Multiple sins of the NETWORK nuns exposed

Posted on 25 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Multiple sins of the NETWORK nuns exposedEven though the culture wars are over and a new morning has dawned, I want you all to click HERE and read carefully a piece at the National Catholic Register by Anne Carey about the “Nuns on the Bus”.

The Nuns on the Bus, or NOBs, are going ’round and ’round again, this time palling around with pro-abortion VP Joe Biden.

Anne Carey is probably the most informed expert there is about the status of the question concerning women religious in these USA. She has a book which should be on the shelf of every person who ever has to deal with any nun for any reason anywhere.

At the NCReg piece, Carey writes about the latest chapter of the NOBs going-’round and ’round. The NOBs are out there, trying to turn out the vote for November primaries. Carey writes,

“Recent news reports about the 2014 Nuns on the Bus … are so bizarre they have me pinching myself to see if I’m really awake.”

Enter, from stage Left, pro-abortion VP Joe Biden, who is probably going to make his own White House run in 2016. He slavers praise all over the nuns’ lobby business called NETWORK, which helped give Catholic politicians cover so that they could vote for the Obamacare disaster, which they knew damn well could force taxpayer funding of abortion.

Sr. Simon Campbell, head of NETWORK and queenpin of the NOBs, is at the center of all of this.

And look for the mention of the LCWR.

Carey relates a set of jaw-dropping facts and, about midway through her piece, quips, “I can be forgiven for wondering why these stories had not come to light earlier if they are true, for Sister Simone does not have a strong track record of being factual.” Carey then continues her examination of Campbell’s bus-wreck like a NTSB agent dispassionately looking for body parts.

So, go read the piece… HERE.

Posted in Dogs and Fleas, Liberals, Magisterium of Nuns, The Drill, Women Religious | Tagged , , ,
15 Comments

“Bitter clash”? In your dreams, liberals.

Posted on 25 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
"Bitter clash"? In your dreams, liberals.

Click to buy!

At the liberal US Catholic I saw a piece from the RNS, rarely anything but left-leaning, there is a completely irresponsible claim about the book on marriage about which I have written several times.

Here is the offending quote.

VATICAN CITY ( RNS) Pope Francis has appointed a special commission to look at ways to make it easier for Roman Catholics to dissolve their marriages in the eyes of the church.

The goal of the 11-member commission announced Saturday (Sept. 20), is to reform the process, “with the objective of simplifying its procedure, making it more streamlined.”

The weekend announcement came as a bitter clash emerged among cardinals over the church’s approach to marriage, divorce and remarriage.  [“bitter clash”?  BITTER?  Does the writer know anything about this issue?]

According to church law, Catholics can obtain annulments if they can show their marriage was not valid. But if they opt out of the annulment process, divorce in civil court and then remarry, the church may refuse them Communion.

Five cardinals are publishing a new book reinforcing the sanctity of marriage next week, only days before the world’s bishops gather in Rome for a conference on the subject. The synod will consider issues including divorce, cohabitation, domestic violence and gay unions.

[…]

Just try to find anything in the “five cardinal” book that is bitter.  Just try to find something in the issue of Communio that is bitter.  Just try to find something bitter in the new book with the foreward by Card. Pell.

There is nothing “bitter” about the debate going on, unless it is in that bitter whining from the side that is having its proverbial lunch eaten by the side who are faithfully – and courteously – defending the indissolubility of marriage and present praxis.

Pope Francis asked for discussion, study, debate.  He is getting exactly what he asked for.  If people want to throw down, as Card. Kasper did in the consistory and has consistently done since then, they had better expect a proportional response.

Posted in Biased Media Coverage, Liberals, One Man & One Woman, You must be joking! | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: Baptizing aliens who burst into flames from water. No. Really.

Posted on 24 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

ASK FATHER: Baptizing aliens who burst into flames from water. No. Really.From a reader (who has sent queries before about a writing project):

I’m sorry if I’m been annoying at all in the past. But I have another question this one is for a writing project that might never get off the ground, but in case it does. Could water that is extratrestrial in origin e.g from a comet or another planet be valid matter for baptism?

