For Mr. M. --- a discernment story

Once there was a preacher. I won't say his name because unless you are black and grew up in the 70s or 80s it would mean nothing to you. He was a Protestant and his sermons were so magnificent that people began taping them and selling them. He was beloved, respected and held in awe.

He was known for his kindliness towards the young, boys mostly. He took in boys who needed help or who were interested in singing and needed a wise father figure to guide them along. The people loved him for this "giving back." And then one day, one of those boys told someone that the Rev. was molesting him. He was ignored and probably called a filthy liar. The years went on and in the fullness of his years the reverend died. Suddenly there were rumors that he'd actually been a secret homosexual. Most of his followers and fans reacted angrily to this but the rumors kept on. One of the boys, by then a young man gave an interview where he plainly stated what had been going on in the Rev's house. To this day there are people who deny that the Rev. did anything wrong and will get into a fight with you for bringing the whole story up. Others are saddened and can't figure out how this scandal happend.

Looking back on it. A couple things come to mind. Too many women trusted the Rev. blindly with their sons. Too many people looked the other way when little things seemed odd. Discernment means when you get that feeling that something isn't quite right you pay attention to that feeling.


If a priest or nun doesn't seem "right" to you; DON'T send your child to him or her for hours of alone time together. If a lay person in a position of church authority or in self appointed authority-- the lay apologetics industry--- says or introduces something to the parish that makes you sit up and go "hey, I aint no theologian but I don't think that's in the catechism or hey, St. Therese and my Grandpa Nino wouldn't recognize that teaching, " DON'T hang around them anymore. DON'T send your child to them for CCD or confirmation class, get up and walk out of their bible study class, DON'T attend their lectures and DON'T bring their books into your house.

Discernment is another word for common sense. Even when other Catholics at your parish or the blogs mock or curse you for it, use that common sense.

This will help

I was reading Colleen Hammond's blog and she heartily reccomended this book. I ordered a copy and I have to say it's great. Yes, it is published by Angeleus Press. I don't have a problem with that and I'll add that their missal booklet is the best I've come across. It's much better than the beautiful one published by Roman Catholic Books and it even beats my old one by Eclesia Dei.

Tridentine Mass at St. Rita's

Last night on the traditional feast of the Assension we went to St. Rita's for a high solemn Mass. It was awesome and I mean that. We had a priest, a deacon and a subdeacon. We have five beautifully trained altar boys and Dominican monks. The guest homilist was an old Dominican and he really made us all sit up straight and listen. Everyone's biretta was crisp and shiny, the vestments were dazzling and the chant was sublime. When Fr. Aragon (his nickname) began the concecration it came to me in a flash that this was reminesent of the Jewish temple days when the high priest went alone to the Holy of Holies to offer insense. At the end of Mass the priests and brothers all departed in silence.

The pews were filled with young people and I saw quite a few couples with babies and young kids. Oh beautiful divine litury of the Church, ever ancient ever new. How I I do love the TLM.

FDLS and their Catholic defenders

I am shocked at how many Catholic bloggers are defending the FDLS freaks. I have read hysterical rants claiming that if the government can take the FDLS kids away from their parents it will come for Catholic kids next or the FDLS kids are now going to be exposed to the evil modern world and that's child abuse in itself.

People! I'm from the rugged individualist school of thought myself, and I tend to view the government with a jaudiced eye but there is a fine line between cynicism and paranoia.

If you think it's okay for a 13 year old to be raped everynight by a 50 year old man because Marie Antoinette was 14 when she got married (the marriage was not consumated until she was grown) or becuase arranged marriages have worked out fine for society for centuries then I have no words for you. I can not see you. I can not hear you. You are beyond the frigging pale.

So far 41 kids have been found to have bone fractures and old healed broken bones. My husband and his brother played football from roughly the ages of 10 to 21. Southern, smashmouth, run with the big dogs football. In all those years they only have one fracture or break between them. FDLS kids are not allowed to play sports so how'd they get those fractures? Isn't beating a kid or working him so hard that he breaks child abuse? Are you for child abuse in the name of family privacy? And do you consider plural marriage finacned by welfare fraud a genuine marriage or in anyway pleasing to Christ? If you do I can not see you. I can not hear you. You simply don't exist in the realm of civilized discourse or thought.

SSPX

Come back to the church guys and gals. Come back. You can even bring crazy Bishop Williamson with you but come back.

visiting Holy Trinity

In our continuing quest to visit all the parishes in our diocese last Sunday we went to visit Holy Trinity. It's a new parish in Gainesville, VA. It is incredibly beautiful. I thought Our Lady of Hope was the prettiest of the new parishes but Holy Trinity blows it away. It looks like a good parish. They have perpetual adoration, three levels of the Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus. Their pastor, Fr. Pelfrey seems like and interesting person. Alas, they aren't used to visitors and when we ran into members of the choir they stared as if they had never seen such a sight before. One kid stared with google eyes and an an open mouth. I almost laughed.

Rocky's only comment was that these folks don't seem to get out much.

Simplex priests

Are there still simplex priests? I was listening to Fr. Theoden give the homily yesterday when I was suddenly reminded of just how smart he is. I mean, he has a really superior mind. What do men do who feel called to be a priest but know full well that they don't have the academic mind for it?

Pray for our priests!

We offer you: no salary, no recompense, no holidays, no pension.

But much hard work, a poor dwelling, few consolations, many disappointments, frequent sickness, a violent or lonely death, an unknown grave.

THIS COMES FROM AN 1812 POSTER RECRUITING SEMINARIANS TO BECOME MISSION PRIESTS IN AMERICA. IT'S STILL NOT EASY, WE STILL NEED THEM DESPERATELY. PRARY FOR OUR PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS.

the cardinal mccarick rumor rises again

Richard Sipe has openly accused Cardinal McCarrick of being a homosexual. I've met the cardinal and never got a gay vibe from him and frankly, let's consider the source. Mr. Sipe is a former priest and apparently has his own axe to grind. If he's had evidence of immorality on the cardinal's part why didn't he use it years ago? Don't just dredge up an old story ---- the beach house in Jersey rumor has floated around like sewer gas for years--- tell us names, dates, and provide witnesses. Put up or shut up.

Monsignor Ganswein----Some folks need to rediscover so called Catholic guilt.

I find it very creepy how so many Catholic women bloggers and a few men seem to be obsessed with the sexiness of Monsignor Ganswein, the Holy Father's assistant.

People, the man is a priest.Cut the crap and practice custody of the eyes. His life, his words, deeds and attractiveness all belong to God. Lusting after him is just as bad as going into the sacristy, removing the chalice from the safe and using it to drink Kool-Aid. It's just as base as going into the vestment drawers and using an altar cloth to blow your nose. It is as low as washing your hands in the sacrarium. That which is dedicated to God is not for vulgar or profane thought or use. Okay?

Mary, exterminatrix of heresies and impurity, pray for us.

TLM in May

There will be a solemn high TLM at St. Rita's in Alexandria, Virginia on May 1rst.

the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven

Last night at 6:30 Rocky and I went to the traditional Latin mass at St. Rita's. It was a low mass which was great becuase I got to really follow the responses of the altar boys. Fr. Scalia will be celebrating the TLM again soon. Once again Rocky and I were left wondering how on earth Catholics let this go.....

pics from the papal mass

filth and fury

When I read this I started to shiver and thought I was going to vomit. Then I got angry. It is apparently a hoax. I hope to God it is but this young woman either needs a smack upside her empty head or a series of appointments with a competent pyschiatrist.

My God what is wrong with this girl?

