You can invite EIGHT people to join you for a leisurely weekend. Call it a shooting party ala Gosford Park.
There will be slow and well-paced meals and, of course pre-prandials.
Since you are at the WDTPRS county manor (on my planet, that is), you will be able to talk into the night and continue the next day.
Who MUST be there?
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ALIVE (now).
Here is a list for this weekend, off the top of my head.
Newt Gingrich
Archbp. Niederauer
Fr. Jenkins
His Hermeneuticalness
Rahm Emmanuel
Ann Coulter
Janeane Garofalo
Giovanni Maria Vian
You do not have to predict who will be alive at the end.
So… your list?
Eight (PLUS yourself as ring master).
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Oooh, tough one! Do I want 8 on one theme, like religion, baseball, politics, current events, terrorism, music, film idols… – or mix and match? Let’s see…
1. B.B. King
2. (Former U.S. President) George H.W. Bush
3. (Former U.S. Secretary of State) James Baker
4. Pope Benedict XVI – I don’t know which topic, though. Perhaps cats.
5. Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap (Preacher to the papal household) – I actually had the chance to see/hear him in person once. Very good.
6. Father Ignacio Larranaga (Spanish Capuchin, Basque, lives primarily in Chile. A noted writer, preacher, and retreat leader – particularly on spiritual matters, prayer, the interior life.)
7. Dr. Paul Farmer (Massachusetts doctor who does so much back-and-forth with relief efforts in Haiti.
8. Michelle Obama’s mother – I enjoyed her speech from the DNC last year.
Hmm Here is mine
Any leader of Call to Action…
A “St Louis Jesuit”…or David Haas, depending on who has written the most annoying music most recently
Bishop Fellay
Archbishop Burke
Glen Beck (he amuses me)
Jesse Romero
The Superior of the FSSP, Very Rev. John Berg
Nancy Pelosi
The “Spirit of Vatican II” ..figure as much as this one is envoked, has to be something that can be conjured up.
Now naturally, this would be a sort of lumberjack match, and you all can deduce for yourself where the in ring rivalries will be, though, I can see Bernard Fellay and His Excellency Raymond Burke taking turns on CTA. I know Bishop Fellay isnt “regularized ” yet, but call him a free agent in this game.
Our meal would consist of Steak, and Potatos. I am a simple guy
Our beverage would be a nice Chardonnay. I know its not proper.,..but its my party.
We will also have Koolaid for the speaker, CTA, David Haas, and the Spirit of Vatican II. Also, we’ll have popcorn since I think Slimer liked Popcorn from ghost busters, and figure spirits like popcorn.
We’ll have spam or boca for the Opponents, as they are probably all PITA people too.
Bob newhart
Don Rickles
Bishop Mihai C?t?lin Fr??il? (youngest living bishop 38 yrs.)
Bishop Antoine Nguyên Van Thien (oldest living bishop 103 yrs.)
Laura Ingrahams
Pope Benedict XVI
Osama Bin Laden
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
Mater et Pater, Fr. Z., Frs. McAfee and Scalia and the Man with the Black Hat from St. John the Beloved, Fr. John from St. Joe’s, Pope Benedict, and Bp. Fellay. Mario Lemieux is the alternate.
Archbishop Charles Chaput
James MacMillan
Jonah Goldberg
P. J. O’Rourke
Gov. Bobby Jindal
Gov. Sarah Palin
Shawn Tribe
Mary Ann Glendon
Stephen Fry
George W. Bush
President Obama
Bill Bryson
Pope Benedict XVI
Fr. Z
Stephen Colbert
The Stig [ROFL!]
Cardinal Mahoney
Pope Benedict
Bishop Williamson
Fr. Chad Ripperger
Patriarch of Constantinople
Patriarch of Moscow
Gerry Mattatics
Stephen Hand,
Thomas Drolesky,
One of the Dimond Brothers,
James Allison,
Christopher West,
Scott Hahn,
Father Rutler,
Bishop Williamson.
