Update on the John Paul II Center.

Over two years ago, I wrote about the John Paul Center.  To be honest, I was highly critical of this purchase and still am.

Here is an update from Catholic News Service.

To be honest, I am not certain how much different this is, than the original intent. 

BREAKING NEWS: Catholic Church Sues Obama Administration

The archdiocese of New York, headed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., headed by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the University of Notre Dame, and 40 other Catholic dioceses and organizations around the country announced on Monday that they are suing the Obama administration for violating their freedom of religion, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The dioceses and organizations, in different combinations, are filing 12 different lawsuits filed in federal courts around the country.

The Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. has established a special website--preservereligiousfreedom.org--to explain it lawsuit and present news and development concerning it.

For more, go to: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/breaking-cardinal-dolan-ny-cardinal-wuerl-dc-notre-dame-and-40-other-catholic-dioceses

A Comment from a Reader...

A note from a Anon Reader. If you have any thoughts, please feel free to share.

Thank you.

AWDCCatholic

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I have a copy of a letter Bishop Knestout sent to all parishes Sept 24 asking them to participate in a solemn vigil for all nascent human life with the Pope on November 27th. This was never announced in our parish or in the Catholic Standard, but a parishioner of another D.C. parish obtained it from his parish after asking about such a vigil after Pope Benedict's request was publicized on the web.

This person also emailed the Archdiocesan office of life issues concerning this vigil and was told that they didn't have time to create a flyer concerning this vigil (a flyer for what--does anyone know where one such vigil is occuring in the entire Archdiocese of Washington?)

"The Archdiocese made known to pastors to do what makes sense with regard to timing and expression of this vigil. We understand that this is a busy weekend for parishes here in the US … not only is it the first Sunday of Advent, but it is also Thanksgiving weekend.

The Department of Life Issues is not putting together a flyer for this … unfortunately, this also hits us at an extremely busy time as we prepare for two Youth Rallies and an Adult/Family Rally all taking place on January 24th the morning of the March for Life. We simply do not have the “manpower” to work on a flyer for the vigil."

18-20 babies were murdered in my parish this past Saturday at the local abortion clinic. My parish has much time to organize a bazaar, the pastor says a Mass for peace in Iraq/Afghanistan the first Friday of every month, and we pray every week for those who have been killed by accidents and acts of terror around the world, whereupon said pastor adds a special prayer for those who are unemployed but never, EVER do we pray for those who have been killed at our own parish abortion clinic this past week.

There is no time to organize any prayer for the 50 million children aborted in the U.S. on November 27, but there have been two full page ads for the Mass for Thanksgiving for Archbishop Wuerl on November 28 in the Catholic Standard.

There is an article on the site now:http://www.cathstan.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=27&ArticleID=4232

And of course there was more than enough time to make the announcement in all the parishes yesterday inviting us all to wear red to celebrate Archbishop's Wuerl becoming cardinal.

When I heard it the same thought occurred to me that if I wore anything it would be black in expression of deepest mourning...

And yet, do you get this, the same pope appointed him...

P.S. Everyone keeps saying how the priesthood has fallen 100,000 etc. Does anyone know how much the money has fallen or have government funds made it all up?

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

In my review of the Archdiocese of Washington educational policies, such as the elimination of discounts to families with multiple children in Catholic schools, you will notice that they are trying to push everyone through the TAP program.

Now, one of the most interesting things is that there are no guidelines as to who is or is not eligible, so you cannot determine if you should or should not apply. So, in addition to being totally subjective, as far as I can tell, you have to pay a fee to give up a great deal of personal information.

++++

On a separate note, one of my reader's informed me that there is an effort underway to get all Catholics to wear red on Nov. 19th in honor of the elevation of Cardinal-elect Wuerl.

Who's STUPID idea was that over in Hyattsville? I will wear black.

What color do you think we should wear on Friday?

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BOYCOTT THE CCHD COLLECTION THIS SUNDAY!!!

For more information as to why, click here.

More Possible Catholic School Closings?

I got a copy of the latest Catholic Standard. There is a lengthy article about consultations at five (5) Catholic schools, including St. Michael's in Ridge (this is the second time). (I will discuss this more at length over the next few days.)