Is this was going to Yale will do to a mush mind or was she this messed up before she even hit campus?

Rocky & Dymphna go to Mass with the Pope!

Well, us and 47,000 others. I have to say that the National's Stadium is an excellent venue. It's almost as terrific as Camden Yards. Next, I have to say that taking the Metro was almost ridiculously easy. Rocky and I spent the night at my mother's house so we'd already be in DC by 5AM when the Metro trains started running. The trains were packed but it was the happiest crowd I've ever seen. Everyone was delighted, polite and kind to one another. We ran into a seminarian friend and his classmates.

I chatted with sisters from the Nashville Dominicans, the Servants of the Lord and the Sisters of the Assumption. Wonderful, upbeat young women. At 6AM confessions started and we got in line, which moved quickly. After that we headed up to our seats and bought souveneirs. Our seats were so high we actually above the Secret Service snipers. No problem, it just gave us more of a veiw.

There was a happy buzz of excitment in the air as the priests, bishops and cardinals streamed in and took their seats. The music was not great but the sound system at National's Stadium was so poor that I didn't hear much of it. The best thing was soprano Denyce Graves who managed to overcome the poor sound. And then suddenly on the jumbo tron we saw a Secret Service agent walk down a corridor. A cheer went up because right behind him was the Popemobile. Cameras went off, people waved and cried. The Holy Father looked so genuinely happy to see us. He did one lap around the field and then left to get vested. He's quick for 81 and soon the holy sacrifice of the Mass began.

The sound system failed miserably and we heard not a word of the pope's homily. One thing struck me as sad. Marty Haugen's music has become the "official" music of the American church. The dude isn't even Catholic and his stuff isn't very good or singable but it's all most of us know. Sad. It seemed to be a mediocre offering.

The choirs. What can I say about the choirs? There were four or five and it was a mess. The whole thing was a weird jazz/gospel/ mariachi type mishmash of styles to show how diverse America is and was it more like a free concert in the park than liturgical music. The children's choir, bless their innocent hearts was very good. Too bad we could barely hear them.

Finally, after the dross and muck came pure gold. Placido Domingo sang Panic Angelicus and miraculously the problems with the sound were fixed. He was magnificent and Pope Benedict seemed to really enjoy it. He even got up and went over to Placido who was really emotional when he knelt to kiss the Holy Father's hand.

There were no slip ups with Communion that I saw. Most people recieved in the hand but I didn't notice anyone walking away with the Eucharist. I wasn't the only woman to wear a veil, nor was I the youngest. Neat. After Mass the pope was mobbed by delighted people. He blessed us all and any holy objects we had with us and left for the Nat's dugout.

Afterward Rocky and I took photos and had a hot dog. The concession stands opened right after the pope left the field. Again, I've never seen such a huge and thoroughly happy crowd. I don't like outdoor mega masses but this was as decently done as it can be.

Upon leaving the stadium we visited St. Vincent DePaul a small, very lovely church near the stadium. It is run by the Josephite order and is a mostly black parish. Then we took Metro back to my Mama's house. A beautiful day. I hope the Holy Father gets some sleep tonight. He's got a grueling schedule for an 81 year old.

May God bless him and keep him with us for many more years.

requiem

Today is the anniversary of my father's death. He was 42 years old. Mama was 40. I was 13. I had a glow in the dark rosary and it was my only comfort. In the days and months after his death I started saying the rosary every night for his soul. Those were horrible days and I've never forgotten the feeling that Mary was right there with me each night. I was a very shy, highly sensitive, anxious child and the shock of my father's sudden death was almost too much to bear.

I was terrified that my mother would die and for months I would freak out if I didn't know exactly where she was. I was terrified and of the insecure feelings that overtook me, so I did my crying in private. I was stoic, quiet and as controlled as a Vulcan. Looking back I know that wasn't healthy.

I didn't want my mother to worry about me-- she had so much to deal with and I didn't want to be another problem so I said nothing about my fears. It's funny how when you are backed up against the cross that you get closer to God. When daddy is never coming home, when the baby dies, when the telegram from the Dept. of Defense comes, when the hurricaine blows the house away---- when there is no-one for you prop yourself up with and nothing to distract you from the pain --- then you realize that your suffering is "only the shade of His Hand outstretched caressingly."

Oh daddy, daddy, daddy, how I miss you, if I should forget you, may my right hand forget what it's supposed to do.

Dear God, let him rest in peace.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;Lord, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentiveto my voice in supplication:
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,Lord, who can stand?But with you is forgiveness,that you may be revered.
I trust in the Lord;my soul trusts in his word.My soul waits for the Lord,more than sentinels wait for the dawn.More than sentinels wait for the dawn,let Israel wait for the Lord;
For with the Lord is kindnessand with him is plenteous redemption;And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the psalm Out of the depths (Ps 129).

grumpy

For the last few days I've not felt well. I've been having smashing headaches, been dizzy, cranky and tired. It's mainly due to working too hard and not eating lunch until I start feeling sick and longing to smack my boss over the head, (silly woman saw a movie on TV last week and now thinks she knows all about my "oppressive" church). Rocky was/is very concerned which made me feel guilty.......

There was a respite. Today I stayed home instead of my usual schedule and felt human again. On Sunday I stayed in bed until I had to go out. Mass was lovely and Father's homily got my attention. He reminded us that the happy sheep obediately follow the Good Shepherd. When they wander off they get into trouble. Fr. asked us how many times we play cafeteria Catholic and pick and choose what we will deign to obey from Mother Church. He reminded us that Tradition comes from the apostles, who of course got everything from Jesus. When we play games with the truth we are rejecting Christ, who is the Truth.

Finally, Fr. exorted us to read the words of the Holy Father and not to just blindly accept what the media says he said. He also reminds us the Holy Father wears a pallium (bishops do too) that is a symbol of his sent-by-God- to- be- a- shepherd of our souls status.

Pray for Cardinal George

He has a deep problem with his priest Fr. Pfleger. Flagrant disobedience, a cult of personality, defiance and scandal. If you look at the website for Fr. Pfleger's parish, St. Sabina's you'll see that a lot of funky things are going on there but none seem Catholic.


The parishoners have threatened to leave the Faith and follow Fr. Pfleger apparently to wherever or whatever "church" he wants if Cardinal George dares to transfer him. Plus, what poor innocent parish wants Fr. Pfleger? There a several scenarios as to how this situation is going to end. Barring a miracle, which could happen, of course, none of them looks good.

adoration tonight

Tonight Rocky and I went to adoration at a nearby parish. It was lovely as usual until a young mohter came in with a toddler. He was having a bad night. He didn't want to leave but he didn't want his mommy praying and not paying attention to him either. That child had remarkable lung power. I hope his parents give him singing lessons someday. That much vocal strength has got to be good for something. He was just tall enough to walk under the altar rail and that's what he did. He headed straight for Jesus and I tensed up thinking that he was going to get hurt by knocking over a candle or the monstrance.

The other adorers were annoyed and one man told the mother frankly that she ought to remove her little boy. She did for a time and when he quieted down she brought him back for a few minutes. The poor thing meant well.... I normally can't stand noisy children but tonight I wasn't bothered. The little fellow actually made me pray harder so I guess all things really do work to the good.

demograhpics are destiny

There are now more Muslims in the world than Catholics. We shouldn't be shocked. Afterall, the Faith is in a free fall in most of Europe and European women don't seem to want to have children anymore. The Muslim woman doesn't have a choice, of course. Nobody envys her. In her case she'd better have a bunch of boys or she could find herself dead or cast out on the street but demographics are destiny. Look for things to get much, much worse in the next 10 to 20 years.

