Little Bobby Casey Dancin' Around the Issue

From an interview today by Steve Corbett on WILK Radio.

Take note that when asked directly if he can worthily receive the Holy Eucharist, first Bobby chuckles, then proceeds as only a politician can, by not answering the question posed to him. He must know his stances put him outside the Church.

When asked if he and the Bishop have had a chance to speak in person about these issues Casey said "no". I have heard that Little Bobby has refused calls from the Bishop. If any faithful Catholics see Little Bobby at Immaculate Conception in Scranton Sunday, tell him the Bishop would love for him to call him back.

Just listen to Casey throughout how he talks about how busy he is. Too busy to talk to the Bishop about the state of his soul. Little Bobby needs some prayers methinks.

Partially Faithful Catholics

Let me say for the record, I wholeheartedly support Bishop Martino in his instruction of Little Bobby Casey. I start to wonder however, when will enough be enough? How many more empty threats to withhold the Holy Eucharist will fall flat before Casey just laughs off any more attempts at correction by the Bishop?

And yes, I understand, Bobby is a public figure and should be living and working as a witness to his Catholic faith, and as such a high profile guy, is also a target for the Bishop when he fails to live up to what should be clearly defined Catholic morals.

But Bishop Martino, if you went into any Catholic church Sunday and asked the "faithful" Catholics in attendance how many are using birth control and 3/4's of the hands went up, what would you do? How about asking how many support abortion rights? Or gay marriage? Or any number of other issues.

What would you do?

It's time I think to separate the wheat from the chaff and tell these Partially Faithful Catholics to either shape up or get the hell out. Because they are bringing down the church with their relativism and modernism.

And let me tell you, FSSP and SSPX are looking a whole lot better to a lot of eyes around here.

Bishop Joseph F. Martino said today (April 29) that he is “deeply disappointed” that Sen. Robert Casey voted yesterday with the majority in the Senate to approve the nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a staunch supporter of abortion rights, for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Bishop had previously urged Sen. Casey to “oppose strenuously” her nomination because of her well established pro-abortion record. In a letter faxed to Sen. Casey on April 27, the Bishop noted:

“As Governor of Kansas, Ms. Sebelius has vetoed several separate pieces of pro-life legislation. Most recently, the Kansas governor vetoed yet another state law that would have restricted late-term abortions. The law aimed to give women and girls, as well as their husbands or parents, power to sue abortionists if they perform the procedure illegally. The legislation also would have required late-term abortionists to provide a fuller account of each procedure to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“In addition to Kathleen Sebelius’ pro-abortion record, her relationship with one of our nation’s most notorious abortionists, Dr. George Tiller, is equally troubling. Recently, it was revealed that Governor Sebelius benefited from hundreds of thousands of dollars that Dr. Tiller donated to influence the 2002 Kansas gubernatorial race in her favor.

“Considering Governor Sebelius’ relationship with leaders in the abortion industry and her consistent vetoing of laws that would have regulated abortion procedures and restricted or enforced restrictions on late-term abortions in the state of Kansas, I urge you to oppose strenuously her appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services.”

Despite his claims of being “pro-life,” Sen. Casey’s voting record thus far has been inconsistent.

On the one hand, Sen. Casey is to be commended for initiatives that provide support for pregnant women and families. And Bishop Martino is grateful for the Senator’s recent vote for an amendment that would have provided conscience protection on abortion for health care workers. (Regrettably, the amendment was defeated in the Senate.)

On the other hand, Sen. Casey voted to rescind the Mexico City Policy, thus ensuring that American taxpayer funds go to organizations abroad dedicated to performing and promoting abortions even in cultures that are opposed to them. The result is that abortion becomes the preferred means for reducing family size in developing nations. Neither the Helms Amendment nor any other U.S. legislation prevents that.

He also voted for the appointment of Harvard Law School Dean Elena Kagan as solicitor general. Ms. Kagan supports partial-birth abortion and opposed withdrawing federal funds from taxpayer-funded abortion clinics despite popular opposition. She opposed funding teen-pregnancy counseling by religious institutions. As solicitor general, she is likely to oppose the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, thus opening the door to legislation allowing same-sex marriage.

And now Sen. Casey has joined with his colleagues to put Gov. Sebelius in charge of building a new health care system in the United States. Her well-established pro-abortion track record provides ample evidence for the anti-life decisions she will make in this key position.

Bishop Martino has communicated with Sen. Casey about these issues, and his responsibilities as a Catholic and a public official. The Bishop will continue to monitor the Senator’s positions and votes concerning life issues.

If necessary, future determinations will be made regarding whether Sen. Casey is worthy to receive Holy Communion. However, at this point Bishop Martino believes it is incumbent upon Sen. Casey to reflect on his actions and ask himself if he should receive the sacrament.

Bishop Martino said that, since Sen. Casey is a member of the Diocese of Scranton, it is the Bishop’s pastoral responsibility to instruct the Senator about these serious moral issues.

President Obaprompter

How Many More Days of This?

100 days of reckless photo-op hubris
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009

Come on, who’s surprised? The White House-engineered photo-op of low-flying Air Force aircraft that caused terror in New York City this week epitomizes the Age of Obama. What better way to mark 100 days in office than with an appalling exercise in pointless, taxpayer-funded stagecraft.

The superficiality, the unseriousness, the hubris, the obliviousness to post-9/11 realities: They were trademarks of the Obama campaign and they are the tattoos on his governance.

He never leaves home without his teleprompter. All the Obama world’s a stage. Or a world ready to be staged.

So, is it any wonder he would staff his White House Military Office with a clueless paper-pusher who saw nothing wrong with spending inordinate government resources – and recreating 9/11 havoc — to update Air Force One publicity shots? And who planned, believe it or not, to do the same in Washington, D.C., next month, where 53 passengers and 6 crew members on board American Airlines Flight 77, and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the Pentagon were murdered by the 9/11 jihadists?

All for some damned publicity shots.

