General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

1. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

   We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

   If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

   Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

2. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

3. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

   By order of

   JOHN A. LOGAN,
   Commander-in-Chief

   N.P. CHIPMAN,
   Adjutant General

   Official:
   WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

We Remember and We Thank You!

Farewell Art Linkletter

Some of you may have heard about the passing away of Art Linkletter.

I remember him as a child on television. I also remember him because I loved to play The Game of Life (it was one of the few that I owned when I was a child -- an that I bought w/ my own money) -- and the box has a photo of him with the caption: "Endorsed by Art Linkletter."

When you watch his old shows, there was no nudity, no violence, no crude humor, and no foul language. Just good fun -- and a little embarrassment.

Goodbye and thank you Mr. Linkletter.

Disappointed in the Knights of Columbus

Earlier this week, I read on the Curt Jester website about the fact that the Massachusetts State Council attempted to basically throw out pro-abortion, pro-gay politicians who are members.

From Catholic News World

The leadership of the Knights of Columbus (K of C) has forbidden local councils to take any action against members of the Catholic fraternal organization who support legalized abortion or same-sex marriage. A Massachusetts K of C member had proposed a resolution, to be taken up by the group’s state convention, calling for the suspension of membership of any politician who gave public support to abortion and same-sex marriage. That resolution was declared inappropriate by the Supreme Advocate of the K of C, John Marrella.

In a letter to the Massachusetts K of C leadership, Marrella declared that “a subordinate council may not impose fraternal discipline with respect to a public figure’s official actions on matters pertaining to faith and morals. Rather, any such discipline must be made by or at the direction of the Supreme Board of Directors.”

“We recognize that some of our members who are public figures may use their public position to advocate or support policy positions that are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals,” Marrella conceded in his letter. He went on to admit that such public advocacy “contradicts the Catholic identity and mission of the Order.”
Nevertheless, the top legal official of the K of C said that any action taken against K of C members who are public figures would “necessarily affect the entire Order.” For that reason, he said, any disciplinary action should be taken by the group’s top leadership.

Marrella went on to say that the K of C would not go further than the American bishops in taking public action against members whose public stands conflict with Church moral teachings. “If the public figure’s bishop has not excommunicated him for his public positions on issues relating to matters of faith and morals, it would be highly inappropriate for the Knights of Columbus to do so,” he wrote.

So, I asked a good friend of mine what should be done. He advocated the following for his brother knights:

1. Write to the Supreme Knight (and the State Council) and protest this decision.
2. In the letter explain that you are unhappy with this but will look for a change in policy soon. Yes, you can understand their position that what one Council or State Council does, affects all others. However, just because the bishops are not willing to take a strong stance about this, does not mean that a private Catholic organization cannot do so.
3. If there is no change in policy, you will drop your membership when it comes time for renewal.
4. Then do it.

Personally, I think that they should throw out Bishops who are not willing to stand tall...but that is just me.

What do you think?

Footprints in the Sand

Very funny.

I wonder if Paul takes requests and can change the name to Chittister, Reese, McBrien, Gumbleton, VOTF, Call to Action, etc.

Suit Challenges Regulations Hitting Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit this Wednesday against Maryland's Montgomery County on behalf of the Centro Tepeyac Women's Center. The suit concerns a new regulation that would force some crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to post signs telling women that the CPC does not have a licensed medical professional on staff and that the Montgomery County Health Officer encourages women to consult with such an individual.

“There is no abortion exception to the First Amendment,” said Mark Rienzi, lead counsel for Centro Tepeyac Women’s Center and a law professor at Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.

He continued: “The government cannot create special speech rules just because people want to talk about pregnancy choices. And it certainly cannot target pro-life speakers for special sign requirements and fines while leaving speech by abortion clinics entirely unregulated."

To read more, go to LifeSite News.

Now, the article makes no mention if the Archdiocese of Washington is in any way involved. When I checked the diocese website, there was nothing there. So, it may be that they are helping to fund this lawsuit, they may not.

I honestly do not know. Do you?

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Well folks, it is that time of the week. I know I have been slacking on this, but my life has been pretty busy lately, so time is a bit hard to come by.