But the West has no-one to blame to but ourselves. I wonder if the French really believe that a Muslim majority will allow them to live as they are used to? The fashion industry, the wine industry and tourism will have be destroyed. And merry old England isn't looking to healthy these days either.

I got to thinking about all this because of an interesting post at the Athanasius blog. He's considerably harsher on JPII than I could ever be but though it hurts me to say it; I think he's more right than wrong. Admitting that makes me feel a bit like Frank Sinatra in the very last scene of Manchurian Candidate where he turns away from the camera so he can cry for his lost friend Raymond.

Guess what?

I just got an e-mail from my parish. Rocky and I have tickets to the papal Mass on April 17.

Hellllllllllllooooooooooo Papa!

Sister Bovary?

Sr. Barbara Markey stole money from the archdiocese of Omaha to spend it on gifts, trips and gambling. The Cafeteria is Closed has a post on this sad story here. Prosecutors say that Sr. Barbara spent more than $307,000.

I don't understand how this happend. What does a nun need with $31,000 on clothing and furniture? I don't really trust nuns who don't wear habitsbecause I've had too many bad experiences with them but I've never known one who approached this kind of lavish living. An unhabited nun only needs four plain blouses, three simple skirts, two sweaters, a light all weather coat and a good heavy coat and two pairs of shoes a year. That doesn' cost $31,000, especially if she goes to Good Will. And what's this about furniture? No nun should be living alone unless she's a hermit and hermits don't have fancy furntiture.

Judging by this photo she's not unfamilar with the hair salon either. Come on somebody had to know that aint right.

She spent $67,000 in casinos. Why in God's name is a nun in a casino? And did nobody question how Sr. Barbara could afford to give expensive gifts? The only gifts I've ever gotten from nuns were prayers (precious!) or handmade crafts. Sr. Barbara may very well be the nicest woman in Omaha and she most likely never meant for any of this to happen. Like Madam Bovary she probably started out with some romantic dreams and things got horribly out of hand. This pathetic story shows why a strong superior is necessary to religious life.

The Laredo Kid gets ordained

"Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are.

Believe what you read.

Teach what you believe.

Practice what you teach."

From the deacon's ordiantion rite

One of our friends was ordained as a deacon yesterday at the Basilica in DC. The Laredo Kid (um, no that aint his name, it's what I call him) will be a deacon for a year and then next year he'll be ordained as a priest. Thanks be to God.

Afterwards friends and family went back to the Kid's seminary for a beautiful reception. I enjoyed the food far too well and happily ate more than I usually do. My scale showed the result this morning. Ah well. Two things really struck me: After looking down at the floor for a while and studying the feet of of the priests and seminarians I noticed that there are a vast array of sensible black shoes for a man to buy. The second thing that I noticed was how badly young Catholic women dress. Who told us that we have to wear shapeless schmattas in public? Who ever said that unkempt hair was virtuous? Ugh!

After the reception we went to the Newman bookstore. It's the biggest Catholic bookstore in DC and it was a feast for a book lover. After that we headed over to the Icon and Bookstore that is run by the Holy Cross Monastery. If you go to DC please stop by. It's an incredible place. I was astonished by the beauty of the icons and the dear lady who runs it is a charmer. Rocky and I plan to go back as soon as we can.

My King

My King!

By the cross her station keeping, stood the holy mother weeping

Close to Jesus, to the last.

Stick close to Mary, she'll never take you anywhere but to her Son.

night of seven churches -- Maundy Thursday

Last night was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Rocky and I went to Holy Thursday Mass at our parish, St. Rita's. It was gorgeous. All of the altar boys served and I have congratulate Fr. Scalia and the layman who train them. Those boys were fantastic. Not a single mistake, no fooling around, total concentration. I was proud of them. After Mass they stripped the altar with remarkable speed and silence. And I do mean stripped. They took away everything that wasn't nailed down, chairs, rugs, pedestal... everything.

One odd/funny thing happened. Last year a man sat behind us and gave a play by play explanation of the Mass to his child. This year, we got the same guy! Once again, he did a running commentary for his little boy. I wanted to tell his to shut the heck up but that would've been unkind. At least he had his kids at Mass and was trying to teach them. Last year one of those kids couldn't resist petting my hair under my veil. This year, one of them has discovered the joy of spitting. He didn't get me but I hope somebody cleans his pew today.

Father Donahue, our pastor gave a moving homily. He pleaded with us to go to confession, to heal our broken hearts and if anyone was far from God ;to take the precious opportunity to return to Him, tonight. He asked us to remain with Jesus at the alar of repose for a while and asked us to be thankful for the great gift of the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist is the medicine of immortality and the antidote to death, so St. Ignatius of Antioch said. Fr. asked us to go to communion as often as we can and reminded us that there is nothing to keep us away except for mortal sin. This is one of the many times when I wish somebody was recording Father's homily. I wish this one could be saved for the future.

I was so carried away with love that I almost bit the parochial vicar during communion. It sounds weird, I know but I usually don't see or feel very aware of the priest at communion. I see myself at the foot of the cross, I hear the words, "Body of Christ" and I recieve. This time I was so far away, so mentally in Jerusalem that I heard the words almost in slow motion. My teeth came together with a bit of force and Fr. pulled back in time but lost his balance with the Host. It's a good thing he's young and has good reflexes. The save was made and communion went on without incident. Anyway.... after Mass Our Lord was carried in a slow, solemn procession around the church and then placed in the altar of repose. The rest of the church was darkened. The only light came from the white drapped altar of repose. I was gratified to see that quite a few people staid to watch and pray after Mass.

Rocky and I then went to Blessed Sacrament and prayed at the repose altar there. Blessed Sacrament is an incredibly ugly church but the parish is blessed with very good priests and someone put a ton of love into making the repose altar beautiful. It was touching. I thought of the scene from The Passion of the Christ where Jesus is in the dungeon at the high priest's home. Mary lies prostrate on the floor and Jesus in the dark dungeon below looks up. There is just a tiny bit of light and it's coming from him. No words are spoken, the only communication is love.

After Blessed Sacrament we stopped to pray at Queen of Peace. I was sad to see that there was no-one there. Not even a priest. I wasn't shocked though. The worst Mass I've ever sat through was at Queen of Peace so nothing there startles me anymore. Next we went to St. Anthony's. That was amazing. I saw young men, tough looking guys on their knees. I saw young couples and whole families. White people, Hispanics, black Americans, Africans, and Asians were all there next to Jesus. Their altar of repose reminded me of the upper room where Jesus said the first Mass.

From St. Anthony's we drove to St. Thomas Moore Cathedral. I don't have a high opinion of how the cathedral is run by the lay staff. I really didn't expect it to be open but it was and the repose altar was beautiful. Again, Catholics of all races and ages were there sitting, kneeling, lying prostrate before the Lord. Bishop Loverde sat there too, praying from his breviary. It was good to see him.

Our next stop was Queen of the Apostles. It's also a relentlessly ugly 1970's styled church. It's like a big bowling alley with dirty looking white brick and amphitheater type seating. However, the parish has been blessed with good men for priests and somebody tried very hard to make the area around the repose altar look soft and lovely with masses of flowers and candles. We saw two orders of nuns praying. Some people sat and prayed. Others knelt or lay prostrate.

Finally, we ended up at St. Mary's in Old Town. Three priests sat praying near the altar and we saw a young man who looked like he ought to be rocking on the stage at Madison Square Garden. He was on his knees praying before the altar. God calls everyone. At St. Mary's we saw people of various age groups. At midnight the pastor stood up and grunted at his parochial vicar. They walked to the sacristy and returned with his humeral veil and I think, incense and Jesus was removed from the altar in slience. I felt like Mary Magdalene... "they have taken Him away."

