New Pres. of Pont. Council for Christian Unity: ad orientem… Latin

Posted on 31 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Our friends at Rorate have posted an excerpt of an interview with Archbp. Kurt Koch the new President of the Pont. Council for Christian Unity.  Here is an excerpt of the excerpt, originally with Gaudium Press in Spanish.

Gaudium Press: These two views [of the Church as People of God and as Mystery] also influence one’s position on the liturgy. How should the liturgy be understood today?

Archbp Koch: All those things that some people say that was new after the Second Vatican Council were not a theme of the Constitution on the Liturgy [Sacrosanctum Concilium]. For instance, celebrating the Eucharist facing the faithful was never an object of Tradition. The Tradition had always meant celebrating facing East, because that was the position of the resurrection. In Saint Peter’s Basilica, the celebration took place facing the people for a long time because that was the direction facing East. The second thing was the vernacular language. The Council wished that Latin remain the language of the liturgy.

 

WDTPRS kudos to Archbp. Koch.

Let the "New Evangelization" begin!

Posted in Brick by Brick | Tagged
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Good news about a WDTPRSer

Posted on 31 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It is nice to get feedback and news about readers.

From a reader:

Joe of St. Therese posted today, July 30, 2010, that he has been accepted by the Order of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.
 
Joe posts here.
 
Joe said on his Blog ,that you made him famous (many months ago) when you posted a Youtube video about the right and wrongs ways to serve mass.
 
Joe is the African-American server in the video.
 
I only know Joe, as Joe of St. Therese (St. Therese, Alhambra, Ca) I have see him serve many Traditional Latin High Masses for Fr. Robert Bishop and at various TLM events around Southern California.
 
Joe has posted many times that he would say the  TLM and Novus Ordo only according to the rubrics.
 
Joe has links to you and many other priest on his site.
 
Again, I do not know Joe personally, I like his postings and his demeanor as observed his serving mass and at various TLM events in Southern California.
 
I will pray for his success.
 
I thought you might like to know that another fan is off to Seminary.

Posted in Brick by Brick |
11 Comments

BENEDICT XVI’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST

Posted on 30 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

BENEDICT XVI’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST

VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) – Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for August is: "That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties".

  His mission intention is: "That the Church may be a ‘home’ for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries".

Posted in Pope of Christian Unity |
2 Comments

Congressmen (R & D!) propose total ban on taxpayer-funded abortion

Posted on 30 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From CNA:

Congressmen to propose government-wide ban on taxpayer-funded abortion

Washington D.C., Jul 30, 2010 / 06:03 am (CNA).- On Thursday Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) [A Democrat!] were scheduled to introduce legislation which would establish a permanent government-wide prohibition on taxpayer funding for abortion. Pro-life leaders praised the comprehensiveness of the proposal.

The legislation, titled the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” also codifies conscience protections for health care providers who do not want to participate in an abortion.

At present, many funding restrictions such as the Hyde Amendment to the Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill must be re-approved by Congress each year. It is also uncertain whether President Barack Obama’s executive order which restricts abortion funds in the 2010 health care legislation will be effective. [I am not so sure that that is "uncertain".]

In a March interview with Catholic News Agency, Rep. Lipinski had urged action to pass statutory laws to restrict abortion funding in the new health care law.

Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of Americans United for Life Action, said that the Smith-Lipinski bill will “comprehensively end” taxpayer-funded abortion.

“Congress can act now and fix this problem once and for all, and we are urging our grassroots activists across the nation to contact their representatives and support this sensible legislation,” she commented.

The Family Research Council (FRC) said the bill was particularly important in light of the federal health care law which it believes will fund and subsidize abortion, and also in light of efforts to open military bases to abortion.

FRC Action senior vice president Tom McClusky charged that President Obama and congressional leaders have repeatedly attempted to “eviscerate” agreed limits on federal funding of abortion.

“We applaud Congressman Smith and numerous Members on both sides of the aisle for responding to the concerns of the American people by introducing a measure that applies an abortion funding ban across the federal government,” McClusky commented. “The American people, regardless of their views of abortion’s legality, should not be forced to pay for someone’s abortion.”