Peter Kreeft
Peter Singer
Hans Kung
Archbp. Burke
Tiger Woods
Phil Mickelson
Charles Curran
Alice von Hildebrand
Pope Benedict
Archbishop Burke
Cardinal Mahoney
Fr. Zuhlsdorf
David Wright
President Obama
Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Archbishop Dolan
Stephen Hawking
William S.R.E card. Levada
Dario S.R.E. card. Castrillon
John Rutter
Cormac S.R.E. card. Murphy – O’Connor
James MacMillan
Sua Santita Papa Benedetto XVI
Most Rev. + Seamus Cunningham, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, UK
Mostly a very reverend gathering, but then that’s a company I’ve always felt most at home with. We would have proper dark beer like ‘Dunkel’ and a Wiener Schnitzel or a massive steak and potatoes for dinner.
Later in the evening – good winie, preferably Jacob’s Creek or similar.
I wonder how + Cormac would cope with such traditionally minded lot. I assume that the discussion would concentrate on why the Pope did not pick +Cormac’s favourite for the archdiocese of Westminster and similar issues like these. Would be interesting.
Pope Benedict XVI
James Francis Cardinal Stafford
Archbishop Raymond Burke
Archbishop Charles Chaput
Bishop John D’Arcy
Bishop Fabian Brusketwitz
Bishop Robert Finn
Father John Jenkins, C.S.C.
I wonder what they’d talk about?
My wife and kids make six, then my good friend Dan and his wife. Easy! My rule of thumb – if our kids aren’t welcome, I’m not welcome.
Pope Benedict
Richard McBrien
David Solomon
Karl Rove
Nancy Pelosi
Dick Cheney
Jim Leyland
Benedict Groeschel
Place-cards
Ends: Mr J. Allen Jr and Fr J. Zuhlsdorf
On one side of the table……………On the other
PP Benedict XVI………………………..Fr H. Kung
+Archbp Thomas Collins……………..Fr R. McBrien
Mr D. Thompson………………………..Ms Pepinster
Dear Father Z, I think your readers should know that Bishop Fellay is quite a dull person – not ideal for a dinner party, in my humble opinion.
Arch. Dolan
Bono
Arch. Burke
Camille Paglia
My wife
PJ O’Rourke
Steven Colbert
Mother Assumpta
Dinner would be a well-seasoned prime rib with roasted vegatables complemented by a flight of 82 Bordeaux.
My Wife
My Daughter
Prof Christopher Kelly
Colin Kelly
Claire Kelly
Catherine Kelly
Fr. Larry Niese
Fr. Jaime Rivera-Cortijo
No shooting party,but there would be saltwater fly fishing, bocce, and eating fresh catch on the beach.
Tom Cruise
Avigdor Lieberman
Ron Howard
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Tony Blair
William Shatner
Francis Arinze
Gabriele Amroth
Last names would probably suffice:
Ratzinger
McBrien
Zuhlsdorf
Fessio
Obama
Gingrich
Dolan
Scanlon (Father Mike, TOR – Franciscan University of Steubenville))
Yup, I wouldn’t even want to speak…I expect the Holy Father and I would just watch, eat, listen, attempt to gavel things down to a dull roar from time to time and occasionally throw cold water…but it would be swell!
May God richly bless everyone reading this…all those whom you love and those for whom you pray. Have a terrific weekend.
Thank you!
Archbp. Burke
Fr. Z
Mark Steyn
Rush Limbaugh
Neil Peart
Robert Duvall
Thomas Sowell
Barak Obama
Semper Fi!
Pope Benedict
my spiritual director/confessor/good buddy (yes he is all of those things!)
Fr. Mitch Pacwa
Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer)
Anne Rice
my best friend (Donna)
Peter Kreeft
George W. Bush
Hard to choose only 8. I had a few more waiting in the wings.
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
Fr. George Welzbacher
Benjamin Netanyahu
Judith Martin
Niall Ferguson
Jared Diamond
Fr. Augustine Thompson
Fr. Gregory Tatum
Condoleeza Rice
I know, I know, it\’s ten people not nine, violating Miss Manners\’ principle that dinner parties should include more than the Graces but less than the Muses, but I couldn\’t think whom to eliminate.
