What's Next? Time-Shares in Heaven (or Hell)?

I'm blown away. Just when I thought it was impossible that I could be more surprised by the heretical activities of former priests, turns out it was only improbable. Yep, they've done it again, take a look... http://www.rentapriest.com

Feeling sick? I was when I looked at it. Actually, sitting here writing this entry, all I can do is feel really icky. That and pray out of a sense of sorrow for those poor souls who are commiting these horrible acts and those being led down the wrong path because of them. So sad. I'm not saying that a Priest shouldn't get married if they truly feel called to, I'm just saying that they should respect their vows and current state, leave the priesthood for good, and then get married. Have some respect!

Why We're Catholic - The Shortest Post To Ever Be Posted on Discerning Sainthood

God's want for us to be with him far surpasses our understanding. It's so strong that he sent his only Son to die on a cross for us. That is what we must understand and come to share with others. Through petty differences, that is the truth that unites us. We are all called to take action and part in that truth. The fullness of that truth exists in the Eucharist. And that is not a belief or thought, it is fact.

"Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.'" (John 6:53)

Rear-End Witnessing

You're on the road and someone just let you over. "What a nice person," you think (hopefully), and make a mental note to let a person over sometime that day as well. Then later down the road, the friendly driver passes you and you notice a bumper sticker on the back of their vehicle. It reads, "I'm the Catholic the liberal media warned you about."

I was doing my best to find a bumper sticker online I noticed on several cars at my parish, but couldn't seem to locate it anywhere. Instead I ran into the cafepress list of stickers in their "religious" and "catholic" categories. In other words, I came across a listing of Catholic stickers made by people and posted online for sale on www.cafepress.com.

First and foremost, I was excited to see our very own bumper sticker "Friends Don't Let Friends Skip Mass" as the fourth sticker on the first page in the listing of 86 pages! What an incredible blessing (and work of technology)! Then I started to notice some of the other great stickers available. They are hillarious! Here are a few of the products I found...
Funny right? There's more, lots more! And check back here now and then for updates to the dS store! Soon we'll have t-shirts and more! You know, I see more and more rosary beads hanging in cars these days...I'm not sure if the driver always knows it's a Catholic thing, but they have them none the less. Just as I believe rosary beads hanging in your car can bring you closer to God, so can stickers, magnets, t-shirts, and buttons! Celebrate this faith, it's the fullness of truth!

Can We Say "Excommunication"?

Okay, so I'm a fairly new Catholic and I'm not always up on all the under-currents and what not in Vatican City, but how did I manage to miss this? Apparently an African Archbishop, Milingo, has totally lost it and honestly I'm surprised that something drastic hasn't been done to correct his mistakes so far.

According to an article by CWN, Archbishop Milingo was forced to resign as Bishop of Lusaka after he led a series of unorthodox "healing services." The local people and Rome felt he was acting more like a witch doctor than a Bishop. So he ended up being summoned to Rome where he held no pastoral appointment. Then he started doing those services again! He was further corrected by the Vatican, but apparently that did no good because, well...I'll let a segment of the article from CWN explain it...

Archbishop Milingo's most spectacular departure from orthodoxy came in 2001, when he announced his adherence to the Unification Church, led by the self-proclaimed Korean messiah, Sun Myung Moon. In a mass wedding ceremony in New York, he took a Korean bride, chosen for him by Rev. Moon. In August of the same year a repentant Archbishop Milingo returned to Rome for a personal meeting with Pope John Paul II (bio - news), renounced his attempted marriage, reaffirmed his Catholic faith, and disappeared for a year of reflection and prayer.

This year, after his disappearance in June, the archbishop surfaced in Washington, DC, on July 12, in the company of the self-proclaimed Archbishop George Stallings, a former Catholic priest who now heads a sect known as the African-American Catholic Congregation. In an appearance with Stallings at the National Press Club, Archbishop Milingo called for an end to priestly celibacy. The African archbishop later revealed that he had returned to the Korean woman he sought to marry in 2001.

Crazy? Led Astray? A little of both? I'm going to leave that up to you, the reader. But honestly, stop this guy! And now they are concerned because he's been in talks with Dan Brown (writer of The Da Vinci Code) and has an agreement to work with him on his next book! That's all we need, some renegade crazy-priest giving credibility to more false excuses for Brown's conspiracy theories!

Sure this article's title is 'Can We Say "Excommunication?"', but I know the Church would rather handle this without going that far. Still, I'm going to guess he's only a sneeze away from being outside of the Church's loving embrace, and that's a horrific place to be. Want to find hell on earth?...excommunication might be pretty close.

P.S. I found this on the Unification.net website, which is the website of the Unificationism movement that "Archbishop" Milingo takes part in. It's a letter from Milingo explaining his actions. And for those of you who don't know much about it, the leader of the Unification movement is Sun Myung Moon (pictured here), who believes he is the Messiah. Check this out.