I must say that the Standard seems to be getting thinner and thinner and sticking with very safe stories. Maybe they are worried that people like myself will find out how the Archdiocese honors pro-abortion and pro-homosexual politicians, media types, etc.

We start off with a story on the Catholic Charities Gala -- goal of $1.2 million raised for the poor.

There were two things about the story that caught my attention. First, about how an immigrant woman received medical services from the Archdiocesan Health Care Network. Personally, I doubt that the person was here legally. They Standard has a habit, like the Maryland Catholic Conference, of not using the legal phrase "illegal alien."

The other thing I noticed about the Catholic Charities Gala is that Kathleen Matthews, wife of Chris Matthews (Hardball host on MSLSD) was highlighted. She and Chris were the chairs of the Gala in 1995. Both attend Blessed Sacrament parish. Since he is a big time abortion and homosexual rights advocate, does he receive Holy Communion? Knowing how things are run in this diocese by Archbishop Wuerl, even when support for abortion is so pronounced, nothing will happen.

But is she pro-abortion and pro-homosexual marriage? She seems to have done a good job hiding her political views but it was interesting to her what her husband had to say:

During the April 13 C-SPAN show, host Brian Lamb showed viewers snapshots of Matthews with his two sons, Michael 18 and Thomas 15, from their recent two-week trip to Asia with their father, which included stops in Thailand and Vietnam. As viewers looked at one photo, Matthews explained: "Michael, he’s been the big liberal sort of in the family, although he went a little further than liberal in the last election. I can’t give away how he voted, but you can guess. Thomas is just as liberal as he is now. I mean they are real, real, I mean, instinctive liberals." Lamb revealed his personal knowledge of Chris Matthews’s wife’s politics, suggesting: "Mother’s having an influence?" Matthews: "I can’t say what Kathy’s politics are or I’ll pay dearly, but you may be right." (MRC)

Personally, I would bet the farm that she is pro-abortion and pro-gay rights. I mean she donated to the Clinton campaign in 2007.

For the second week in a row, the Golden Apple Award winners are highlighted. The Standard also highlighted the CYO Annual Award winners.

We have a story about the new church at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Solomons. The photo of the lighting in the church reminds me of the dining hall scene in Harry Potter - the candles floating in air.

For those of you going on vacation, we have a list of Churches in popular tourist areas with Mass times.

Stupid Biden Quote

Once again we bring you another STUPID Quote, from the highest ranking elected official in the US, who is "Roman Catholyc."

A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next President of the United States — Barack America!

Joe Biden at his first US presidential campaign rally with Barack Obama, August 2008.

Gay “Rainbow Sash” group threatens nationwide Pentecost Mass disruptions

On Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010, members of a Homosexual Equivalency Activist Movement which calls itself the "Rainbow Sash" have announced their plans to attempt to disrupt the celebration of the Holy Mass throughout the Nation.They have specifically announced their intention to openly confront one of the great Churchmen of the United States, the Archbishop of Chicago and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Francis Cardinal George, OMI.

Do you think this will happen in your parish? Do you think that you parish will welcome them with open arms or will send them packing or will just ignore them? If they present themselves for Holy Communion, do you think that your priest will give it to them?

You can read more over at Catholic Online.
Special thanks for Tom Peters over at CatholicVoteAction.org for highlighting this.

Politics Daily expresses regret, removes article incriminating US apostolic nuncio

After publishing an article last week that incriminated the U.S. apostolic nuncio by suggesting he regularly insults an alleged victim of clerical abuse in Washington D.C., Politics Daily removed the “disquieting” article and expressed regret they had published it.

To read more, go to the Catholic News Agency article.

Congratulations to Avalon and Brookewood Schools

Congratulations are in order for Avalon (Boys) and Brookewood (Girls) Schools in MoCo, MD. On July 1, 2010, they will become the first independent schools in almost twenty-five years to be recognized as a Catholic school.

To read more, you can go to the Archdiocese of Washington website by clicking here.

Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)

According to the Archdiocese of Washington:

The Office of Youth Ministry/Catholic Youth Organization seeks to enable youth of all races and cultures to
come to know and love Jesus Christ, to embrace their Catholic faith, and to develop their talents in the service
of their family, parish and community. OYM/CYO does so by assisting parishes and leaders in the Archdiocese
of Washington in developing effective ministry, education, leadership, athletics, scouting and recreation
programs for youth.