No one should be shocked. Remember: Barack Obama is the frivolous man who concocted his own presidential-looking Great Seal before he was elected. An ego big enough to publicly display a ridiculous “Vero Possumus” (“Yes, we can” in Latin) motto and a regal eagle with the Obama campaign logo emblazoned on its chest is an ego capable of far more reckless things. Obama orchestrated a grand photo-op in Berlin, Germany, to declare his world citizenship at the Siegessäule Victory Column – a soaring monument of arrogance championed by Adolph Hitler and Third Reich architect Albert Speer. He manufactured his own Open Temple of The One in Denver for the Democratic National Convention last summer, replete with fake Greek columns.

Since taking office, President Obama has remained in perpetual campaign mode, idling in 9/10 gear. The photo album has filled up quickly with megalomaniacal moments. When his massive, pork-filled stimulus package was in trouble, he ran to Ft. Myers, Florida, for a carefully choreographed revival meeting with his most ardent supporters. “It is such a blessing to see you. Oh! Gracious God, thank you so much!” one young booster exclaimed.

The President’s famous embrace with another questioner — homeless woman Henrietta Hughes, a perpetually unemployed drifter looking for a handout — turned up on the White House online retrospective of the stimulus bill victory. (Missing: The photos of hundreds of thousands of Americans who took to the streets in Tea Party protests to oppose this massive act of generational theft and expansion of the entitlement state.)

Another Kodak moment from the stimulus campaign exposed Obama’s hype of the spending boondoggle’s effects. Using a Caterpillar plant and workers as a backdrop, Obama grandly promised that if the stimulus passed, Caterpillar would rehire laid-off workers. It made front-page headlines. After the photo-op: Caterpillar’s own CEO refuted the bogus promise and last week posted its first quarterly net loss in 16 years. After the signing, it finally dawned on pliant media outlets that the stimulus money was stupendously wasteful and the job creation estimates bogus. No pictures of those epiphanies.

President Obama’s photo-ops abroad have been more unsettling: Bowing and scraping before Saudi King Abdullah, trashing America as “arrogant” (talk about a pot and kettle moment) in front of adoring French and German students, chumming it up with Venezuelan thug-in-chief Hugo Chavez. These are the defining images of a stunt(ed) presidency blind to our enemies and in a perpetual state of (re)pose we can’t afford.

Obama appointed Leon Panetta, a chief of intelligence with no intelligence experience. He gave us Hillary Clinton, a secretary of state who cackled about the Somali pirate hijacking and laughed off serious questions about the effectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques. He installed Rosa Brooks, a radical George Soros-trained ideologue as a top Pentagon adviser. He came close to embracing Charles Freeman as top U.S. intelligence analyst — a jihadi-sympathizing conspiracist who blamed America for 9/11.

And he appointed Janet Napolitano, the homeland security secretary who can’t get her fact straights about the 9/11 terrorists, pooh-poohed our immigration laws, disseminated a hit job on conservatives and veterans as rightwing extremist threats, and redefined acts of terrorism as “man-caused disasters.”

“Man-caused disaster.” That’s a perfect description of the Scare Force One torture photo op that took place this week, and an apt summary of the last 100 days. Say cheese.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Arlen Specter has proved he is just who we always knew he was.

April 28, 2009

Statement by Senator Arlen Specter

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank especially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.


While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords’ switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy’s statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

Please Pray!

The wife and I just made an offer on a beautiful secluded house in the country, so please take a sec and pray the bank might accept the offer!

Thanks and God Bless!

Obama's First Hundred Days

How to piss off an MSNBC info babe

Thanks to Red State

You don’t let them define the agenda; you certainly don’t let them define the terms; you concede nothing (you can always agree, but you do not concede); you keep going back to a disputed point over and over again until they get tired of trying to sneak one past you; you never lose your cool; when you catch them trying a stupid tactic like read a headline and pretend that it’s established truth, you call them on it without a hint of self-consciousness; and in this case, you don’t accept the other side’s presumptuous bluff that they speak for the American people.

Kindergarten Plop

"It was not a tumor!"

Embedded video from CNN Video

We all know Hitler wanted to kipnap Pope Pius XII

but did you know this?

Pope Pius XII told senior bishops that should he be arrested by the Nazis, his resignation would become effective immediately, paving the way for a successor, according to documents in the Vatican's Secret Archives.

The bishops would then be expected to flee to a safe country – probably neutral Portugal – where they would re-establish the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church and appoint a new Pontiff.

That Hitler considered kidnapping the Pope has been documented before, but this is the first time that details have emerged of the Vatican's strategy should the Nazis carry out the plan.

"Pius said 'if they want to arrest me they will have to drag me from the Vatican'," said Peter Gumpel, the German Jesuit priest who is in charge of researching whether Pius should be made a saint, and therefore has access to secret Vatican archives.

Pius, who was Pope throughout the war, told his advisers "the person who would leave the under these conditions would not be Pius XII but Eugenio Pacelli" – his name before he was elected Pontiff – thus giving permission for a new Pope to be elected.

"It would have been disastrous if the Church had been left without an authoritative leader," said Father Gumpel.

"Pius wouldn't leave voluntarily. He had been invited repeatedly to go to Portugal or Spain or the United States but he felt he could not leave his diocese under these severe and tragic circumstances." Vatican documents, which still remain secret, are believed to show that Pius was aware of a plan formulated by Hitler in July 1943 to occupy the Vatican and arrest him and his senior cardinals.

On 6 September 1943 – days after Italy signed the September 3 armistice with the Allies and German troops occupied Rome – Pius told key aides that he believed his arrest was imminent.

General Karl Otto Wolff, an SS general, was told to "occupy as soon as possible the Vatican, secure the archives and art treasures and transfer the Pope, together with the Curia so that they cannot fall into the hands of the Allies and exert a political influence."

Hitler ordered the kidnapping, according to historians, because he feared that Pius would further criticise the Nazis' treatment of the Jews.

He was also afraid that the Pontiff's opposition could inspire resistance to the Germans in Italy and other Catholic countries.

Some historians have claimed that General Wolff tipped off the Vatican about the kidnap plans and that he also managed to talk the Fuhrer out of the plot because he believed it would alienate Catholics worldwide.