1. Pope Benedict
2. James White
3. Perry Stone
4. My Bishop (Edward K Braxton)
5. Archbishop Burke
6. V.P. Joseph Biden
7. Dr. Scott Hahn
8. Hans Kung
(Assuming that my wife and kids are out of town, if not…)
1. My Wife
2. My Son
3. My Daughter
4. My Daughter
5. My Son
6. Fr. Z
7. Pope Benedict
8. My parish priest (maybe the seven of us could convince him to clean up our Liturgy)
My youngest son is 3 years old and lisps so I don’t think he’ll convince anyone! ;-)
My rule of thumb – if our kids aren’t welcome, I’m not welcome.
Bill, I respectfully disagree. We have 8 children with one or two on the way (we’re adopting and praying for twins.) We have great friends, and we have parties/dinners with whole families. We love families (and priests, religious, and seminarians.) Then sometimes we have dinner parties without the children. I’m excited when people invite us to an “adults only” dinner. Last week we had friends over and all 10 of the children stayed in the basement or outside. They had fun and we had fun. Not all topics are for such delicate ears.
Fr. Z
The Wife
The Daughter
Jimmy Akin
The Pope
Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand
My priest and good friend Fr. J.
I’d have to invite Fr. Z as it is his house and I don’t want to be rude. I am inviting the Pope because he is awesome and I’d like to talk to him. If I am inviting the Pope and I don’t invite my priest, then I would be in big trouble. I am rounding out the list with Jimmy Akin since I really respect him and he has taught me so much about the faith. If it weren’t for him, I doubt I would understand anything written on this blog. Fr. Groeschel fits in the same category as Jimmy. My wife has read a few of Dr. Von Hildebrand’s and is a “fan,” plus she and Fr. Groschel are old friends.
Dinner would be shishkabobs with a mixture of ribeye, filet mignon, and chicken. Along with roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, some ciabatta, romaine salad, fresh home made ice cream for dessert. As for beverages, I don’t drink so I would be open to recommendations. You can bet there would be some Coke, A&W, German style Fresca, and a few diet Hansens (for Jimmy) in the cooler.
You do not have to predict who will be alive at the end.
I’m pretty sure Ann Coulter will be packing, therefore, I wouldn’t bet on Janeane Garofalo making it past the salad course.
Pope Benedict +
Archbishop Burke +
Cardinal Hoyos+
Cardinal Canizares+
Bishop Rhoades +
Fr. Poisson FSSP
Nacy Pelosi
The Father General of the Jesuits.
Karl Keating
Dr. Phil
Thomas Peters
Doug Kmiec
Dr. Evil
Bishop Ludwig Schwarz(Linz)
Chris Gillibrand
Archbishop Burke(I found out Italians pronounce it “Bur KAH”)
1. Fr. Z
2. Peter Kreeft
3. Fr. Hathaway from the Diocese of Arlington
3. Dennis Leary
4. Colbert
5. My buddy Tim
6. My buddy John
7. Mel Gibson
8. Shatner (an enlightened choice: kudos to Allan above!)
I figure when the conversation got to elevated for my simple mind, I could drink myself silly with Leary and Gibson.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Glenn Beck
Pope Benedict
Archbishop Nienstedt
Jim Caviezel
Michael Brown (Spirit Daily)
My best friend, Jody Pisching
Nancy Pelosi
Here are my eight for the party (no clergy and no females so that certain protocols may be relaxed):
CHARLES COULOMBE
J. FRED FARRELL, JR.
PETE VERE
JOHN RAO
TOM WOODS
THOMAS STORCK
JOHN SHARPE
DAVID ALLEN WHITE
Oooo-good choices, everyone!
My choices would be:
Papa Benedict
Archbishop Burke
George W. Bush
Father Benedict Groschel
Father John Jenkins, CSC (love to see Father Groschel go after him!)
Father Kevin Foulkes (my best friend from England, ordained by JP II 27 years ago this coming Sunday)
Father George Rutler
I wouldn’t know what to serve them, though-never had a dinner party like that. Maybe a combination of German-American-English cuisine. I’d have to track down some Fanta for Papa!
Vincenzo-haha, you outdid yourself again! Love the ‘wheels’ near the chapel!
Ooops-I should learn how to count!
One more…gotta invite Father Z….
Maybe he can do the cooking!
Cardinal Arinze, Ann Coulter, Scott Hahn, Rush Limbaugh, Sandy Koufax, Bobby Jindal, Faith Hill and author Winston Groom. Wow, what a night!