A few days ago, I received this comment by a reader on a posting of a slightly different topic:

Cyo--- Disclaimer: there are some exceptions to this observation
If you want your child to play and be a player with lots of action, you need to be coach, assistant coach, or assistant to the assistant coach.. If none of these are applicable, simply being a friend of the coach’s kid, the assistant coach’s kid, a neighbor of the assistant to the assistant coach’s kid or…you get my point. No matter if your kid is equivalent in talent to his peers ( one or two are really talented like high school shoo in talented, uh, the rest, not so…), he/she will be labeled “non essential player” if you are not in the aforementioned rim. My husband, being Lutheran, entered into this Cyo system believing, okay, if my kid is okay, he will play. Some of these guys live for coaching cyo, guiding the young athletes, building faith and self esteem…they will be fair. But, hello…hubby…you do not know cyo…you get your little butt in there somehow or your kid will be an afterthought and gathering splinters in the rear of their polyester cyo jersey pants !!! Cyo…gotta love it…ever since it was created it has been consistent in its values and methods of operations. In many instances good, but in many …a long standing need for change.

I bring this up because I have heard these same comments from parents who have children in CYO.

Some coaches are really good and fair, and try to give players a good amount of field time. Now, the better players will of course get more, and those that are not so good will not get as much, but even the not so good players, will get a fair amount of field time.

I have also heard that as the kids get older, and the urge to win much stronger (and there is nothing wrong with that), some coaches just use to poorer players to fill up the roster when they are short. Sure they are part of the team, but they only get 5 or 10 minutes in a game.

Have you had this experience? Would you be willing to share your experience?

Catholic Education Again Under Assault by the Regime...

The Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization (currently referred to as No Child Left Behind) is coming – most likely in the next 2 months. Catholic Schools, like private schools, have a letter from the Senate asking for input.

When looking at the Regime's proposal, there are many opportunities for non-public schools to lose eligibility for services across the board. Therefore, it is important that we speak on behalf of the Catholic school students, who have always been entitled to equitable services since ESEA first came into law under President Johnson.

The Regime has gotten rid of the DC Opportunity Scholarships, what is to stop them now.

Please consider sending an e-mail or letter that is personal and anecdotal to the Senate Education Committee regarding your experiences with NCLB. The address is: ESEAcomments@help.senate.gov

++++++

This is from the USCCB - Secretariat of Catholic Education

Equitable Participation of Private School Students and Teachers in the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)


1. Major Objective:
Revise ESEA to ensure that, as a matter of fundamental fairness, federal funds which are generated by the count of students in private schools are used to benefit them and their teachers.


2. History:
Congress enacted ESEA in 1965 on the “child benefit” principle, which envisioned the needs of all eligible children being addressed regardless of where they attended school. Throughout most of this 45 year history of multiple revisions and extensions to ESEA, Congress has not only preserved this approach but has strengthened and broadened its application.

In practical terms, this has meant that:

ESEA funding has always been based on the numbers of both public and private school children, either determined through the Census or by a count of public and private school students;

since their inception in 1965, services from federal education programs were never limited only to public school students; and

services for private school students have always had a requirement of equitability when compared with services for public school students.


3. Recent Developments:
Emphasis on public school reform, especially since the No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2002, has created new challenges in maintaining this longstanding commitment to the equitable participation of private school children and teachers in federal programs authorized by ESEA. NCLB’s creation of programs open only to the public school community, such as Title I Supplemental Educational Services and Title II All School Improvement and Teacher Recruitment, has greatly reduced the amount of funds available for equitable sharing.


