In Support of Fr. Marcel

Fr. Marcel, as well as the other priests at St. John Newman, are going throgh a very rough time.

Therefore, if you wish to post words of encouragement and support for him, this is your opportunity.

If you are going to post something negative, against him, Cardinal Wuerl, Bishop Knestout or even Barbara Johnson, it will be rejected. Even if it is perceived as negative by me, it will be deleted.

So, here is mine...

Fr. Marcel:

I do not know you nor have I ever met you. But as a Catholic in the Archdiocese of Washington, I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart and soul, how grateful we are to have a priest such as you.

You were put in a difficult position, and made a decision to keep the Body of our Lord sacred and not defame the sacrament or the Church. I thank you.

There are those who have no understanding about what you did and why you did it, but yet, they call you all sorts of vile names and insults. There are those out there, who will split hairs about Canon Law, and condemn you. But many of us out there, some just down the road from you, who believe you did the right thing.

Although you cannot defend yourself or your faith, as per the orders of the Cardinal, there are many out there who are happy to defend you, thank you and pray for you.

Feel no shame.

Feel no guilt.

My Mass intention this weekend will be for you. That God gives you the strength to make it through this ordeal of fire and to give you the resolve to continue what you are doing.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

I pray that the Blessed Mother continues to watch over you.

Update to the Update: Archdiocese issues letter of Apology

Update: I deleted a couple of comments made to this blog posting by accident. I apologize to those who wrote. Mea Culpa.

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Well folks, it has been a interesting two days. Now, we have a letter of apology from Bishop Knestout and her call for Fr. Marcel to be remove.

You can read about it in the Washington comPost:

Personally, I believe the Archdiocese made a tactical error in issuing a statement the other day. Why? The Archdiocese stated that the priest was wrong, when there should have been no statement other than, we are looking into the matter.

Now we have a letter of apology and now the call for heads to roll.

Unfortunately, with Cardinal Wuerl at the helm, he will put a muzzle on his priests to NEVER deny Communion to anyone, even if they are known to be HUGE supporters of abortion, or are even in a "gay marriage." (I am assuming that this message will go out, and heaven forbid anyone does it again or leaks word of this out. Your next assignment will be to the most remote parish they can find.)

What will happen to Fr. Marcel. In my opinion, the Archdiocese will ask him to keep his head down, not speak to anyone about this, and in a few months, transfer him to another parish. Probably in southern Maryland or some other out of the way parish.

(Fr. Marcel will be my Mass intention this weekend. BTW, Fr. Marcel, you have the support of many, many faithful Catholics. We thank God the Father for priests like you.)

The Cardinal, in my opinion, has done a great disservice here to his priests and to all of the faithful. He has let us all down again.

PS: I will be expecting a huge number of hate filled comments. Again, blame the priest not the "supposed" Catholic. But, what else is new.

UPDATE on Fr. Marcel Guarnizo

Note: No further comments will be allowed.

Deacon Greg posted the following update to his story. It seems that someone from St. John Newmann wrote to him the following:

just wanted to let you know that there is a lot more to this story than has been published। I was in a meeting with Fr Marcel and heard the whole story। The woman in question brought her lesbian partner into the vesting sacristy just before the funeral Mass and made sure to introduce her partner to Fr Marcel, introducing her as her ‘lover’. He told her then that she should not present herself for Communion. I have been to many Masses said by Father Marcel and he is a good and holy priest. He speaks very softly when giving out Holy Communion, almost whispering “Corpus Christi” — and did not publicly denounce her but rather said in a whisper that he could not give her Holy Communion. He did feel sick at the end of Mass and made sure to have a replacement priest accompany the body and family to the cemetery.

Father Marcel has a very active role in the very public and weekly vigils at Carhart’s late term abortion clinic in Germantown. He has been a staunch and vociferous defender of life. It is my belief that this is a calculated attempt to discredit him. (Remember – same sex marriage will be signed into law this week in Maryland.) ‘Catholics for Equality’ and other gay groups are feeling pretty strong right now. Fr Marcel is their enemy because he speaks the truth and does not back down…

I am telling you all this because Fr Marcel cannot speak for himself right now. And because he at the very least deserves the benefit of the doubt from you and Ed Peters and others who do not know all the facts. Please use this information to bring some balance to the discussion. And please pray for our bishops who must defend their priests from these attacks!

So a couple of things:

1। If this is true, and I don't think that Deacon Greg would have posted it unless he had some indication it was on the up and up, then Fr. Guarnizo did "everything by the book."

2. You may have noticed that the family of Ms. Johnson seems to have been trying to quiet things down a bit. I wonder if it is because they are worried that when all of the details come out, it may not look as good as they thought. Personally, I do believe she attempted to challenge the Church, in her small way, and see if she could get away with it.

