Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Text Messaging Pope?

Hey, it has been TOO LONG since I posted! I have been trying to stay away from the things that make me angry. So here is somthing that makes me excited!

We can sign-up to get daily thoughts from things that the Pope says, writes, exc! Here take a look. I am sad that it costs $.30/message, that is $9-$9.30/month. I don't have that much right now! Though if I did I would SO get this. It is being offered by Verizon Wireless (that is my carrier). Lets see if I can stop myself from signing up for it even though I cannot afford it! :)

Other carriers will be following!

Here for quick reference, if you want to start this service with Verizon Wireless just text to 24444 that says "POPE ON" and to end it send one that says "POPE OFF".

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Our Parent Who Art in Heaven?!

You HAVE to be joking me! Here is some information from our friend Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio.

Here is a paragraph from this story

"To call God “Father” does not mean to say, of course, that he is an old man with a white beard. Only the second person of the Blessed Trinity wedded himself to a male human nature in the womb of Mary. The Father and the Holy Spirit are pure Spirit and transcend male and female, masculine and feminine (CCC 239). This is no new insight brought to Christianity by the feminist movement. It has always been taught that the word “Father” applied to God is used by way of analogy. Analogies tell us something very true despite being imperfect. Until recently, the father was recognized by Western society as origin, head and provider of the family. To call the first person of the Trinity “Father” means that he is the origin and transcendent authority of all and cares for the needs of all."

Friday, July 27, 2007

Revisiting "Why is everyone always picking on me?"

It may be clear why everyone is picking on ME... it is because I can be short, annoying, and stupid! However, I am not sure I was these things when writting this artical. Alhough I do have to admit that I may have taken the writter's words out of context! It was SO very wonderful for a Mr. Jim Curley to post a comment defending a writer that he as published and his publishing house Requiem Press.

So I went back and read it again...

I did speak harshly about the artical, I did not ensure the link was working (fixed now BTW), I allowed my judgment on the artical to be bent by other articals I was reading, and I failed to wait to post the comments till I read more about what this newspaper puts out... So here, I am revisiting the artical in saying that I was too harsh on the artical. I also want to take a moment to indicate that I REALLY should have looked at the other articals from the site that posted this one and there would NOT have had to write this second artical! LOL The posting was from the Arlington Catholic Herald, and it is really cool. You can even order prints from pics that were placed in this newspaper!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Why is everyone always picking on me?

OK, well this not not people picking on me, but my Pope! What did he ever do to them? Was it like this with JPII? It seems everything he does someone has to complain about, and complain, and complain... Do these people NOT have anything better to talk about. (I guess not since I am still blogging on it!)

Here is an article written by Russell Shaw. It seems he is freelance writer from Washington, D.C., and author of Catholic Laity in the Mission of the Church (Requiem Press). So with that information I think I will have to do additional checking before reading stuff from this Requiem Press... So here is my comments on the article!

"Benedict has taken the following steps: reversed important policy decisions of two of his predecessors, taken a big gamble aimed at healing a dangerous schism, reminded the world's bishops that he's boss, risked offending ecumenical dialogue partners — and then headed off cheerfully on vacation."

Well he reversed nothing... NOTHING I say. He, in my humble opinion, has fulfilled the true meaning and intent of these policies. Who said the schism he is trying to heal is "dangerous"? Any schism is dangerous to those in it, not really to the Pope himself. He did not remind THE World's bishops that he is boss, he just reminded the ones in the Roman Catholic church that we must stop thinking of the previous mass in a negative light. Since the council never condemned it... it is still a valid mass and should be allowed. Some Bishops have problems remembering that. So that is the Pope's job is to remind, forcefully if necessary. And I too would be cheerfully about vacation if everything I said "HI" there were 10 reporters right there to say that I was somehow trying to undermine the Church Christ set up by greeting someone on the street.

