Monday, July 30, 2012

Saturday, July 28, 2012

St. Augustine School - A Shining Example of A Catholic Elementary School

Recently, a reader thanked me for posting a blurb on Fr. Smith of St. Augustine.  In addition, he sent me a link to a short video, recently released, on St. Augustine. 

All of us, in the Archdiocese of Washington, are proud of our Catholic Schools and St. Augustine is a shining example of this.

Click on the link below and enjoy. 

May St. Augustine School and Church celebrate another 100 years of existance.

St. Augustine School

Friday, July 27, 2012

So much for Mayor Gray and his Catholic faith! Sell out!

I guess the Cardinal's opening prayer and photo op wasn't enough to change his pro-abortion, pro-homosexual positions.  Gray should be excommunicated!

From today's Washington comPost:

“Given my long standing strong support for LGBT rights and marriage equality, I would not support #hatechicken,” Gray wrote.

Earlier Friday, Gray declined to take a stand on the company, saying he needed more time to review its position on gay rights. But administration officials noted Gray has been a strong supporter of gay rights.

In 2010, when he was council chairman, Gray helped legalize same-sex marriage. Last month, as mayor, Gray signed into law what he called one of the nation’s toughest anti bullying laws.


An Now, Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo, Ohio...responds to LCWR

Now, one thing I can say is at least in this instance NPR allowed Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo, Ohio to respond to the interview w/ LCWR's Sr. Pat.  

The only problem I had, was that the NPR person, simply would not stay on the subject.  

Why?  Because he, in a very calm voice and with a great deal of reasoning, decimated Sr. Pat's answers.

You listen to the NPR interview.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

SUPPORT CHICK-FIL-A on Wed. Aug. 1st

Since CNN decided to make a story out of a non-story (if you read the interview, he never said what they accused him of saying), I decided to go to Chick-Fil-A tonight in downtown Silver Spring.

(I have cut back on my fast food intake.  It use to be three or four times per month.  Now it is more like once every two or three months -- if that.)
The staff was so polite and nice -- probably the nicest I have every seen in a fast food place.  It was very clean.  A number of families.  No yelling, screaming, etc.  And, there were always 3 to 6 customers in the queue waiting for someone to take their order.
I intend to go there next Wed. night to show those who claim to be the most tolerant (they are really the true bigots) that we support those who support true marriage.

Looking forward to a nice grilled chicken sandwich next week.

Monday, July 23, 2012

LCWR on NPR

A few days ago, I listened to the interview by NPR of St. Pat Farrell, President of LCWR.

Now, before I offer my observations, a couple of things...

1.  I am not for or against NPR.  However, I do believe that if NPR wishes to exist, then they should do so w/o government funding.

2.  I listened a couple of days ago, so I may not remember every little detail.

3.  I am commenting upon this because their offices are in downtown Silver Spring, in the "heart" so to speak of the Archdiocese of Washington.  Now, Cardinal Wuerl has no jurisdiction over them, so my comments are not directed to him.

4.  My comments are not directed to all LCWR members -- only at the leadership.

So, what did I think regarding the interview with Sr. Pat Farrell.

  • Likes to play LCWR as the victim, as she claims that they were unaware of any "investigation."  you mean that you had no inkling about this investigation which took place over four (4) years?
  • Does not take any responsibility for past actions, as their were different elected representatives and therefore, each new group is not responsible for the actions of the past officials.  Having been part of various professional associations, those who move into positions of leadership have usually worked their way up, and have had some sort of say on how the organization is run. 
  • The bishops are scared of LCWR and the women who run it.  She seems to be a bit arrogant to me. Seems that she likes the "power" she and her group wields and does not want to let it go. 
  • Sr. does not answer the questions when posed, as to support of contraception, abortion, etc.  Likes to say that we must be open to listening, in regards to the various voices and changes in society.  Sounds like she doesn't support the Church's teachings.
  • If women were in positions of authority, then the pedophile issue would never have taken place.  Maybe LCWR should come clean about the abuse of children by various orders over the years, and not ignore the issue.  Maybe a little arrogance there?
What do you think?

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Nature of Beauty and the Catholic Church

News Release from the Institute of Catholic Culture

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Fairfax County, Va. (July 15, 2012)—With an unusual five-part series that takes guests to various settings in Northern Virginia, the Institute of Catholic Culture demonstrates how the Catholic Church captures God’s beauty in natural settings as well as through music, architecture, and music.


On Saturday, July 21, Professor Mark Wunsch, Ph. D., will discuss God in nature at the Great Falls Park, at 10 a.m., 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean. On Sunday, July 29, guests will join Denis McNamara, Ph. D., to learn about beauty and the sacred architecture at 6 p.m., St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave., Falls Church. One week later, on Sunday, August 5, George Harne, Ph. D., will discuss the connection between beauty and the sacred. To conclude the series, David Clayton will speak on Friday, August 10 and Sunday, August 12, at 7:30 p.m. on beauty and sacred art at St. Ambrose Church, 3901 Woodburn Rd., Annandale.


