-06T00:01:00.001-04:00

Instead of choosing the easy chair, Norvel accepted the promotion.

Now he’s the 13th superior general of the Josephite Priests and Brothers, a Roman Catholic order that was started 140 years ago to minister to freed slaves. Norvel is the first African American in the job.

“I thought I was ready for retirement,” said Norvel, who was officially installed last month during a ceremony at Our Lady. “But it looks like the Lord has asked me to continue to minister to my brothers and sisters.”

For more, go here.

Martin Sheen in DC discusses new movie...

2011-10-05T08:26:00.004-04:00

Since this took place in DC, I thought I would report on it...

Actor Martin Sheen spoke in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 1 about his latest movie, which was filmed entirely along The Way of St. James, a European pilgrimage that leads to the city of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

“If this is the last thing I ever do, I couldn’t be happier,” Sheen told his audience at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

The talk was part of a national tour to promote Sheen’s upcoming film, “The Way,” which opens Oct. 7.

Sheen stars in “The Way” alongside his son, Emilio Estevez, who directed the film.

“The Way” tells the story of an American doctor who receives news that his son has been killed in Europe while walking the Way of St. James. He decides to finish the pilgrimage in his son’s place.

For more, go to Catholic News Agency.

Maronite Chapel at the Shrine

2011-10-03T08:17:00.001-04:00

Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, N.Y. recently described a new chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lebanon as a gift “for the Universal Church.”

“The Church encompasses every culture of the world,” Bishop Mansour told CNA on Sept. 30. “The Maronite Church has a certain affinity for the culture of the Middle East, the culture of Jesus himself.”

The newly-consecrated Maronite Chapel of Our Lady of Lebanon is located at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

To read more, go to the Catholic News Agency.

A little Catholic Humor...

2011-09-30T00:03:00.000-04:00

This one has been posted on Facebook a number of times. I thought it was funny. Enjoy.

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An atheist was seated next to a little girl on an airplane and he turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.."

The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"

"I don't know," said the atheist. "How about why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?" as he smiled smugly.

"OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?"

The atheist, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."

To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death, when you don't know crap?" And then she went back to reading her book.....

Cooking w/ the Saints!

2011-09-28T12:01:00.001-04:00

Nope, this is not about cooking with a couple of football players...but something more interesting...I wish I knew about this church when I visited Siem Reap a couple of years ago.

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Come cook with our Saints at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly.

On Saturday, October 1, we are honoring the Catholic Church in the town of Siem Reap in Cambodia. The church’s Patron Saint is Saint John the Apostle. As the church’s website states about its parish, “There are about 35 families consisting of about 150 people, most of them Cambodians. Among them are some expatriates working and living in Siem Reap.”

The guest speakers are Marie Chea, a Cambodian Catholic, and Demaz Baker, a Cambodian cook, both living in Northern Virginia.

The population of Cambodia was decimated by the Khmer Rouge with some estimates stating that 20 percent of the population were lost. The Catholic community was particularly hard hit with Catholicism nearly destroyed, and some figures say that the Catholics in Cambodia today number about 20,000 with a total of 30 parishes and 27 priests. Students will learn how courageous Cambodian Catholics are helping to rebuild their country.

St. John the Apostle became our Lord’s “beloved disciple” because he was the only disciple who did not forsake Jesus. He remained at the foot of the cross, and Jesus made him the guardian of his Mother, Mary. The students will learn about the life of this beloved Saint.

The two-and-a-half-hour Saturday afternoon classes include hands-on instruction, kitchen safety tips, a chance to sit down and eat what students cooked, and a take-home folder of the recipes so participants can cook “saintly” meals at home.

Price: $15 per session. Class size limited to 12. Time: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Veronica Catholic Church, 3460 Centreville Rd., Chantilly. For information or to register, please call Sandy Greeley, 703-471-6454.

MCC Admits to Supporting Illegal Aliens

2011-09-27T08:31:00.004-04:00

The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) has finally admitted that they support illegal aliens receiving support via the Dream Act.

For many months, they refused to admit that the Dream Act was a measure to support those who are in the country illegally. They would use the term "undocumented" or simply call them "immigrants" but would never use the term "illegal." Now, they have finally admitted it.

It is time for Catholics to stand up to the MCC and tell them to stop their support of illegal aliens off of the backs (and taxes) of those who are here legally. If you can't win taxpayer breaks for those who send their children to Catholic schools, then don't support an additional tax burden on those who are here legally.