There are more, but I will not go into that again. I made my point of view quite clearly in a previous post. Maybe this should not bother me at all. It is just like when I was in High School, just like work, why should the rest of life be any different. There are things that some will take too far, others not far enough. It is only "cool" to speak out or against XY or Z and not AB or C. Then don't even THINK of talking bad about or making comments about MN or O! Here it is, even Catholics tend to think that it is OK to pick and chose. At this point I am ready to call it quits and just accept the stupidity of most... However, we all know we must keep going! The FIGHT to re-educate the masses MUST be done. For he is the Way the Truth and the Light. He is also the only way to heaven. So we must shout from the rooftops if we have to in order to get people back in line with the truth.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Too much time

OK, people spend too much time commenting on things that seem to be so silly to me. For example... if a Muslim stated that Mohomed was the one true profit and the Christians and Jews were wrong... would anyone be suprised? If a head rabbi stated that Jesus was nothing more than a Prophet, would any one notice? We how about if a Christian said only salivation comes from Christ? Oh, wait, that would be VERY bad. Because then we are excluding someone from our "religion" that they have first excluded them selfs! OK, well to me it seems silly for us to be debating on weather or not the Cathoic Church should pray for the Jews, specifically the conversion of the Jews.

As Christians we are COMMANDED to pray, teach, preach for the acceptance of the TRUTH. No Truth is not realitive to time and place, it is universal. As Christians we should desire that ALL come to Christ so they can go to heaven. Is the only way though the Catholic Church, well that is the only way specified; however, God is not limited by the rules he gave us. Though there is NO way to heaven outside of Christ, even the Jews will have to acknowedge this after death.

For the second point why would ANYONE be a part of something they felt was a lie? Why would one become a Christian if you did not belive that Jesus Christ came to die for your sins? No if Jesus came to die, he would want the Truth about him to remain here so people could be lead to him. That is why he had the apostles. The apostles ordained others and we recived the Caholic Church. It is the Church that was set up directly by Christ. That is why it has the fullness of the truth!

Most of the people I am close to are not Cathoic; however, I still manage to be peaceful with them. This peace does not mean I tell them that I do not think they have something lacking. They know that I love them dearly and that is why I cannot say they do not have anything missing. People may have gone back to the Bible to guess what the early chruch did for services, but they did not bother to go back and see how these services were held because they feel that the Bible is the only source of information.

The Catholic Church has the fullness of the Truth, of course you may disagree with me... that is why you would not be Caholic. If you agree with me then you are (or should become very soon) Caholic.

Here are some people who have a bit to say that I wanted to present... That is what led me on this tangent.

First, we have a question of if the Caholic Church is the only means of salvaction. Well here we have some information about what the church teaches and why the ripples are made.

Here is one man's opinion on issues that he truly does not understand! I think he does not know what the Pope's real purpose is.

Now let us not forget this guy who seems to think that the church should not try to go back to a better time, but to more heavly address today's problems. Well I am not sure if he knows... the sins of today are the same as the ones 2000 years previous. It is not that we need to address them more, but we need to change oursleves!

Last but not least, somthing on a different note. It seems an artical about the Pope commenting on a death penalty victim. Wow! These are not seen that much.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

A Return to Virginity

I ask this a lot, so what is one more time… What is wrong with this world? Why do women think men only will be interested in them if they are 5’9” weighing in at 98 lbs. Now this also includes bra cup size C and a “ghetto butte”. I am not sure how one gets this, but then again maybe silicone weighs less than fat. Women tend to believe that men will not want us unless we are quite free in giving all kinds of “pleasures”. She is also expected to be as sex-crazed as he is.

To reinforce the body shape and figure we have the marketing people at EVERY marketing company in the world! Everyone knows one of the first rules of marketing is that SEX SELLS EVERYTHING. Go ahead and tell me when the last time an ugly person sold a product? If this were true then they would not have make-up and hair designers to “fix” the person looking into the camera. Even baby products… those are never the children that “only a mother could love”. We also have the clothing designers that make clothing that make even stick figures look obese! So what chance does a 200 lb girl like me have? I guess I am not getting the guys that way!

Believe it or not there are pressures out there for ALL women in secular society to be a bit freer than she would otherwise be comfortable with. Sometimes it feels like an after school special. These situations really do happen… “Come on baby, if you loved me you would do this for me!” And then she is trapped! Of course her 15 year-old mind thinks that this feeling is “love” however, she is sadly mistaken. Then after a bit both parties move on to the next person. But why do women need to degrade her to the status of a blow-up doll? Is she just there to become a toy for the latest guy that will have her? Here is where self-knowledge and dignity come into play. I am sure if she was more confident then she could and would say NO.