Join the Institute of Catholic Culture for this remarkable series on how so many aspects of the Catholic Church and its approach to transmitting God’s love and beauty through so many forms is so readily accessible to mankind. Free admission, and no reservations required. For more information, please visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 540-635-7155.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

MoCo Can't Understand that they LOST!

It seems that even after they lost in court, the MoCo Council (IDIOTS) are hell bent on appealing a federal court decision that struck down the requirement that pro-life clinics post certain signage.

You can read more about the IDIOT Council President George Berliner (D) and the rest of the story here.

They aren't worried about illegal voters or illegal aliens but we got to get that sign up. 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Rev. Marcel Guarnizo Update

According to MSNBC:

Fr. Marcel Guarnizo is a priest of the Archdiocese of Moscow, Russia, who was given a temporary assignment at St. John Neumann parish,” Chieko Noguchi Scheve, director of media and public relations at the Archdiocese of Washington, wrote in an email to msnbc.com. “That assignment period has ended and Father Guarnizo is no longer in ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington.”

To read the full story, click here.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Religious Freedom in the US from the USCCB

Many years ago, Rush Limbaugh (and you don't have to agree with him) stated that one day, the "food police" will legislate what you can and cannot eat and drink.  Many laughed at him, but look at what is happening in NYC and in school lunch rooms around the country.

Some of us, including myself, stated that the same thing would happen when Obama became president.  He and his ilk would allow us to practice our faith -- we can pick it up at the church door and then leave it there, when we left the church building.  Many laughed and scoffed at us. 

It seems that the USCCB, via their blog, have come to state just this: there is an attack on religious freedom. 

One last thought...I wonder how many of those who voted for Obama have their religious freedom now threatened?  And do they really care?

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Look in the United States, where freedom of religion is guaranteed by the First Amendment’s free exercise clause, and you see a sophisticated type of assault. It is unbloody, but far-reaching. Ironically, the assaults are not from some guerilla group or despot, but from the government. Foreign nations that look to the U.S. to protect their religious freedom have to shudder.
The assaults vary, but what they have in common is preventing religious bodies from operating according to their moral standards. For example, through the new Affordable Care Act most employers, including many religious ones, are compelled to provide free-of-charge to employees and their families contraception, female sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs, even when they violate church teachings. Government in a miserly gesture says it will grant an exception to entities it defines as religious enough to merit protection of their religious liberty. That means the parish church is religious enough but not the church’s hospitals, schools, colleges, soup kitchens and other social services. You may think the latter obviously are religious works but the government says they are not if you serve needy people other than your co-religionists. Catholicism calls Catholics to help those in need.

Hard to live out the free exercise of your religion with this HHS mandate, the first of its kind in U.S. history. To add insult to injury, for centuries these church services have very effectively helped people who otherwise would have had to rely on government for such care. In fact, one out of six people in the U.S. who need hospital care get it at a Catholic hospital.


A New Jersey judge recently found that a Methodist ministry violated state law when the ministry declined to allow two women to hold a “civil union” ceremony on its private property. Also recently, a civil rights complaint was filed against the Catholic Church in Hawaii by those wanting to use a chapel to hold a same-sex“marriage” ceremony. Is the country better for such in-your-face rejection of a church’s teaching?

To read the entire posting, click here.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen America’s Bishop Advances on Path to Sainthood!

 From the Maximus Group...
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During a private audience on June 28 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree affirming the heroic virtues of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. This declaration carries with it the title of "Venerable" for one of America's most celebrated and impactful evangelists in the history of the Catholic Church.

This is a monumental second step in the process of the advancement of Sheen's Cause of Canonization for sainthood. Blessed Pope John Paul II declared him Servant of God following initiation of the Cause for Canonization in 2002.

"This is a great day for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and the Catholic Church in America," said Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, Bishop of Peoria, Ill."

"Of course, in the timelessness of heaven, it is not a coincidence that the Church would render its decision on the heroic virtue of Archbishop Sheen on the same day as the Supreme Court issues its decision on the health care plan," said Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation in Peoria. "Today, more than ever, the Church in America needs heroes to inspire us to stand up and to fall to our knees."

"We are all living through this wonderful moment," said Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, the Postulator of the Cause for Canonization of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, from Rome. "As you can tell, the cause is taking a special road - and quite quickly thus far. This is due to the importance of this cause for Fulton Sheen's sainthood to the American Church and all the faithful. We hope to go on with continued momentum."