I parried back:

Water is water. H2O. Right?

And I went about my day, self-assured in my concise response.

The inquirer reposted:

Yep, essentially. But there exist other types of water like D2O [which everyone knows is deuterium oxide or heavy water] H2O+ [can’t say I know that one] (3)H2O [or that one] there are also a couple of newly discovered forms which are both liquid and solid simultaneously. Which shouldn’t be possible but it exists. [That sounds sort of like triple point, but not quite. I have my doubts that the states are simultaneous.  Three states can coexist at triple point, but they are different. Right?] Ain’t God wonderful. [No argument there.] Anyway now that I think about it, I have another idea that works better. I can simply make the person reviving baptism have a non-water biochemistry, picture the a human preist baptizing an alein [truly alien, since we don’t reverse e and i that often] only to have said alien burst into flames, or an alien baptizing a human only the alien understands “water” to be hydrogen cyanide, …

?!?!?

I hope this isn’t the old dihydrogen monoxide scam again.

Okay… I’ve got nothing.

Nope, I just got something.

From Daniel 3:

O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever. […] O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. [65] O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. […] O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. […] O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

The next one is of the creepy M. Night Shyamalan movie Signs. It starts out all light-hearted and then, suddenly, gets really creepy. But I don’t post spoilers and neither should you. I really hate spoilers (advance descriptions) and I really resent spoilers (the people who spoil). Take that hint.  I ban those people.

Water that is liquid and solid at the same time? I take it that this is way beyond the whole liminal state situation wherein the introduction of additional energy can suddenly push the liquid into another state (which I once accomplished in my Rome apartment with beer bottles in a freezer, while now-Archbp. Sample, a metalurgist by training, explained what was happening…. What a rich life I’ve led).

Okay, in the future, if we find that there is life-out-there and that life-out-there wants to be Christian, but that life-out-there takes a real dim view of water (as in bursting into flames at the touch of water – alas, Jar Jar is not one of them), how do we baptize aliens?

Could this be an out? The Church says that we baptize humans with water. Perhaps Holy Mother Church could allow baptism of aliens with, say, liquid helium – which would be exciting, or nitrogen tetroxide – which could be interesting, in tense way, or may even with really pure hydrogen peroxide – which could do a bang up job of it, or perhaps also digoxin – which might require immediate Extreme Unction.

As for the alien baptizing the human with hydrogen cyanide… ad astra per ardua, after all.  Who said being Christian was easy?  Whatever else it might be, it ain’t a piece of yellow-cake.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
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Give a little thought to the “what ifs”.

Posted on 24 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Give a little thought to the "what ifs".I write once in a while about being prepared for emergencies.  You never know when something is going to happen and you will need to scramble to protect your family and friends.  We all have an obligation to be prepared to a reasonable extent.

What will happen if some disaster brings down the economy and we are plunged into a deep depression?  What will you be eating?

I saw an interesting post at The Survival Mom which lists some things that people in these USA ate during the “Great Depression”.  What struck me as I read through the list is that I know some of these things from when I was young.  My grandparents, in particular, introduced me to some of these … recipes.  To be honest, I still eat a few of them.  Check out the whole list.

There are a couple book recommendations as well.  Such as…

I haven’t read those, but they are intriguing.  I’ll probably check to see if I can get them through the local public library.

As I read some fiction of the dystopian, or apocalyptic, or prepper genres (which often intertwine) I ponder the fact that, in our comfortable modern ages of conveniences and plenty, we have collectively lost track of how to do some things.  For example, growing and canning or preserving your own food.  Sure, some of you do this now, I know.  But, I think we can all agree that not all that long ago, many more people did these things.

In any event, I suggest that you give a little thought to the “what ifs” which can happen not only to anyone of us, but everyone of us.  Individual poverty is one thing.  Economic collapse is another.   If you love your families and have charity for your friends, think about the “what ifs”.