So what happens? After a bit she realizes she has totally messed everything up and she turns away, or she gives in. Hopefully she has chosen to turn to something better. Now as we all know, she can never truly regain all that was lost. Once innocents are lost, it is gone. However, there is hope! We can have what is called Spiritual Virginity or is simply the idea that we are restored spiritually to the point of our innocents. How wonderful! It is not as easy as just asking for forgiveness. We have to work, with God’s Grace, to restore our mind, souls, and spirits back to a right way of thinking. This could be considered a “return to modesty.”

Here is an article by Christopher West on this topic. The topic is not exact; however, it does cover the topic at hand about restoring virginity.

St. Lawrence of Brindisi

July 21
Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and doctor of the Church
St. Lawrence of Brindisi
Caesare de Rossi was born at Brandisi, kingdom of Naples, on July 22nd. He was educated by the conventual Franciscans there and by his uncle at St. Mark's in Venice. When sixteen, he joined the Capuchins at Verona, taking the name Lawrence. He pursued his higher studies in theology, philosophy, the bible, Greek, Hebrew, and several other languages at the University of Padua. He was ordained and began to preach with great effect in Northern Italy. He became definitor general of his Order in Rome in 1596, a position he was to hold five times, was assigned to conversion work with Jews, and was sent to Germany, with Blessed Benedict of Urbino, to combat Lutheranism. They founded friaries at Prague, Vienna, and Gorizia, which were to develop into the provinces of Bohemia, Austria, and Styria. At the request of Emperor Rudolf II, Lawrence helped raise an army among the German rulers to fight against the Turks, who were threatening to conquer all of Hungary, became its chaplain, and was among the leaders in the Battle of Szekesfehevar in 1601; many attributed the ensuing victory to him. In 1602, he was elected Vicar General of the Capuchins but refused re-election in 1605. He was sent to Spain by the emperor to persuade Philip III to join the Catholic League, and while there, founded a Capuchin house in Madrid. He was then sent as papal nuncio to the court of Maximillian of Bavaria, served as peacemaker in several royal disputes, and in 1618, retired from worldly affairs to the friary at Caserta. He was recalled at the request of the rulers of Naples to go to Spain to intercede with King Philip for them against the Duke of Osuna, Spanish envoy to naples and convinced the King to recall the Duke to avert an uprising. The trip in the sweltering heat of summer exhausted him, and he died a few days after his meeting with the King at Lisbon on July 22nd. Lawrence wrote a commentary on Genesis and several treatises against Luther, but Lawrence's main writings are in the nine volumes of his sermons. He was canonized in 1881 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope John XXIII in 1959. His feast day is July 21st.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=442


Opening Prayer
Lord, for the glory of your name and the salvation of souls you gave lawrence of Brindisi courage and right judgment. By his prayers help us to know what we should do and give us the courage to do it.

We ask this though our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Exodus 12:37-42
Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15
Mathew 12: 14-21

Friday, July 20, 2007

Apolliarnaris

July 20
Apolliarnaris, Bishop and Martyr

Bishop, martyr, and possible disciple of St. Peter. Apollinaris was born in Antioch, Turkey, and became the first bishop of Ravenna, in Italy. He suffered exile because of his preaching and converts. When Emperor Vespasian banished Christians, Apollinaris was beaten by a mob and reputedly died soon after from his wounds. His shrine in the Benedictine Abbey of Classe in Ravenna was once a popular pilgrimage destination. Apollinaris was credited with many miracles. He also appeared to St. Romuald, the founder of the Camaldolese. He is patron of Ravenna, Burthscheid, Aachen, Remagen, and Düsseldorf, and he is invoked against gout, epilepsy, and diseases of the sexual organs. Apollinaris is depicted as a bishop in liturgical art. His cult was confined to local calendars in 1969.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1486

Exodus 11:10-12:14
Palm 116:12-13, 15-18
Matthew 12:1-8

Thursday, July 19, 2007

What happened to Hilary?