4. Recommended changes to ESEA for restoring equitable participation:

a) Require that the allocation of funds to serve students in nonpublic schools under Title I- A be determined prior to funds being set aside for programs which are directed only to public schools. This would remedy an extremely serious problem for the at-risk students in private schools who need assistance under Title I and would ensure that funds generated by nonpublic school students are used to fund programs serving nonpublic students.

b) Require that the allocation of funds used for professional development under the current Title II-A and/or other professional development titles should also be determined prior to public school only set-asides such as class size reduction and teacher recruitment and retention. Once more, this would ensure that funds generated by nonpublic school students are used to fund programs serving nonpublic school students.

c) Require the equitable participation of students in private schools in new programs, including both competitive and formula programs, developed to assist students to attain high levels of proficiency in core subjects, and programs for the teachers of these students.

d) Require the state educational agency to provide information about the equitable amount of funds available for the private school programs to the public school district and private school officials simultaneously to ensure that consultation is meaningful and to eliminate a contentious issue that often makes good communication between public and private school officials very difficult.

e) Require that, where necessary, and/or at the request of the nonpublic schools, the state education agency be authorized to subcontract to a third party public or private entity to administer the program for nonpublic school students and teachers. The third party would design and implement a program of equitable services for the benefit of those students and teachers.

f) Consolidate the provisions relating to the participation of private school students, teachers, and parents in ESEA programs into a single part of the reauthorized law. These provisions currently are referenced in Titles I, V, and IX and the language differs among the three titles. This leads to considerable confusion among both public and private school personnel about what their responsibilities are under the law. Reference to the new section should be specified in each program’s statutory language to direct program coordinators and private school representatives to the requirements for private school students’ participation.

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Well folks, it is that time again for our weekly review of the Catholic Standard.

The front and back pages of the Standard focus on the Cardinal Hickey Academy and how they celebrate the real presence of Christ. Really good stuff.

The inside cover has a story on the rallies protesting the Arizona Immigration Law. The story, which is picked up from Catholic News Service, never mentions the term "illegal" (as to breaking of the law) nor did it mention the violence at the protests in San Antonio, Phoenix, etc. Nope, everything was peaceful and beautiful.

We follow-up with another story on the generosity of the people of the Archdiocese to the Archbishop's Appeal, Haiti, etc.

Congratulations to the Ten teachers who received the Golden Apple Awards, for their excellence and committment to Catholic Education. We should especially be greatful to the Donahue Family Foundation, who sponsor these awards.

We have a huge story about Dr. James Ronan Jr. who offers his services for free to the poor.

The Blue Mass was offered on May 4th to pray for the safety of all law enforcement personnel. They do a great job and in many instances, get little respect, esp. from leftist politicians.

We have an article on Archbishop Sheen reminding us of the Year of the Priest.

However, I do want to draw your attention to the article on page 10: At Conference on faith and environment, participans learn about protection God's creation. It's a great article. Makes you really wonder what the heck is going through the minds of the folks down in Hyattsville.

Again, let me say this about stewardship of the environment. I agree that we should not waste things and be careful of what we use, but the problem I have is that it almost becomes a devotion (like to Our Lady of Fatima or Lourdes) with some of our Catholics. In some instances, it becomes the center of life. We talked about the celebration of Earth Day by one religious order.

Professor William Dinges, of CUA, speaks as though he was right out of the late 1960's. All we need is "In the Year 2525" by Zager and Evans playing the background.

However, we do have a true believer in Ingrid Jones, from St. Rose of Lima in Gaitherburg, who wants to raise environmental awareness. Her and "a group of parishioners on an environmental committee want to organize a film festival to bring issues such as corporate greed and global warming to the forefront."

First, I guess Ms. Jones has not gotten the message that global warming is a hoax. The scientific evidence is made up and manipulated. She probably bought into the who Al Gore thing, purchasing a couple of his DVDs, etc. (BTW, where is ALGORE these days?? Seems pretty quiet to me. Maybe he is hiding out in that HUGE mansion of his. I wonder how many homeless families could take up residence there.)

Second, I love the "corporate greed" cliche. Every liberal Catholic loves to say it, but doesn't seem to mind watching a TV program sponsored by an oil company or attend a fundraiser which is underwritten by a financial firm. Look, the Most Merciful Barack Obama, leader of the Regime took in almost $80,ooo from BP for his campaigns. But, that is okay.

Third, since she is such a dedicated environmentalist (like ALGORE) she probably walked, rode a bike or took public transportation to this conference. If she didn't, then she drove apx. 140 miles round trip. Assuming she was getting 25 miles to the gallon, she used apx. six gallons of gas, not including the oil, wear and tear on the tires, etc.

When our Catholic Education system is under assault from officials at the Federal, state and local levels, we are spending our resources on this?

Now, remember, your parish pays to have the Standard (whether they like it or not), so pick up a copy and drop a little in the plate for it.