The latest revelations will be seen by some observers as a further attempt by the Vatican to bolster the case for Pius XII being declared a saint.

Pius has been accused of being anti-Semitic and of harbouring sympathies for the Nazi regime, most notably in the 1999 book Hitler's Pope, by British author John Cornwell.

But other Catholic and Jewish historians contend that in fact Pius was loathed by the Nazis for speaking out about the Holocaust and for behind-the-scenes efforts to save Italian Jews who otherwise would have been sent to death camps.

She already has the cake. Why not eat it?

And since I'm ragging on liberal "women", let's bring everyone's favorite Speaker of the House into focus.

With all this talk of "torturing" our enemies and prosecuting Bush Admin staff, lets turn back the clock on Mrs. Pelosi and what she knew and when.

From Glenn Thrush

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing back on GOP charges that she knew about waterboarding for years and did nothing.

Pelosi says she was briefed by Bush administration officials on the legal justification for using waterboarding — but that they never followed through on promises to inform her when they actually began using "enhanced" interrogation techniques

"In that or any other briefing…we were not, and I repeat, were not told that waterboarding or any of these other enhanced interrogation techniques were used. What they did tell us is that they had some legislative counsel ... opinions that they could be used," she told reporters today.

But let's look to this Washington Post Article

In September 2002, four members of Congress met in secret for a first look at a unique CIA program designed to wring vital information from reticent terrorism suspects in U.S. custody. For more than an hour, the bipartisan group, which included current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), was given a virtual tour of the CIA’s overseas detention sites and the harsh techniques interrogators had devised to try to make their prisoners talk.

Methinks Nancy is incapable of truth telling. What do you think?

The Pantsuit disses Cheney!

OMG! Look at Billary! She looks much older than when I last got a look at her, which was during the election.

Here we plainly see the effects of carrying around so much bullshit to these foreign countries.

And I see she still hasn't learned to answer a question.

RIP Perez Hilton

Whatchu talking bout Napolitano?

Everyone's favorite Homeland Security Secretary (cue Wagner symphony) Janet Napolitano actually said this on CNN this weekend:

KING: A lot of Democrats in Congress want to you investigate [Joe Arpaio]. They think he is over the line. He says he is just enforcing the law and the problem is the federal government.

NAPOLITANO: Well, you know, Sheriff Joe, he is being very political in that statement, because he knows that there aren’t enough law enforcement officers, courtrooms or jail cells in the world to do what he is saying.

What we have to do is target the real evil-doers in this business, the employers who consistently hire illegal labor, the human traffickers who are exploiting human misery.

And yes, when we find illegal workers, yes, appropriate action, some of which is criminal, most of that is civil, because crossing the border is not a crime per se. It is civil. But anyway, going after those as well.

Not a crime? C'mon HOMELAND SECURITY babe!

I always try to be helpful whenever I can, so here's a link to the actual law: 8 U.S.C. 1325, which basically says that crossing the border illegally is a crime–a misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for the second and subsequent offenses.

Why do these libs always have to mischaracterize the easiest of things to research? When will they learn that we will not be lied to?

Times up for this crowd.

Show the Traddy some love

Would one of my five readers please go over to The Crescat and nominate me for an award? I don't want to have to nominate myself for an award AGAIN this year.

Scumbag of the day!

I hate these Hollywood liberals who decide to come out and trumpet their beliefs from the rooftops.

I recall during the years of "W" when all the liberal whackoffs would come out and bitch.

Listen to me, Hollywood whackoffs!

You are an entertainer. Entertain me.

You see, you are different from us normal folk. Just because some liberal works at Burger King doesn't mean I'm going to stop going there when I want a Whopper.

But it does mean that if you are a Hollywood liberal and you insult me or my political beliefs, I am pretty sure I won't pay 12 bucks to go and see your sucky-ass film when it opens. Right Matt Damon?

Now, I really can't even tell you what Janeane Garofalo has ever done, and I doubt she'll do anything worthwhile in the future, but she is my Scumbag of the day.

Seeing how she looked on the following video from 2003 I thought about calling this "Skank of the Day", but I'd hate to start an award category just for her.

So here she is, complaining about the dissenters at this past weeks tea parties, and some flashbacks to 2003 when she defended her Hollywood friends when they came out to dissent.

Very telling, the whole shoe on the other foot kind of thingy....

Today's word boys and girls...

...is "teabagging". Do you know what "teabagging" is boys and girls? Well Anderson Cooper certainly does, and it won't surprise me when we find out it is a favorite pastime of his.

I don't pretend to be a journalist. I just give you my thoughts based on the facts as I believe them to be.

Not so on CNN, MSNBC, and most of the other "news" outlets. They do claim journalistic integrity. They should just call themselves "commentary stations" instead of "news stations" because there isn't much offered that doesn't come along with some left-wing comment to put the "news" into the proper liberal perspective for us.

So Anderson Cooper, the "journalist" during PRIME TIME made a sick and disgustng remark about the protestors at the tea parties this past Wednesday.

Perhaps he envisioned himself in the midst of all those burly anti-tax men, that could certainly be what prompted his comment.

Here is what some of the real journalists are saying about this guy who just jumped to the top of my "creep" list.

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95290

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95173

Go read those and tell me your thoughts.

You already know mine.

I almost barfed...

...while shopping at Sam's Club the other day with the family.

In the book section there was a book on the President of the United States with, get this, Barak Hussein Obama on the COVER!!! There was a teensy picture of Washington and Jefferson and Lincoln and Kennedy, but a HUGE smiling color photograph of The One! Not even four months in office, and there he is!

Next time I go I'm gonna look at the book, but I actually threw up in my mouth a little and had to move on.

I just don't know what to say anymore....

Quest Accomplished!

I have often read Malory's La Morte D'Arthur about King Arthur, his noble knights of the Round Table and their many quests.

I too have been on a quest.