Given your list the one thing I am sure of is that it will NOT be a leisurely weekend!
Luckily for me, I am already spending the weekend with my two friends Adam and Nick, so I’ll include them in my list:
1. Friend Adam
2. Friend Nick
3. Pope Benedict XVI
4. Father John Zuhlsdorf
5. Bill O’Reilly
6. My nextdoor neighbor
7. President Obama
8. Dr. Bruce Fouke (and interesting professor of mine from my days at U. of Illinois)
1. Fr. Z.
2. My own pastor Fr. Dennis Kolinski, S.J.C.
3. Archbishop Burke
4. Archbishop Wuerl
5. Archbishop Niederauer
6. Fmr Speaker Newt Gingrich
7. Fmr Prime Minister Tony Blair
8. Speaker Nancy Pelosi
With plenty of red meat on the menu.
How about some bloggers and writers for the weekend?
1. Mark Shea
2. Amy Wellborn
3. Fr. James Martin, SJ
4. The Crescat
5. Father Zuhlsdorf
6. Camille Paglia
7. Henry Edwards
8. Susan Estrich
Spirited discussion, but a certain refinement as well. Hope the cooks are up to the task and the wine cellar’s properly stocked.
In Christ,
I agree with the blogger idea. A first take. I’d prefer a bit more harmonious and less feisty of a gathering than that proposed by most above.
Fr. Z;
Thomas O’Rama (Video Meliora);
Dylan (Dark Speech Upon the Harp)
Jeff Miller(Curt Jester);
James Lileks(The Bleat);
Matthew Alderman (The Shrine of the Holy Whapping);
Erik Keilholtz (Erik’s Rants and Recipies); and
The Old Oligarch(Ibid).
Jesus Christ :-)
Archbishop Burke
Pope Benedict
Fr. John Berg FSSP
Fr. Michael Wiener ICRSP
Msgr. Wach ICRSP
Fr. Dupre FSSP
I cant think of anyone else :(
Pius XII
Michael I
Alexander IX
Peter II (of Belgium)
Krav I
Gregory XVII
Peter II (of Pennsylvania)
Linus II
Eight living antipopes would make for some fine conversation. My fear, though, is the question of precedence-how does one seat 8 anitpopes for supper? This might be where my dinner breaks down before it stops.
1) The Patriarch of Rome
2) The Patriarch of Constantinople
3) The Patriarch of Moscow
4) The Patriarch of Jerusalem (Gk)
5) The Patriarch of Jerusalem (Ltn)
6) The Patriarch of Antioch (Gk)
7) The Patriarch of Alexandria (Gk)
8) The Patriarch of Alexandria (Coptic)
And none would be able to leave until unity had been restored!
Seated at table 1:
1. Fr. McBrien
2. Fr. Jenkins
3. Chuck Norris, Emperor of the World
Seated at table 2:
4. Fr. Kung
5. Abp. Weakland
6. Jack Bauer, Scourge of Terrorists foreign, domestic, theological or liturgical
Table 3:
7. Jamie Oliver (a.k.a. “the naked chef” who of course would also be about the kitchen)
8. Malchus the Wandering Jew (who after 2000 years might appreciate a good meal, good wine, and the entertainment provided at tables 1 and 2.)
Mr. WAC,
Pius XII
don’t you mean Pius XIII, aka Fr.Lucian Pulvermacher?
1) B XVI
2) My biblical studies prof, Dr. Miletic
3) Arch. Chaput
4) Christian Bale
5) My godson
6) Amy Adams
7) GW Bush
8) Laura Bush
Pope Benedict XVI
Bishop Fellay
Fr. Brian Harrison
Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais
Alice von Hildebrand
Christopher West
Scott Hahn
Fr. George Rutler
Cdl Arinze
Richard Dawkins
Justice Thomas
Tom Hanks
Bp williamson
Sen Ted Kennedy
Rep Ron Paul
Abe Foxman
Bishop Fellay
Fr Stephen Zigrang
Dr Edward George (a Classics professor)
Neil Young (acoustic style)
Timothy Gautreaux (a Catholic novelist)
Mel Gibson
James Kirkpatrick (a friend)
Isaac Williams (my 12-year-old son)
Dave Liebman
Branford Marsalis
Pope Benedict XVI
Ann Coulter
Camille Paglia
Stanley Crouch
Tom Sowell
Clarence Thomas
let’s see…
McBrien
Fr. Frank Pavone
Glenn Beck
Arbp. Burke
Pelosi
Jenkins
Fr. John Corapi
Fr. Bill Casey, Fathers oF MErcy
That aught to do it…
1. Archbishop Burke
2. Cardinal Pell
3. Archbishop Dolan
4. Archbishop Nichols
5. Mons. Georg Gänswein
6. Mons. Guido Marini
7. Ingrid Stampa
8. Dom Alcuin Reid
With alternates standing by:
1. Fr. George Rutler
2. Alice Von Hildebrand
3. Mother Angelica
4. My pastor
Fr. Z wrote:
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ALIVE (now).