And then there is the ultimate “what if”, which really isn’t a “what if” at all.  It is a “when”.  So, as part of your thoughtful preparation, examine your consciences and then…

…

[You know the rest.]

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Global Killer Asteroid Questions, GO TO CONFESSION, Semper Paratus, The Coming Storm | Tagged , , ,
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Of Our Lady of Walsingham, Our Lady of Ransom, and a prayer

Posted on 24 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Ransom and of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Two years ago I was in London, watching with a fine young priest of the Anglican Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham the episcopal consecration and installation of the new Bishop of Portsmouth, Most. Rev. Philip Egan.  At the end of the rite, Bp. Egan gave a fine reflection.  Tune in at about 2:12 in the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brh06hu49os&feature=player_embedded

And I would like to remind you that the Catholic artist Daniel Mitsui (who is still playing the hospital bills for his little daughter) has a beautiful version of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Of Our Lady of Walsingham, Our Lady of Ransom, and a prayer

By the way… I love the Collect for Our Lady of Ransom.

Who wants to take a crack at it?

Deus, qui per gloriosissimam Filii tui Matrem ad liberandos Christifideles a potestate paganorum nova Ecclesiam tuam prole amplificare dignatus es: praesta quaesumus; ut, quam pie veneramur tanti operis institutricem, eius pariter meritis et intercessione a peccatis omnibus, et captivitate daemonis liberemur.

Given that there is rising up a force of horrendous evil, flying the black flag of Islamism, and that they have captives, and that they are BEHEADING captives, as they did again today to a poor man from France, say a prayer to Our Lady of Ransom for the protection of all who are in danger of their very lives from the “Religion of Peace”.

Posted in Linking Back, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, The Religion of Peace | Tagged , , , , , ,
11 Comments

Suggestions for your donations to good Catholic causes

Posted on 24 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Suggestions for your donations to good Catholic causesMore and more often these days, I have notes from people who wonder about reliable Catholic charities or causes to which they can contribute their hard won money.  They ask for suggestions.

I have some suggestions right now!

Even though two of the following are local to where I am, you can be secure in the knowledge that what you give is going to the best of causes.

Consider the Priests for our Future campaign.  Here in Madison, the Extraordinary Ordinary, Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino, has through hard work and good example, along with great vocation directors over the years, increased the number of seminarians from, I think, fewer than 10 when he arrived, to, I think, 34 right now.  The major seminarians are St. Paul, Detroit, Mt. St. Mary, and there are 8 men in Rome.   Surprisingly, Rome is less expensive than many seminaries.  The huge increase in seminarians means that we have by far outstripped the foundations and funds set up in the past.  They didn’t imagine in the past this number of men in the program.  And so, hard choices are being made.  The cathedral church of Madison burned down some years ago.  It was decided to postpone any rebuilding for the sake paying the bills for seminarians.  Over the last couple years, projects have been on the boards even to close or lease out even the chancery building, a former highschool seminary, in order to pay for seminarians.  This program needs help.  If you are looking for a way to help a good cause, under the guidance of a great bishop, think about this.

You may recall that two years ago Bishop Morlino told all of the seminarians of the diocese, during the annual get together in August – they spend a week and half with the bishop – that he wants them all to know how to say the Extraordinary Form.  This year, during the summer get together, half of the Masses were in the Extraordinary Form and I gave a talk on the topic.  There was also a panel discussion including His Excellency the bishop.

Here is video about the seminarian project in Madison.  I am disappointed that the Extraordinary Form was not included in the video imagery, but it is a solid presentation.

