Common sense ruling

Egypt's Coptic pope bans phone confessions

I don't see how this could even be necessary. Granted, I don't know a lot about the Coptic Church, but I would think Confession would need to be private, whether in a Catholic, Orthodox, or even Coptic church.

N.J. rules against church regarding civil unions

Ft. Sumter or Pearl Harbor? Regardless, the opening salvo has been fired regarding churches being required to host "civil unions" for gay and lesbian couples.

N.J. rules against church

One of the arguments gay rights supporters have made is that gay marriage won't impact most of the population. This clearly puts a hole in their argument; it is an assault on the First Amendment, the free exercise of religion.

Pray that a court will overturn this ruling. The good news is that it wasn't actually a court that made this ruling, but still a bad ruling.

Christmas

I would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas. For those traveling, I hope you have a safe and great trip.

And yet another post this morning

I sure have been talkative this morning, haven't I? :)

Well, I won't be around for the next couple of days. I have to work this morning until 4, then my family and I will travel to visit relatives today and tomorrow, and then I work an opening shift on Sunday.

If anybody else is going somewhere for Christmas, have a safe trip.

Rearranging my blog a bit

Decided to alter the format a bit, put it in black, and moved the list of blogs I frequent from the bottom of the page.

Christmas Carols

With less than a week to go until Christmas, we'll see, or rather hear more Christmas songs over the radio.

But at Mass, there is a problem I have noticed and it only pertains to one song: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." In either the third verse, the lyrics read: "born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth." However, in the "hymnal" (to use the word lightly), the words have been changed to read: "born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth." If it helps, the music book is published by OCP (says a lot right there).

Why the need to alter good hymns to include a PC agenda? Is there nothing that won't be changed to suit PC agendas?

"More women leades needed in Vatican says Cherie Blair"

More women leaders needed at the Vatican, says Cherie Blair

There are many things wrong in her claims, too many to list here.

She claims she follows church teachings, yet has no problem supporting contraception, despite the Church's teachings on birth control.

She also tries to justify her urging for more women leaders at the Vatican by saying there are more women in Parliament. So what? The Catholic Church and the British Parliament aren't the same.

She also claims that many positions at the Vatican don't require priestly ordinations. Even if she was correct, that would still be problematic as it would energize those pushing for women ordination, which isn't possible.

Discerning a vocation

Question for any readers who are priests and/or religious: when and how did you first start discerning a vocation to the priesthood and/or religious life?

Putting Christ back in Christmas

Unfortunately, this country has been in a constant state of putting material things first, especially when it's time for Christmas. This attitude was never made plainer or more fatally obvious than when the Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death all because people could not exercise some patience. It was like the movie "Jingle All the Way" (starring Arnold S., and Sinbad), but far deadlier.

We need to turn away from our focus of buying and receiving of material goods and focus more on our Lord's birth, without which his death and resurrection would not have been possible.

May everybody have a good final couple of weeks of Advent and a Merry Christmas.

Sorry for the delay

I just noticed that it has almost been six months since my last post. I'll try to update more often.

Back from D.C.

I'm back!

I had a great time in Washington D.C. I'll post some pictures later this week.

The trip didn't start off so well. The cats would not cooperate into getting into the one carrier we have (my dad can show some scratch marks to prove it). When we get one cat in and try getting the second cat in, the first one would escape. We'd try getting the second cat in and then the first one, the second one would escape. We ended up taking two trips to the vets and picked up a second carrier before getting the cats.

In D.C., we visited the National Archives, the National Zoo, the Library of Congress, the National Cathedral and the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. On Sunday, we went to the new Air and Space Museum located near Dulles Airport.

I think I got spoiled by the church I went to Mass this past Sunday. It was as traditional a Mass as one can get without it being a Latin Mass. The altar boys wore cassocks with suplices; the celebrant prayed the Eucharistic Prayer I; we sang the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei (sp?) in Latin; at Communion, two other priests and a deacon came to help distribute communion and the three altar boys used patens (sp?) as well.

Latin Mass

I just got back from the Mass. Here are my impressions:

1). Kneeling, kneeling, and when you get tired of kneeling, some more kneeling. There's a lot more kneeling in the Extraordinary Form than in the Ordinary Form. Since I wasn't used to that much kneeling, my knees began to get a little sore.

2) It was a Low Mass, so there was no music. No Haugen or Haas. ;)

3) I liked the reverence. The priest and the altar servers were very reverent. The altar servers had more to do in this Mass than they usually have to do in the Ordinary Form.

4) I was actually able to follow what was going on. I had a 1962 Missal with me, so I was able to follow on. The only thing was that it didn't indicate when to stand, sit, or kneel like the missalettes the others who attended this Mass had.

5) There were more people there than I expected. This is a good sign for future celebrations of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I would like to attend a High Mass or a Solemn High Mass if given the opportunity.

Why, why, why???

This Saturday the co-cathedral will be host to an ordination as Bishop Ricard ordains a new priest. I had requested a closing shift at work so I could attend.

But of course, the managers at work just had to schedule a 2-2.5 hour meeting that morning, which means I won't be able to attend the ordination. Grrr...

