Updates on the Current Scandal

There are so many updates and new stories, it is hard to keep track of them all.  However, here are some:


Where did McCarrick live after alleged Vatican Sanctions?

Seven Reasons Why I Believe Archbishop Vigano's Allegations To Be Credible

Answering Vigano's Critics

Vigano Releases Documents to Clear His Name

POPE FRANCIS MUST STEP DOWN!

From Across the River -- The Blessing of the Cars

We have the blessing of the Fleet each year, why not this?


Each year, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington accepts dozens of donated vehicles and provides them to those in need across the region. And now for the first time, the donated cars come will come with religious blessings.


http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/these-used-cars-now-come-with-something-extra-a-blessing/

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap is a series for young adults (ages 21–39) single and married of all faith backgrounds.

In Virginia: Monday evenings at 7:30pm at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub, 3207 Washington Blvd. in Clarendon, across from St. Charles Borromeo. Q&A at 8:30pm. Arrive early to get a seat. More info: Erin Healy 703-841-2549 or yam@arlingtondiocese.org

In Maryland: 2nd Thursday of each month, at Miller’s Alehouse, in Rockville (1471 Rockville Pike). Happy hour from 6 to 7pm, followed by Q/A from 7 to 8 pm. For details and events, visit Facebook.com/270Catholic/events or email 270Catholic@gmail.com

Robert McCartney - Another WaPo Anti-Catholic BIGOT

Although I should not be surprised at this but once again, we have another hit piece on a Catholic priest and the Church by the Washington Compost.  In this case, it is Robert McCartney.  For the rest of this article, I will refer to him as Mr. BIGOT.  I really don't know any other term to call him and I am tired of playing nice with guys like him.

So, let's point out a couple of things here..

• Fr. DeCelles is the pastor and makes the final decision, unless overridden by his bishop, of which organizations can or cannot meet on Church property.
• Every organization has rules -- Boy Scout, Girl Scouts, Trail Life -- and if you wish to join the organization, then you basically agree to follow the rules. Sort of like when you are hired by a company -- like the Washington Compost -- you agree to abide by certain things.   I wonder if Mr. BIGOT actually went to the Trail Life website and read what they actually said.  I doubt it, because he would not have written what he did.
• Wow, a Catholic priest who believes that the gay lifestyle is wrong (and is against the Catholic faith) and posts such things on the parish website.  My heavens, what is the world coming to.  
• If Mr. Bigot was as open minded as he says he is, then he should not be upset with Fr. De Celles.
• As a typical liberal, he does not fully understand the statement by the Pope on "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill..."  It means, M. BIGOT, that they do not live the gay lifestyle and live in accordance with Catholic teaching.  He did not mean that if you live nicely, and believe that you are doing right, that all is well.  
• Cardinal Wuerl has been more worried about bad publicity (and government contracts) than really standing up for Church teaching.  We have seen this over and over, so using him as an example, just weakens your argument Mr. BIGOT.
•  The National Catholic Committee on Scouting takes its cue from the Catholic Conference of Bishops.  It does not strike out on its own.  An if you read their 40 point statement, it really attempts to fit a square peg into a round hole.  I wonder if Mr. BIGOT read the statement.  I have.
• Yes, a drop in Scouting of 6% (almost 160,000 members) is not as bad as over 10% but it is still a significant drop in one year.  And, BSA cannot keep up dropping by 3% to 6% each year.  That is unsustainable, even for them.  If WaPost subscriptions dropped that much in one year, would they be saying "It is not that bad.."

HOWEVER, if this decision such a good decision -- allowing publicly gay youth in BSA -- then why wasn't there a INCREASE in membership by 5% or 6%?  

I mean, we would have seen thousands of new adult volunteers?  

How about all of those parents who swore up and down that they would not put their child in Scouting unless it opened up? I mean, their actions speak louder than words, and their words are meaningless. 

So, if Mr. BIGOT is so supportive of what Scouting has done, I would expect that he will be making a very nice donation to BSA of both time and money.

Yes, Mr. BIGOT cannot wait for the next fight -- gay leaders in BSA.  It will give him something to fill is column with -- the talking points of Troop 52 from Chevy Chase. 

The Cardinal's Appeal -- A Mixed Bag in Retrospect

Once again, the Cardinal's Appeal is upon us.  

Many of us have received he mailing.   And, we have probably heard the message read from the pulpit or altar re The Appeal.  In my parish, you could tell that it was only a half-hearted attempt at sounding excited about asking parishioners, in this economy, to give over and above the weekly collection. 

This year, the Archdiocese has touted that in 2013, more money was pledged, than every before.  And they are correct.  Not only that, but they actually took in more in 2013, than ever before.  So, you have to congratulate them on that.

