Something New...

Greetings Everyone:

I apologize to all for not posting as I should. 

The last few months (more like a year or so) have been quite busy.  Hopefully, by summer, I will have some more direction on some aspects of my life.   

I have been asked to periodically post on the (People's Republic of) Takoma Park Patch on religious topics. 

After some thought, I have accepted and will once a week attempt to publish an article.  Whenever, possible, I will post both here and over there.

Why did I accept?  It will give me a chance to get the word out to a slightly different and possibly larger audience.  If it does not work out, so be it and I will be back here only.

If you are interested in viewing my first posting, you may click here:
http://takomapark.patch.com/blog_posts/gratia-benedictus-xvi

Let's take a few moments to pray for Pope Emeritus Benedict.   Let us also pray for those who will elect a new pope that the Holy Spirit guides and that they are not led astray by the evil one.

 

"We can't just do business as usual..."

In an interview with Cardinal Wuerl:

“Whoever is going to hold the see of Peter, whoever is going to sit in Peter’s chair is going to have to see the issues as Blessed John Paul did, as Benedict did, as the synod did, as I think most of the cardinals do, that is: that we are very, very much like the early church in relation to the world around us,” the cardinal said. “Christianity is no longer a dominant culture, secularism is the dominant force in the world of culture. So the Holy Father is going to have to be a person whose focus will be on that.”

To read the rest, go here:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1300836.htm

The Most "Open Minded" Are Really the BIGGEST HATERS

As many of you know, I try to focus on items that affect the Archdiocese of Washington from the view of the guy/gal in the pew. 

It was announced that the Pope would have a Twitter Account.  Now, I have looked into a Twitter Account both as part of getting the message of this blog out or even for my business.  However, I have not really found a compelling reason at this time.

However, once again, it is important to point out that those who claim to be the most open minded, most tolerant are really the most hateful and mean spirited.

If you think that the Pope is incorrect, then debate the ideas (within the 140 character limit).  If not, then you are not even worth the time it took to write their rants on Twitter.

I wonder if these twitter postings can be considered a hate crime?

To read all about it, go here: 
http://twitchy.com/2012/12/03/shameful-pope-benedict-xvi-joins-twitter-vile-hate-starts-before-his-first-tweet/

 

Catholic charities must always act in accordance with Catholic teaching

CCHD please take note!

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ROME, November 30, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a surprise move, Pope Benedict XVI this morning issued a formal legislative document instructing Catholic charitable organisations that they must act in complete compliance with Catholic teaching. The Vatican rumour mill failed to predict the appearance today of the pope’s Motu Proprio, a special letter written and promulgated on Pope Benedict’s personal initiative, that lays out specific legislation on how Catholic charities must be governed.

Benedict issued the Motu Proprio, “De Caritate Ministranda,” on the Church’s charitable activities after strongly hinting in recent years at his deep concern at the secularising and outright anti-Catholic trends growing within officially recognised, and lay-funded, Catholic charitable agencies.

The document, using the formal legal language reserved for the Sovereign Pontiff when creating binding legislation for the whole Church, specifies that Catholic charitable organizations “should not limit themselves merely to collecting and distributing funds,” but exist to further Catholic religious objectives by exercising “a valuable educational function within the Christian community”.

For more, go to LifeSite News: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pope-decrees-catholic-charities-must-always-act-in-accordance-with

The Pope Names Cardinal Wuerl to Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, as a member of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The congregation is the oldest of the Curia's nine congregations. The wide ranging mission of the congregation is to promote and safeguard the doctrine on faith and morals throughout the Catholic world. The congregation is now headed by Prefect Cardinal William Joseph Levada and has 23 members. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 until his election as the 265th successor to St. Peter in 2005.

For more, go to the Archdiocese of Washington: http://www.adw.org/query2011/newsite_news.asp?ID=994&Year=2012

The Pope's Footwear (Papal Shoes) and more

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.

Ad Limina Visit. Should be soon.

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.

The Washington comPost: Wrong and Stupid

Over the last week, we have had three articles on the Catholic Church.

First, we have the resident radical liberal Mr. Stevens-Arroyo with his: "May Your Christmas be Catholic and Gay." Although there is much wrong with this article, like many of his postings but he cannot even get the percentages of gays correct. He says that apx. 10% of Americans are gay. WRONG. It is actually more like 1% or 2%. The 10% number was debunked a number of years ago when people started asking the gay community for the research on it. The number was just made up. More sloppy journalism from the Washington comPost.

This past Sunday, the Washington comPost ran a story by Michelle Boorstein entitled: Part Prayer, part pep rally with Wuerl at basilica on Christmas.

So, I read the story and my observation is: What was the point? There is no point. It is a story about nothing. Various people go to the National Shrine for Mass. They pray. Some love the Cardinal. He talked about Jesus on Christmas. Wow! This story almost reminds me of a Sienfeld episode.

Maybe this was the Post's way of saying: Gee, we slammed you a couple of weeks ago on the "missing" priests, so let us make it up to you with this story.

Finally, we have today a story about how the "conservatives" are trying to bring back the bad old days of Latin and ceremony, from the "enlightened progressives." First, do not refer to Holy Communion as a "wafer." Second, the snide comments, such about American political fashion and what not to wear, really shows what this article is also about -- making a mountain out of a mole hill. Finally, it seems to be another way to help the anti-Catholic bigots get things off their chest.

Cardinal Wuerl...Some thoughts...

I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday.

