St. Teresa of Avila - Liturgical Abuse (Part Three)

 A few years ago, my pastor informed us that there were to be no blessings given at Communion.  This was a mandate from, I believe the USCCB but I know that if I am wrong, I will be correct.

At St. Teresa, it seems that at Communion anyone can give a blessing anyone wanting.  Case in point: Sr. Dr. Oralisa Martin was invited up by Msgr. East during Communion to bless anyone who wanted a blessing. 

You can see it in the video at about 1:39:30 mark.  However, here are some screen captures from the video.

BTW, this sort of blessing took place on March 17th and March 24th, which you can see in the videos posted on YouTube.

 

 

St. Teresa of Avila - Liturgical Abuse (Part One)

A reader has informed me that there has been liturgical abuse happening at one (and there are probably others) DC parish: St. Teresa of Avila.  

St. Teresa of Avila is located at 1401 V St., SE Washington, DC.  The pastor is Msgr. East.

Looking at the website, it looks like most other parishes.  There are Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, there are various ministries to help those in need of food, the men's group, etc.  But there is also Liturgical Dance, which always raises my eyebrows.  

Looking at their bulletin for March 17th, they have lots of activities - either direct, jointly or simply advertising what others are doing.  Some lean to the more "progressive" side.

St. Teresa takes the Gospel and instead of reading it, as it should be, acts it out -- as if it was a play you might see in an elementary school.  

Also, the Gospel is read by a lay person and not a priest or deacon, given the fact that there are both on the altar.  

Unless, the person doing the Gospel is a deacon, which then shows a disregard for the norms of how a deacon should be clothed on the altar.

Here are some screenshots from their YouTube video:

But, the best is yet to come on liturgical abuse...

And to see the full video, please go here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC0-ZcAj2_k    

The Gospel starts about 24 minutes in.

Don Bosco Cristo Rey HS Volunteer Killed

 

A 23-year-old upstate New York native who moved to Washington, DC to volunteer for an organization that helps high school students was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in the nation’s capital last week, police and loved ones said.

Recent college graduate Ryan Realbuto was fatally shot Thursday around 10 p.m. when an armed suspect demanded money as he and two friends walked home from a youth gathering at a church, according to family.

The victim hailed from the village of Pittsford, a Rochester suburb, and was a 2023 graduate of St. Bonaventure University. He had been in DC for six months and was working with the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps.

He volunteered at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, based in Maryland, where he helped at-risk students in a work-study program, his family said.

To read the full story, go to THE NY POST

DC Catholic Schools, Masking & +Gregory's Reluctance

 From the Washington Examiner:

 It was perfectly fine for 20-somethings to go unmasked on a packed dance floor at Cafe Citron. But a 6-year-old sitting at a school desk at Sacred Heart School was considered a public health risk if her face was uncovered.

This has been a long and multistep fight for D.C. Catholic school parents. In the first stage, I was directly involved. We had to lobby the Archdiocese of Washington to repeal its own school mask mandate. Although the archdiocese initially said no, a coordinated campaign of parents convinced the archbishop to move Catholic schools to mask-optional. This freed up children in the Maryland counties included in the Washington Archdiocese, but it left D.C. Catholic schools under the thumb of Bowser.  

 To read it all, go here.  

Leases of Church Property Raise Questions

 

Local pastors and lay advisors have raised questions about centralized leasing policies for parish property in the Archdiocese of Washington. Critics say policies restrict both the religious use and financial benefit of parish properties, even while some parishes struggle to make ends meet. 

The archdiocese operates a centralized process of managing leased parish property, through which Catholic Charities of Washington leases parish properties for use as program locations, with rental rates far below market rate — charging in some cases only a nominal fee of dollars annually. The process reportedly restricts pastors from renegotiating lease rates, and in some cases prohibits pastors from offering any pastoral or religious services at programs conducted on parish property.

Sources said the same centralized leasing approach rents several unused Catholic school buildings to public charter schools. At least eight former Catholic school buildings have been used as DC charter schools. Pastors say that while parishes receive almost half of rental income for school rental arrangements, the rest of the funds are retained by the Washington archdiocese, even while parishes are responsible for upkeep on the buildings.

To read the complete story, please to to The Pillar.

 

Update: No charges for pro-life activists arrested inside abortion center

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 30, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – The District of Columbia has dropped all charges against two pro-life activists who refused to leave an abortion facility as part of a “Red Rose Rescue” on Saturday. The third, a Catholic priest, got off with a citation that veteran activists say will likely be dismissed.

To read the full story, please go to LifeSiteNews. 

Pro-lifers protest ‘flagship’ Planned Parenthood opening in DC!

Several dozen pro-life activists, some holding images of women killed by legal abortion, greeted buses of Planned Parenthood supporters at both entrances to a fundraising event celebrating the abortion chain’s new mega-facility in Northeast Washington. Before walking several blocks from the abortion facility to the gala site, activists prayed and protested as donors visited the new “flagship” center for a VIP reception. 