My little 16 month old daughter more or less eats by herself, with some aid from her mother or me. I'll readily admit she eats like a Hun, so we decided she needed a placemat of her own, both for cleanliness, and we also wanted her to be able to learn from it.

Whenever we go to the store we find Dora, Hannah Montana and Bratz themed mats.

All of these toys are have been banned by me, they shall not come into the house, and woe to the person who should buy any of those items for my child.

So the placemat options we have are few. I decided she would have a placemat featuring the Presidents of the United States. I gleefully imagined sitting there with her, rapidly naming Presidents while she correctly pointed to them on her little mat, smiling up at me as I give her positive confirmation of her incredible smarts.

But whenever I found one of these President placemats I would pass on it because it always seemed that there was just as much Spanish on the mat as English.

But to be void of Spanish was not the only criteria.

Today, my quest was accomplished. Although only one of my criteria was met, it was enough. I am happy with her new placemat.

Can you guess what my unnamed criteria was? Unending Glory shall be granted to the one who can correctly identify it.

Scumbags of the Day!

We haven't had a Scumbag of the day in a while, so lets start today.

Georgetown University, you are my collective Scumbags of the Day. Why?

For bowing down before the Obama administration's demands that you cover up Christ's name in Gaston Hall before the "One" appeared to tell the masses to trust in him, and all will be fine.

You know what you did Georgetown, don't you?

You denied Christ.

You allowed a mere MAN, a poor excuse for a man at that, to supercede Jesus Christ.

But what would we expect from Jesuits? They have had a hard time the last few years deciding if they want to follow Jesus or Gandhi.



















As you can see in our second picture, some people aren't afraid to share the stage with Christ's name.

Obama is though.

I wonder why?

He probably would have burst into flame.

But there you have it. Georgetown University is my Scumbag of the Day!

Oh, here Georgetown.

Maybe you oughta read this from the Douay Rheims Bible we have Matthew Chapter 10 Verse 33:

"But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." Guess who said that? Jesus Christ!

Oh Snap Georgetown! Like Ricky Ricardo used to say "you got some 'splainin' to do!"

It's Thursday!

Time for the latest installment from Steven Crowder!

Traddy feels old

My first visit to the eye doctor in 15 years has led me to feel old.

My poor little eyes are having trouble focusing for some damn reason or another, and so I will need reading glasses for times when I am working within an arms length. So basically doing computer work or reading I will have to wear them.

Sigh.

But on the upside I got some nice looking Ralph Lauren "Chaps" frames!

I will have to post a pic when I get them and then you all can tell me how young I look in them.

Ok?

Cool.

Smoke of Satan

It would seem that the loonies are in charge of the so called European Union asylum.

Flying the "anti-discrimination" banner these liberal agitators in the Parliament have decided to remove the Religious Exemption from the EU Anti-Discrimination Directive, forcing Christian and other religious groups to perform homosexual "marriages" and allow non-believers to receive Communion and other sacraments in their churches!

Make no mistake, this is nothing more than another leftist assault against Christians and the Creator.

Why have the governments of the world turned their back on God?

Understand this, where God is absent, the Master Deceiver reigns.

This is what we are seeing now. The smoke of Satan has not only entered the sanctuary of Holy Mother Church, but he reigns supreme in governments across the globe.

Pray, fast, and do much penance before the world is overwhelmed by evil. That is the only way.

Our Blessed Mother told us so.

2 minutes you can never have back

Obama the Race Baiter

Everyday something stupid and offensive comes out of the Obozo administration. Here's the latest, because he's black, there may be violence from certain people who oppose his policy of murdering children.

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Just months into his administration, President Barack Obama is already targeting pro-life advocates as the Obama administration has released a document that claims pro-life people may engage in violence or extremism. The new document comes on the heels of one in Missouri that caused a national uproar.

In the new document, the Department of Homeland Security warned law officials about a supposed rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the poor economy and presence of a black president could spark problems.

According to the Washington Times, a footnote attached to the nine-page report from the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis say the activities of pro-life advocates is included in "rightwing extremism in the United States.”

"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.

The White House, sensing political backlash, is already distancing itself from the report.

White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said, "The President is focused not on politics but rather taking the steps necessary to protect all Americans from the threat of violence and terrorism regardless of its origins.”

"He also believes those who serve represent the best of this country, and he will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the respect and benefits they have earned,” Shapiro added.

The Obama administration sent the document to police and sheriff's departments across the country on April 7 under the headline, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

The Times indicates the report says the Obama administration could be monitoring the activities of pro-life advocates.

It says the federal government "will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months" to gather information on "rightwing extremist activity in the United States” even though the Obama administration does not have "specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence."

Concerns that the federal government might target pro-life advocates aren’t pie-in-the-sky myths as two pro-life people have already felt the persecution.

In February, an Oklahoma man with a homemade pro-life sign on his vehicle was pulled over and harassed by police for allegedly making a threat against the president.

Chip Harrison said he was driving to work when a police officer followed him for several miles and eventually signaled him to pull over.

The officer mistook the sign, which read "Abort Obama, not the unborn," as threatening.

And in October, a pro-life woman who received an unsolicited phone call from the Barack Obama campaign complained about his pro-abortion position. The call earned her a visit from the Secret Service, who were apparently given erroneous information from the campaign volunteer that she made a death threat.

Silly Canadians!

Why we will never leave Iraq

I saw this over at Catholic Caveman and HAD to post it. This is the group of genetic defectives that will see to the defense of Iraq. Watch the three on the right. They gave me fits.

Do tell!

I'm sure there are those of you with your stories of liturgical terrorism that you witnessed the past few days: perhaps the Easter Bunny recessed out of Mass yesterday? Maybe there was liturgical dance Maundy Thursday, or maybe just a bakers dozen of female feet were scrubbed up. Let us know. We love to hear what you are seeing out there!

Of course, if you attended a breathtakingly beautiful liturgy tell us about that too. We're not all about negativity you know! We like to report the good and the bad.

Have a nice Easter Monday!

Garabandal appartitions

Christ Is Risen!

Indeed He is Risen! Have a blessed Easter!