Dream Act Sabbath - A Boom or Bust?

2011-09-25T11:34:00.002-04:00

This weekend was to be the HUGE Dream Act Sabbath education effort. There were suppose to be things happening at parishes in the Archdiocese, as well as, non Catholic places of worship.

At my parish, at the early Mass (attended by about 400 souls) there was NOTHING. Not a peep, not a word about the Dream Act. No bulletin insert. No bulletin announcement.

What happened at your parish?

Pro-Life Activity

2011-09-24T17:10:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus Bishop McNamara Council #1622 (Frederick, MD). They hosted a pancake breakfast a few weeks ago and raised almost $400 for the local Birthright office.

Congratulations and Thank You!

Dream aka Nightmare Act Weekend

2011-09-23T00:39:00.000-04:00

This weekend, the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) is promoting the Dream Act Weekend. This will be an all out effort, among a number of different faiths, to promote/indoctrinate the faithful on why the Maryland Dream Act is important to support.

From what I have been able to gather, it will be an effort to pull on your heartstrings and make it seem like the only reasonable thing to do.

The problem is that they are not telling you that it will cost the citizens and those with legal residency apx. $60,000,000 per year.

Yep, you read it right...

SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR.

You see, they will only tell you how much it costs for one community college in one year. Remember, there are apx. 16 community colleges. What about the state colleges?

Also, watch their wording..they never say illegal aliens. The term used will either be "undocumented immigrants" or "immigrants." They will never tell you that these folks have broken the law.

Let's hear back from you on what took place at your parish on Sunday and Monday.

Four Blue Ribbon Honors

2011-09-20T17:49:00.000-04:00

It is important to recognize something good when it happens..and so, let's take a moment to congratulate four of our Catholic elementary schools for receiving the US Dept. of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools Award for academic achievement.

These were four out of 49 schools chosen nationwide.

They are:

St. Jane de Chantal School in Bethesda;

St. Bartholomew School in Bethesda;

Mary of Nazareth School in Darnestown; and

St. Mary School in Rockville.

Congratulations and for the full story go here.

National Shrine Scandal

2011-09-18T19:19:00.003-04:00

On Friday, Deacon Greg Kendra at The Deacon's Bench posted the above photo. This photo, taken at the memorial Mass for Archbishop Sambi on Sept. 14, 2011 by CNS/Leslie E. Kossoff, shows Vice President Joseph Biden receiving Holy Communion from Msgr. Rossi at the National Shrine.

Over at the Deacon's Bench there was a great deal of discussion by a couple of priests and deacons who said in no uncertain terms would they deny Holy Communion to this man, because they do not know the state of his soul.

I am sorry...this is not some many who just walked into the Shrine to receive Holy Communion. This is the second most powerful man in the US and someone who supports abortion and homosexual marraige. Let's admit it folks, this adminstration has done almost everything it can to promote abortion and have the taxpayers pay for it.

Yet, no one seems to be willing to tell him, before Mass, not to receive Communion in the state he is in.

Does any priest in this Archdiocese have any integrity or the intestinal fortitude to do something?

I wrote over at the Deacon's Bench that during the pedophile/homosexual crisis, when horrible things were done to young men, I did not waiver in my support for our priests, brothers and deacons. Why? Because I knew many of them personally and they were good men. They worked hard and tried to do their best, even if one or two of their brothers in Christ did horrible things.

However, I continue to see priests and deacons who say that they will not say or do anything when someone as public as Joe Biden comes forward to receive Communion.

If there is anything that has shaken my faith in our priests and deacons, is this: That they are not willing to say to a pro-abortion politician (who is very well known in their support of this) that they cannot recieve communion if they continue on their current course.

Msgr. Rossi, the Cardinal and any priest in attendance that day should be ashamed of themselves.

Just another scandal which has shaken my faith.

Have a Great Weekend...

2011-09-16T08:21:00.002-04:00

It has been a rather busy week for me at work, as well as, in my personal life -- three evening meetings this week!

Take some time off and spend it with your family.

Have a Great Weekend.

Cardinal Wuerl and others reflect on 9/11

2011-09-13T07:57:00.002-04:00

On the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, leading American Catholic bishops mourned the dead, commemorated their sacrifices and looked for signs of renewal and resurrection.