“We applaud all the Democrats and Republicans cosponsoring the Smith abortion funding ban, and urge all Americans to support this commonsense effort to restore government funding neutrality on abortion,” he continued.

A recent memo from the Library of Congress’ Congressional Research Service found that the health care legislation passed earlier this year did not specifically exclude abortion funding from high-risk insurance pools established by the law.

On Thursday the Department of Health and Human Services issued a new regulation which clearly prohibits the state high-risk pools from covering elective abortions.

 

Now we need to watch who lines up to attack this legislation.

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras |
13 Comments

Oprah going to Medjugorje?

Posted on 28 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I had an email today that Oprah may be going to Medjugorje.

Okay.  Rumor? Fact?  Dunno.

But…

If Oprah converts to Catholicism because of Medjugorje, then I will have to rethink my position.

Posted in Lighter fare | Tagged ,
55 Comments

Canadian Anglican Catholic group votes to unite with Rome

Posted on 28 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian Unity

This comes from CNA:

Canadian Anglican Catholic group votes to unite with Rome

Vancouver, Canada, Jul 28, 2010 / 01:10 am (CNA).- With “overwhelming support,” a recent meeting of leaders in the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada (ACCC) voted to unite with the Roman Catholic Church through the Apostolic Constitution created by Pope Benedict XVI.

The ACCC, part of the Continuing Anglican Movement, is made up of more than two dozen congregations. Its Eighth Provincial Synod and Thirteenth Diocesan Synod were held simultaneously at the Rosemary Heights Retreat Center in Surrey, British Columbia.

The website VirtueOnline.org published a letter from Dean Shane B. Janzen detailing the event.

The meeting was attended by four ACCC bishops, including Bishop Peter Wilkinson, the communion’s Metropolitan and Ordinary. Archbishop John Hepworth, the Australia-based Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), was also present.

The discussion included the House of Clergy and the House of Laity and focused on the implementation of a proposed Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate under the Apostolic Constitution “Anglicanorum Coetibus.”

Support for the Ordinariate was unanimous in the House of Clergy and received 25 of 30 votes from lay delegates, with two members opposing the proposal and three abstaining.

The synod then passed a resolution enabling Bishop Wilkinson, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council, to enact the necessary canonical ordinances and rules to establish the Ordinariate.

The House of Clergy elected members of the Interim Governing Council, which nominated and elected Bishop Wilkinson as the first Bishop Ordinary of the proposed Ordinariate.

According to Dean Janzen’s letter, the Diocesan Council also made financial changes to ensure that the diocese’s restricted funds are protected from “any potential litigation.”

Dean Janzen wrote that the focus of the synod was “the worship and praise of Almighty God; the proclamation of Christ’s saving Truth; and faithful witness to the faith, order and discipline to Christ’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”

He reported that attendees left with “a renewed sense of optimism for the future and a clear vision for the present.”

“With the overwhelming support of clergy and laity for unity with the See of Peter and the establishment of a Canadian Anglican Catholic Ordinariate, our Diocese is now able to move forward united, renewed, and hopeful,” his letter read, according to VirtueOnline.

“a renewed sense of optimism for the future and a clear vision for the present.”

Pope Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian Unity.

Posted in Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged , ,
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New film about Opus Dei’s founder, St. Jose Maria Escrivá

Posted on 28 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I received a press release that there is to be a major motion picture about St. Jose Maria Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei.  It will be directed by the man who made the movie The Mission.  There is a trailer available.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlstviRQzl8]

New major motion film reflects on the life of Opus Dei founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá

View a trailer at www.ThereBeDragonsFilm.com

Hollywood, CA, July 28— Academy Award nominated director Roland Joffé returns to Hollywood with an epic film that explores the nature of humanity in his latest movie “There Be Dragons.” The famed director of the deeply Catholic film “The Mission” returns to a spiritual plot in his latest film, a powerful story of forgiveness and reconciliation woven around the figure of St. Josemaría Escrivá during the Spanish republic and Civil War in the mid 1930s. The film combines action, adventure, passion and romance with the extraordinary drama of human tragedy and Divine redemption.