Pray for Peace

Please pray for peace.

As Americans we have a responsibility to set an example. Reguardless if we asked for it or not, it's what we must do. Let's set an example of prayer for peace.

Return to Orthodoxy

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on the state of the liturgy currently. I admit that both Jenny and I are in the camp of young adults that would like to see a return-to, strengthen-of, reform-in-the-spirit-of, traditional liturgical practices (whatever the case may be). Am I referring to tridentine? If that's what's best for the Church, then yes. More orthodox novus ordo? Maybe. I'm not going to pretend to be wise enough to know what's in the Church's best interest liturgically, but I can say that I feel it's important that it's born out of the rich tradition, solemnity, and spirit of the Church.

I've been to mass at many a church and I won't act like I've enjoyed all of them. And it's no secret nation-wide that here in the Diocese of Richmond, VA. there are plenty of liturgical abuses. I'm content in knowing that the parish I attend is very serious in its liturgical practices and respect, but I'm also restless knowing that at many churches in the diocese (and world-wide) liturgical abuses are occuring.

For me it's not so much "this is how things were and should be," that's not the case. For me it's about an understanding of how the liturgy is formed, and what it's purpose is. To quote a Benedictine Father and friend of mine, Fr. Gregory Gresko OSB, "We are to worship God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all at once the best way we can, and the liturgy is that way. The liturgy is the source and summit of our life as Christians...and the source and summit of that liturgy is the Holy Eucharist." We have to take it serious because it is so important and serious spiritually.

In my mind there is no answer to the problem. I wouldn't know how to even suggest or implement a solution if I had one, but I will say that there is a strong current of young adults asking for more access to Tridentine Masses, as well as, a surge of novus ordo young adults pushing for their parishes to be more orthodox. I see this as a good thing and I'm very excited about it. It's important to remember that the Church is supposed to be counter-culture. It's okay to be different. Just because our protestant brothers and sisters are playing rock music in their churches to draw in youth doesn't mean us Catholics have to do the same. Christ draws them to the Churches, and through sacred music we honor Him. Let's leave the rock music in the cd players.

Saintly Banner

After Jennifer's last post I wasn't sure if I wanted to barricade myself in my office and cry or wander the parking lot hoping to get hit by a parked car. Okay, so I wasn't that hysterical, but the idea that something may occur on August 22nd is a bit frightening. I'm praying and I'm sure you are too.

Now, on to the part that makes me smile (and therefore should also make you smile, I hope)! Drum roll please!...

Beautiful isn't it? It's an illustration of Saint Joan of Arc by an artist named Michael Komarck. You can check out his work (which is mainly for games and books) at his website, http://www.komarckart.com . He's very talented and did a few of Saint Joan of Arc for a card game called Anachronism (very good game).

You can even buy a print of this illustration, something I'm considering. Anyway, just thought I'd bring about some beauty in the shadow of this possible impending darkness. And I figured St. Joan of Arc was quite appropriate. Please pray with us this beautiful prayer...

"In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith. Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith. I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan. I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen." (from here.)

Fear and Loathing in America

Okay, that title may be an exaggeration, but I risked it for its slight resemblance to a cult film with a somewhat analogous name. However, this sentiment does stem from a conversation I recently had with a close friend of mine, who is Catholic as well.We were discussing the recent foiled terrorist plot in Heathrow and the scare surrounding the fast-approaching August 22. What really struck me about this conversation is how sharply divided it was from other conversations I had been hearing around me on television and in everyday life.

What I had heard, until this conversation, was an intense feeling of dread or an steadfast avoidance of any information about this date. Some said it will be the end of the world or a severe attack will occur that could cripple America, and their focus was on what they were doing to prepare for survival in a post-apocalyptic (pardon the paradox) world. The other side I heard was the “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing,” or the “I don’t really know much about it,” camp.

What I hadn’t heard in the general public yet was the sentiment echoed at least every Sunday in churches of many denominations. Thy will be done. During the conversation with my friend the main topic was that what may seem unbearable is not unbearable in actuality. God does not give us more than we can handle with His grace. We also reasoned that while destruction of these kinds and terrorist attacks could be captained by Satan, he is only as powerful as God allows.

Of course preparing spiritually is important. We both have plans for Reconciliation on Saturday and Mass on Sunday and Tuesday. Like I said, we can handle challenges with God’s grace, though that grace must actively be sought in certain forms such as the Eucharist and Reconciliation. However, I feel that no matter what occurs in the future, I will be spiritually fortified by God and the Church to the point that fear does not enter my mind as a valid emotion surrounding these times of world crisis.

That is not to say, however, that I have no selfish wishes. I want to live to be old and die peacefully in my sleep. Between then and now I want to marry and have children too. But these truly are more selfish thoughts than anything else, because it comes back down to that one simple phrase of which it is all to easy to lose sight: Thy will be done.