At St. Peter Parish in Washington, D.C., Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, delivered a 5 p.m. homily. He recalled that he was in Washington at the U.S. bishops’ annual meeting on that fateful day. They immediately adjourned and did “the only thing the Church can do.”

“We prayed. We walked from our conference building to the Basilica of the National Shrine where we all joined in the celebration of the Eucharist,” he said. “We were not alone. The basilica was filled. Thousands of students gathered at the Mass.”

To read the rest of the story, go to Catholic News Agency.

9/11/11

2011-09-11T09:46:00.001-04:00

Today's readings talk about forgiveness.

I don't think I can ever do so for those who planned this, supported this or executed this.

MCC - Using 9/11 to advance illegal immigration

2011-09-09T14:15:00.004-04:00

The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) on their Justice for Maryland (Illegal) Immigrants Facebook Page, posted the following comment:

Remembering 9/11 - with open hearts and minds for those pursuing our shared American dream.

Now, tell me MCC, what does illegal immigration have to do with 9/11, other than most of the hijackers were here illegally?

Are you trying to use 9/11 to gain sympathy for your cause?

This seems like the Obama mantra of never letting a good crisis go to waste.

Shame on you MCC.

The Church According to Governor O'Malley

2011-09-07T16:11:00.002-04:00

Maryland’s Governor Martin O’Malley’s recently announced his decision to support a bill to legalize gay “marriage” in the upcoming Maryland legislative session. This decision has been a spectacle, to be sure, considering his professed Catholic faith. But perhaps more shocking than his flip-flop on the issue is where this “evolution” of thinking has led him—to a place of complete contradiction with himself.

When his decision drew immediate criticism from the Catholic Conference of Maryland and from Baltimore Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, who called the act one of “pure political expediency,” O’Malley responded in a letter, saying, among other things, that he has come to view the policy of treating same-sex relationships different from marriages as “unjust.” In doing so he declared his sincere willingness to be seen as a sham from both sides of the gay marriage issue.

To read the rest of this, please go to LifeSiteNews.com

NB: The only issue that I have with this article, is that it makes no mention of the failure by our Cardinal to call out O'Malley on this issue.

Eucharistic Adoration at St. John Newmann - Gatihersburg, MD

2011-09-04T00:32:00.000-04:00

The woman with the red rosary opens the red door and sees Jesus Christ. He is six feet away, encircled by a gold sunburst, flanked by two candles, heralded by a single cricket outside in the shrubbery of suburban Maryland. The woman kneels in the presence of her Creator.

Jesus, my savior and my God, kneeling humbly here before you, I wish to adore you with all the powers of my soul and I consecrate my whole being to you.

To read the rest of this, as well as, watch the video, please go to the Washington comPost.

Catholic Standard Promotes Pro-Abortion Labor Secretary

2011-09-01T21:18:00.003-04:00

Once again, either through ignorance, sloppy journalism or because the Catholic Standard (Archdiocese of Washington) is trying to suck up to the Most Merciful's administration, is running a puff piece on Labor Secretary Hinda Solis. The article, by Mark Zimmerman, in glowing terms tells us how much her faith means to her and how it shapes her public service. Maybe they thought it would be good for a little payback for the most recent support of illegal aliens.

So tell me, did Mr. Zimmerman forget to mention that while she was representing CA 32:

She voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines

Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research

Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions

Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime

Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life

Voted NO on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research

Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad

Voted NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes

Voed to expand contraceptive services for low-income women

She received a 100% rating from NARAL and a 0% rating from National Right to Life. She was on the recommended list of Emily's List -- the list that only support pro-abortion female candidates.

I guess that is all in the past.

Once again, the Catholic Standard has let the faithful in this Archdiocese down.

Byzantine Church Tour & Vespers This Saturday!

2011-08-30T20:25:00.001-04:00

Arlington, VA (August 14, 2011)—The Institute of Catholic Culture invites you to attend the Byzantive Church tour and evening vespers, held in conjunction with the 18th Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival at Holy Transfiguration Church in McLean. The weekend-long festival begins on Saturday, September 3 (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and goes through Sunday, September 4 (noon to 6 p.m.).

The Institute will offer two special Church tours on Saturday at 4 p.m., prior to the 5 p.m. Vespers, and again at 6 p.m., immediately following Vespers. Join Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo for an extensive tour through the Baptistery and Church, explaining the meaning of the beautiful icons and architecture of the Church. After the tour, all are welcome to join in the festivities and enjoy lamb dinner and authentic Christian Middle Eastern culture.