And I'll have you know

At 11:35 this morning I was in Scranton. So I decided to stop by Saint Peter's Cathedral to say "hello" to the reposed Jesus.

He was gone, but you know what I saw?

People standing in line for (!) Confession (!) if you can believe it.

So some places are doing it right.

Even only they ALL could.

And now, from our Bishops...

...the letter sent to Mister Jenkins on the Obama Scandal.

April 1, 2009

Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President

University of Notre Dame

400 Main Building

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Dear Father Jenkins,

The numerous, repeated and extensive anti-life positions taken by President Obama merit his recognition as an unequalled, prominent proponent of the culture of death in our nation. Given her Catholic identity, the University of Notre Dame’s receiving the President as the 2009 commencement speaker and her bestowing on him an honorary doctorate are truly shameful, a scandal to the Church and a major blow to hundreds of thousands who have sacrificed to bring forth a culture of life in our midst.

As a Diocesan Bishop and his Auxiliary we cannot overstress our disapproval of these actions by the University.

Through its President, His Eminence Cardinal George, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops acted swiftly and consistently to engage President Obama on human life issues. Your reported comment that “I think if he is going to reconsider his views, I think Notre Dame is the best possible place to begin that process” demeans, we believe, the intelligent urgency exercised by the nation’s bishops in this matter.

Moreover, your argument that honoring President Obama by granting a degree to him “is not intended to condone or endorse his position on specific issues regarding life” is no more than a blatant rejection of United States Bishops’ assessment of what Catholic institutions do when they so act. Their 2004 statement is absolutely clear. “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

“Bishops have a particular responsibility to promote Catholic universities, and especially to promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity, including the protection of their Catholic identity in relation to civil authorities.” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae, no. 28) We are convinced that Notre Dame will one day very much regret rebuffing not only her own Bishop D’Arcy but also the USCCB’s efforts to fulfill their responsibilities in her regard.
Praying this conviction will prove untrue and that Notre Dame will immediately and resoundingly proclaim her Catholic identity in word and act, we are,

Sincerely yours in Our Lord,

Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.

Bishop of Scranton

Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, D.D., V.G.

Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton

Wow.

I wish Bishop Bruskewicz would stop beating around the bush!

Here is is his letter to Mr. John Jenkins, the "priest" in charge of Notre Dame.

April 3, 2009

The Reverend John Jenkins, C.S.C
President, University of Notre Dame
400 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556

Reverend and dear Father Jenkins,

Permit me to add my name as well to the long list of Bishops of the Catholic Church who are utterly appalled at your dedication to immorality and wrong-doing represented by your support for the obscenity called “The Vagina Monologues” and your absolute indifference to the murderous abortion program and beliefs of this President of the United States. The fact that you have some sort of past connection with the State of Nebraska makes it all the more painful that the Catholic people here have to see your betrayal of the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

I can assure you of my prayers for your conversion, and for the conversion of your formerly Catholic University. I am

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

The Most Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz
Bishop of Lincoln

Today is Good Friday

God bless you all this Good Friday!

O My people, what have I done to thee? Or wherein have I afflicted thee? Answer Me. Because I led thee out of the land of Egypt, thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Savior.

Because I led thee out through the desert forty years: and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good, thou has prepared a Cross for thy Savior.

What more ought I to have done for thee, that I have not done? I planted thee, indeed, My most beautiful vineyard: and thou has become exceeding bitter to Me: for in My thirst thou gavest Me vinegar to drink and with a lance thou hast pierced the side of thy Savior.

O holy God!
O holy God!
O holy strong One!
O holy strong One!
O holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
O holy immortal One, have mercy on us!

What's so Maundy about today?

Today, Maundy Thursday also known as "Holy Thursday" or "Shire Thursday" commemorates Christ's Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist. Its name of "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "command." This stems from Christ's words in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you." It is the first of the three days known as the "Triduum," and after the Vigil tonight, and until the Vigil of Easter, a more profoundly somber attitude prevails (most especially during the hours between Noon and 3:00 PM on Good Friday). Raucous amusements should be set aside...

So, did anyone attend Mass tonight where they incorrectly washed the feet of women? I didn't for a change! HAHAHAHA!

Easter Triduum Schedule

Here is the schedule over the Triduum for one of my favorite local Churches, Saint Joseph in Nanticoke. Let me say this, Father Langan is one of the few priests doing it right in this Diocese, as he not only offers confession during the Triduum, but he offers MORE opportunities for confession, as it should be.

Maundy Thursday Confession at 10:30 - 12pm Mass at 7pm

Good Friday Confession at 9am Mass of the Presanctified at 2pm Tenebrae at 7pm

Holy Saturday Blessing the baskets at 10 & 2 Confession at 10:30-12pm Easter Vigil at 8pm.

If your traditionally minded parish would like me to help attract visitors to your Church during the Easter Triduum, email me and I will post the info here.

Too busy to offer confession?

In the 2002 edition of the Missale Romanum for Good Friday it says: "On this and the following day, the Church, from a most ancient tradition, does not at all celebrate the sacraments, except for Penance and Anointing of the Sick.

I have often noticed for some reason that the Churches around here do not offer confession during the Triduum so I called several local Churches to find out why. When I asked the woman who answered the phone at St. Nick's in Wilkes-Barre why there was no confession Saturday at their regular time she said "It's Holy Week. They had a penance service Monday."

The woman who answered the phone over at Saint Mary Church of the Maternity tried to put the blame on me as to why I did not attend confession. There were ample opportunities to do so I was told. When I pressed her as to why the Church canceled it's regularly scheduled confessions during the Triduum she said "It's the rule. It's the rule of the Church." I asked her "What rule? Where is it written down?". She became quiet. "I don't know." she replied.

Finally, the woman who answered the phone over at St Mary's on Washington St in Wilkes-Barre told me when asked why there was no confession on Saturday that the priests "...are busy doing other things."

Really?

Too busy?

Too busy to see to the needs of their flock? To busy to see to the salvation of souls?

Really?

You priests in this Diocese should be ashamed.

Not all priests though it would seem.