We've wanted to do the seven churches prayer circuit for a while and we were delighted to be able to do it this year. It's a profound prayer experience.

The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen on the Fr. Skippy problem

Warning! The guys at the Lair are tough but gallant Catholics and they use harsh language. If you are tender minded don't click on this post, okay?

The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen







Fr. Vincent Capadano, pray for your brother priests. Especially the ones who have forgotten the whole manhood thing.

tenebrae

Last night Rocky and I went to Tenabrae at the Franciscan Monastery in DC. Usually we go to the Holy Wenesday tenenbrae at St. Matthew's Cathedral but there was a bomb threat-- suspicious package--right in front of the cathedral. There were anti-war protestors in DC yesterday. This is the second bomb threat in the area this week. It's ironic how violent anti war people really are.

Anyway, we went to the monastery and it was lovely. The singing was done by the Suspicious Cheese Lords. I've wanted to hear them for some time and they're great. They will be singing at the monastery for all the Holy Week services. Rocky later said that he thought the tenebrae service at the monatery was actually better than the one at St. Matthews. Tonight we're going to the Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Rita's.

Happy Holy Week.

Holy Week begins

I saw this picture on Terry Nelson's Abbey Roads blog. He somehow finds photos of the most magnificent statues of Jesus. I don't know where this is or when it was made but I suspect it's Spanish. Although it is not bruised or scarred enough to be realistic it does show a bruise under Our Lord's eye that corresponds with what is shown in the Shroud of Turin. Nice touch.

Pope pic

No particular reason for posting this except that seeing our dear Papa makes me happy.

An unpleasant fact: Obama's preacher man aint all that unusual

A number of sweet, innocent and decent hearted people are shocked because it looks like Barrack Obama's preacher, Jerimiah Wright hates white people and America in general. They wonder how Obama could sit in that church for 20 years unless he agrees with Wright. Well, I don't know what's in Obama's head but I can tell you this: Rev. Wright's views (thank you Fr. Philip for posting this on your most excellent blog) are actually pretty common. Visit a black Protestant church and you'll probably hear something similar. Perhaps it will be a little bit more polite or perhaps it will have more oratorical flourishes but it will be essentially the same. Rev. Wright was formed in the pre Civil Rights era. He's probably seen some bad stuff in his day and bears the scars.

I remember going to an AME Zion service back in 2003 (I had to, the church was founded by my ancestors and my family was there for our reunion and it was the last time I went to a non Catholic church on Sunday) and the preacher spoke about the wickedness of America and how God would punish us because poor Saddam Hussein's sons were dead. He also bemoaned the fact that so many black boys were in jail. I wanted to stand up and say "Hey Rev! What about all the black women who have been raped, robbed and killed by those black "boys". Don't we count for anything? Or are we supposed to take being victimized and not call the police?" I didn't want to cause a problem with my family so I remained in cowardly silence. It wasn't my best moment. Perhaps I should have gotten up and gone outside or perhaps, like my cousins who had white spouses and were warned that things might get uncomfortable during the service; I should've simply should have made and excuse and not gone at all that morning.

I still remember listening to my mother's people applauding and shouting "Amen" and realizing how different I was my own kin. Don't be surprised at Rev. Wright. His damn America sermon was probably one his more mild ones. So what's the answer to this? The usual: love, patience, mercy, tolerance (real tolerance--- not ignoring ugliness) and facing up to reality. The racial situation in America is not as bad as it used to be but it's not pink ponies and rainbows either.

May God have mercy on his soul

It looks like Archbishop Bishop Paulos Faraj Raho of Mosul has been murdered by the filthy scum who kidnapped him.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10

some times my fellow Catholics embarrass me

A nun has actually petitioned the UN to help get a pedophile -- a man who found sexual satisfaction in forcing himself on a nine year old girl--released from prison. You can read the about this disgusting development here.

Can you imagine St. Therese asking that child rapist be released? She'd pray for his convesion and final repentence but released? Released to rape again? Never.

If this nun is a typical Sister of Mercy then the order needs to be destroyed because this is not at all what the foundress, Venerable Catherine Elizabeth McAuley had in mind.

old sins

My parish, the most wonderful parish in Virginia is having a mission this week. Tonight is the last night. The priest leading it, is from Connecticut and he's a very fine speaker and confessor. Two nights ago while listening to him talk I remembered an old sin. I'd already confessed it long ago but on this night it suddenly hit me how pathetic it was. I didn't mean to wound the heart of Christ when I committed this particular sin--- far from it. I was able to compartmentalize God in those days and I just wanted to be like all the other "sophisticated" girls.

The people she hangs around with, the books and magazines a girl reads can be deadly.

Thank God for His mercy! A year or so later He arranged for Rocky and I to meet and my life has been amazing ever since. God has been very gentle with me all these years.

Mormon weirdness

Two Mormon missionaries descecrated a shrine. Great way to advertise for your faith guys and taking pictures of yourselves was just the icing on your rotten cake.

The trouble with Mormon missionaries, besides the whacky theology they're peddling, is that they are mostly just boys who have never seen or heard of anything outside their own little insular culutre.

The years of 18 to 20 are the dumb years and I can't say that I'm surprised. Considering the stinking crap that's been force fed to these guys for their whole lives it's no big shocker that it backed up and spewed out for the world to see.

Don't marry him!

Just because you are pregnant. Years ago couples did the shot gun wedding thing all the time. Sometimes it worked out. Usually it was a recipe for household hell. If you don't want your child to be a bastard don't have sex outside of wedlock.

Don't marry a last chance man. Women's fertility is finite. The feminists lied to you, sweetie. We bloom like roses and then decline. By the time you hit your 30s there aren't too many more shopping days until Christmas so to speak. Don't pick a man just because you want him to be a stud. Studs usually move on to other females and you may find that settling for a man because he's your last chance to be a mother is more than you ever bargained for. Besides, it's unfair to the man. You should marry a guy because he's the one, not because he's pleasant enough, has a job,is good with kids and has working parts.

Don't marry because you're lonely. Figure out why you are alone or embrace it but don't misuse the sacrament.

Don't marry for sex.

Dedicated to Fr. Francis Mary Stone

Thou Art A Priest Forever
To live in the midst of the world, without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family, yet belonging to none;
To share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets; to heal all wounds;
To go from men to God and offer Him their Prayers;
To return from God to men; to bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity;
To teach and to pardon, console and bless always--
What a glorious life! And it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!
Author unknown

We need you Fr. Get back to work!

Pray for our priests!

Nobody seems to care much in the Western media but Catholic Archbishop Faraj Rahho was kidnapped in that suburb of hell, currently known as Iraq. I don't even want to think about what this poor man is suffering right now.

Our priests are under constant physical, mental and spiritual attack from the evil one. Some fall on the battlefield.

Jesus, Savior of the world, sanctify Thy priests and sacred ministers.

. . . . You must never forget that priests are, and that they remain, men.
God does not perform a miracle to wrest them from the human state.
The priesthood does not of itself give a person the power to do everything or to excel in everything. It is important to remember this lest you fall into a very old error . . . that of dehumanizing the priesthood and consequently of setting the priest outside of ordinary life.
That does great harm for by thus isolating him, as unbelievers do, to the exclusive realm of ceremonies . . . he is deprived in good part of his reason for being. If men refuse to pass through him, he no longer can be, at least fully, their mediator.