Please join the Institute for this extraordinary annual festival at Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church, 8501 Lewinsville Road, Mclean VA 22102 Free Admission! No Reservation Required!

The Institute of Catholic Culture is a non-profit education institute dedicated to the re-evangelization of our society through educational and cultural opportunities offered to the public at no charge. For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 703-504-8733.

Big Changes Are Coming to the Catholic Standard on Sept. 15th

2011-08-28T10:27:00.005-04:00

There is a great deal of information in this week's Catholic Standard on Catholic schools at all levels. However, there are some major changes coming to the Standard.

In my estimate, when you look at what is happening to the Catholic press over the last few years, these are due mainly to financial conditions but also the speed in which we are able to communicate and share information.

In addition, this will give the Archdiocese more time to plan and implement a coordinated communications effort on something, such as illegal immigration.

So, what are the changes?

1. Publication every two weeks.

2. A more glossy/publication with (and insert trumpets blaring here) "striking covers, bigger and more dramatic photos, bolder headlines and insightful graphics."

3. More in line w/ the Spanish paper.

4. More articles from Catholic News Service, Catholic News Agency and I bet, more "Specials to the Standard."

Only time will tell if these changes will save the paper or if it will go down to a once a month publication.

Stupid Biden Quote

2011-08-26T00:59:00.000-04:00

Once again, we bring you another stupid quote from the highest elected "Catholyc" in the United States: Vice President Joe Biden. I tell you, he is the gift that keeps on giving.

During his recent visit to China, he told the audience that he has had the opportunity to meet every major world leader in the last 38 years as an elected official. First, he has only been an elected official for 36 years (at the time of this speech), and two, he has not.

In addition, he compared himself to King George VI re stammering but considering the way this administration treats the rule of law, you would think that their authority stems directly from the right hand of God.

When are they going to put him back in the attic.

Sweeney, the Pro-Gay Agenda, Catholic Charities & Cardinal Wuerl

2011-08-24T13:52:00.004-04:00

On March 1st, 2011 I wrote the following:

It seems that John Sweeney, the AFL-CIO president for 14 years, was honored. According to the Catholic News Agency article, he and his wife are both parishioners of Church of the Little Flower (Bethesda) and have "actively supported the work of Catholic Charities, including serving as the chairs of Catholic Charities' annual gala."

I don't know the man but I do remember him well from my days when I was an AFL-CIO member. (And I am not proud of that fact either.)I really find it appalling, that the head of the AFL-CIO, who spend millions, upon millions of dollars helping to elect pro-abortion and pro-gay politicians was allowed to be the chair of these charities.

I find it appalling that the Cardinal honored this man, on Sept. 2, 2009 when Mr. Sweeney received an honorary degree from Georgetown.I

find it appalling that the Catholic Standard would have this article, which shows Mr. Sweeney in such a positive light. I thought we had gotten past reporting on these stories.

Maybe if Mr. Sweeney had not funnelled as much money into elections, and more into pension funds, that we would not be facing gay marriage in Maryland, and that union pension funds would be in better health.

Well, it seems that he has documented his support for gay rights going back as far as 1983. His opposition to DOMA in 2005 is well documented.

For this Archdiocese to honor big fund raisers, who do not necessarily support the Catholic faith is the norm, not the exception. The Cardinal honored him in 2009 and earlier this year.

The Cardinal should be ashamed of himself and should admit he has done wrong!!

For the full story on John Sweeney, please go to LIFESITE NEWS.

Earthquake Damage to Archdiocese of Washington

2011-08-24T08:29:00.003-04:00

At Holy Name Parish in DC, the chimney on the rectory fell in the quake and hit two cars. No one was hurt. Meanwhile, at St. Gabriel in DC, chunks of the ceiling fell in the sanctuary. In both case, facilities management employees have been sent in to evaluate the extent of the damage.At Mount Calvary in Forestville has had damage to the steeple.

In addition, Mount Calvary School has sustained damage.

For the rest of the story, go to myCatholicStandard.

Thank God there was no loss of life.

Now On Facebook

2011-08-24T07:35:00.002-04:00

Well folks, I decided to take the plunge and create a Facebook account. I will link my articles over there too, should you decided to check it out.

You can find me as Joe Washingtoncatholic.