In stark contrast to these other Churches, I contacted Saint Joseph's Church in Nanticoke. It would seem Father Langan is offering confession several times over the Easter Triduum. He has read the Missale Romanum and obviously understands what it says. He understands his mission as a priest. Good for him. I hope the Bishop does not take him too far away when they close Saint Joseph's.

Welcome to Spy Wednesday

Today is referred to as "Spy Wednesday".

From our friends at Fisheaters

In the Old Testament Joseph, who prefigured Christ, was betrayed by his older brother, Judah - the father of the tribe of King David and through which the Messianic prophecies were fulfilled, when Judah sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt for so many shekels of silver (see Genesis 37-38, and also Psalm 68:2-29 and Acts 1:13-20).

From that tribe of Judah came Our Lord, Who was betrayed by another Judah, a man who is more commonly known as Judas Iscariot ("Iscariot" refers to Kerioth, a town in Judea). This Judas handled the money for the Apostles and became offended by the extravagance of Mary Magdalen's gesture of love towards Jesus.

John 12:1-8 1
Jesus therefore, six days before the pasch, came to Bethania, where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life. And they made him a supper there: and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with him. Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein.

Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always.

Immediately after this, Judas met with the chief priests to betray Our Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Here is St. Matthew's version of History:

Matthew 26:6-15
And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, There came to Him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on His head as He was at table.

And the disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste? For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always. For she in pouring this ointment upon my body, hath done it for my burial. Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her.

Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver.

For thirty pieces of silver was Our Lord betrayed, as prophecied by Zacharias: ¹

Zacharias 11:9 -12
I will not feed you: that which dieth, let it die: and that which is cut off, let it be cut off: and let the rest devour every one the flesh of his neighbour. And I took my rod that was called Beauty, and I cut it asunder to make void my covenant, which I had made with all people. And it was made void in that day: and so the poor of the flock that keep for me, understood that it is the word of the Lord. And I said to them: If it be good in your eyes, bring hither my wages: and if not, be quiet. And they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

St. Luke explains how this vile betrayal happened: a devil entered into Judas:

Luke 22:3-6
And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve. And he went, and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and convenanted to give him money. And he promised. And he sought opportunity to betray him in the absence of the multitude (see also John 13:2).

But Jesus already knew this would happen, as we know from this earlier exchange with His Apostles, after He revealed that we must eat His Body and drink His Blood. He knew what Judas would do with the free will God gives to all men:

John 6:64-72
The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him. And He said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to Me, unless it be given him by my Father.

After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with Him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away?

And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God (see also John 12:26-29 and Matthew 26:25).

Jesus answered them: Have not I chosen you twelve; and one of you is a devil? Now he meant Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon: for this same was about to betray Him, whereas he was one of the twelve.

Mediation? Is the Diocese One Big Union?

WILKES-BARRE – Representatives from a group trying to stop the closing of local parishes held a news conference outside Sacred Heart Church in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday to give details about their latest efforts, hinting at a possible lawsuit.

About 35 people prayed the rosary after the announcement.

Noreen Foti, who has helped spearhead the push that now includes seven parishes in Luzerne County and one in Scranton, said the Council of Parishes of Northeastern Pennsylvania has joined a group of parishes from eight dioceses nationwide in making a “request for mediation” that was delivered to the Vatican on Tuesday by Boston activist Peter Borre.

“Mr. Borre has been the long-standing leader of this effort to alert the Vatican of the unprecedented suppression of Catholic parishes in America,” Foti said. Suppression is the official term the Catholic Church typically applies in closing parishes.

The 22-page document seeks to suspend the appeals process already started by parish members in an effort to stop the closing. Those appeals are submitted to the Apostolic Nuncio in Washington, D.C., the pope’s representative in America. Once the appeal is submitted, those who are appealing usually have little or no say in the process until a ruling is returned.

Mediation would begin a new process “with clear responsibilities on both sides,” according to Foti.

Foti said “Catholicism in America is in a crisis.” She cited a Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey last year that found about one-third of respondents who said they were raised Catholic no longer describe themselves that way.

Foti also noted that when Bishop Joseph Martino took office in October 2003, there were 231 parishes, and by the time his latest, diocese-wide restructuring is completed, 122 of them – 53 percent – will have been closed since his arrival.

Foti said massive closings in Boston resulted in 35 percent to 40 percent of parishioners leaving the Catholic faith. She noted a similar outcome here would translate into the Diocese of Scranton losing between 58,000 to 67,000 believers.

Before she even arrived to make her comments, several of those gathering predicted that closing Sacred Heart would push many parishioners out of the Catholic Church and into one of the nearby protestant parishes.

Foti also noted that some local Catholics believe the closings are not the result of last year’s extensive, diocese-wide process known as “Called to Holiness and Mission,” which took about a year and involved numerous local and regional committees. Instead, she said, some of the closings appear to have been planned long before that process began.

To bolster that claim, she cited an exchange of letters between a group she and her husband founded – the Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation – and Martino’s Central Region Episcopal Vicar, Monsignor Joseph Bambera.

The Fotis wrote a letter to Martino outlining their group’s proposal to raise money and save Sacred Heart. In February 2007, Bambera replied with a letter that cited the high estimated cost of repairs at the church.

“The expenditure of millions of dollars for the repair of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, in light of the current profile of its parishioners and the questionable future of many parishes throughout the Diocese, would reflect an irresponsible use of funds,” Bambera wrote.

The Fotis argue that proves the diocese had decided to close the church two years before the decision was formally announced this February and nearly a year before “Called to Holiness” began.

Diocesan spokesman Bill Genello did not respond to an e-mail and voice message seeking comment.

From the Times Leader

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

From the Washington Post

Most Americans think President Obama's pledge to "seek a new way forward" with the Muslim world is an important goal, even as nearly half hold negative views about Islam and a sizable number say that even mainstream adherents to the religion encourage violence against non-Muslims, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

There is still a broad lack of familiarity with the world's second-largest religion -- 55 percent of those polled said they are without a basic understanding of the teachings and beliefs of Islam, and most said they do not know anyone who is Muslim. While awareness has increased in recent years, underlying views have not improved.