This follows the same pattern as last year:

• There are series of articles in the Catholic Standard on how wonderful the new policy on education is working over the course of a few weeks.
• Suddenly, in November, consultations are announced. (This is different that a few years ago, when they told the parishes in Feb/March that the schools might close.)
• Everyone talks about how wonderful everyone is pulling together, esp. the Archdiocese.

Over a year ago, I told you that Southern Maryland was the next target. My source tells me at least one of these schools will close (merge) with a possible second.

Did you notice the other pattern: The Archdiocese places the burden on the parish and pastor to solve the problem. They pretty much wash their hands of the situation.

I keep thinking, if they advertised Catholic education like they did Catholic cemeteries, maybe we would not be in this situation.

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BOYCOTT THE CCHD COLLECTION THIS MONTH!

Cardinal-elect Wuerl and Mayor Gray

Yesterday, I sent the following note to Susan Gibbs, Director of Communications of the Archdiocese of Washington:

Recently, Mr. Vincent Gray was elected the Mayor of Washington DC.

Mayor-elect Gray has identified himself as a Catholic. Since Mr. Gray is a member of the Archdiocese of Washington will the Cardinal-elect be meeting with him to discuss his pro-abortion and pro-gay rights positions in light of Catholic teaching?

In addition, will the Cardinal-elect inform him that he should not receive Holy Communion because of his beliefs are in total opposition to the Church's teaching?

I look forward to hearing from you and will share your response with my readership.

Regards.

AWashingtonDCCatholic

Her response:

I'm sorry, but we are unable to respond to anonymous questions. By the way, you misspelled the new mayor's name.

Thank you.

Susan Gibbs

Archdiocese of Washington

So folks, other than my misspelling of the name of the new mayor, I guess we have our answer. Maybe someone in my reading audience would like to send this note to Ms. Gibbs and see if they will get a different answer? You can write to her at: gibbss@adw.org

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Boycott the CCHD Collection later this month!

BOYCOTT CCHD

Once again, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection will be taken up the weekend of Nov. 20 and Nov. 21.

We know the problems, we know that there was a "secret" report that was sent to the Catholic bishops at the end of August (but was not reported in the Catholic Standard) about the problems and the solutions.

Having read the Executive Summary, they are just putting bandages on the problem.

Therefore...I am calling, with many of my other blogging colleagues, for a complete and total BOYCOTT OF CCHD.

That is the only way that Cardinal-elect Wuerl and the other bishops will get the message.

Note: You will see a reminder of this boycott on every posting until Nov. 22nd.

What a Difference a Year (and You) Make....

Last year at this time, the Catholic blogging community was up in arms over the fact that Cookie and Steve Roberts were to be given an award by Support Our Aging Religious (SOAR).

In addition, we discovered that Archbishop Wuerl was right there honoring them -- although SOAR, the Catholic Standard and his PR person -- all attempted to hide the fact.

Nevertheless, the truth did come out (and still we have not forgotten this Cardinal-elect Wuerl).

It was not only a wake up call but a real black eye on an organization that can do some good.

Well, look at what a year does for an organization.

First, they have a new president. The past president has stepped down. Second, the people/groups who will receive this year's awards have not (at least as I an tell) publicly criticized The Holy Father and Church teaching. (But I may be wrong on that matter.)

What a difference a year makes.

VOTF and St. Rose of Lima

Well, it looks like no one in Hyattsville thinks that allowing dissenters to meet at a Catholic Church matters. Why should they, they have more important things to do, such as arrange for planes and tours in recognition of a red hat ceremony.

In this week's St. Rose of Lima bulletin, Msgr. Paul Dudziak couches the words in describing the VOTF meeting. In the last bulletin, he stated that this meeting would send recommendations up to the American Catholic Council. This week, he just says that it is a group who is meeting to discuss the future of the Church. He also makes certain to put it in his weekly column, right up front. (If this is not an affront to the Archbishop of Detroit and all faithful Catholics, I don't know what is.)

