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