About half, 48 percent, said they have an unfavorable view of Islam, the highest in polls since late 2001. Nearly three in 10, or 29 percent, said they see mainstream Islam as advocating violence against non-Muslims; although more, 58 percent, said it is a peaceful religion.(Continue)

So Much For Homeland Security

You all heard about Muslim Yavuz Berke, right?

No?

He's the Muslim that took the stolen Cessna aircraft on a dry run over the US/Canadian border to see how we responded.

Guess what?

We didn't shoot him down.

What we did was we sent two F-16 fighters up. And he was in American airspace 20 minutes before we intercepted him.

And then we followed him.

We followed him over Minnesota, across Wisconsin, through Illinois and finally they ended up in Missouri.

At one point the the Wisconsin State Capital Building was evacuated.

But we didn't shoot him down. We let him fly his little heart out.

This was a dry run.

Just hope you're not in the way of the real thing.

Private Colonoscopy Sessions Now Legal in Vermont!

The 4th state in the Union to formally attack traditional marriage made it legal for homosexuals to wed today.

Vermont lawmakers legalize gay marriage

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Vermont on Tuesday became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature's vote.

The House recorded a dramatic 100-49 vote — the minimum needed — to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto. Its vote followed a much easier override vote in the Senate, which rebuffed the Republican governor with a vote of 23-5.

Vermont was the first state to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples and joins Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa in giving gays the right to marry. Their approval of gay marriage came from the courts. (Continue) But you better come back!

Palm Sunday

From Dom Gueranger's "The Liturgical Year"

Early in the morning of this day, Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, leaving Mary His Mother, and the two sisters Martha and Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus, at Bethania. The Mother of sorrows trembles at seeing her Son thus expose Himself to danger, for His enemies are bent upon His destruction; but it is not death, it is triumph, that Jesus is to receive to-day in Jerusalem. The Messias, before being nailed to the cross, is to be proclaimed King by the people of the great city; the little children are to make her streets echo with their Hosanna to the Son of David; and this in presence of the soldiers of Rome's emperor, and of the high priests and pharisees: the first standing under the banner of their eagles; the second, dumb with rage.

The prophet Zachary had foretold this triumph which the Son of Man was to receive a few days before His Passion, and which had been prepared for Him from all eternity. ' Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion! Shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold thy King will come to thee; the Just and the Saviour. He is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.' Jesus, knowing that the hour has come for the fulfilment of this prophecy, singles out two from the rest of His disciples, and bids them lead to Him an ass and her colt, which they would find not far off. He has reached Bethphage, on Mount Olivet. The two disciples lose no time in executing the order given them by their divine Master; and the ass and the colt are soon brought to the place where He stands.

The holy fathers have explained to us the mystery of these two animals. The ass represents the Jewish people, which had been long under the yoke of the Law; the colt, upon which, as the evangelist says, no man yet hath sat, is a figure of the Gentile world, which no one had ever yet brought into subjection. The future of these two peoples is to be decided a few days hence: the Jews will be rejected, for having refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messias; the Gentiles will take their place, to be adopted as God's people, and become docile and faithful.

The disciples spread their garments upon the colt; and our Saviour, that the prophetic figure might be fulfilled, sits upon him, and advances towards Jerusalem. As soon as it is known that Jesus is near the city, the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of those Jews, who have come from all parts to celebrate the feast of the Passover. They go out to meet our Lord, holding palm branches in their hands, and loudly proclaiming Him to be King. They that have accompanied Jesus from Bethania, join the enthusiastic crowd. Whilst some spread their garments on the way, others cut down boughs from the palm-trees, and strew them along the road. Hosanna is the triumphant cry, proclaiming to the whole city that Jesus, the Son of David, has made His entrance as her King.

Thus did God, in His power over men's hearts, procure a triumph for His Son, and in the very city which, a few days later, was to clamour for His Blood. This day was one of glory to our Jesus, and the holy Church would have us renew, each year, the memory of this triumph of the Man-God. Shortly after the birth of our Emmanuel, we saw the Magi coming from the extreme east, and looking in Jerusalem for the King of the Jews, to whom they intended offering their gifts and their adorations: but it is Jerusalem herself that now goes forth to meet this King. Each of these events is an acknowledgment of the kingship of Jesus; the first, from the Gentiles; the second, from the Jews. Both were to pay Him this regal homage, before He suffered His Passion. The inscription to be put upon the cross, by Pilate's order, will express the kingly character of the Crucified: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Pilate, the Roman governor, the pagan, the base coward, has been unwittingly the fulfiller of a prophecy; and when the enemies of Jesus insist on the inscription being altered, Pilate will not deign to give them any answer but this: ' What I have written, I have written.' To-day, it is the Jews themselves that proclaim Jesus to be their King: they will soon be dispersed, in punishment for their revolt against the Son of David; but Jesus is King, and will be so for ever. Thus were literally verified the words spoken by the Archangel to Mary, when he announced to her the glories of the Child that was to be born of her: ' The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David, His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.' Jesus begins His reign upon the earth this very day; and though the first Israel is soon to disclaim His rule, a new Israel, formed from the faithful few of the old, shall rise up in every nation of the earth, and become the kingdom of Christ, a kingdom such as no mere earthly monarch ever coveted in his wildest fancies of ambition.

WIll Rigali Speak Up?

Well this isn't really a surprise considering it is a Jesuit University we are talking about. But it seems that pro-abortion democrat whackjob Chris Matthews will travel to Philadelphia to give the commencement address at Saint Joseph University.

I am interested to see how our own Cardinal Rigali will respond to this. He was silent on the Obamanation visiting Notre Dame, but this atrocity is happening right under the Cardinal's nose. We will see. Many Catholics will learn his true nature as this drama unfolds. You hear that Cardinal? Time to man-up and be a Catholic.

You can tell them how much they suck by contacting St. Joseph's University directly. Contact St. Joseph's University, Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., Office of the President, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395, email tlannon@sju.edu, or call 610-660-1000

Tell them the Traddy sent ya.