Here are just a couple of quotes from the statement from the Archbishop of Detroit, to remind Msgr. Dudziak and Cardinal elect Wuerl:

• The American Catholic Council movement and its national gathering are not conducted under the auspices of the Detroit archdiocese, the universal Roman Catholic Church, or any entity or organization affiliated with the archdiocese or the universal Roman Catholic Church.
• The archdiocese wishes to commend and embrace all true efforts at Church renewal - the American Church Council's agenda is not such an effort. Some of the advertised speakers and groups organizing the effort espouse positions which are clearly contrary to Catholic faith, leading to alienation and estrangement from the Church.
• The Archdiocese of Detroit cautions any Catholic against participating in the American Catholic Council local listening sessions and national gathering in June 2011. Catholic parishes, schools, and institutions are not to host any meetings, gatherings, or "listening sessions" associated with the planning of the June 2011 American Catholic Council. Priests, deacons, and ecclesial lay ministers will want to avoid lending support to such a misguided effort.

I think placing it the front of the parish bulletin is his way of not only sticking it to me and others, but he is also trying to hide the true intent of this meeting.

For shame Msgr. Dudziak, for shame.

A Red Hat has been given to...

Archbishop Wuerl...who will be called, in less than a month...His Eminence.

For more, click here. And here.

PS: In an earlier posting, I stated that I would believe this would happen soon. Click here.

St. Rose of Lima -- How much more dissent?

Although it may seem very innocent, once again St. Rose of Lima is sponsoring a meeting of the dissenting group: Voice of The Faithful. (How many times must this continue to take place? Does no one in Hyattsville have the fortitude to stop this?)

Now, this is not simply a regular meeting in which they encourage women priests, married priests, etc. but this one is a a meeting to make suggestions which will then be put forward to the American Catholic Council meeting in 2011.

The problem is that the American Catholic Council, like VOTF stands in opposition to the Catholic Church. It allies itself with groups such as Call to Action and CORPUS. (I have written about these before.)

The Archbishop of Detroit has issued a strong statement regarding this meeting in 2011:

The Archdiocese of Detroit has been contacted by concerned members of the faithful about a movement called the American Catholic Council. Self-described as "bringing together a network of individuals, organizations, and communities to consider the state and future of our Church," they have planned a national gathering in Detroit for the weekend of Pentecost 2011. The American Catholic Council movement and its national gathering are not conducted under the auspices of the Detroit archdiocese, the universal Roman Catholic Church, or any entity or organization affiliated with the archdiocese or the universal Roman Catholic Church.

Although their stated purpose is to "respond to the Spirit of Vatican II by summoning the Baptized together to demonstrate our re-commitment and the documents issued by the American Catholic Council offer some valid aspirations for the Church, in fact, the goals proposed are largely in opposition to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the Holy Spirit, which inspired the Council.

The archdiocese wishes to commend and embrace all true efforts at Church renewal - the American Church Council's agenda is not such an effort. Some of the advertised speakers and groups organizing the effort espouse positions which are clearly contrary to Catholic faith, leading to alienation and estrangement from the Church. The Archdiocese of Detroit cautions any Catholic against participating in the American Catholic Council local listening sessions and national gathering in June 2011. Catholic parishes, schools, and institutions are not to host any meetings, gatherings, or "listening sessions" associated with the planning of the June 2011 American Catholic Council. Priests, deacons, and ecclesial lay ministers will want to avoid lending support to such a misguided effort. On behalf of the archdiocese, Archbishop Vigneron has asked the organizers to cancel their plans for this national gathering that distorts the true Spirit of Vatican II. He asks us all to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may embrace authentic development of faith and morals, and shun efforts which threaten unity.


Archbishop Wuerl...you must support your brother bishop here!

Hyattsville, wake up! Your inaction only helps to subvert the Faith.

If they wish to meet, let them do so at the local library or American Legion Post. Don't let them meet at a Roman Catholic Parish.

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

It is that time folks (drums beat, trumpets blare, women faint, etc.) for your Weekly Catholic Standard Update.

The cover story is the Annual Red Mass and as I had predicted, there was no mention of Vice President Joe Biden, the highest elected Catholyc official in the United States, receiving Communion. Nope, not a mention. Why would we insist that the Archbishop do something like not providing Communion to a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual marriage politician. (At least they only made mention and did not have a photo of him.)

We have an inside cover story on the veneration of the Don Bosco relic at the National Shrine.