Also, here in Madison, I am leading a group which is dedicated to supporting the expansion of the Extraordinary Form, the “Tridentine Mass Society of Madison“.  The group has a 501(c)(3)  status and so your donations are tax deductible.   We are starting to pick up some speed now.  One of our projects is to organize Pontifical Masses.  Bp. Morlino has been super supportive.  As a matter of fact we will have a Pontifical Requiem at the Throne here on Monday 3 November.  We ordered a full pontifical set of black vestments, as well as catafalque candlestands and a matching altar candle set.  We will also have to obtain soon a really nice Pontifical set in white.  Upcoming dates for other Pontifical Masses at the Throne are, so far, 8 December (Immaculate Conception) and 2 February (Candlemass), and 25 March (Annunciation).  We should be able to have more Solemn Masses as well, as more priests get more familiar with the rites.   So, we need money.  You can find the page of the TMSM HERE  The donation button looks sort of like my own! (Hint.)

Then, on a national scale, don’t forget about the Archdiocese for Military Services.  They provide chaplains.  I don’t need to explain that.  See my link on the sidebar, toward the bottom or, right now, click HERE

Suggestions for your donations to good Catholic causes

Finally, don’t forget my donation button!  I don’t have a 501(c)(3).  But… hey!… you keep the lights on!  Also, in January I would like to attend the meeting of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy in Rome.  This isn’t one of those trips where I am going as a chaplain to a group, so its on me.  I could use the help.  Click the waving Vatican flag.  That donation will be earmarked for my Rome travel.  As you know, I keep a list of the names of everyone who sends a donation and I periodically say Mass for my benefactors.  It is my duty and pleasure to remember benefactors at the altar.

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, Seminarians and Seminaries, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , ,
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VIDEO: TLM at “Dome of Home”

Posted on 24 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Have you seen yet the new video about the Traditional Latin Mass? Beautifully done.

The history of the church is interesting. What I find inspiring is the fact that, when people want to do something enough they can get it done!

Also of interest, is the affirmation of the “knock on effect” that the priest’s own manner of celebration of Mass can have on people in the pews.

Here is the blurb:

This 25 minute documentary, with contributions from Bishop Mark Davies of the Shrewsbury Diocese, shows how the famous “Dome of Home” church – the Church of Sts Peter, Paul and Philomena – is thriving under the care of Canon Amaury Montjean and the Institute of Christ the King.
The documentary has extensive coverage of the Latin Mass (also known as the Tridentine rite, or as the “extraordinary form” of the Mass), and also discusses the way other sacraments are celebrated in the church, with excerpts from an extraordinary form baptism. It considers the history, heritage and future of this beautiful church.

The Dome of Home from Philip Chidell on Vimeo.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
5 Comments

St. Pio and the Smell Test

Posted on 23 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today is the feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.  “Padre Pio”.  A prayer HERE

What do you suppose Padre Pio would have thought about the notion that the divorced and civilly remarried should be readmitted to Holy Communion without a discernible amendment of life?

What would Padre Pio say?

“Surrrrrre!  G’ahead! No prob.”

Does that pass the smell test?

St. Pio and the Smell Test

Posted in Hard-Identity Catholicism, I'm just askin'..., One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity, Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , , ,
27 Comments

Pope Francis to change the name of St. Peter’s Basilica

Posted on 23 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

As we look around the faith landscape of these USA, we see clusterings of parishes, such that the Churches of St. Christiana the Astonishing, St. Alphege the Bald, and St. Olav the Thick are all merged into one parish called something like One Faith Catholic Community. We see, on the other side of the river (Tiber? Styx?) Protestant mega-churches. On Sunday I was driving home from the early Mass at St. Mary’s (sounds kind of boring by comparison) and passed by the local mega-church of our doctrinally-challenged brethren only to see a lane backed up for half a mile with cars waiting to get into the parking lot. I guess the only solution to making ourselves popular with the world is to abandon all sense of doctrine and reason, get together a pop-combo, and go for the feel good stuff (with a little fear of the “rapture” tossed in for spice and fundraising).

At least Pope Francis might have a handle on this problem.

You might think that the following originated at Eye of the Tiber, but no. I saw this at Church Pop:

Pope Francis to change the name of St. Peter's BasilicaSt. Peter’s Basilica Renamed “Tiber Creek Community Church”

ROME, Italy — Pope Francis has changed the name of St. Peter’s Basilica to “Tiber Creek Community Church,” Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi announced this morning.