Yay! A Bishop who follows Catholic Moral teaching!

Not as easy to find as you may think. And how can you blame them, these cowardly Bishops? With the resistance and scorn Bishop Martino has received from his own flock, why would Bishops around the world want to pass on true Catholic teaching if this is the treatment they are going to recieve?

I'm sure the Anti-Martino crowd will probably go off on this too. I'm sure I'll be hearing how the Bishop is against the health of the students and he wants girls to get pregnant and other such nonsense. It's starting to get old, this hatred of the Bishop. People need to get over it and move on. Simply ridiculous.

How about getting pissed off about the 40,000 babies that were murdered in various ways today while you were out shopping at WalMart?

Priorities, people.

Get some.

Scranton diocese warns Catholic colleges not to offer contraceptives through student health servicesBy Shari Sanger
Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, April 4, 2009 11:01 AM EDT

Diocese of Scranton leaders have asked the presidents of the four area Catholic colleges and universities for “assurance” that they are not providing or encouraging the use of contraceptives among students, which is against the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

In a Wednesday letter, Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty asked the presidents of King’s College, Misericordia University, Marywood University and the University of Scranton to provide information about their student health services.

The intent is to “have assurance that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching,” according to a press release issued Friday by the diocese.

The bishops’ letter was prompted by an article in the March 25 edition of “The Hawk” — the student newspaper at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia — which described how the university, in its words, finds the “middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare,” according to the diocesan press release.

The bishops’ letter asks the presidents to send them any documents that indicate the policies, procedures or authorized practices for the provision of student health services.

The four Catholic institutions plan to issue a joint statement to the media on Monday, said Misericordia University spokesman Paul Krzywicki.

“We just found out late yesterday (Thursday) that the diocese was going to release this information. The presidents just thought it would be better if they got together and discussed this and issued a joint statement,” he said.

In the “Hawk” article, St. Joseph’s Director of Student Health Services Laura Hurst explains that the school’s urban location makes it easy for students to obtain condoms from various non-school sources, which she described as a “fortunate” situation for students. She also discussed how oral contraceptives can be used for other medical purposes, such as relieving cramps.

“It’s always a fine line between staying within the values of the University, which we completely respect, and offering services to the students,” Hurst is quoted as saying. “We are fortunate that there are other medical centers in the area, and that there are health care providers other than us.”

Martino and Dougherty contend her position indicates little respect for Catholic moral teaching.

The letter to the local universities comes two weeks after Pope Benedict XVI said, during a trip to Africa, that condoms are not the answer to the AIDS epidemic there and can make the problem worse.

Joe FREAKING Biden!

How are you training your altar boys?

Any parishes in our about to be profoundly renewed diocese strictly use altar BOYS? Just wondering, cuz there should be if there aren't.

A nice little piece from the New Liturgical Movement

Liturgical Formation: Training and Re-Enchantment: Do Not Forget Your Altar Boys

By Shawn Tribe

"Dear brother priests, I would ask you, among other initiatives, to show special care for altar servers, who represent a kind of “garden” of priestly vocations. The group of altar servers, under your guidance as part of the parish community, can be given a valuable experience of Christian education and become a kind of pre-seminary. Help the parish, as a family made up of families, to look upon the altar servers as their own children, like “olive shoots around the table” of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life (cf. Ps. 127:3)." (Source: Letter to Priests, Holy Thursday 2004, John Paul II)

Often in pursuing the reform of the reform, we tend to think primarily of what the priest and the choir need to accomplish, but we should never forget the importance of properly trained altar servers either. They not only lend to (or distract from) the sacred mysteries, it is also a "garden of vocations" as John Paul II put it, and more generally, it is a school for learning to love the sacred liturgy. In all these regards then, it is an area that we should not overlook -- particularly as we build for the future.

While it has been a number of years since I last saw it, one of the best guidebooks for training altar servers "in continuity" in relation to the modern Roman liturgy is Ministry at the Altar: A Manual for Servers, Acolytes, Clergy, Sacristans, Teachers, Masters of Ceremonies, and all involved in the Ceremonies of the Church, by (then) Msgr. Peter C. Elliott. (The book may be purchased from the Australian site of the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen for 7.50 AUD.)

(Update: Thanks to Fr. Scott Haynes for pointing out that the original edition for the usus antiquior is also available.)

Of course, these considerations of the importance of serving at the altar (and serving well) apply also to the usus antiquior. In view of both forms, and as one part of this formation of servers, may I offer for your consideration again this piece: Reclaiming the Sacristy as a Place of Prayer and Preparation (Nov. 8, 2008).

Let us begin then, at a young age, to inculcate a sense of awe, reverence and love for the sacred liturgy in all its aspects and details, and in so doing, help to give that valuable Christian education in the very source and summit of our Faith. This builds a strong foundation in so many regards, including a foundation for our future priests.

The Pantsuit strikes again.

Y'all heard about our fabulous Secretary of State I suppose? You know, she's on her whirlwind tour of Europe to undo eight years of W Bush?

Well it just so happens that when she isn't mispronouncing names, or admitting she doesn't understand European democracy, or giving a chintzy looking gift with the wrong Russian word on it she is busy asking dumb-ass questions.

You've all heard the famous phrase, "there are no stupid questions"?

Well, yes there are.

And Hillary loves to ask them.

Case in point, Hillary made a recent stop in Mexico at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted by Mary on the tilma, or cloak, of St. Juan Diego in 1531. The image has numerous unexplainable phenomena, such as the appearance on Mary’s eyes of those present in the room when the tilma was opened and the image’s lack of decay.

Mrs. Clinton was received on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. by the rector of the Basilica, Msgr. Diego Monroy.

Msgr. Monroy took Mrs. Clinton to the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had been previously lowered from its usual altar for the occasion.

After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!”

Whatchu think about that?

If CNN existed during Biblical Times

Some possible headlines you would have seen:

On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed

On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock

On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed

On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple

On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior

On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy

On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost

On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed

Do you have nay?