Vacation Bible School: A High Concentration of Catholicism

I spent all of last week at Vacation Bible School. That is an experience not to be missed. If ever you have wanted to see people living Catholicism in their day-to-day lives, this is the place to see it. Each person in the building, teachers and students alike, was witnessing their faith to the others. The teachers fell into three categories:

The Parent Teachers: These were the teachers that had all of their children enrolled in the program and were kind enough to lend their time and energy in spite of a clear opportunity to rest for 5 mornings in a row.

The Childless Teachers: These were the teachers that simply taught for the sake of teaching. These teachers were similar to the above category members in that they opted to help rather than not.

The Multi-Tasker: What a special group of people we had in this category. These teachers were parents of children who were in the program AND children who were too young to be in the program. Which means that, that’s right, they got to take care of their youngest child(ren) and several other people’s children at once.

Everyday these people went home exhausted and ready to collapse. But the next morning, they were up and doing it again. I think it’s mostly because they realized how important their work was. The importance of witnessing to the youngest disciples is something that cannot be forgotten. They are the future of our faith.

Speaking of the chilren, they also were excellent examples of Catholic charity and love. The older students and teen helpers were indispensable. They made up the grease that oiled the wheels that ran the Vacation Bible School session that St. Ben's built. The older siblings soothed the younger ones that were anxious about being in a new environment. The teen helpers led the children from class to class. Also we had a reward system of gold coins, and the winning groups of children consistenly shared their loot with the underdogs. Such charity!

I guess what really stands out to me about all of this is the high concentration of Catholic living that I experienced that week. It was an inspiration to me. Such an inspiration, in fact, that I'll be teaching the seventh and eighth grade Sunday schoolers (CCD classes) in the Fall with Bryan (I hope). I'm sure many posts will result from such a colorful endeavor.

Lord Have Mercy!

I realized something on the way to work this morning. I realized, having grown up in the south, that a phrase I'd heard my grandmother and countless others say millions of times actually means something besides "wow, I'm astonished." And the phrase is, you guessed it, "Lord have mercy!"

Who would have thought that such a plea as "Lord have mercy!" would become a figure of speech used by millions of people who don't actually mean it when they say it. Now, there are those who say it at appropriate times and probably do mean it, but for the most part you just hear it and don't really think about what it actually means.

"Lord, have mercy on us." What a beautiful plea to our God for mercy we don't usually deserve. We deserve His wrath quite often, but when He graces us with mercy we are utterly thankful. Well, atleast we should be. Amen!

Fighting AIDS, Catholic Style

"The Catholic Church alone provides more than a quarter of all AIDS care in the world, according to Caritas Internationalis."

I found that on Catholic.org, an amazing site with lots of information, news, and inspiration. Here, read it again...

"The Catholic Church alone provides more than a quarter of all AIDS care in the world, according to Caritas Internationalis."

Amazing, huh? The article on Catholic.org is specifically about how church organizations are more or less getting stiffed on funds from The Global Fund when they are responsible for 40% of the healthcare in Kenya and many other countries. It's shocking to know that religious groups are doing so much awesome work and not receiving a bit of help from any international funding group. At the same time, it's heart-warming to know that people are sacrificing so much to do so much with so little.

The Church provides more than 25% of all AIDS care in the world...amazing. Something tells me it was no accident that Jesus gave the keys to St. Peter. The Church is in the world and provides for it. I'm proud to be Catholic.

Middle East Problem

The situation in the Middle East is anything but simple to solve. During Mass for the past several Sundays we've prayed for a ceasefire in that region, but I find myself questioning if that will solve anything. I'm not saying I'd prefer for people to die, I don't feel that way, but is there really a solution for these people?

I'd done a lot of reading lately and I've come up with the following conclusion: If Israel stops its attacks on Hezbollah (who started the war with Israel), then they will be most likely making the mistake of limited military contact with an absolutionist threat. Hezbollah will not rest, they will not take a beating and then ask for peace. They are an all or nothing terrorist organization that stands for the erradication of Israel, America, and all of the West.

And so I find myself in a very confusing state of mind. I read about how Lebanese groups are begging Israel to be thorough and finish Hezbollah (in Lebanon) off. When I read this I find myself agreeing with them on many levels, but my faith tells me that killing is wrong regardless. So where do I stand on this issue? Should I morally support Israel in its liberation of Lebanon and its own people of the terrorist threat of Hezbollah? Will a cease-fire in the region really bring about any kind of peace?

I suppose I can pray. Prayer is powerful. I'll pray for a non-violent solution to the problems in the Middle East and let God figure out the particulars. He is the all knowing One afterall and I don't even come close to that. Christ will come again and perhaps that's the solution. Let's pray.