Well, at least I should be able to attend the Latin Mass we're having the following day. Assuming, that my request for a closing shift that day is granted...

Will of the people, indeed

California's top court legalizes gay marriage.

First, let me say this. I do not and cannot condone any violence against gays and lesbians just because they're gays and lesbians. People have the right to live without fear of being subject to violence regardless of race, religion, gender, etc.

That being said, this is a blow to the natural family. A family consists of a husband and a wife, with (hopefully) at least one child. Whether some marriages end in divorce or annullment is irrelevant to the issue at hand. Not all marriages last, unfortunately, and not all families are perfect. But a marriage between a husband and wife is how God intended it.

It's one thing for non-Christians to support gay and lesbian unions (although not all do). However, Christians, Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox, cannot and should not support these unions. They run contrary to what God intended. That's not to say we can't treat gays and lesbians with respect and kindness. We can love the sinner but hate the sin.

Another thing is how easily a simple majority of justices (or one judge) can undo the will of the people. I'm not merely talking about this issue but any other issue. The rationale is that judicial review is to protect the rights of the minorities. While that is important, the minority cannot be allowed to dictate to the majority. That's a dictatorship, or oligarchy, not democratic. We have seen throughout history where this logic about protecting the minority was contradictory. Does anybody think that the Dred Scot or Plessy decisions were made to protect the minority? No. They continued slavery or legalized segregation. So, such court decisions can easily hurt the minority that judicial review is claimed to protect.

Keep this country in prayer.

New deacon

Starting this summer, the deacon at my parish should have some help. Three new transitional deacons were ordained last month, and one of them, at least what I heard, will be assigned to my parish. Good thing since the other parishes in Tallahassee all have two deacons.

Grrrrrrr

Maybe I should just stop trying to host a blog at all.

First, today, I was blocked from this blog (and other blogger.com/blogspot blogs) because allegedly there was an automated searcher bot from my computer or network. Access was restored shortly afterwards.

I decided to start another blog somewhere else as backup. I had three to four posts there, and guess what? When I got home from work, I can't login, saying I don't have sufficient authorization to access it and it says that my blog doesn't exist.

Is keeping a blog worth it?

Opinions, please.

Christian leaders questioning Senate investigation

Christian leaders questioning Senate investigation.

Now, on the one hand, I don’t like the Prosperity Gospel. It is a heresy and should be condemned.

That being said, I don’t think it’s the Senate’s business to investigate those who hold to this. It sets a very dangerous precedence in this country.

St. Augustine

I went over to St. Augustine today. One of the places I visited was the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. It is a beautiful church! There's still part of the high altar, there's the communion rail. The cathedra is placed to the side of the sanctuary, not behind the altar (like at my parish). To the left and right of the sanctuary are two chapels. The baptistry was to the left as I entered the church through the main entrance.

Now, while the Extraordinary Form of the Mass isn't celebrated, it has almost the perfect arrangement to be celebrated there.

While I was there, I bought a book about Augustin Verot, the first bishop of St. Augustine. It should be an interesting reading.

Tallahassee Tridentine Latin Mass

A Tridentine Latin Mass is tentatively scheduled for June 8 at 2:00 P.M. It's going to be a Low Mass.

Unfortunately, right now it's only going to be a one time thing, but it's a start. :)

Church bulletin bloopers

Some of these are old, but all are pretty funny. Enjoy :)

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
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The sermon this morning "Jesus Walks on Water." The sermon tonight "Searching for Jesus."
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Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth Into Joy."
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 500 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM.
Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan Last Sunday "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours

Spiritual Adoption Program

I've decided to participate in the Spiritual Adoption Program.

Spiritual Adoption Program

Our priests, bishops and young men currently in seminary deserve a lot of prayer and support.

Patience at the end of Mass

For the closing song yesterday at Mass, we sang "Jesus Christ is Risen Today."

I normally don't leave until we're finished singing, and most people at Mass wait as well. Yesterday, I was seated at the edge of the pew, normally where I sit. There was one guy seated between me and a couple. We were on the last verse, when he began to push his way out. Not wanting a confrontation, I stepped out into the aisle to let him pass.

But why can't people learn to be patient. We were on the last verse! Couldn't he have waited a few more seconds?

Continued criticism of Good Friday Prayer

Continued criticism of Good Friday Prayer.

Let me begin with this: I am not anti-Semitic. I have nothing against the Jewish people.

But what I cannot understand is that some Jewish leaders continue to protest the prayer calling for the conversion of the Jewish people. We're supposed to pray for the conversion of people, whether they be Jew or Gentile, American or European, etc.

I pray that those protesting the prayer will come to understand it not as an attack on them, but rather something good.

One year

One year ago, I officially joined the Catholic Church. Ok, ok, not one calendar year since Easter is earlier this year, but you get my point. ;)

It's hard to believe that at the last Easter Vigil, I was getting confirmed by the bishop. What a wonderful feeling to be Catholic!

:)

My first post.

This is my first post on this new blog. I'll be mostly talking about serious issues, mostly religious.