3. The Archdiocese, as usual, caved into the gay mob. They threw Fr. Marcel under the bus. The Cardinal and the folks over in Hyattsville should have never released the statement they did. The damage has been done, even when the full story comes out.

4. You notice the hate filled comments posted on the last blog entry, even though they don't have all of the facts. This is typical of the radical gay and leftist Catholycs in the country. If you don't like the Catholic church, don't become Catholic and don't come to our Mass and other events. Isn't that what you tell those who oppose abortion (Don't get one.)?

5. Please remember, no one forces you to be a Catholic or take Communion in our Churches. If you do, then you should respect our requirements. I have been to churches and synagoges for funerals, weddings and other occassions. I will stand, sit and even kneel when it is appropriate. I will not say their prayers or receive their "communion." I will not make a scene when they say or do something that I do not agree with. It is their faith, and that is fine with me. I am there as a guest.

When all is said and done, and the story fully comes out, we will see that things weren't quite as they were portrayed. And Cardinal Wuerl will have destroyed a good priest.

Fr. Marcel Guarnizo has been thrown under the bus for following Canon Law 915!

Note: No further comments will be allowed. Thank you.

According to a statement by the Archdiocese of Washington:

conceded that Father Marcel had acted improperly, saying, “Any issues regarding the suitability of an individual to receive communion should be addressed by the priest with that person in a private, pastoral setting.

The issue here is not the priest but Barbara Johnson.

Here is what I wrote on Deacon Greg's Blog:

If, as Barbara Johnson says that she is a “lifelong Catholic,” then she should have known that her relationship is sinful, that she was not in a state of grace, and SHOULD NOT have presented herself before the priest for Holy Communion.

The blame here is not on the priest, but on Barbara Johnson.

Now, the priest knows that she is living this immoral lifestyle and has to make a decision. Give her Holy Communion and himself commit a sin (and the theologians out there will probably correct me) or do what is correct.

Cardinal Wuerl has thrown this priest under the bus. Once again, he is more worried about the political and public relations damage, than about the mission of the Church.

Now, in addition, and more importantly, Fr. Guarnizo was following Canon Law, which states:

Canon 915: "Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion."

Once again, Cardinal Wuerl has thrown a faithful priest under the bus and has caused scandal to the Church.

No wonder why we are losing the battle over same sex marriage.

If the story is true, I support Fr. Marcel Guarnizo

Personally, I believe that there is much more to this story. But on the surface, I support Fr. Marcel Guarnizo.

Please offer him up your prayers and that of Fr. LaHood. They must be getting all sorts of terrible emails and phone calls.

I hope that Cardinal Wuerl and the Archdiocese supports him and does not cave in.

Fr. Clifford please cancel the Retreat by Bishop Gumbleton

Dear Fr. Clifford:

It has come to my attention that Bishop Gumbleton will be conducting a one day retreat on March 3rd at your parish.

I am calling upon you to disinvite him (and Pax Christi) from holding a retreat at a Catholic facility.

Bishop Gumbleton is well known for his opposition to church teachings in the area of homosexuality and the ordination of women.

Our Church is under attack from all sides, and we do not need to "invite the fox into the henhouse."

In addition, was this cleared with the Archdiocese of Washington? It is my understanding that Bishop Gumbleton has not informed the Archdiocese of his intent to visit. Maybe he and Pax Christi were hoping to pull a fast one, like he attempted to do to Bishop Morlino.

It is time to stand up for the faith and tell those who wish to destroy true marriage and the Sacrament of Holy Orders that they are not welcome in the Catholic Church.

AWashingtonDCCatholic

This Priest Hits the Nail on The Head!!!

This man, this priest, this gift from God, makes me proud to be a Catholic.

I ask every priest in this Archdiocese to take heed and be like him.

http://youtu.be/ltTd81XpDnc

St. Michael the Archangel School - Operations Suspended at End of the Year

At the end of the year, St. Michael's School will suspend operations. This action has been in the making since November, when a consultation took place at the Church/School.

Here is a link to the Archdiocese of Washington: http://www.adw.org/query2011/newsite_news.asp?ID=970&Year=2012

As you remember, this was one of the schools on the chopping block in 2009.

As terrible as the closing of a Catholic school is, let's hope that this is the only one.

Fr. Clifford Please Disinvite Bishop Gumbleton

An open letter to Fr. Clifford, SJ, Pastor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church (Washington DC)

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Dear Fr. Clifford:

It has come to my attention that Bishop Gumbleton will be conducting a one day retreat on March 3rd at your parish.