Cardinal Suhard

Happy Anniversary Rocky

On Saturday Rocky and I will celebrate 20 years together. It's really funny. I can't believe it's been that long.


Happy Anniversary to my own very perfect knight. The one guy who ever caused me to hearZing Went the Strings of My Heart in my head.

William F. Buckley

William F. Buckley died. When I was a kid I used to watch him on Firing Line and I was dazzled by his brilliance and his total ease with that brilliance. He wasn't showing off. He didn't need to. The man was just that smart. When I was a teenager I began reading National Review. It was one of the messy ingredients that went it the stew of ideas that shaped who I am now. Mr. Buckley's beloved wife, Pat died late last year. I didn't think he'd last very long after her passing.

A number of Catholic blogs have commented that Buckley dissented from Humanae Vitae but none of them had a link to what he actually said. If Buckley did dissent in public. I can imagine why. Think back to 1968, and what Catholics were seeing. Suddenly their Mass was gone. Suddenly priests were making fun of them for saying the rosary. Suddenly there was no more Adoration. Suddenly the priests weren't wearing cassocks and the nuns weren't wearing habits. If you complained you were called old fashioned and disloyal. A lot of people became bitter. Others left the Church or sought solace with SSPX. So...........then Humanae Vitae hit the press. And I guess it must have seemed like a slap in the face to lay people. Everything has changed but you married people and you alone must stay the same. Humanae Vitae was the right idea but it came to press at an inopportune time. So I can imagine that even serious Catholics were confused and mad.

May Mr. Buckley rest in peace.

reaping what was sown

Catholics are no longer the biggest denomination in the United States. We've been supplanted by the Evangelicals. Clearly a lot of people have lost their faith. Some left due to the homosexual pedohplile scandal but I'll bet that was just the final straw for many of those folks. There has been crashingly poor teaching and preaching from Catholic ambos as a norm for decades now.

All the kids who were taught that Jesus is their buddy and that the Mass is just a symbolic meal had no roots at all and when hard times came they blew away. We have nuns who wear earrings, and would throw a fit before they wear a habit. We have priests who have no problem openly defying the pope, publicly saying that there were no biblical miracles, publicly saying that Jesus didn't know who He was, publicly saying that gay sex is okay or at least aint so bad..... no wonder the Church in the USA is in the state it's in. If you persecute good and holy priests and promote the hard eyed, crafty and politically correct what else can you expect? If you allow the seminaries to become gay playpens then don't act surprised if normal men leave and tell their friends and brother not to try their vocations. If you drive the good and holy nuns out of their convents and disgust any devout young woman who shows up for vocation week, then don't be surprised if your order dies (Having said that some ---okay, quite a few orders need to die out, by the way).

If they have no good and holy priest or nun to see day after day what can the people do but lose hope, faith and trust. The bishops of our country have only reaped what too many of them sowed.

a tragedy in England

A 31 year old woman aborted her twins and then hanged herself. She only had the abortion to please her boyfriend. Abortion is a filthy business and nobody walks away from one untainted. It kills the baby of course, but it kills the woman too, sometimes physically, as in this tragic case, but always spiritually.


Say a prayer for Emma Beck, God's mercy is infinite. Hopefully, she's either with her children now or will see them soon after her time in Purgatory is done.

i did a dumb, dumb thing

My medical records from when I was in the hospital arrived yesterday. I was going to send them to my doctor but started leafing through the packet. It was actually interesting; almost like watching a surgery on the Discovery channel and then I turned a page and found the section on my baby. The headline said Product of Conception and it was the pathologist's report. I read one or two sentences and couldn't read anymore. My face was burning but the rest of my skin was cold and tingled like frost nip, and I felt as if I was going to vomit or faint. I tottered to the bedroom, fell into bed and staid there until I felt that I could stand and walk again. Unfortunately Rocky was home when this all happened and was very concerned about me. I wish he hadn't seen me like that. I feel better but the aftershock, for lack of a better word is still there. I think I'll take it easy this weekend and spend a little extra time in prayer.


John Mary Thomas, my little treasure in Heaven, pray for us.

Psst. You probably won't be able to get tickets to the pope's Mass

I just saw in my parish bulletin that we have to call the office and add our names to the ticket lottery if we want to attend the Papal Mass in DC. Tickets will be given to individuals, not families or groups so if I get a ticket there is no gaurantee that Rocky will get one. Nuts. I will simply content myself with standing on the street and waving or maybe I'll just watch on EWTN. Oh well.

a word to Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama said something that made me very sad. For the first time in her life she's proud of her country. Michelle, sweetie, darling. What the flip is wrong with you? You and your husband live in a home finer than the one my great grandmother and possibly yours used to go clean back in the 50s. Your children go to a private school. You wear high fashion clothes and probably haven't seen the inside of a Wal-Mart in 20 years, if ever. Your kids have probably never even seen a rat, felt a bedbug's bite and will never know anyone who died of TB. They've never had to empty a chamber pot or gather wood like my mother did. No-one even thought of slicing up their genitalia, a normal everyday thing in many African countries. You got to marry Barry because you wanted him, and not because your dad threatened to kill you if you didn't. You appear to be content in the marriage unlike millions of Indian, Aboriginal women, Muslim women from a bunch of different countries and Black African women who are living in hell each day with their masters/husbands. You got to go to college instead of leaving school in the 4th grade because you were needed in the cotton fields like my granny. 

 Your life is sweeter and softer than that of Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great or Victoria. How can you not look at Africa and the Caribbean-- especially Haiti and not thank God on your very knees that you are American? I don't get it. I don't want to get it either. Michelle is there any country on the face of this earth that has allowed black people to live as well as we do here in the USA? God knows there is racism in America, Rocky and I have been stared at as if we were dragons at more than one parish although I have to say that the worst experience was at a Hispanic parish, not an all white one---but I'd rather be here than any other place on earth. 

Sunday

Since it's Lent we usually try to add more church related activities to our routine. We went to Adoration at St. Mary's in Old Town, Alexandria. The priest there said the Divine Mercy chaplet so fast I could barely keep up. Since he didn't leap up to run to the bathroom afterwards I assume he's just speedy.

Last night we went to our own parish and attended a lecture given by the PV, Fr. Scalia on the beatitudes. That was quite good. I confess that I've always had a tiny bit of a problem with the beatitudes cause I've never fully understood what poor in spirit means, I don't want to be meek, and I'd hate for anyone to describe me as docile but Fr. Scalia carefully explained to us all that poor in spirit means quite simply to acknowlege that we are nothing without God. Our next breath, the car, the house, the 6 figure job---all that comes from God. The devil would not own up to his dependence on God and so today do the proud and haughty who food themselves by thinking they have it all together and don't need God or that God should be pleased to have such a prize as them.

Fr. then went on to explain that meekness is not mealey mouthed mascochism. Meekness is the ability to realize that you don't know everything about God and the Faith and that you need to be taught. Fr. talked about "Blessed are those who mourn" and reminded us that we should be able to mourn for our sins and those of the whole world. The person who can't even bring themselves to be sorry for their sins will never ask for forgiveness. The person who proudly states that yeah he made some mistakes but heck, he lives his life HIS way is the same guy who leaves wives, children and a slew of emotional wreckage behind him as he moves through life. We could all do with a little bit more "Catholic guilt" and a lot less of "I'm okay, you're okay."


We always enjoy Father's lectures and we're both looking forward to next week.

It's Friday so don't forget to say the Stations of the Cross

You can find the Stations with reflections from Mother Angelica here






You can here it prayed here








Here is a beautiful Station of the Cross from the Cathedral of Mary, Our Queen in Baltimore.