Over the last few days, I have been thinking about the elevation of Cardinal Wuerl. I did not go to the Mass of Thanksgiving yesterday.

Nevertheless, I have been asking myself why the Holy Father would do this. Is it simply because Cardinal McCarrick is no longer eligible to vote. Is is simply because the Holy Father believes that he is the best person for the job? Is it that the Holy Father, guided by the Holy Spirit, believes that there is something else in store for him down the road?

As much as I believe that Cardinal Wuerl is not the best choice for this Archdiocese, I have to believe that the Holy Father, guided by the Holy Spirit, knows what is best.

Pontifical Latin Mass for the Holy Father

A regular reader has asked me to post this:

This Holy Week, The Paulus Institute for the Propagation of Sacred Liturgy launched a new, dedicated website in support of the traditional Latin Solemn High Pontifical Mass to be offered on April 24, at 1 p.m., for the Holy Father on the anniversary of his papacy. I encourage you to view the site at http://pontificalmass.org. This groundbreaking Mass, offered by Darío Castrillón Cardinal Hoyos, will be the first Mass in the Extraordinary Form offered at the High Altar at the National Shrine in more than 40 years.

As you know, the Holy Father is under attack as never before. As Father Zuhlsdorf has written on his blog, this very special Mass for the Holy Father is an opportunity to show our solidarity with Pope Benedict and offer him our prayers during this difficult time. I hope that you will be able to attend the Mass, and importantly, I pray that you will take this opportunity to give to support this Mass at http://pontificalmass.org/donate.

EWTN has graciously agreed to cover this extraordinary event and show of support for the Holy Father. The worldwide Catholic network has even gone so far as to accommodate star commentators (including Father Zuhlsdorf) and coverage on all its worldwide satellites.

But we are still well short of our fundraising goal to cover this very substantial cost. Please consider, in your charity, donating as much as you are able to support broadcasting this Mass. Perhaps you can make a sacrificial gift for the Church and the Holy Father during this Sacred Triduum?

Throughout our planning for this Mass, we have been blessed by providence beginning with the opportune date (the anniversary of Pope Benedict's pontificate). Now I am even more convinced that the Holy Spirit is active in the timing of this Mass. Please join us at the Shine on April 24th and contribute financially to our apostolate as much as you are able. Donations are being accepted at http://pontificalmass.org . We expect thousands for this show of solidarity for the Holy Father. Its worldwide broadcast would be a powerful show of support for Pope Benedict.

Pope Benedict XVI is Amazing

I have been watching the events over the last few days here in DC.

There are many, many blogs and news services covering the events, so I do not really need to "O-pine" (as Bill O'Reilly says) on this.

But I do need to say that "Pope Benedict XVI is amazing!"

The Holy Spirit gives us the right man at the right time in the Church.

Ad Multos Annos!

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Quote of the Month:

"I've got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old, I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. So it doesn't make sense to not give them information." Barack Obama

Enjoying the Pope's Visit...

Although I do not have tickets to attend the Papal Mass, I hope to be able to sneak a few minutes of viewing it at work.

So, go and enjoy all of the events today and tomorrow.

I will post again on Friday.

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Quote of the Month:

"I've got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old, I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. So it doesn't make sense to not give them information." Barack Obama

Welcome Pope Benedict XVI!

On behalf of my family, the members of my parish and all those who are faithful to the Church, we welcome you to Washington DC.

May your visit be one filled with peace and sharing the Good News with all.

Scalping Papal Tickets -- FORGETABOUTIT

You know what's going to happen if you try to scalp Papal tickets?

Forgetaboutit!

The Papal Blog

Well, even the Pope's visit has to have a blog.

Created by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), it is only a few days old.

Go and take a look.

Let's come back to this in two weeks to see how it is going.

Gays to Protest the Pope's Visit to DC

According to the Washinton Blade (the paper which caters to gays in DC), it seems that there will be "respectful but forceful" protests against the Pope. For more, you can read it here.

I did find an interesting fact that Heather Mizeur, the openly gay member of the Maryland House of Delegates, is a "practicing Catholic." But she cannot be because she is in a lesbian relationship. This is not a relationship that the Church condones.

According to her election website, she is a member of St. Aloysius Church, (19 Eye Street,N.W.Washington, D.C.).

I wonder if she is taking part in the sacraments and if the pastor and parish staff look the other way. I also wonder if they support that particular lifestyle. My gut feeling is that they are.

The Pope to Celebrate his 81st Birthday in Washington DC!

The Catholic News Service has reported that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will visit Washington DC and New York in April 2008.

According to the article, the Pope will arrive on April 15th and receive an official welcome at the White House on the 16th. (He will celebrate his 81st birthday on that day. Imagine everyone singing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to him.) The next day, he will celebrate Mass at the new National's ballpark.

On April 18th, he will arrive in NYC to speak at the UN. The next day, he will celebrate Mass at St. Patrick's and on the 20th, visit Ground Zero and say Mass at Yankee Stadium.

I remember when Pope John Paul II came to NYC on his first trip to the US as Pope. It was an exciting time -- Mass at Yankee Stadium, the drive down Broadway in the "Popemobile", and prayers at St. Patrick's in the morning. Everyone, with the exception of the separation of church-state movement and the athiests, were so excited.

But, I wonder how many pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, anti-family politicians will attempt to show how "Catholic" they are, such as Sen. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Barbara Mikulski. I wonder how many will attempt to receive Holy Communion and how many priests will refuse them. (You know the answer to that one.)