I am calling upon you to disinvite him (and Pax Christi) from holding a retreat at a Catholic facility. Bishop Gumbleton (and it even makes me wince to use the word "bishop" with him) is well known for his opposition to church teachings in the area of homosexuality and the ordination of women. Our Church is under attack from all sides, and we do not need to "invite the fox into the henhouse."

In addition, was this cleared with the Archdiocese of Washington? It is my understanding that Bishop Gumbleton has not informed the Archdiocese of his intent to visit. Maybe he and Pax Christi were hoping to pull a fast one, like he attempted to do to Bishop Morlino.

It is time to stand up for the faith and tell those who wish to destroy true marriage and the Sacrament of Holy Orders that they are not welcome in the Catholic Church.

AWashingtonDCCatholic

PS: I stopped in your Church a couple of months ago and just happened to walk in during the announcements. It is always interesting to hear a parishoner asking for food and supplies for the Occupy DC slackers from the altar.

You hear in the movies about someone having a rap sheet a mile long. Well, the Most Merciful, Lord High Barack Obama has a rap sheet on abortion more than a mile long.

You can read it here at LIFESITE News: http://www.lifenews.com/2010/11/07/obamaabortionrecord/

If Obama is not one of the most dangerous men on the planet, I don't know who is.

Today is Ash Wednesday...

You know what it means and you know what to do. Just do it.

The St. Joseph House

A couple of weeks ago, I attended (with a bursting at the seams crowd) a fundraiser for the St. Joseph House at the Fr. Rosensteel Council. It was a wonderful event. I got to see some friends, have a drink or two and some food, and listened to SIXTUS and others.

There are those on the pro-abortion side who say we don't care about what happens to children after they leave the womb. If you know anything about the St. Joseph House, Cubby and Dan LaHood and all those in attendance that night, those who say such things about us, would have to eat their words.

Thanks to all those that night who bought a ticket, a 50/50, etc. You helped continue God's work through the St. Joseph House.

I am here...

Sorry that I haven't posted very much lately but work has kept me very busy. In fact, I am usually exhausted when I get home. All I do is eat, answer some emails, read a bit or watch some TV (and not the network stuff either).

There is so much going on -- Maryland Gay Marriage, Obama's Hugo Chavez move, etc. -- that it almost seems that it is the last stand of the Catholic Church.

On the issues of gay marriage and Obama's health care power grab, I am in full support of the Church to stand up for what she believes. It is my hope that they focus on these matters, and drop illegal immigration, universal health care, etc.

If we do not stand together, we will have to leave our faith at the church door when we leave Mass on Sunday.

The Audacity of Obama

Before our very eyes, President Obama is on the verge of establishing the principle that the right to religious freedom comes not from our Creator, but from those who rule us. A government endowed right granted to women now trumps our unalienable right to act in accordance with our religious beliefs and conscience. Not only does this overturn the First Amendment, it also tramples the nation’s founding principles as announced in the Declaration of Independence. Such an achievement would be the true audacity of power.

The fundamental question is whether the Catholic Church, and by extension, individual Americans have to engage in activities according to the rulings of this and future Presidents, or are we free to live our lives as we choose as long as we do not harm another. Are we free to engage in long standing religious practices that have never before been deemed unlawful, or has the federal government established a de facto state “religion” that it is prepared to enforce through the full coercive power of its financial resources and the imposition of financial penalties.

If the Catholic Church and the American people choose the face saving “Option A” instead of “Option C,” then President Obama will have transformed America. We may be allowed the illusion of exercising our freedom, but in truth, we will be subjects in ObamaLand, required to do the bidding of this and future Presidents in the name of some higher, collective good.

To read more, go here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/charleskadlec/2012/02/13/the-audacity-of-power-president-obama-vs-the-catholic-church/

Hat tip to Deacon Greg.

Stupid Biden Quote - It Just Never Ends

Vice President Joe Biden had his “oops” moment Wednesday speaking in a 49er-crazed San Francisco when he told a crowd at a city political fundraiser that “the Giants are on their way to the Super Bowl.” January 18, 2012

SF Gate (Home of the SF Chronicle)

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Now, when this comment was made, the NY Giants were on their way to the Conference game against SanFran and not the Super Bowl. Now, it may be that the Giants go on to the Super Bowl, but again, the highest level Catholyc gets it wrong (at that moment in time).

Books can be written about this stuff.

Rush -- Talking about the Falling Influence of the Catholic Bishops

Rush was discussing, if I remember correctly, an article from one of the Hillsdale College professors, in which it focuse on the falling influence of the Catholic bishops. The article hits the nail on the head.

For example, when funding was obained from the faithful and given to groups that did not support the mission of the Church, it watered down her influence. Redistibution of wealth with charity. How the church has slowly been coopted by socialism. (That one I remember as a student of the 60s -- that Christianity is really Socialism.)

OBAMA sticks it to us again!