Obama gives me the creeps

I haven't cared too much about politics because frankly, I believe God rewards or punishes the nations with the leaders He allows us to have. I never could've voted for Romney becuase I can't vote for a man who believes he's going to be a god one day. That's the original lie that Satan told Eve. "Ye shall be as God,". I've met several nice Mormons but so what? The bottom line is what they believe and that aint Christianity.

Now Obama has a positively messianic vibe going on and it gives me the creeps. When I talk to other women about him they act like he's Elvis or as hot as Bear Grylls. It's been said that American women vote for their fantasy man. They either pick the ideal daddy, (Ike, Reagan) or the dream lover, (JFK, Clinton). I guess it's too late to repeal the 19th ammendment----just kidding---maybe. But back to Obama. When I read an Obama quote like this:

We are the hope of the future; the answer to the cynics who tell us our house must stand divided; that we cannot come together; that we cannot remake this world as it should be.Because we know what we have seen and what we believe - that what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored; that will not be deterred; that will ring out across this land as a hymn that will heal this nation, repair this world, and make this time different than all the rest - Yes. We. Can.

And when I see stuff like this:

I am once again reminded how Hitler came to power in a country full of smart, sophisticated people. I mean, damn, somebody cue the little German boy to start singing "Tommorow belongs to me."

a few days away

Rocky and I went to Charles City, Virginia for a few days to celebrate my birthday. We hiked at the Lake Harrison Fish Hatchery, watched a red tailed hawk swoop down and carry away one of the fish, visited the Pamunkey Indian reservation and museum and saw where Chief Powhattan (the father of poor Pochahantas) is buried. We saw of flock of Turkey vultures flying low above us and about ten does. We also prayed at the Poor Clare Convent in Barhamsville.

Saturday we went to West Point, Virginia and attended Mass at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. It was a fine Mass. The priest was a missionary from Holland. He was 85 but gave the most fiery homily I've ever heard this side of Fr. Corapi. The people at Blessed Sacrament was very pleasant. None seemed shocked to see us and the folks we spoke to seemed happy we were there. They have Perpetual Adoration which is always a sign of a good parish. We may go to Williamsburg or Jamestown today or we may go back to West Point. It's so great to be alive and on a trip with Rocky.

Thank you St. Bernadette
St. Therese
St. Joan
Fr. Vincent Cappadono
St. Pio
Archbishop Sheen
St. JoseMaria Escriva
St. Rita

ash wednesday

This morning I went to the 8 AM Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Fr. Caulfield, who looks all of 15, was the celebrant and he was wonderful. It's so good seeing a priest who really loves the Mass and who gives a instructional homily. I love Lent. Some people are surprised by that but think about it: for the next 40 days we have a precious chance to get closer to God. How can you not be excited about that?

Here's the most moving piece of Lenten reading I've ever found. The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The whole book can be read and wept over here :


God bless you all, and may this Lent bring you just a little closer to Heaven.

Ah shucks... I'm rated E

E for Excellent. Thank you to Vir Speluncae Catholicus, a true gentleman and Marine-- of The Lair of Catholic Cavemen for nominating me. The rules of the E awards are that I have to pass the joy to ten other bloggers. That's easy. Behold:

Dawn Patrol

Curt Jester

Lair of the Catholic Cavemen I know they already have the award but they deserve it.

The Cafeteria is Closed

Tea at Triannon A beautiful blog. I read it everyday and enjoy it so much.

Catholic Mom of Ten Astonishingly good.

Damian Thompson

The Bride and the Dragon

Saintly Salamagundi Fr. Sibley doesn't blog anymore but this was the best blog by a priest ever. Period.

Off the Record

Make me want to cry (When will the 60s finally die?)

You don't know...

You don't know how to ease my pain...

You cheat, you lie....

You make me want to cryyyyyyyyyyyyy (and kick somebody's butt)

I saw the above pic and then read about this abomination on the Catholic Church Conservation blog and I felt that I really could cry. Then I got mad. I'd like to ask the priest who celebrated this Mass two questions: Does he believe in the Real Presence and does he love Jesus, even just a little bit? After looking at these pictures I don't think he does.

The devil is the ape of God

The devil longed to be equal to God but all he can do is imitate, like a monkey. At Lourdes, Fatima and Beauraing there were false appartions designed to confuse and distract the Faithful. I happen to thing Medjugorje is a false apparition but I've said that before and this isn't a Medj. post.

A few days ago clergy members, (no Catholics, thank the sweet Lord, Jesus) gathered to bless an abortion clinic. One poor deluded preacher actually called the abortion clinic "sacred ground". Sacred ground? Sacred to whom? Certainly not God. Heaven weeps at the sight of the slaughter of the innocents. This spectacle was nothing more than the devil attempting to imitate the holy and using his servants (witting or unwitting) to do it.

Too little, too late.

The LA diocese is selling its headquarters. Too little and way too damned late.

The Jesuits did as expected

Apparently the new head of the Jesuits is cut from the same cloth as Fr. Arupe was. All I can do is shrug my shoulders. There is a tiny glimmer of hope for the order. Once the Baby Boomer generation starts the Great Die Off, younger men can take over but, and this is a big but; will there be younger men? Should there be younger men? Maybe the order should die out. When salt no longer does it's job you through it out. Just a thought.

And now word about Football........

As expected the Patriots (yuck, ick, poo!) are going to the Superbowl and the Giants will be the sacrificial lambs. I was torn all through the Giant/Packers game because I love Brett Farve but I really wanted Eli Manning to do well too. Eli's taken a lot of crap from the media so he deserves to be where he is now. Boy, I wish they could beat the Pats.....

Martin Luther King Day Mass

My childhood parish St. Augustine is having its annual MLK Day Mass tommorow. Although I'm thankful for all MLK did--- people forget how horrible daily life was for black people when my parents were young; but I'm not happy about this at all. MLK was not Catholic and not a saint. He was about as faithful to his wife as JFK was to his, which is to say, not at all. A Mass in his honor seems um.... silly.

Because He loves me!

I saw this picture on the super awesome and frequently funny Abbey Roads2 blog and was struck. So many crucifixes are too pretty. They try to show Our Lord's serene acceptance and His majesty but they make Him look physically too healthy and the cross appears to be a mere annoyance. Not this one. This artist, whoever he was, shows what a scourging looked like and reminds us that Our Lord loved us so much that He willingly embraced and indeed even desired to suffer the worst death known to mankind at that time. Thisugly sight is beautiful because it is a picture of perfect love, love that most of us can't even grasp in our finite minds.

Dear Jesus, let me not forget what I cost You.....

Never, no more

Sigh. As I've said before, I love fashion. I see no reason why a modest, serious Catholic woman has to go around with a unibrow, yellowed fuzzy knee socks, dirty clogs, and a shapeless plaid jumper with baby stains on it in public. Folks, Catholic women can look good. St. Elizabeth, Blessed Zellie and St. Gianna were attractive females who made their husbands proud to be with them.

But anyway.......up until today, one of my favorite little treats was to cuddle up on the couch with a copy of Vogue magazine. But that's over. Vogue has forgotten that it's just a fashion magazine and has done a lavish, adoring article promoting partial birth abortion, one of the foulest, most vicious crimes to ooze out of a doctor's mind since the WWII Nazi "experiments". I'll never buy Vogue again.

The Pope is coming!

The DC Diocese has finally gotten somewhat on the ball and has a website on the Holy Father's visit to DC. They still have no information on how to get tickets to the Mass but I'll be there if I have to stand in the parking lot or climb a fence.