Newest Addition to the Blog Roll

2011-08-22T00:58:00.001-04:00

These Stone Walls - Musing from a Priest Falsely Accused

This blog has fascinated me from the time I started to read it about one year ago.

I have decided to link to it, since it helps me to better understand a priest whom I have known now for over 35 years.

You see, he too has been accused, but in this case, no civil or criminal charges have been brought against him. His case sits before his Bishop. It has sat there for months/years. As long as this bishop does not do anything, there is no resolution. Although he has not been convicted (or even put on trial), in many ways he has been sentenced by his bishop.

I pray for all priests who have been falsely accused.

CCHD Collection - Let Your Voice Be Heard

2011-08-20T00:34:00.000-04:00

Our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism has done a bit of research an has come to the bottom of the change in the how the CCHD collection was conducted this year. You can read all about it here. However, it is time to LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

Mr Bosnick (abosnick@adw.org) is the Coordinator for CCHD in the Archdiocese of Washington. We need to contact him to make our displeasure known. We should also contact the archdicesan communications director, Ms. Chieko Scheve (cnoguchi@adw.org) her phone number is (301) 853-5340. Of course be polite, but be plainly-spoken as well.

The Errors of Modernism

2011-08-18T10:11:00.001-04:00

Arlington, VA (August 14, 2011)—On Sunday, August 21, the Institute of Catholic Culture, featuring Rev. Paul Scalia, Pastor at Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia, presents an in-depth examination of today's enemies of Christ. These are the “modernists” who attack the Church under the guise of ideological and political progressivism. As Pope Saint Pius X wrote, “It must be confessed that the number of the enemies of the cross of Christ has in these last days increased exceedingly, who are striving, by arts, entirely new and full of subtlety, to destroy the vital energy of the Church, and, if they can, to overthrow utterly Christ's kingdom itself.”

The Institute of Catholic Culture is a 501(c)3 Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to the re-evangelization of our society through educational and cultural opportunities offered to the public at no charge. All Institute of Catholic Culture programs are approved for catechetical credit in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

Please join the Institute and Rev. Scalia at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 8213 Linton Hall Rd., Gainesville, Virginia. Admission is free, and no reservation is required. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 540-635-7155.

The CCHD Collection in the Archdiocese of Washington

2011-08-16T22:05:00.003-04:00

Folks, due to a number of other pressing issues (work, family, etc.), I did not get the opportunity to post about the CCHD collection this past weekend.

It seems that the Archdiocese has decided to move up the collection from later in the year to now and to re-name it.

Our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism has all of the lurid details about this deception. Seems the Communications folks have been working overtime on this one.

A Large St. Jude's Catholic Family: Making It Work

2011-08-12T05:10:00.003-04:00

The Kilmer family of St. Jude's - making it work each and every day. What a wonderful story.

So my question is...why can't others?

For more, read here.

O'Malley and Archbishop O'Brien on Gay Marriage

2011-08-10T00:53:00.000-04:00

Two days before Gov. Martin J. O’Malley announced his July 22 decision to sponsor legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien sent him a private letter urging O’Malley – a Catholic – to “refrain” from promoting the redefinition of marriage.

The governor's office decided to make the letter from the Archbishop public, as well as, his response.

You can read all about it here.

Knights of Columbus bail out JPII Center & Detroit Diocese

2011-08-08T13:58:00.003-04:00

The August 4th edition of the Catholic Standard has the center pages focusing on the latest with the John Paul II Cultural Center. The Center was opened in April 2001 and for most of this calendar year, was only opened by appointment.

As readers of this and other blogs know, the JPII Center has not attracted the numbers and events hoped for since it was established.

Now, this is not to say that the facility and the exhibits (at least when I visited them a couple of years ago) we terrible. In fact, they were very nice. However, it was not easily accessible by metro or even vehicle. I mean, I had a bit of a difficult time finding it by car and if it wasn't due to the fact that the person with me knew the area very well, I would have never found it.

As you know, in the Fall of 2010, it was reported that the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were looking into the possibility of purchasing this property for use as a house of study. However, this did not work out.

So the question then comes up: What do we do with this? We cannot just let it sit there and rot. We have spent all of this money and countless hours.

The answer: Let's make it a Shrine and have the Knights of Columbus "foot the bill."