OK, well this was going to be a harsher blog post; however, I have found "better" news. This is what is up. I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance". The July 12th 2007 episode. The singer was Hilary Duff. For those who not know her story: she is a young girl who started out with Disney! Now she is like most singers... less than concealed. I was told previously that she was not yet 18 so the dress and actions were quite bothersome to me. However, I have found she is older than 18, she is 19!!! Wow what a difference. I guess her birthday is September 28, 1987.(Man I am getting old!) Anyway, I still do not think that a young girl her age should be wondering around onstage looking and dancing like she does... I will give links to the pages showing her pics and music video. This would not be something I would recommend everyone watching! However, I think it shows something about our society. She used to be the cutest girl! I was amazed that she could keep the young beautiful look; however, it looks as if she has turned that in for something much worse! I guess it is all to sell albums. Though I was saddened to see she even has hints of "activities" in her video "Stranger". Why did it have to go there? It is a good song... but then it just goes SO wrong with the clothing and images!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

What is this prayer?

Props for tellin me what "prayer" this is...

Priest: My peeps, let's roll with the Lord, givin' Him props and love.

Congregation:

Yo, Bid Daddy upstairs
You be chill'
So be yo hood
You be sayin' it, i be doin' it
In this here hood and yo's
Gimme some eats
And cut me some slack,
Sos I be doin' it to dem dat diss me
Don't be pushing me into no jive
And keep dem Crips away
'fcaus you always be da man

Aaa-men

Camillus de Lellis, Priest

July 18
Camillus de Lellis, Priest

Son of a military officer who had served both for Naples and France. His mother died when he was very young. Spent his youth as a soldier, fighting for the Venetians against the Turks, and then for Naples. Reported as a large individual, perhaps as tall as 6'6", and powerfully built, but suffered all his life from abscesses on his feet. A gambling addict, he lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted him.

He entered the Capuchin noviate three times, but a nagging leg injury, received while fighting the Turks, each time forced him to give up. He went to Rome for treatment where Saint Philip Neri became his priest and confessor. He moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable, and eventually became its administrator. Lacking education, he began to study with children when he was 32 years old Priest Founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Sick (the Camellians) who, naturally, care for the sick both in hospital and home. The order expanded with houses in several countries. Camillus honored the sick as living images of Christ, and hoped that the service he gave them did penance for his wayward youth. Reported to have the gifts of miraculous healing and prophecy.

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc09.htm

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12
Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7
Matthew 11:25-27

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Monday, July 16, 2007

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
This feast was established in 1726 to commemorate the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to St. Simon Stock, the Superior General of the Carmelite order, on July 16, 1251. She promised him a special blessing for everyone who wears her scapular. Since then, the Church has solemnly and repeatedly approved this devotion with began in England. For centuries, Christians have taken advantage of the protection promised by the Blessed Virgin. The devout use of the scapular shows our trust in the Blessed Virgin's motherly aid to help us at the hour of our death.

Opening Prayer

Father, may the prayers of the Virgin Mary protect us and help us to reach Christ her Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for every and ever.

Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Psalm 124:1-8
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Lets fix what I messed up!

Ok, now when posting before I seem to have made some small errors! I am very sorry. I seem to have gotten the Saturday document and the Tuesday document merged! Though many of my statements are still true, I do want to set the record straight! I think this is how it goes... Please let me know if I am still a bit confused! I am very new at this and the terms and offices still confuse the daylights out of me!

The document released on Saturday July 7th was the Motu proprio. This was written by the Pope as an expression to the Bishops that the Pre-Vat 2 mass or the Tridentine mass can be said by local priests with out the expressed permission of the local bishop. There are ifs ands or buts about this, but that is basily it... for more please see this document

The document released on Tuesday July 9th was from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fatih. These are responses to questions regarding church doctrines. I am not quite sure what this is or quite who releases it; however, it seems the Congregation is really a group of people! (Maybe one of you smart people could let me know.) However, here is basically what it is...

"The vastness of the subject matter and the novelty of many of the themes involved continue to provoke theological reflection. Among the many new contributions to the field, some are not immune from erroneous interpretation which in turn give rise to confusion and doubt. A number of these interpretations have been referred to the attention of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Given the universality of Catholic doctrine on the Church, the Congregation wishes to respond to these questions by clarifying the authentic meaning of some ecclesiological expressions used by the magisterium which are open to misunderstanding in the theological debate."

