The damage of Cardinal Wuerl just continues...

Medical researchers at a U.S.-, Catholic-based institute say they were shocked at being denied a $150,000 Papal Foundation grant for their groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research last year while $25 million was recently awarded to a scandal-plagued dermatological hospital in Rome.

The Iowa-based John Paul II Medical Research Institute (JP2MRI) was rejected for a $150,000 grant for Alzheimer’s research in August 2018, just as controversy arose surrounding the Papal Foundation, the Holy See, and a stunning $25 million grant to the Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata (IDI), a dermatological hospital, in Rome.

To read the full story, please go to:  LifeSite News

As seen on the road...

Catholic Standard Update for April 18, 2019

I am sorry that I am very late with the update, but I did not get a hold of a copy until it was Easter and then one thing led to another...   You know the story, but never fear, we have the latest update for you.

• As expected, we have a number of stories about the new Archbishop of Washington, including his visits with St. Anthony School, Catholic Charities, our seminarians, and last but not least, the Little Sisters of the Poor.
• We have a story about the new Archbishop, who pledges to "offer hope, rebuild trust."  However, how can you do that, when you are part of the overall problem. 
• We have a brief article on the fire at Notre Dame.
• The Annual Report from the Child Protection Advisory Board has been included.  Interesting to note that Msgr. English on it, as he was in charge of Priest Personnel, a number of years ago. 
• We have a couple of stories about those who will entering into Communion with Rome.
• The rehabilitation of Cardinal Wuerl continues with a story about his sermon during the Chrism Mass and his officiating at Palm Sunday Mass.  I find the summary of his Chrism Mass sermon is ironic and hypocritical, considering that he is a major part of the problem.  Note that the Standard failed to mention his little "I forgot about McCarrick" issue, his continuing to pull the strings in the Diocese and in Rome, among others
• We have a summary of the Maryland General Assembly actions, including some nice words for Speaker Mike Busch.  Now, Speaker Busch was given a Catholic funeral, even though he was a strident supporter of abortion and gay marriage.  
• A story on the new organ at St. Peters (on Capitol Hill) and another on the new parish center at St. Al's in Leonardtown.
• A story on Georgetown and the issue of student fee for reparations.  My question is: Since Georgetown does not fall under the direction of the Archdiocese, then why do you give them any press coverage, esp. when they do something stupid. 

Congratulations to KofC Rock Creek Council

Congratulations to Rock Creek Council (Knights of Columbus) #2797 located in Bethesda, MD.

They collected items for wounded service members and vets at Walter Reed.  In working with the American Red Cross, they collected books, snacks, toiletries, toys, clothing and gift cards.


Thanks to Melvin for sharing his Columbia magazine with me. 

Wishing You a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Let's Have A Laugh Today...

A Jesuit, a Dominican, and a Trappist were marooned on a desert island. They found a magic lamp, and after some discussion decided to rub it. Lo and behold, a genie appeared and offered them three wishes. 

They decided it was only fair that they could each have one wish. 

The Jesuit said he wanted to teach at the world’s most famous university, and poof, he was gone! 

The Dominican wished to preach in the world’s largest church, and poof, he was gone! 

Then the Trappist said, “Gee, I already got my wish!”

When the mainstream media supports your Bishop, you know you are in trouble...

Reacting to the appointment of Archbishop Wilton Gregory to the Washington archdiocese, Michelle Boorstein, the religion writer for the Washington Post, commented on her Twitter account: "Largely a very safe choice. It will primarily piss off only the far-right."

That's true enough (although not very elegantly expressed) if you define as "far right" those Catholics who unapologetically profess all that the Church has traditionally taught. And come to think of it, most writers for the secular press (and not a few for Catholic publications) do think that way. So those of us who are appalled by the DC appointment can accept no sympathy from the mainstream media. In that sense Boorstein is right; Archbishop Gregory is a "safe choice."

To read the complete story, go to LifeSite News. 

Catholic Charities - Funding is Down

It seems that the scandals have really taken a toll on Catholic Charities.  Now, remember, at least one third of funding comes from the Government.  Which, I have always said, they need to get out of, because when you deal with the devil, the devil calls the deals. 

Because of the scandals, Catholic Charities has hired a full-time fundraiser to hit up high profile donors.  Why?  Because many of the big donors have cut back significantly.  This fundraiser's job is to not only get them back to their previous level of giving but also to increase it a bit.

Now, organizations hire full-time fundraisers all the time.  This is nothing new but this is new for Catholic Charities.  

So, if you wish to send a message, cut back on your donations.  They will not admit it, but they are getting the message.  

Catholic Standard Update for April 4, 2019

Well, it is that time of the month for a review of what is in the Catholic Standard.  I do this as a public service announcement (PSA) for you.

It was too late for the Standard to publish the news of Bp. Wilton Gregory, but do expect the next edition to be filled with glowing stories and lots and lots of advertisements, with parishes and other dioceses offering their congratulations on the announcement.

We continue to see the rehabilitation of Cardinal Wuerl this week, with the article (and photo) of him at the Red Mass.

In addition, we have the following stories:

• A couple of stories about those who are entering the Church this year.
• An article on the Engaging the Mission workshop.
• A full page story on how Auxilary Bishop Roy E. Campbell was elected president of the National Black Catholic Congress.  Half of the story was a repeat of his biography.
• Maryland Day at St. Clement's Island.  Have always wanted to go there and be a part of it.  Guess I will have to wait till next year.
• We have an article by Msg. Enzler, which is really a veiled exhortation to give to Catholic Charities.  BTW, CC is hurting this year because of the Mr. McCarrick and Cardinal Wuerl fiasco.  Many major donors have cut back.  More on this another day.
• We have a story on how Sacred Heart School celebrated the feast day on March 24th.
• We have a story on the St. Francis International School and the Srs. of Notre Dame de Namur.  In the photo of the sisters, not one of them is wearing a habit.  BTW, it seems that there is a story on St. Francis at least once a quarter.  Is this my imagination?  
• And finally, we have a story about liberal/lefty Bp. Francis A. Quinn of Sacramento.

 There you go.  Have a great weekend.

  

UnPlanned - The Movie

This past week, I attended the move UnPlanned.

I have a couple of observations:

• I went to see it a the Regal Theater in downtown Silver Spring, MD.  When I purchased my ticket, I was shown that there were only about 20 available seats left.  I was shocked, as I did not think that there would be that many people attending at 6pm on a Wednesday evening.   I was wrong.  There were only about 20 people in attendance.  I wonder if Regal was attempting to restrict the number of people attending the movie.   Considering the resistance of Hollywood and the media to this, I wouldn't put it past that Regal was part of this.
• No wonder why the mainstream media does not you to see this.  It is so moving, it will really make the most strident pro-abortion person really think hard, about what they are doing.

All I can tell you GO SEE IT and support a pro-life movie.  You will not be disappointed.

It will be announced today: Bp. Gregory Wilton will be the head of the Archdiocese of Washington.