“The greatest church of Christendom, built on the holy grave of the martyr-prince of the Apostles, has been known as ‘St. Peter’s Basilica’ for 1700 years,” Fr. Lombardi explained. “It was long overdue for a rebranding.”

He continued that this was just the next step in Pope Francis’ greater program of trying to make the church more relatable to the average person.

“How many Catholics today even know who St. Peter is?” Fr. Lombardi asked reporters, eliciting murmurs of agreement. “And besides, referencing St. Peter is a dead giveaway that we’re Catholic.” Fr. Lombardi said that naming the church after it’s geographic location without any denominational identifiers was more in line with how modern people felt about religion.

Fr. Lombardi also announced that projectors and screens would be installed throughout the basilica in the coming week, that a “totally rocking” worship band was being formed, and that Pope Francis planned on making his sermons “relevant to every day life.”

“The Trinity, the Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, these are all interesting — to dead theologians,” Fr. Lombardi said dismissively. “But how does that apply to my everyday life? How will that help me advance in my career? That’s what Pope Francis is going to be focusing on.”

Pope Francis to change the name of St. Peter's Basilica

Please follow?

According to an anonymous source within the Vatican, when some of his advisors voiced concerns about the name change, Francis informed them that he had already purchased the new sign.

“He was really proud of the sign,” the anonymous source said. “He told us he already had some great jokes to post up there.”

We need some serious rebranding, don’t we?  We have to rethink all our names and terms for things.  For example, instead of Holy Sacrifice of the Mass let’s call it “liturgy”.  No, wait.  We already do that, don’t we.  Instead of “Hell” let’s call it, say, the “Sam Hill Catholic Community”, as in, you know, “What the ‘Sam Hill’ are we doing here?  It was only sacrilegious Communions!”  People might be able to relate to that more.

Jokes apart.  Friends…

GO TO CONFESSION.

Call it “reconciliation” if you want.  I don’t care.  JUST GO!

And no matter what you call your mortal sins, …. please …. go.

This last Sunday in the Extraordinary Form of Holy Mass we were reminded by St. Paul:

Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what a man sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will reap corruption. But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting.

I say to you, we may be few and we may soon be many fewer, but we are true leaven.

We may be the small and persecuted church very soon, but our persecuted minority will be creative… and patient.

But to be leaven and creative, we have to be in the state of grace.

Go to confession.  Fathers, go to confession.

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Lighter fare | Tagged ,
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OKLAHOMA CITY: Reparation, adoration of Christ VICTOR after sacrilege, blasphemy, evil

Posted on 23 September 2014 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The other day some nitwits did something like a satanic “black mass” in city government facility of Oklahoma City.  You know the controversy, so I won’t go over it here.

I hope that the local Archbishop, Most Reverend Paul Coakley, will break out his copy of the older, traditional Roman Ritual and use the chapter in the section on exorcisms to ask God to cleanse the place, indeed the region.

Good people in Oklahoma City also showed their concern.  Some 3000 people showed up for a Eucharistic Holy Hour invited by Archbp. Coakley.   HERE and HERE

Archbp. Coakley said, among other things, that the city was “targeted by dark forces”.

I concur.

OK City is not alone.  Right now I have a sense of growing evil that has me both a little shaken and increasingly combative.  I am taking some steps in my own life in the face of what I see on the horizon.  I suggest that you do to.  As part of that preparation… GO TO CONFESSION.  But I digress.

Another group which showed solidarity against the evil of that event was the SSPX.  A friend sent this video, which was, “a response effort organized by the priestly Society of St. Pius X here in the United States. After a Black Mass was publicly marketed in Oklahoma City to desecrate our Savior in the Blessed Sacrament, an outcry from Catholics resounded. In an effort to make reparation for this public offense, the SSPX displayed a spontaneous 900 faithful from multiple states.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9q-dt7Bo8&feature=player_embedded

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , , , , , , ,
49 Comments