The Archbishop's New Evangelization program was once again highlighted in his visit to St. Elizabeth's School. In addition, we also see this program being highlighted to the John Carroll Society. I guess that the New Evangelization program does not include calling pro-abortion politicians on the carpet.

One of the most interesting changes, and one that I doubt most people will notice, are the changes to the Catholic Charities program. For example, the Spanish Catholic Center will move from Langly Park to the McCarrick Center near Wheaton (actually, it is closer to Glenmont). There are a host of other changes. It makes me wonder if the changes are part of a cost saving measure over the next few years...less leased/rented space.

There is a story of the installation of the first layperon to be President of St. John's College and that of St. Mary's Riken sister school program.

Finally, I will end this Update with one of the saddest stories in a while: That of the death of Navy Seal, Lt. Brendon Looney, who died in Afghanistan. He is a graduate of DeMatha and his sisters are either graduates or current students at the Academy of the Holy Cross. He is buried in Arlington next to that of his best buddy -- Marine 1st Lt. Manion.

Eternal rest grant unto him , O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Let us also remember his wife, parents and sisters. May God help them through this time of suffering.

Another Scandal: Biden Receives Communion at Red Mass

The Washington Post reported that the annual Red Mass took place on Sunday. This is a traditional Mass held before the Supreme Court goes into session and prays for all those sitting on the bench. This Mass actually takes place around the country and prays for lawmakers and those who serve on the courts locally. Not a bad thing. In fact, a good thing.

However, we seem to have a scandal.

It seems that Vice President Joe Biden, the highest ranking elected Catholyc in the nation, did receive Holy Communion. Altough the Washington Post does not mention it (and I doubt that the Catholic Standard will in this week's edition -- but let's wait and see), we have an eye witness account of the VP receiving Communion:

The actual service was incredibly special. It started off with a large procession of dozens of bishops and priests, accompanied by incense and the powerful organ and brilliant choir of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Members of the Knights of Columbus proceeded to the front of the church with the American flag, and the choir led the national anthem. It was fascinating to see the flag raised in the very classical-styled Cathedral; it was an interesting moment of church meeting state. I also enjoyed seeing Vice President Biden and Chief Justice Roberts walk up at the same time to receive communion.

For more on the event, go here.

Is a red hat in order?

With the appointment of Archbishop Wuerl to deal with Anglicans in the US who wish to join the Church, my hunch is that he will be made a Cardinal.

The question will then become, how much longer will he remain in Washington? Will he move on to other places -- possibly to Rome. My buddy Melvin believes that in a year or so, he will move on to a position in Rome.

Just a hunch.

Giving Anglicans a Wuerl

Hey, it is not my title but that from Deacon Greg's blog on Catholic news and events. Brooklyn's Catholic Cable Channel - NET has conducted the first interview with Archbishop Wuerl on his appointment to the committee which will help bring in Anglicans into the Catholic Church.

For the complete story and cable television story, go here.

The Catholic Tea Kettle has just started to boil over..

Archbishop Wuerl...please take note of this article by Deal Hudson from LIFESITENEWS.COM. I think it speaks to something that has been brewing for the last few years.

Over the past two weeks, I've had extensive discussions with a wide group of Catholic leaders about the state of the Church in the United States. The frustration and impatience among Catholics, which I discussed last February in "Is It Time for a Catholic Tea Party?," continue to grow.

The occasions for this discussion were the Catholic Leadership Conference held in Philadelphia earlier this month, immediately followed by the Faith & Freedom Coalition Conference and the 15th Annual Partnership Dinner benefiting InsideCatholic, both held in Washington, D.C.

The broad background for this discontent is well known: Lay Catholics cannot understand why, over the past 30 years, more bishops haven't taken a stronger public stand on Catholic politicians who openly dissent on life and marriage issues.

Something has gone wrong when those who publicly profess the Catholic faith feel no compunction about openly defying its teachings at the urging of their bishops. On top of that, a group called "Catholics United" announces it will spend $500,000 to reelect those same politicians, all Democrats -- and not a single bishop makes any comment.

The Catholic tea kettle continues to boil, as the patience of many of the lay faithful is running out.

Anglicans: Interested in joining the Catholic Church in the US..Please call...