Which, obviously, disqualifies . . . Jesus? . . . Mary? . . all the Saints?
Hmm, the scriptures seem to say otherwise: Rev 1:17-18; Rev 7:14-17; Phil 1:21.
Then again, Fr. Z, you are working towards a doctorate in Theology (not scripture), aren’t you?
1. Father Z
2. Glenn Beck
3. His Excellency, Archbishop Burke
4. His Holiness, Benedict XVI and JP II
5. His Excellency, Bishop Brusckiewicz
6. Ann Coulter
7. Ronald Reagan
8. Margaret Thatcher
Hmm,
Judie Brown (not sure she drinks)
Thomas Roeser (since Chicago is now the Center of the Universe)
Fr. Cornelius O’Brien (once he has published his promised book on the human person)
Bishop Jaime Soto (I’m starting to come around on this one)
Now for the shootees…
Tony Blair (to learn about what it should mean to be a convert)
VP Biden (might listen to reason if there’s no press around)
The Governator (another Catholic who should know better)
And one wildcard…
Rep. Ron Paul
I don\’t think I saw Mother Angelica on anyone\’s list. Did she die while I wasn\’t paying attention?
Assuming she\’s alive, she\’s invited.
I also saw Father Chad Ripperger on someone\’s list. He will be at my parish tonght!
I doubt I\’ll get to have dinner with him though.
Also , I\’ve seen Richard Dawkins on a few lists. Didn\’t you see Expelled? That guy would ruin any get together.
OK list
Rutler
Groeschel
Clarence Thomas
Alan Keyes
Burke
Von Hildebrand
Kreeft
and if Mother Angelica isn\’t alive then Bruskewitz (just to see if he really talks like everyone that does an impersonation of him)
William wrote:
Pope Benedict +
Archbishop Burke +
Cardinal Hoyos+
Cardinal Canizares+
Bishop Rhoades +
Fr. Poisson FSSP
Nacy Pelosi
The Father General of the Jesuits.
If I remember correctly, the “+” should be placed BEFORE these names to indicate their place in the hierarchy. By placing the “+” after the names, you have effectively placed them among the faithful departed!
Miss October 2008 – Miss May 2009.
Or the more pious version:
1.) Pope Benedict XVI
2.) George W. Bush
3.) George Lucas
4.) Gene Wolfe
5.) Sarah Palin (hey, throw me a bone if I can’t have list #1)
6.) Rush Limbaugh
7.) Bernard Cardinal Law
8.) Harry W. Crocker, III
“I don’t think I saw Mother Angelica on anyone’s list. Did she die while I wasn’t paying attention?
Assuming she’s alive, she’s invited.”
Well, as a Poor Clare she does live under a vow of enclosure, so she might have to respectfully decline, depending which rules of usual life we’re suspending here.
I’ve met Bp. Bruskewitz, what do his imitators sound like? :)
As a Lutheran, I have slightly different priorities. But still:
Rev. Carl Braaten
Rev. Gordon Lathrop
Abp Rowan Williams
Garrison Keillor
Susan Howatch
Mary Gordon
Anne Rice
Shatner (because that’s just a *brilliant* idea)
Someone got Christopher West and Alice von Hildebrand before me! And, I think Garrison Keillor and Rowan Williams are great ideas, Pastor Church. :)
Here’s my list:
Hubby
Alice von Hildebrand
Christopher West
Garrison Keillor
Rowan Williams
John McCain
Hilary Clinton
Pope Benedict XVI
Could get interesting :)
Dave Armstrong
Jimmy Akin
Steven Greydanus
Tim Jones
Mark Shea
Amy Wellborn
Dawn Eden
Sister Martha
Pope Benedict-I would like to exchange cat stories with him!