 “We have to be here for a number of reasons,” Rev. Patrick Mahoney of Church on the Hill DC, the Christian Defense Coalition, and Abortion-Free DC told LifeSiteNews. “One, to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are going to be brutalized here. … We’re here to be a voice for them. We’re here to offer women hope and support and encouragement.”

To read the rest of the story, go here: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-lifers-protest-flagship-planned-parenthood-opening-it-cant-be-business

Franciscan Monastery

Over the Christmas holiday, I visited the Franciscan Monastery in Washington DC.  I had never been their before and was amazed at this hidden gem.

Take the tour (and remember to leave a small donation at the end of it to help pay for maintenance).  Visit the grounds.  Visit the gift shop.

Here are a couple of photos to help entice you from the church interior...

D.C. council eliminates religious schools’ protection from gay discrimination suits

A vote December 2 by the Washington, D.C., City Council could compel private religious schools and universities in the nation’s capital to allow groups that oppose the schools’ moral values access to their campuses, programs, and funds.

The council voted to eliminate faith-based schools’ 25-year-old legal protections from discrimination lawsuits as part of a “human rights amendment.” Barring an act of Congress, D.C.’s religious schools will likely have to go against their religious values when it comes to permitting use to their campuses or programs.

The city’s rules hold that it’s “unlawful discriminatory practice” to limit any use of facilities, services, or programs based on “sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.” With the religious exemption, Washington D.C. religious schools had been able to restrict finances, amenities and approval from individuals and groups “organized for, or engaged in, promoting, encouraging, or condoning any homosexual act, lifestyle, orientation, or belief.”

For the complete story, go to:  https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/d.c.-council-eliminates-religious-schools-protection-from-gay-discriminatio

Cent'anni Holy Rosary!

“For 100 years this has been the national church of the Italian American people,” Pastor Ezio Marchetto said in his heavy Italian accent. “We have people who were baptized here, received their sacraments here, were married here and got their children baptized here. There is a connection that goes back generations.”

To read more, about the 100th Anniversary of Holy Rosary Parish, go here:   http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/holy-rosary-church-a-hub-for-italian-families-turns-100/2013/12/13/267209ae-5def-11e3-be07-006c776266ed_story.html

Msgr. Enzler named "Washingtonian of the Year"

Monsignor John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C., and a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, has been named “Washingtonian of the Year” by Washingtonian Magazine.

The native Washingtonian was recognized for his more than 40 years of experience as a priest, leader and advocate serving the needs of the most vulnerable, and for his work in starting many ministries where the need was unmet.

For more information, go here.

Pastoral Visit by the Archbishop of Manila

The Archbishop of Manila will be celebrating the Holy Eucharist on Monday, May 28, 2012 at 9am at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW).  This Mass will be dedicated to the Filipino-American Family and Youth.

In addition, he will celebrate Mass on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 6:30pm at St. Stephen Martyr Church (2436 Penn. Ave., NW).

The Most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the 32nd Archbishop of Manila on December 11, 2011.

He received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) in 1987 and his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) in 1991, both from the Catholic University of America. Prior to his appointment, he was installed as Bishop of Imus, Cavite, Philippines on December 12, 2001, and Chairman of the Commission on Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). In 1997, he was named member of the International Theological Commission of the Vatican.

A Catholic School Help Save a Young Man

The National Examiner (washingtonexaminer.com) has the story of how Don Bosco Christo Rey High School helped one young man (among many) stay focused, out of trouble and on his way to college.

Another fine example of what Catholic education is all about.

To read all about it, click here.

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Click here to sign the petition to REPEAL THE MARYLAND DREAM ACT. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Catholic Standard..not the whole story

By now, some of you have picked up and read the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington DC: The Catholic Standard. (Sometimes called My Catholic Standard.)

Page 3 has an article about the inauguration of Mayor Gray. It seems that the Archdiocese is attempting a bit of a "love fest" and "propaganda campaign" with Mayor Gray.

The Standard talks about his work with Covenant House, his attendance at Mass at St. Francis Xaviar in Southeast (his parish) and St. Mary, Mother of God (attends Mass). So, we see an attempt to show everyone his Catholic bonafides.

What they did not tell you was that he voted for Same-Sex Marriage in the District. Nor did they tell you that he supports abortion.

Amazing how they forgot these two pieces of information in the article.

I wonder if Mr. Zimmerman and Ms. Weaver (the author) will issue a correction in the next edition?

I doubt it.

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PS: We should be hearing shortly about the next round of school closings and mergers in the Catholic Standard.

Cardinal Wuerl's Invocation at DC Mayor Gray's Inauguration

You can read it here if you wish.

Again, I must ask why did Cardinal Wuerl do this?

Personally, I believe that this brings scandal upon the Catholic Church in this Archdiocese.

Do you have any thoughts as to why he did this? I have some but I would love to hear from you.

Cardinal-elect Wuerl and Mayor Gray

Yesterday, I sent the following note to Susan Gibbs, Director of Communications of the Archdiocese of Washington:

Recently, Mr. Vincent Gray was elected the Mayor of Washington DC.