Ok, the full artical can be found here
and now I have a great task in reading these items and trying to make sense of them... by forgetting all that has been written about them!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Motu Poroprio Summorum Pontificum

OK there seems to be many problems revolving around the new Congregation of the doctrine of the Faith or the "Motu Poroprio Summorum Pontificum". Here I will give you a few moments to go and read this document... Go ahead!

Alright now that we know what it says let us talk about it. My friend John had mentioned to me that reading the news reports are like getting information by playing telephone. One reporter reads the document and reports, the next reads the article that was written and reports, then the next reports on the reaction to the report... so on. So it seems that there are reports that clearly claim the document says things that it CLEARLY does not! Then he read a comment from a Catholic claiming due to this document she is leaving the Faith! As John stated, it is clear she read the articles, but not the document. First how can we call news "news" if it is nothing more than false reporting. News should be at least factual; however, this is not. Additionally, it is sad that we have people in the church who have such a lack of faith and knowledge to walk a way from the truth at a drop of a hat. Though I think it is more about the fact they are LOOKING for a reason to leave, not just this was the start and end of everything.

OK, here is a few links to The Cafeteria Is Closed with some great commentary on the Motu Poroprio, the Motu Poroprio
it, as well as information on the traditional Latin Mass and other items!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

It seems many have a problem understanding what Vatican II was all about. Now I am not claiming to be a scholar on the topic, nor have I even read all of the documents; however, it seems strange that they would just assume that the meeting was to turn everything about the Catholic church on its head and make life as confusing as possible! Here we see not only the complaint that the people are trying to go back to Vat 2, but they are also claiming the Catholic Church should not proclaim they are the ultimate Church.

Here is what I think. I think that some people are too afraid to stand-up and say "These are my believes, and I am RIGHT!" I think that if more people had the conviction to stand up and fight for what they believed instead of pretending that everyone was correct life would be better.

Now I do not say that you have to believe what I do; however, I can honestly say that I know I am right and I do not believe that you are! If you are offended reading this, let me know!

Now also remember VAT 2 DID NOT DECIDE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING THE CHURCH STOOD FOR!

Monday, July 09, 2007

Oh My!

Do you ever come across something that just makes you wonder "WHY!!!!"? I have had one such situation today. I was talking to a woman at work, she will be getting married to a non-practicing Catholic. She is planning on also converting even though she does not have to do so. Now the issue comes with the fact that she does NOT plan to go to church regularly. In fact, she said that the grandparents will take the children! So I sit here wondering why she would even convert? What is the benefit? If she would not be practicing she would just be causing herself more problems!

It also seems the priest that will be marring them is a really good friend of her soon to be husband's family. So she hangs out with him all of the time. She is worried about the confession since she has a direct friendship with this person. It just seems to me as if it is all about the outside and not the inside... Then I wonder if there are many people who think that is all we (Catholics) are... all just for show!

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Elizabeth of Protugal

Elizabeth of Portugal,

(1271-1336). She was the daughter of King Peter III of Aragon and was named after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, whose virtues she also inherited. In her married life with King Denis of Portugal, she entered trials with heroism. On more than one occasion she went to considerable pains to bring about Peace between her children and their father. After her husband's death she became a Franciscan Tertiary and showed unfailing charity toward the poor.

Thomas, Apostle

Again, sorry this is late... It was from July 3, 2007.

Thomas, Apostle

Among the apostles, Thomas is remembered mainly because of his doubts about the resurrection of Christ. He did not want to admit anything that went beyond the bounds of his experience and reason. Eight days after the Resurrection, he made for that unbelief with a profession of faith, "My Lord and my God" (JN 14:5-6). According to tradition, he preached the Gospel in India, where he suffered martyrdom.

First Martyers of the Chruch of Rome

Sorry this is late... it was from July 1, 2007

This too came from the Daily Roman Missal!

First Martyers of the Chruch of Rome

The Chruch celebrates this feast in memory of the martyers in the persecution under Nero in about 64 A.D. Many Christians were killed with brutal torments. They were people of all professions and levels of society. This celebration reminds us that Christians should seek sanctity regardless of their social status, age, or skills.