Cardinal George
Shelby Foote (and any other Civil War Historians)
Bryn Terfel*
Renee Flemming*
YoYo Ma** I guess we would also need an orchestra with these four.*
Ennio Morricone**
Walter E Murphy-I just love his books
**This link is to a recording of YoYo playing some of Morricone’s work.
P.S. Romulus, what would you like to discuss with Mons. Gänswein?
Pope Benedict
Michael Savage
Mother Angelica
Fr. John Corapi
Fr. Gerard G. Steckler, SJ
Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
Mark Steyn
Anne Barbeau Gardiner
Definitely Card. Arinze, he is a crack-up. My wife had the good fortune to sit at his left hand at lunch once.
Soup was served, and his soup was a distinctly different color from that of everyone else’s.
He waited until all the soup bowls were down, looked pointedly at his own bowl, then at the bowls of the very white, very American people seated with him, and said, completely deadpan:
“Segregation.”
Later he admitted that he had a food allergy and that his soup had been specially prepared.
Camille Paglia
John Calloway
Alasdair MacIntyre
Anne Rice
Martha Nussbaum
Antonin Scalia
Woody Allen
David Lynch
Yo-yo Ma
Pope Benedict XVI
Johnny Deppe
Fr. Z.
Fr. Greg Markey
Archbishop Burke
Itzhak Perlman
Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem
Antiquarius, I`m most intrigued as to how Bishop Seamus Cunningham got on your list!!!
8 good friends
I’ve met Bp. Bruskewitz, what do his imitators sound like? :)
I just would like to hear him say, \”Hey, easy, it\’s not a tourniquet.\”
Benedict XVI, George W Bush, Fr Zuhlsdorf, Fr Aidan Nichols OP, Ian Duncan Smith MP, Frank Feild MP,the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain Dr Jonathan Sachs ( out of courtesy any snacks would be kosher),Dr Angela Merkl.
Several repeats here, but still:
David Bentley Hart
Joseph Bottum
Richard Dawkins
Archbp Burke
Bishop Martino
Mark Steyn
Barack Obama
Ralph McInerny
If we were talking a single dinner companion, it’d be Pope Benedict hands down, but in company like this I suspect he would be more retiring… and at the same time, the very presence of the Supreme Pontiff could hardly help but hamper conversation. *I* would certainly be shy of expounding my own views in a company that included him. On the other hand, I think it would be delightful to see how *little* Barack Obama had that effect on a company such as this.
1. Pope Benedict XVI +
2. Bishop Fellay +
3. Bishop Williamson +
4. Cardinal Hoyos +
5. Archbishop Burke +
6. Archbishop Nienstedt +
7. Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand
8. Fr. John Corapi
It comes down to this: the lists submitted have repeats because there are only so many interesting (to this blog) public personas. You want to have the strongest proponent represent your side of an issue so you can win! Therefore:
Alan Keyes acquainting Nancy Pelosi with traditional (and current) church teaching on abortion;
Christopher Hitchens and Pope Benedict mulling over proofs and dis-proofs for the existence of God;
Father George Rutler instructing Richard McBrien on the facts from the New Testament (just the facts, ma’am);
Archbishop Burke telling Archbishop Wuerl how he really feels about distribution of Holy Communion.
I would hope Fr. Z’s schedule would allow him to act as barbecue chef so he could pipe in on a chat, not officially or obstreperously, but just to insert a comma here or there, as the spirit moves him. To top the evening off, Bishop Fellay could drop by to offer grace before the meal and instantly disappear, thereby impressing BXVI with his humility and holiness.
Michael Savage
Jacqui Smith
Rev Wright
Barack Obama
William Ayers
Fr Jenkins
Phil Donahue
Dan Brown
Michael Voris
Hmm…
David Petraeus, alternate, Gen. James Mattis (if he were still alive, Chesty Puller in a nanosecond)
David Bellavia, (author of House to House)
Father Corapi
Rush Limbaugh, (he will plan the party)
Michael More, (he will play,uh be, court jester&fool)
Bill Donohue, to take care of the grill(-ing)
Bill Bennett, for historical perspectives
Janice Rogers Brown, for brilliance.