Nevertheless, even with these increases in pledges and actual donations, you will notice on thing: There are fewer people giving.  

Since 2008, there are almost 4,000 fewer (3994 to be exact) people giving to the Cardinals Appeal than ever before.  

This is not good.  You really need to increase you base because at some point, the well will run dry.  And the Dreamer's, which the Archdiocese has so heavily counted on, will not be there.

Once again, I will not give.  If I decide to give, and I will, I will donate directly to my nearby Catholic school, so that they can purchase paper, supplies, etc. without the Archdiocese deciding. 

I urge you not to contribute, esp. after the Cardinal and the Archdiocese "threw Fr. Marcel under the bus."  It is the only message the Cardinal will understand.

Tidings of Great Joy: Revealing God’s Plan for the Incarnation

For Immediate Release

Contact: Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo, Executive Director

Institute of Catholic Culture: director@instituteofcatholicculture.org

703-504-8733

 

Annandale, VA (December 11, 2012)—The Institute of Catholic Culture invites you to join Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, STD, KGCHS, President of Christendom College (Front Royal, VA), this Saturday evening, December 15 at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, Virginia.

Dr. O’Donnell’s lecture will consider how God's plan of redemption, from the moment of the fall of Adam and Eve, was never frustrated, and how he prepared the Greek, Roman and Jewish world for the coming of Christ.

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 iof the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Family. Additionally, he is the author of Heart of the Redeemer and Swords Around the Cross: The Nine Years War. He has filmed many programs for the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), including Glory of the Papacy and The Path to Rome: Saint Paul’s Captivity Epistles.

Join the Institute of Catholic Culture and Dr. O’Donnell for this evening study of God’s plan for the Incarnation. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. in the school hall at Holy Spirit Church, 8800 Braddock Rd., Annandale, Virginia. Free admission, and no reservations required. For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 540-635-7155.

An Evening w/ Fr. Groeschel in Falls Church, VA

How the Trials of this World Lead to Life Everlasting

Falls Church, Va. (April 10, 2012)—On Sunday, April 22, the Institute of Catholic Culture invites the public to a very special program with famed Catholic scholar Fr. Benedict Groeschel, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and EWTN host. The topic: to learn how life’s trials can shape each person to merit eternal life. Fr. Groeschel exemplifies how mankind can overcome suffering to live fully in Christ: On January 11, 2004, Fr. Groeschel was struck by a car while crossing the street in Orlando, Florida. For the next several weeks, Fr. Groeschel nearly died three times. Today, eight years later, at the age of 79, Fr. Benedict continues to tirelessly serve Christ through his ministry to those most in need.

Join the Institute of Catholic Culture and Fr. Benedict Groeschel for an evening reflection on the trials and sufferings of this world and how they can lead us to union with God and life everlasting. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 3305 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church, Virginia. Free admission, and no reservations required.

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

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Please note that this is a Press Release from the Instititue of Catholic Culture. All queries should be directed to them.

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Help defend true marriage in MD and stop gay marriage. Let the people vote!

To read more, click here: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/efforts-to-defend-marriage-intensify-in-maryland/

To sign the petition, please click here: http://www.marylandmarriagealliance.com/

Islam: The Closing of the Muslim Mind

Arlington, VA (May 31, 2011)— On Sunday evenings, June 5 and 12, at 7:30 PM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, the Institute of Catholic Culture will host two lectures about the current disarray in the Muslim world and what has lead this society to the brink of all-out war. Most Westerners are shocked and frightened by the behavior coming out of the Islamic world—not only because it is violent, but also because it is seemingly inexplicable. What went wrong?

Foreign policy expert Robert R. Reilly uncovers the root of our contemporary crisis, underscored by the death of Osama bin Laden: a pivotal struggle waged within the Muslim world nearly a millennium ago. In a heated battle over the role of reason, the side of irrationality won. The deformed theology that resulted, Reilly reveals, produced the spiritual pathology of Islamism, and a deeply dysfunctional culture (ISI Books). It is intellectual suicide that has caused modern Islamism.

Robert R. Reilly is a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and has written for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, and National Review, among many other publications. A former director of the Voice of America, he has taught at the National Defense University and served in the White House and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Mr. Reilly is a member of the board of the Middle East Media Research Institute.
Join the Mr. Robert Reilly and the Institute of Catholic Culture for this evening series onthe roots of the modern Islamic crisis. St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 3829 Woodburn Rd., Annandale, VA.

All are welcome. No reservation required. Free Admission.

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

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

The Light Is On For You: Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU. Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“The Light Is On For You” is an initiative of the Archdiocese of Washington, in partnership with the Diocese of Arlington, to allow all Catholics to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Confessions will be held every Wednesday during Lent from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in every Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Washington and Diocese of Arlington.

Learn more at http://www.adw.org/parishes/tlio/