Joy Behar

Joy is a silly woman but you know who's worse? The women who sit around watching her show on a daily basis. The View is even more disgusting than Oprah and that's saying something because I'd rather drink castor oil laced with garlic than spend one second watching Oprah fling her swill.

Seriously, there are better uses for your time. Go back to work. Take a class at the community college, clean under the couch, attempt to teach the dog to read, trim your husband's nose hair, decorate your pig's pen....... anything's got to better than The View!

On the last day of Christmas my true love

and I went to Mass, of course. It was at St. Rita's and Fr. Donahue gave his usual sterling homily. After Mass I got to thinking about all the silly fads that have swept the church during my lifetime. Remember the old hippie cantor strumming tunelessly on a guitar? Remember those stupid burlap banners and acting out the gospel at the kiddie Mass? Remember Fr. telling jokes and even cursing on occasion in order to be "relevant"? Remember Sr. reading the Gospel?Ugh!


Communion in the hand is one of those unfortuneate fads. I know it's permitted but I don't feel good about it. No-one should touch the Host but the priest (Eucharistic Ministers are a lousy developement and have become such a powerful group that woe to the priest who tries to get rid of them in his parish.). On the fabulous Carolina Cannonball blog there is a brilliant post on this subject. Communion in the hand doesn't contribute to reverence of the Blessed Sacrament, allows for abuses--- people pocketing Jesus for later consumption as if our God was a snack, people taking the Host home, people sharing the Host with friends---- and I don't see any good that has come from it. God bless, this bishop for speaking up for the Holy Eucharist.

The Jesuits

The Jesuits are about to elect a new head of the order. Read the fascinating details on this worthy blog. Frankly, I think that a suppression or a major reorganization is in order. Yes there are good Jesuits, like Fr. Hardon of blessed memory and Fr. Pacwa but for the most part if you hear something looney/blasphemous from the pulpit or you walk into a parish where the Mass is celebrated in such a way that you wonder if it's really a Catholic church, chances are you're dealing with Jesuits.

Happy Feast of the Ephinany. Here's a meme....

This meme was stolen from Fr. R. at Orthometer

1. Do you wear a name tag at work? No!

2. What kind of car do you drive? Don't drive and the world is grateful.

3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? Three soft tacos, no sauce.

4. Have you ever had a garage sale? No.

5. What color is your iPod? Don't have one.

What kind of dog do you have? Don't have one but I'm working on it.

7. What's for dinner tonight? Nutrisystem.

What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? Cherry martini.

9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Well, I've lost it a couple of times.

10. Last time you were sick? November.

11. How long is your hair? Shoulder length.

12. Are you happy right now? Yes.

13. What did you say last? I'm okay, Rocky.

14. Who came over last? Mammy.

15. Do you drink beer? No, it's nasty tasting.

16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? Only child.

17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys? Shiny pink charm.

18. What did you get for graduation? Can't remember.

19. Whats in your pocket? Lent, change and reciepts.

20. Who introduced you to Dane Cook? Eh?

.21. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? No.

22. What DVD is in your DVD player? Christmas withth Trap Family.

23. What's something fun you did today? Ate peanut butter out of the jar

24. Who is/was the principal of your high school? Sr. Marcella Scully, rest in peace.

25. Has your house ever been TP'd? No. Didn't grow up in that kind of neighborhood.

26.What do you think of when you hear the word "meow"? Hello Kitty!

27. What are you listening to right now? Maria Von Trapp singing.

28. Drinking? Nothing.

29. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? Cosmetics.


30. When is your mom's birthday? Feb. 1

31. When is your birthday? Feb 9.

32. What's the area code for your cell phone? 703

33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now? I'm not wearing a shirt.

34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? No! That's tacky.

35. How many states in the US have you been to? Five?

36. What kind of milk do you drink? Skim.

37. What are you going to do after this? Fool around on the computer.

38. Who was the last person you went shopping with? Mammy.
39. What is your favorite fruit? Apples.

40. What about your favorite dessert? Cream cheese pound cake.

41. What is something you need to go shopping for? A terry cloth robe.

42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? No.

43. What kind of car does one of your siblings drive? Only child.

44. Do you like pickles? Yes.

45. How about olives? NO!

46. What is your favorite kind of gum? No gum! It makes you look like a cow chewing her curd.

47. What is your favorite kind of juice? Cranberry.

48. Do you have any tan lines? Certainly not.

.49. What hospital were you born in? Georgetown University Hospital.

This is not a good thing

According to PewSitter and the New York Times the Hispanic Quinceañera Mass custom is taking root among American Catholics. This is not a good thing. In theory the quiceanera sounds sweet but as many high school teachers can tell you in practice it usually means one thing: the girl is a woman now and so she can quit school, start having sex and get pregnant out of wedlock. This is why many priests have simply refused to say the quince Mass.

Not all customs from the old country are worth keeping.

Rest in peace.

The world's longest serving priest passed away on Christmas day. Eternal grant unto him, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and remember, it's the Solemnity of the Mother of God so get your butt to Mass!

Tony Blair

As every blogging Catholic knows by now, Tony Blair was recieved into the Church. I feel ambivalent. I'd be happier if he'd done it while he was still Prime Minister--that would've been a real act of swashbuckling guts, but so be it. A lot of people are disturbed because while he was in power Blair was pro abortion, pro killing babes in embryo (stem cell experiments) and pro gay rights. He has not publicly repented these public sins. Other people feel that since so many of us are lousy Catholics anyway we can't criticize Tony. I don't know.

Does his conversion help the Church or does it confirm the cynical belief that our prelates have one law for us common folk and quite another set for the stars. Damian Thompson has this sharp post and Mark Gordon has this to say. I'm reminded of what Kathy Shaidle posted when Pavarotti died.

Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea

Rocky and I went to Baltimore yesterday. We got married in a civil ceremony there 19 years ago--- we were impatient young things and weren't willing to bother with Pre-Cana or the Gordian Knot of his family's disapproval---- and were married in Church a little while later------- so the dirty old town has sentimental value to us.

Baltimore is a rough place. If you go, stay in the tourist areas. Do not take the public bus, especially if you are white or just don't look like a local. Having said that there are many lovely sights and experiences in Bmore if you're careful. We visited the St. Jude Shrine, Holy Cross Church, the Baltimore Basilica, Lexington Market and went to the vigil Mass at St. Mary's Star of the Sea in South Baltimore.

The church is very old and was built by Irish immigrants. Most of it survived the 60s. The main altar is gone and so is what I guess was once the St. Joseph altar which was replaced by a rather drab little box on an ugly plaster pedestal containing the Blessed Sacrament. It made me so sad because nobody stopped to genuflect or visit Our Lord before or as far as I could see, after Mass. The cantors bowed to the altar but ignored the Blessed Sacrament. Moving Jesus to side chapels or even out of the building all togethter was a terrible mistake.

The Mass itself was celebrated in a solid manner. The elderly lector was excellent. The cantors were typically annoying, they butchered the Gloria and the Santus and good grief --it's Mass ladies, not a concert. We're here for Jesus, not you. Both sang beautifully but nobody in the pews joined in because it was too hard to follow. It would be like trying to play football with Peyton Manning--- you'd look and feel like a fool.

The parishioners were very friendly. South Baltimore doesn't get too many black people walking around but no-one seemed the slightest bit surprised to see us. They were really nice folks, especially the old sacristan and his sweet wife.