Mayor-elect Gray has identified himself as a Catholic. Since Mr. Gray is a member of the Archdiocese of Washington will the Cardinal-elect be meeting with him to discuss his pro-abortion and pro-gay rights positions in light of Catholic teaching?

In addition, will the Cardinal-elect inform him that he should not receive Holy Communion because of his beliefs are in total opposition to the Church's teaching?

I look forward to hearing from you and will share your response with my readership.

Regards.

AWashingtonDCCatholic

Her response:

I'm sorry, but we are unable to respond to anonymous questions. By the way, you misspelled the new mayor's name.

Thank you.

Susan Gibbs

Archdiocese of Washington

So folks, other than my misspelling of the name of the new mayor, I guess we have our answer. Maybe someone in my reading audience would like to send this note to Ms. Gibbs and see if they will get a different answer? You can write to her at: gibbss@adw.org

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Boycott the CCHD Collection later this month!

A Very Interesting Comment

Over the last few months, we have talked extensively about the process by which the Archdiocese will shut down schools. I was going through a copy of the Catholic Standard and came across an interesting comment -- something that I have been saying all along.

So, for those of you from the Archdiocese who read this (and I know you do), this is for you as you prepare to shut down more schools:

Msgr. Kane told a reporter on the day when St. Patrick's opened: "(Catholic) schools are the best instrument we've had in building the Church in this country."

Taken from the Catholic Standard, May 28, 2009, page 17.

A Tale of Two Houses...

Since the Archdiocese of Washington DC has an Enviromental Outreach Department (do we really need one?), which sponsored a Faith, Environment and Stewardship Conference, I thought I would share with all of you something that they probably did not mention at the conference.

A Tale of Two Houses...


House #1
A 20 room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural gas. Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house, all heated by gas. In one month this residence consumes more energy than the average American household does in a year. The average bill for electricity and natural gas runs over $2400 per month. In natural gas alone, this property consumes more than 20 times the national average for an American home.. This house is not situated in a Northern or Midwestern 'snow belt' area. It's in the South.

House #2
Designed by an architecture professor at a leading national university. This house incorporates every 'green' feature current home construction can provide. The house is 4,000 square feet (4 bedrooms) and is nestled on a high prairie in the American southwest. A central closet in the house holds geothermal heat-pumps drawin g ground water through pipes sunk 300 feet into the ground.
The water (usually 67 degrees F) heats the house in the winter and cools it in the summer. The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas and it consumes one-quarter electricity required for a conventional heating/cooling system. Rainwater from the roof is collected and funneled into a 25,000 gallon underground cistern. Wastewater from showers, sinks and toilets goes into underground purifying tanks and then into the cistern. The collected water then irrigates the land surrounding the house. Surrounding flowers and shrubs native to the area enable the property to blend into the surrounding rural landscape.


Scroll down to see who is the owner of each house...











HOUSE #1 is outside of Nashville, Tennessee; it is the abode of the 'environmentalist' Al Gore.

HOUSE #2 is on a ranch near Crawford, Texas;it is the residence of the former President of the United States, George W. Bush.

An 'inconvenient truth.'

I sure hope this gets passed to everyone!

You can verify it at : http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/house.asp

Making abortion rare. Liar!

To all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington DC, especially those priests, religious' and employees, is this what you mean when you voted for Obama, who promised to make abortion rare:

Sotomayor supports unlimited abortion rights.

Office for Global Women's Issues is really a veiled attempt to promote abortions.

DC Abortion Ban is about to be side-stepped.

I guess that this is the change you wanted, just like 9.5% unemployment, a budget deficit that is out of control, de-funding of the DC Opportunity Scholarships, ending of the conscience clause, and I can go on and on.

Nice work guys. Hope you are proud of yourselves.

Alinsky and The 2009 Social Ministry Conference

Well folks, it is that time of year when the Social Ministry Conference to take place. It is a low cost event and has a number speakers on a variety of topics.
Now, most of this is pretty typical stuff, except I noticed workshop #20: Improving Access to Quality Health Care for All.

According to the description:

This workshop will look at current challenges to making it easier for children, working families and the elderly to obtain the health insurance, medical services and prescription drugs they need to stay healthy. The workshop is presented by an expert in the field and will include time for questions and answers. Gordan Whitman, People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO), Washington

And who or what is PICO? It is a Saul Alinsky community organization. Wait, isn't that that that what ACORN is a part of? Oh yes. In fact...

Included among this group are: the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), Gamaliel, Pacific Institute for Community Organizing (PICO), and Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART). The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) which is also patterned on Alinsky's organizational recommendations.

Isn't that what the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama subscribes to? Yes. Oh yes, we all remember his stellar career as a Community Organizer.

I thought that after the ACORN fiasco, they would do everything to stay away from these groups. Guess I was wrong. Who's bright idea was that anyway? Maybe a pink slip is in order.

Want to learn more about PICO, click here.