The Standard reported that the Knights will repay the Diocese of Detroit the money spent to establish and operate the Center. (The Diocese of Detroit has taken quite a bit of heat over the cost of this.) In addition, proceeds from the sale will also go to Catholic University of America (CUA), which has a secured interest in the property. Further, the JPII Center will will be declared as an Archiocesan Shrine.

Let's be honest about this.

One, how much pressure was put upon the Knights to fund this effort. Personally, I bet a fair amount. I don't think that they would have jumped at it on their own.

Two, do you really think that by simply declaring it a shrine, people will naturally flock to it? Nope. Oh yes, we will see an increase in attendance but because they will ensure that when Church groups come, they must include a visit to it. But will this be enough to make it viable? I doubt it.

Three, how much of this was about "saving face" and "taping into someone else's coffers." As mentioned earlier, Detroit needs the money, the center is just sitting there and is in probably need or some repairs and the Archidocese of Washington is looking bad.

I really hate to say it but this is really throwing good money down the drain.

C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters

2011-07-29T00:36:00.000-04:00

Arlington, VA (July 25, 2011)—On Sunday, July 31 and Sunday, August 7, join rhe Institute of Catholic Culture for a talk on the importance and underlying meaning of C. S. Lewis’s famous book, The Screwtape Letters, in which the author portrays how devils tempt man to stray from an ethical Christian lifestyle.

The presenter is Robert Royal, Ph. D., the graduate dean at Catholic Distance University. He is a former Fulbright scholar, and holds a B. A. and M. A. from Brown University and a Ph. D. in Comparative Literature from the Catholic University of America. He has taught at both his alma maters as well as at Rhode Island College. A prolific writer and sought-after speaker on ethics, culture, religion, and politics, he has appeared on various radio and television stations nationally and internationally and his books have been translated into several languages. In addition, his articles have appeared in scholarly journals and publications, including First Things, the Wilson Quarterly, the Catholic Historical Review, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Washington Times, and National Review.

This two-part event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas á Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Ave., Reston, Va. Admission is free and no reservations are required.

For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 703-504-8733.

CVN and Pro-Abort/Pro-Gay Speaker

2011-07-27T20:40:00.000-04:00

The Catholic Volunteer Network (CVN) was in the news last year, because they decided to honor Chris "I get a thrill up my leg for Obama" Matthews, at their annual dinner. If you recall, they were to have the dinner at the Franciscan Monastery. However, the Catholic blogospher went wild with thsi story and our colleagues over at Restore DC Catholicism even picketed the event. Well, CVN moved the event to an undisclosed location but still gave Chris the award.

Well, this year they have seemed to learn some lessons but not all.

First, they are not holding the event at the Franciscan Monastery but at the National Press Club. So,no scandal at a Catholic institution.

Second, they are honoring Comcast. Now, I was a Comcast client but I do seem to remember that Comcast offered Playboy and other porn channels. Now, Comcast is probably a huge supporter of CVN but they make a good amount o revenue off of porn and anti-Catholic shows/channels.

Finally, look who is the featured speaker...Cokie Roberts. Now, we all remember Cokie, as we media person who supports gay marriage, supports abortion and has criticised His Holiness.

My question to CVN is: Why do you have the word "Catholic" in your name? I mean, if you are going to honor a business which makes a living off of porn (although not the total business), and have speakers who are opposed to the Catholic faith, why bother with the word "Catholic." Just call your self something else.

If anyone from CVN is reading this, I would love to hear from you.

Catholic Standard Weekly Upate

2011-07-23T14:42:00.000-04:00

Let the trumpets blare and the women swoon, here is your weekly review of the Catholic Standard.

Well folks, this week's Standard takes a number of stories from the Catholic News Service, such as he appointment of Archbishop Chaput to Philly, the DREAM (or NIGHTMARE) Act, and Harry Potter.

In the center of the paper, we have a couple of updated stories on Catholic places to visit this summer such as the Franciscan Monistery and St. Mary's. As well as the regular story about the Encounter the Gospel of Life summer camp.

Remember, if you don't get it, at least you can view most of it on-line.

DOJ goes after elderly pro-lifer

2011-07-21T00:40:00.000-04:00

A pro-life activist who has engaged in sidewalk counseling for 14 years has been taken to court by the federal Department of Justice. The complaint to the court submitted by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice alleges that Richard Retta non-violently obstructed a woman and her ‘clinic escorts’ from entering Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, an abortion facility.
The Department of Justice is demanding that Retta be fined $10,000, that a permanent 20 foot bubble zone be placed around the clinic barring pro-lifers, and that Retta pay an additional fine of $15,000 in equal parts to the three ‘victims’ of his actions, which the DoJ argues were contrary to the Freedom of Access to Clinic Act (FACE).