Obama's "change" in policy just shifts the burden to the insurance companies. It becomes mandatory for them to offer the birth control products, even if the purchaser is the Catholic Church.

Don't believe him. It is just another way that the Church has to pay for it.

We must continue to fight this Hugo Chavez move!

Biden -- What a cheapskate!

The Bidens gave an average of $369 to charity a year for the decade before he moved to the Naval Observatory - about 0.3 percent of their income. Back in 1997, then veep Al Gore and his then wife Tipper gave $353.

Since becoming veep, Biden hasn't become much more generous. In 2010, he gave $5,350, about 1.4 percent of income. The national average is about three percent.

To read more, click here.

STOP CHRIS MATTHEWS!!! NOW!

This is from our colleague over at Restore DC Catholicism. Now, more than ever, we must stop the pro-abortion, pro-homosexual marriage Catholycs from appearing in our churches. Take this off site, there are lot's of restaurants just below the circle on Conn. Ave.

Hyattsville...where are you?

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Hardball host and dissident Catholic Chris Matthews is scheduled to do a booksigning at Blessed Sacrament Church in Washington DC (just one block off Chevy Chase Circle).

Here is the announcement.

He is utterly unworthy of a Catholic venue. Videos abound to attest to that statement and I'll provide a few of them below.

Here he is voicing his belief in a “right to abortion” during the 2008 presidential campaign. http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/10/16/video-cecile-richards-hardball-promoting-education-prevention-prochoice-values. You’ll also notice how he badgers and interrupts the pro-life woman while allowing the Planned Parenthood woman uninterrupted speech.

Here he is, badgering Bishop Tobin after the latter chided Patrick Kennedy for his pro-abortion stances (Kennedy resides within Bishop Tobin’s diocese). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUTPhZmkIDI. Matthews treated Bishop Tobin with as much disdain as he treated the pro-life lady in the first video

Here he is, in a video from two days ago, decrying Komen’s recent defunding of Planned Parenthood (before they caved) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OuAFLlMEZI

Please contact the pastor, Father Ronald Potts at this number: 202-966-6575 or at his email address rpotts@blessedsacramentdc.org. I want to point out that Father Potts has been at that parish only a few months; he may be truly unaware of this event. Please bear that in mind when you call and simply state the facts of why Matthews (who is a Blessed Sacrament parishioner) should not be allowed to use a Catholic Church as his bully-pulpit.Those of you who are Facebook users might want to click the "find us on Facebook" button on the Blessed Sacrament webpage and write on their wall that they should cancel the Matthews appearance.

Is Civil Disobedience in our Future?

With the HHS mandate, I have been thinking a great deal that if Obama is not thrown out of office, and there is no change in this draconian law, we may be forced to come to this.

If it comes to this, it may be bigger than the Civil Rights effort of the 1960s.

What do you think?

Are you struggling with the emotional & spiritual pain of abortion?

Are you struggling with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion?

The Washington DC/Maryland Rachel's Vinyard Retreat Team will host a healing retreat the weekend of March 2-4, 2012. The retreat, in English and Spanish, for both men and women, offers an opportunity to help one to understand that God loves us despite our human failures and weakneses.

For more information, contact Deborah Penzak at dpenzak@hotmail.com.

The real story on SGK and PP

I have a source who reaches into the SGK board of directors. My source told me in December this split was in the works but that SGK did not want to make a big splash about it. Their plan was to disentangle from Planned Parenthood quietly and move on.

It was Planned Parenthood, not SGK, that tipped off the Associated Press with the news of the break, just as it was Planned Parenthood that tipped off the AP about Live Action’s sex trafficking sting, and Planned Parenthood that tipped off Washington Post’s Sarah Kliff about Congressman Cliff Stearns’ investigation

For more, go to LIFESITENEWS
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-inside-story-on-komen-split-from-planned-parenthood

If there was ever a case to deny Communion...

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) vowed today that she will join with the Obama administration in standing up against the Catholic Church in defending a new regulation that will require Catholic individuals to buy, and Catholic institutions to provide, health insurance plans that cover sterilizations and artificial contraceptives, including those that induce abortions.

For more, go to CNS.

Stupid (and Racist) Biden Quote

Well, it seems that the highest ranking Catholyc elected to office has once again stepped in this. This time, however, he adds a little racism to it. But you notice, how little press he has gotten. When Dan Quayle spelled "potato" wrong, it was in the talk of the town.

You can read more about Mr. Biden's stupid and a racist action.



You know, he seems to have this thing against Indians.

Daily Mail UK

Catholic Schools Week - What happened at your school?

Even with all of the bad news, it is important to celebrate what is good, especially when it comes to Catholic education.

Would love to hear from my readers of what took place at your Catholic School.