Benedict XVI
Fidel Castro
Jonathan Harvey
Charles Taylor
Alban McCoy
Dave Holland
Thomas Kinsella
Fergus Kerr
Father Robert Altier
Father Kevin McDonough
Arch Bishop Burke
Fr. Jenkins
Archbishop Niederaur
Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Michelle Bachmann
Father Welzbacher
Gov. Mike Huckabee
Helen Clark (Former New Zealand Prime Minister and rampant Feminist)
Bishop Richard Williamson
Bishop Fellay
Cardinal Hoyos
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
Tony Blair
H.R.H Queen Elizabeth II
+
i. Roger Federer
ii. Karl Keating
iii. Fr. Peter Laird
iv. HH, Pope Benedict XVI
v. Senator Norm Coleman
vi. Alice Von Hildebran
vii. Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
iix. Ben & Jerry
* If all of these celebrities had deep reversions and conversions -wow! The ripple effect could be huge. Norm, I think is close. Fed is Catholic, but I’m not sure how ardently -admittedly, that one is a little bit for me, too!
This exercise was absolutely intriguing and it took me several days to compile this list.
Fr. Jenkins
Sen. Arlen Specter
Michael Schiavo
Fr. John Corapi
Lady Margaret Thatcher
Dr. Bernard Nathanson
Dr. Alan Keyes
Fr. George Rutler
Food: I’m torn between a turkey shoot and lizard flambé.
But on the side, a modified Santa Maria style BBQ:
crisp garden salad;
filet mignon grilled over red oak wood coals, marinated and basted with beer & melted butter;
shrimp sauteed in olive oil with garlic, lemon, and parsley,
peppery pinquito beans;
fresh salsa;
grill-toasted sourdough French bread topped with butter, garlic, & parmesan;
a hearty red/CA pinot noir;
lemon meringue pie + espresso for dessert.
Theme music: Josh Groban’s “My Confession” (or, as I have dubbed it: “Modern Mea Culpa”)
Thinking about this was a blast. Can we do it again sometime? Please?
I forgot to strongly endorse your choice of Ann Coulter, Father. She’s on my short list for another weekend gathering.
Alan Keyes
Father Corapi
Pia di Solleni
Vincent Nichols
(I would spare the Holy Father, as much as I would like him to be there)
John Roberts
Glen Beck
Little ol me
My college-age son
still thinking about the menu-I need Father Z’s cookbook
Seeing as religion and politics are the two topics I could discuss till the day I died, and seeing as how I’d have very different major players for each, I split them up into two dinner parties (since Father Z didn’t make any injunctions against being a frequent hostess).
Religion:
Father Corapi
Paul Provencher (an extraordinarily erudite cousin of mine)
Tony Lozano (a friend of mine, Catholic, with good insights)
Father Z
Jesus (who would promptly raise G.K. Chesterton from the dead, thus rendering him alive and able to join us)
Father Altiers
Dinner will be pork pies with sauce, sauteed asparagus, steamed green beans, fresh sliced tomatoes with a little bit of oil, salt and pepper, a fruit plate of strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon, and the mandatory sliced loaf of fresh French bread and butter. Paul will be our sommelier. Dessert: butter brickle toffee bread pudding, or creme brulee. The date will be Pentecost, rather as it was this year – bridging the gap between May and June.
Politics:
Ann Coulter
Ron Paul
Wyatt Lacey (another friend of mine)
Paul Provencher (my aforementioned cousin)
Mike S. Adams
Sarah Palin
Stephen Colbert (to see if we can figure out what he really *does* stand for)
Mark Steyn
Dinner will be some summer menu, so we can eat outside and get rowdy. I’m thinking kebabs – some really snazzy cuts of beef, with chicken and lamb to round it out. Add to that some green bean casserole, potato salad, corn on the cob, tomato wedges, and piles of fruit – cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, and watermelon sections all in a hollowed out watermelon. Dessert is an intensely vanilla white cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, and vanilla ice cream with butterscotch sauce. Date? Fourth of July weekend, of course, and we’ll gang up on Colbert to lead us in some patriotic songs.