More from LifeSiteNews.

Birth Control/Abortion Coverage may be mandated...

2011-07-20T10:42:00.002-04:00

Virtually all health insurance plans could soon be required to offer female patients free coverage of prescription birth control, breast-pump rentals, counseling for domestic violence, and annual wellness exams and HIV tests as a result of recommendations released Tuesday by an independent advisory panel of health experts.

For more, go to The Washington comPost.

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Tell the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) to stop their support of the MD Dream Act!

A New School Prayer

2011-07-18T08:13:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine recently posted a link to this on her Facebook page. Whether written by a 15 year old or not, I thought it summed up things nicely.

"New Pledge of Allegiance"

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
for this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites,
it violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
that’s no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For more, go here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/notes/randy-pokester-nelson/new-school-prayera-must-read15-yr-old-wrote-this-from-arizona/10150258482008457

Reminder: Kingdon of the Cults (July 19th)

2011-07-15T07:45:00.001-04:00

KINGDOM OF THE CULTS: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists
Arlington, VA (July 7, 2011)

Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo, M.A. and Subdeacon Sebastian Carnazzo, Ph.D., will present a three-part study on Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists, exposing the true history of these organizations and their flawed theology. The sessions occur on Tuesday, July 12, 19, and 26.

Subdeacon Sebastian Carnazzo received his MA in Theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture from the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College and his PhD in Biblical Studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Subdeacon Sebastian is a professor of Sacred Scripture and Biblical languages at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary of the Fraternity of St. Peter in Denton, NE and and a lecturer in Sacred Scripture for Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College. He is also the academic director of the Diaconal Formation School of the Diocese of Tulsa, OK, and lecturer in New Testament for the St. Gregory Melkite Greek-Catholic Seminary. Subdeacon Sebastian, his wife, Leila, and their four children reside in Denton, Nebraska.

Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo, founding Director of the Institute of Catholic Culture, graduated from Christendom College in 2004 and completed a Masters degree in Systematic Theology with an Advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma in 2008 at Notre Dame Graduate School. On May 8, 2010, he was ordained to the holy deaconate. In addition to offering frequent lectures at the Institute of Catholic Culture, he is a Lecturer in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Liturgy for the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Ok, Diaconal Formation School and the Missionaries of Charity North American Novitiate Formation Program. Deacon Sabatino and his wife, Linda, have three children and live in Front Royal, Virginia.

Join the Institute of Catholic Culture at St. Mary Catholic Church, 310 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. Time: 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. No reservation required. Free Admission.

For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call (540) 635-7155.

O'Malley and Gay Marriage

2011-07-13T08:02:00.006-04:00

Nope, Governor O'Malley is not gay and is not planning a gay marriage ceremony. (Unless there is someone out there who knows something I do not.)

It has been reported that he will probably sponsor an gay marrage bill in the next General Assembly session.

I look forward to seeing what the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) does and especially the actions of Cardinal Wuerl. Will he take a hard stance? Will he deny O'Malley and other politicans a venue at Catholic institutions? Will he deny Holy Communion?

We will be watching closely.

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

2011-07-12T00:21:00.001-04:00

Let the trumpets blare and the women swoon, it is time once again for the weekly update of the Catholic Standard (July 7th edition).

I have already talked about the effort by the Archdiocese and their support of illegal immigration.

We have an article on the 60th Anniversary of the ordination of His Holiness, Pope Benedict (Ad Multos Annos!!) and how the Vatican is moving more and more into the world of social media.

We have news on the abortion and gay marriage front. We have two articles on the church in China, as well as, the Church in Romania.

Although I rarely agree with Fr. Daly, he has some interesting thoughts about some of his relatives, as he reflects on 25 years as a priest. We also have some reflection by Ricahrd Szczepanowski on his nephew, who was just commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the USMC. Thank God we have such young men and women.

Finally, as always, we have some wonderful photos of Vietnamese Catholics who honor Mary. The young women all look so beatiful in their traditional dress.

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Remember, vote for the Repeal of the MD Dream Act. It is really a nightmare for you and me.