Archbishop of Washington Donald Wuerl will guide the incorporation of interested Anglican groups into the Catholic Church in the United States under the apostolic constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus,” a Vatican congregation has announced.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has named the archbishop as its delegate in this position, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reports. Archbishop Wuerl also heads the U.S. bishops’ ad hoc committee that is assisting the CDF in implementing the apostolic constitution, which Pope Benedict XVI issued in November 2009.

Other members of the ad hoc committee are Bishop Kevin Vann of Fort Worth, Texas and Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, Massachusetts.

The committee is assisted by Fr. Scott Hurd. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1993, joined the Catholic Church in 1996, and was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 2000.

For more, go to Catholic News Agency.

Catholycs for Equality are Not Catholic

After receiving a letter from the group Catholics for Equality urging a change to the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, the Archbishop for Military Services responded, saying that the archdiocese's position is “clear.” The prelate added that the group “cannot be legitimately recognized as Catholic.”

Catholics for Equality had requested a meeting with Archbishop for the Military Services Timothy Broglio, claiming he offered misleading and false arguments in his June 1 statement against allowing open homosexuals to serve in the U.S. military.

To read more, go to Catholic New Agency.

Thank you Archbishop Broglio.

I myself received a mass mailing from them to my awashingtondccatholic@gmail.com account, asking for support and money.

One of the names on the email was the Rev. Joseph Palacios. Again, I publicly ask: Does he have faculties in this Archdiocese? If yes, then why? If not, and he celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, why does not the diocese put a stop to it?

Should not part of the New Evangelization be geared towards ensuring that the faithful are not lead astray?

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Yes folks (drum roll please), it is that time for the Catholic Standard Weekly Update.

Similiar to last week, this week's Standard has the overall theme of the Archbishop's letter on the New Evangelization. Now, I was way too busy to report on it and just skimmed over it last week.

+++++ Side Note +++++

So, as I see it (and I have not carefully studied it but skimmed over it), the New Evangelization seems to me to really focus on two areas: share the faith, but also look inside each of our parishes. There are a number of indicators which determine if a parish is healthy: Worship, Education, Community Life, Service, and Administration.

In my review of this, I noticed that there was no mention of what is to be done when there are dissident movements or priests within a parish or the diocese or , when the bishop or church groups honor those who go against our faith. There seems to be a silence that as Catholics we need to speak out about these.

+++++ End Side Note +++++

To that end, we have a new religion curriculum, something which I reported on a while back. The program "clearly states what participants in parish and Catholic elementary school religious education programs should be able to know, understand and do at each grade level." (Catholic Standard, Page 3). The program has six key elements: knowledge of faith, liturgy and sacraments; morality; prayer; education for living in Christian community (maybe it should be Catholic community) and evangelization and apostolic life.

We also have a story, which is linked to the New Evangelization, about Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian parishioners "taking it to the street." In other words, knocking on doors and invited folks to join them. We also see the Archbishop discussing it at the Labor Day Mass. And he visits GWU. And he shows off the New Evangelization poster to employees. He is all over the place.

Congratulations to St. John the Baptist Elementary School. They are a Blue Ribbon Award winner!!!

We have two articles on bullying both physical and cyber.

We also have Msgr. Holley's visit to Ghana (former Gold Coast) and Nigeria.

We do not have any information about how the bishops voted on CCHD, nor do we have any stories about the layoffs at St. Mark's School. Maybe there will be something next week. Maybe not.

Remember to pick up a copy of it at your parish, since they are required to accept a number of copies each week. And, drop a couple of coins in the basket to help pay for it.

Georgetown University and Catholics for Equality

The Cardinal Newman Society reports about Catholics (it really should be Catholycs) for Equality, an organization made up of catholycs who support same sex marriages, attempt to show that the Catholic Church is wrong on this issue, and that catholycs do support this issue (and to sway others). I wrote about this a few weeks ago.

One of the founders is a Rev. Joseph Palacios, who is also an assistant professor at Georgetown. He admits he is gay and has challenged the Church on the issue of gay marriage for many years.

So, my question is this: Has the Archdiocese granted him faculties? If yes, why have they not revoked his faculties?

If anyone knows the answer to these questions, please comment or write to me.

Note: Faculties means he is allowed to hear confession, offer Mass, etc. in an Archdiocese/Diocese.