The priest fascinated me. He's the pastor of THREE churches. After Mass he had just 20 minutes to get his vestments off and trot two or three blocks to another parish to say Mass there. We looked at his schedule in the parish bulletin and were amazed. It's definitely an assignment for a young priest because he does a lot of running. The sight of one priest pastoring three parishes and having no parochial vicar made Rocky sad.

After that we left Baltimore and went to Columbia to look at the drive through Christmas light display.

There's somebody else I have to thank everytime I go to a Tridentine Mass

Go here, to read a wonderful poem by the terrfic blogger : Long Skirts


Long-Skirts: MERCI MARCEL

and the word became flesh and dwelt among us

Merry Christmas!

J.K. Rowling took you for a fool oh Christian Harry Potter fan

When a smiling J.K. Rowling announced that Dumbledore was gay a lot of people twisted themselves into pretzels to defend her, the character and the series. Regina Dorman has written an interesting essay in defense of Dumbledore.

Regina is a talented writer but honestly, I'm tired of this......... Can't people just accept the fact that Rowling played them for fools? Gee whiz, stop drinking the Kool-Aid . Please note that Rowling Did Not out Dumbledore until after the last book was published and the millions had already rolled in.

Two priests who need our prayers

*I was born at night but it wasn't last night so I don't believe a word of this.





*Remember the priest who went jogging naked? Well he's about to have his day in court......... The fact that guys like this got ordained in the first place is a tragedy.

Fr. Coyle, martyr of the South, pray for us.

Rocky and I sometimes joke that accept in places like New York and Maryland it's almost impossible to just drive around and happen to come upon a Catholic church. Our churches are usually on side streets or tucked away down a long road. Our joke is that for Pete's sake the KKK is not riding the hills and valleys anymore but we both know that at one time in this country being Catholic could get you killed or discriminated against and it was prudent to not build a Catholic church on the main street. That's why old churches in the South are discretely tucked away. The story of martyred Fr. Coyle is a reminder of those ugly days.

Don't forget Fr. Francis Mary of EWTN

I think it's safe to assume that he won't be coming back to Life on the Rock and that's perfectly sensible but the important thing---- the absolutely vital thing is the state of his vocation. The story has died down now but please don't forget him. He must be terribly sad right now. Imagine being a priest and not being part of your church's daily life. He must miss saying Mass something awful. Let's keep praying for him.

happiness

*I spent some time reading the Family of the Americas website and I am studying their book. I'll be talking to one of their instructors via phone tommorow and I feel hopeful that I'll be able to master this method. I'm going to back it up with this.

*Our pastor has been ill for weeks and last night for the vigil Mass he was able to be the celebrant. Rocky and I were thrilled to see him back in action. After Mass he gave us both a blessing and I was greatly comforted. We gave the Frs. a capon for Christmas and they were amazed at the size of the thing. They were even more amazed when I told them what capon is.

*At home I felt good enough to attempt Christmas baking. I'm not going to produce my usual amount of cakes this year but a few people are getting goodies. All in all, it was a happy Saturday.

*Golden Compass is a bomb. One it's boring, two it has Nicole Kidman in it which is never a good sign and it's anti-Catholic crap. This stinker will be headed straight to video faster than you can say, "See I told you so."

My patron saint for 2008

is...... St. Jose Maria Escriva. I find that funny because it was an Opus Dei priest who got me to come back to going to to Mass when I drifted in college and it was in the Opus Dei run Catholic Information Center library in DC that I found a treasure trove of solid Catholic books which inspired me. St. Jose Maria was a no-nonsense kick butt sort of saint. This should be an interesting year spiritually.


Thank you, Angela Messenger for coordinating the saint for the year project.

I am the Immaculate Conception

Those were the words Our Lady of Lourdes gave St. Bernadette in answer to the little saint's querry as to who she was.

Yesterday Rocky and I went to the 2 PM Tridentine Mass in honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Rita's. Fr. Scalia and a visiting priest celebrated the Mass. Frl Scalia's homily was spot on as usual. Davd Alexander of the Man with a Black Hat blog and his lovely friend Sal (she's a lady) sat two pews in front of us but I didn't introduce mysefl. One because I'm shy and two because I dislike chit chat in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

The altar boys were amazing. The church was packed with young people and kids. There were a wide array of veils on display. Mine was cherry red and Rocky is quite fond of it.

I felt pretty good but was exhausted when we got home. I was absolutely wiped out and sore.

Was Shakespere actually St. Edmund Campion?

This website proposes a theory that doesn't seem so wild once you read her arguments. I am pretty sure that Shakespeare, was Catholic but if he could've actually been one of England's greatest saints too..... Alas, we'll never know for sure this side of Eternity. http://www.shakespeareunmasked.com/default.htm

Oh dear... this is most appalling

I sympathize with many people who go to SSPX Masses. I actually have bought books from Angelus Press and I enjoyed watching the online catechism taught by Fr. Daniel Cooper and Bishop Fellay seems like a cautious and sensible man but Bishop Williamson makes me cringe.

As long as he's the "face" of the SSPX and says things like this the entire worthy Trad movement will have an image problem. Could someone persaude Williamson to take an extended retreat to a nice, cozy hermitage in Pantagonia or South Dakota?

Crushed and anxious

We went to the Vigil Mass at St. Rita's last night. It was my first day back and it was hard. Mass was wonderful, the homily was well thought out and darn near magnificent but I felt crushed. I guess it was the sight of four adorable little kids sitting in the pew in front of us. I was exhausted, and had been worrying myself about the inevitable conversation I am going to have with my gynecologist. She's not Catholic and will probably argue that I'll need to go on the Pill on some other contraceptive method. I know that it would be dangerous for me get pregnant again even as late as January or February and frankly the idea is enough to make me feel like an anxiety attack is coming on. I'm not a fan of NFP and don't look forward to sitting through a class with some gooey, grinning instructor.......... Drat it all.


St. Dymphna, my dear patron please pray for your namesake.
John Mary Thomas, pray for your mom, darling.

Not this crap again

Sooner or later this Advent I'm going to hear the "Joseph and Mary were illegal immigrants/homeless so it's a sin to be worried about the 50 increasingly as the day goes on, drunk or sexually suggestive guys standing at the day labor lot next to your office or to rush past the hulking young man who's demanding a dollar from you after Mass," argument.

Crap.

First off, Joseph was not an addict who has consumed all the family's money. Nor was he insane and in need of medical care. He and Mary were on their way to Bethelehem to pay his taxes. Bethehem was a one horse town then and it was full of people doing the same thing.

A few years ago Rocky and I were traveling through Blacksburg, Virginia. We were tired and decided to spend the night at a hotel. Alas, Virginia Tech was playing a football game that weekend and there wasn't a hotel room available for a 50 mile radius. That didn't make us homeless, it made us out of luck, hotel wise.

Second, Joseph and Mary were not entering Egypt illegally to work. They fled to Egypt to avoid Herod, yes but they were not technically refugees. Egypt belonged to the Roman empire as did most of the known world. As Roman citizens they were free to go anywhere in the empire. In the face of Roman power Egypt's borders meant nothing.

Third, Joseph and Mary did not bring any social problems to Egypt. They did not demand that their Egyptian neighbors speak Hebrew or Aramaic to them. They certainly didn't demand that the Roman soldiers speak something other than Latin. They did not get onto the Egyptian welfare system, had there been such a thing.

Using the Holy Family to push a political agenda is wrong. Illegal immigrants are working for substandard wages, in often shameful conditions. Creating a permanent underclass of 30 million people who we only want to do our hard work for us is unAmerican and will come back to bite us all. Perhaps it would be best if that day comes sooner rather than later. In the mean time let's not use the Holy Family as slogans.