Guess who visited Berryville Recently?

Why, it was none other than Cardinal McCarrick!

https://www.virginiatrappists.org/2012/12/cardinal-takes-retreat-at-holy-cross-abbey/


H/T to Melvin!  Hey Melvin, have a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord." 

~ Luke 2:11

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.

When will we stop funding Non-Catholic Groups?

Note that Ralph McCloud, who was given an award by this Archdiocese, is once again at the center of making what I call, poor decisions. He seems to take at face value what one of these organizations tell him. Maybe it is time for him to go.

++++++++++++++++++++++++



WASHINGTON, D.C., December 10, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A coalition of Catholic organizations is charging that one of the largest recipient of funds from the U.S. Bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program lied to the bishops about its activities to keep the Catholic money flowing.

The Gamaliel Foundation, which received $799,500 in grants last year from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development through 21 local affiliates, was a founding member of a coalition called the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) that advocates for legal recognition of same-sex “families.”

But CCHD guidelines stipulate that grantees may not join coalitions that advocate against Catholic teaching “as part of their organizational purpose or coalition agenda.”

For more, go here: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/community-organizing-group-lying-to-u.s.-bishops-to-retain-grants

Ethics Phone Line Established in Archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Washington has established a toll free number for anyone suspecting anything illegal taking place in any of their institutions, such as parishes, schools and offices.

If you suspect any thing improper going on, you may call, toll free at 1-855-290-3381.

For example, if you suspect any sort of:

• accounting irregularities
• theft or fraud, such as funds, supplies, etc.
• embezzlement
• falsifying parish records, contracts, etc.
• kick-backs or other improper dealings with vendors
• conflicts of interest

The phone line is NOT run by the Archdiocese but by an outside firm specializing in handling these matters. 

When you call, you will be asked to briefly describe the situation (who, what, when where, etc.).  They will ask you a series of clarifying questions to ensure that they understand the problem/issue.  You will be given a number, which is the unique identifier for this case, should you need to call back.  They will also ask you how to get a hold of you, regarding this matter, if they need more information.

All of these matters are kept confidential by the vendor, EthicsPoint.  Having used this sort of service before, not with the Archdiocese, it is confidential and a good service. 

Of course, it is important that you think carefully when you call.  Make certain you are clear on the matter. 

If Miss Mary, who is 80 years old, takes a copy of the Catholic Standard and does not leave a donation, it is not what I would consider theft. 

If there is liturgical dancing during the Mass or the priest invites a lay person to give the homily, that is not what this line is for (but maybe it should). 

If Mr. Newbie is running a private business from the parish rectory, you should call. 

If someone is taking $50 from the 9am Sunday Mass loose change donation every Sunday, so that he/she has a little spending money for the week, you should call.

If you are not certain, call.  They can tell you if this falls under their contract with the Archdiocese, or should be reported some other way. 

Now, I find it interesting that this has been established.  Usually, this sort of thing in instituted when there has been an problem with theft or some other crime and/or people were reluctant to report it (or did not know whom to report it too).  Please note that I have not heard anything regarding why this has taken place nor have any information.



 

The Most "Open Minded" Are Really the BIGGEST HATERS

As many of you know, I try to focus on items that affect the Archdiocese of Washington from the view of the guy/gal in the pew. 

It was announced that the Pope would have a Twitter Account.  Now, I have looked into a Twitter Account both as part of getting the message of this blog out or even for my business.  However, I have not really found a compelling reason at this time.

However, once again, it is important to point out that those who claim to be the most open minded, most tolerant are really the most hateful and mean spirited.

If you think that the Pope is incorrect, then debate the ideas (within the 140 character limit).  If not, then you are not even worth the time it took to write their rants on Twitter.

I wonder if these twitter postings can be considered a hate crime?

To read all about it, go here: 
http://twitchy.com/2012/12/03/shameful-pope-benedict-xvi-joins-twitter-vile-hate-starts-before-his-first-tweet/

 

Catholic charities must always act in accordance with Catholic teaching

CCHD please take note!

+++++++++++++++++

ROME, November 30, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a surprise move, Pope Benedict XVI this morning issued a formal legislative document instructing Catholic charitable organisations that they must act in complete compliance with Catholic teaching. The Vatican rumour mill failed to predict the appearance today of the pope’s Motu Proprio, a special letter written and promulgated on Pope Benedict’s personal initiative, that lays out specific legislation on how Catholic charities must be governed.

Benedict issued the Motu Proprio, “De Caritate Ministranda,” on the Church’s charitable activities after strongly hinting in recent years at his deep concern at the secularising and outright anti-Catholic trends growing within officially recognised, and lay-funded, Catholic charitable agencies.

The document, using the formal legal language reserved for the Sovereign Pontiff when creating binding legislation for the whole Church, specifies that Catholic charitable organizations “should not limit themselves merely to collecting and distributing funds,” but exist to further Catholic religious objectives by exercising “a valuable educational function within the Christian community”.

For more, go to LifeSite News: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pope-decrees-catholic-charities-must-always-act-in-accordance-with