Center City Public Charter Schools Inc. Update

It seems that Maureen Holla, President of the Center City Public Charter Schools, Inc., no longer works there. No announcement, nothing.

The Center City Public Charter Schools is made up of the Catholic schools which were closed by the Archdiocese a few years ago in DC. The parishes would received rent, in return for the Charter use of the schools.

Is this a sign of things to come for these schools?

WMET 1160 AM - A New Catholic Radio Station

Two Texas millionaires are funding the Washington area's first Catholic radio station, which is scheduled to go on the air Wednesday.

WMET 1160 AM, a former multicultural station with transmitter in Gaithersburg, Md., was purchased in February for $4 million by the Dallas-based Huffines Media, owned by land developers Donald and Phillip Huffines.

To read more, go to the Washington Times.



Now, I tried to listen to the station via the internet but was unable to connect.

Cardinal John O'Connor of NYC

Normally, I do not write about other locations, unless it is something that affects our Archdiocese. However, I was so moved by the tributes to Cardinal John O'Connor, I decided to share them with you:

The Cardinal speaks often of his father, who was a highly skilled craftsman in Philadelphia. He was a gold-leafer, meaning that he applied gold to buildings and works of art. The Cardinal has followed in his father’s steps. It is a different kind of gold, of course: a human gold not untouched by the divine; the gold of kindness, of generosity, of uncompromised witness to the truth, of devoted service to the end.
Richard John Neuhaus (1936—2009)

When I read that as a Navy chaplain he risked his life to be with his men, I saw my own devotion to truth as sadly safe and hypothetical. Cardinal O’Connor won my heart because I knew that someone greater had won his. I wanted to know that someone else.
Brian Caulfield is a communications specialist with the Knights of Columbus

I loved John Cardinal O’Connor as I did my own flesh-and-blood brother, Harold.
Edward Koch (Mayor of NYC - 1978- 1989)

My class was the first to go through all our years at the diocesan seminary with him as archbishop, and he was a model for us as a priest, and not only in his pro-life work. He came often to St. Joseph’s seminary and made a deliberate effort to know every one of his seminarians. He told us that “before I lay hands on you, I want to know who I’m giving this awesome responsibility to.” Once a month he brought the seminarians to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in cassock and surplice, and he would say “this is so you can see the people and they can see you.” Afterward he would take us to his residence for coffee and cookies. It was one of the ways he got to know us.
Fr. Frank Pavone - Priests for Life

To read more, go here.

Thanks to Deacon Greg over at at the Deacon's Bench for highlighting this.

Speaking of Education...

I have written a bit about Catholic education in the Archdiocese of the last few years (okay, it is only two). One of my readers alerted me to this posting by a Catholic University of America (CUA) student:

There is a reason that Holy Mother Church teaches what she teaches, and not something else. If anyone has a problem with this, then leave. I, for one will not miss them. They can take their warm and fuzzy theology crap and leave. I am pretty sure that the CINO's over at Georgetown would be more than welcome to have them. If they are smart enough to turn them down, there is always the Episcopalians over at the National Cathedral... They seem to be pretty big on the warm and fuzzies from what I have heard.

To read more, go to The Adventures of A CUA Student.

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Well folks, it is that time of the week...

The cover of the Standard has a wonderful photo of the Pontifical Solemn High Mass offered at the Basilica of the National Shrine. It is really beautiful.

This issue highlights the Year of the Priest, with a number of stories on priests in this diocese, such as Msgr. Charles Parry and Fr. Mario Dorsonville.

Fr. Patrick Smith is highlighted in First Person and Fr. Daly in the Parish Diary.

We have an interesting story about Fr. Leo Patalinghug (Mt. St. Mary's Seminary) who was at the Boy Scout/Girl Scout retreat. Fr. Leo seems to be best known for the throw-down with Bobby Flay (Food Network). But uses food, to get the message of daily prayer across. (Hey, I like that one -- food and prayer -- spiritual and physical.)

We have an article on prayer for Black Catholic vocations. There is also an article on the DC Hood - a b-ball team made up of priests and seminarians.

The back page story recounts the death of JPII and the election of Pope Benedict XVI.

Tomorrow, a short story from one of my readers on CUA.