"I am certainly excited by this news," said Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Vice-Postulator of the Cause for Canonization. "Venerable Fulton Sheen has certainly been a great leader of the faith, a defender of the freedom of religion and of our rights as Americans."

"As head of the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966, the Venerable Fulton Sheen was heroic in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ far and wide - from Peoria to Pretoria; New York to New Delhi. He teaches us still that the Church is missionary by her very nature," said Very Rev. Andrew Small, O.M.I., National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies.



The Cause

Blessed Pope John Paul II declared Archbishop Sheen a Servant of God in 2002 when the Diocese of Peoria opened the Cause for his Canonization. Following conclusion of the Diocesan phase of investigation in support of the Cause, Bishop Jenky presented all the documents generated to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. Today’s declaration of venerability is the second of four official steps on the way to Canonization.

The Diocesan investigation included research and evidence gathering related to his life of holiness and claims of miracles attributed to Archbishop Sheen in order to advance the cause thus declaring him Venerable. Verification of one miracle is a requirement for Beatification, the next step in the Canonization process. Verification of a second miracle is necessary for Sainthood.

The Foundation

The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation works to make known the life, works and teachings of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, to bring people to Christ through Archbishop Sheen, and to advance the Cause for the Canonization of Archbishop Sheen in the Catholic Church, according to the process prescribed in the Code of Canon Law under the supervision of the bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, Ill.

The Legacy

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen left a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom in his writings, and his radio and television broadcasts. The latter span more than 40 years. Here are just a few of his memorable quotes:

    As he accepted the 1952 Emmy Award for “Most Outstanding Television Personality,” he noted that he “wanted to thank my four writers … Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.:

    ‘But there was no room at the inn;’ the inn is the gathering place of public opinion; so often public opinion locks its doors to the King.”

    “When the will loves anything that is below it in dignity, it degrades itself.”

    “Nothing ever happens in the world that does not happen first inside human hearts.”

    “You must remember to love people and use things, rather than to love things and use people.”



Mass of Thanksgiving set for Sept. 9

Bishop Jenky announced today that he will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving to honor Venerable Archbishop Sheen at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9 in Peoria’s Cathedral of Saint Mary – the same cathedral in which Venerable Fulton grew up, received his vocation to the priesthood and was ordained. The Mass will be open to the public.

Prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Following is the prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Archbishop Sheen:

Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.

If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For more information about the Mass of Thanksgiving visit www.CelebrateSheen.com.

Next step… Beatification

As noted above, Beatification is the next step in the Cause for Canonization of Venerable Archbishop Sheen. It requires the verification of one miracle attributable to Archbishop Sheen. Documents related to the investigations of two claims of miracles are on file with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

When at least one of those miracles is verified, Venerable Fulton Sheen will be beatified on American soil. Please join us now in supporting the cause and praying for God’s continued graces and blessings on one of the greatest evangelists and communicators in Church history – certainly the greatest in modern times.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Death of Fr. Alan R. Helwig

It was reported in the Washington comPost that Fr. Alan R. Helwig had passed away on Thursday, July 5th.

Former Parochial Vicar at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church in Bethesda, MD died his battle with multiple myeloma.

A DC native, Fr. Helwig was ordained on May 31, 1958 following completion of his studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He graduated from McKinley Tech High School in Washington, D.C. and Marquette University.   During his 56 years as a priest, he served in DC at St. Francis Xavier, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Ann's and the Maryland parishes of St. Mary of the Mills (Laurel) and St. Jerome's (Hyattsville). He served for many years in pastoral care at Suburban Hospital while at St. Jane's in Bethesda.

Viewing will be on July 8th 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm & 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at St. Jane (9601 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD US 20814   301-530-1550).  A Vigil Mass will follow the viewing at 7:30 PM.

Mass of Burial will be held on July 9th at 10am at St. Jane.

Burial will be at Gate of Heaven.

Memorial contributions may be made to Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa at 355 East 145th St., New York, NY 14501.

May eternal rest be granted unto him.


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

The Fourth of July

Normally, I would wish each of you a HAPPY 4th of JULY.

This year, things are very different. 

We have a Supreme Court which allowed a terrible piece of legislation to pass.  We have a Justice Dept. running amok.  We have a Dept. of Homeland Security (and the Office of the President) deciding which laws to enforce and which ones not to, simply by ignoring some.  We are told not to feed the animals in our natural parks because they will become dependent on handouts, and yet, this administration is overjoyed that more people are on Food Stamps and other programs, than ever before.  Finally, the Catholic Church is under attack from the President to the "Magisterium of 'Nuns on the Bus'.  

Slowly our independence is being stripped from us.  Many of us don't even realize it or even care.

Folks, this is a very sad 4th of July.