Recently, more than 68 million Catholics in the United States and more than1 billion around the world marked the feast day of St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei. Without question, this controversial religious organization and the entire Catholic Church have been the subjects of much criticism and conspiracies. Yet, even during these challenging times, the life of this intriguing Catholic figure has inspired the making of a $35 million major motion picture.

[…]

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged , ,
17 Comments

Bp. Baraga’s cause for beatification takes another step

Posted on 28 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From CNA:

Sainthood cause of ‘snowshoe priest’ heads to Vatican

Marquette, Mich., Jul 28, 2010 / 03:27 am (CNA).- Following a four-month investigation, the Diocese of Marquette has closed its inquiry into an alleged miracle attributed to its first bishop, Servant of God Frederic Baraga, who is known as the “snowshoe priest.” The inquiry now proceeds to the Vatican for further consideration.

The alleged miracle concerns a reputed tumor found on a patient’s liver in various diagnostic tests. The patient, the patient’s family and their parish priest prayed for healing through the intercession of Bishop Baraga. Bishop Baraga’s stole was also placed on the patient’s abdomen, after which the patient’s pain ceased.

An exploratory surgery by doctors found no tumor, according to the diocese.

Bishop Baraga was born in Slovenia in 1797. He came to the United States in 1830 as a missionary to the Odawa and Ojibwa tribes of the upper Great Lakes region, traveling through the vast territory by canoe, boat, horse, snowshoes and dog sled. His Ojibwa-English dictionary is still in use today.

Consecrated a bishop in 1853, he served as the Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, which would later be called the Diocese of Marquette. He died in 1868. The Bishop Baraga Association was established in 1930 to promote his cause for sainthood, which was officially opened in 1952.

The tribunal investigating the bishop’s alleged miracle collected medical documentation and interviewed witnesses, including doctors and medical personnel involved in the treatment.

The diocesan inquiry closed with a July 17 ceremony at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. Members of the canonical tribunal which examined the possible miracle signed papers attesting to their work and verifying the authenticity of the documents.

Further inquiry at the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints will examine the tribunal’s work,  determine whether the event cannot be explained by science and whether it could be attributed to the intercession of Bishop Baraga. After reviewing a document detailing the bishop’s life and virtues, the congregation will then advise Pope Benedict about the cause.

The Pope will decide whether to bestow the title “Venerable” on Bishop Baraga, the Diocese of Marquette reports. If the miracle is verified and attributed to the bishop, the Pope will decide whether to beatify him. Another recognized miracle would be necessary for Bishop Baraga’s canonization.

The postulator of Bishop Baraga’s cause is Dr. Andrea Ambrosi of Rome.

Posted in Saints: Stories & Symbols | Tagged ,
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The Feeder Feed: ravenous Grosbeak edition

Posted on 27 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I mentioned in yesterday’s Feeder Feed that the birds were eating like made.Twitter

Many of them are starting to gear up for migration.  Some are going to nest.

Here is a shot of what is going on with Red-Breasted Grosbeaks, which are in abundance this year.

It is a little hard to see what is going on, so click the image for a larger version.

There is an Oriole, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and at least 7 Grosbeaks, 1 male, 6 females.

These are mostly young birds.  The adults have pretty much disappeared, gone south to stake out their territory.

There are only a few young males around and zillions of females.  I counted a dozen at one point yesterday.

Right now you will see Grosbeaks very often when I have the Z-Cam tuned to one of the webcams close close to a feeder.

I filled the big square hanging feeder yesterday afternoon, and the tube two days ago.

Soooo….

Posted in The Feeder Feed |
3 Comments

The Feeder Feed: “Wow… look at the colors” edition

Posted on 26 July 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I haven’t posted about the feeder recently.

Before any other shots, I caught this little Indigo Bunting on the Z-Cam today.Twitter

A very wet oriole, not content with its usual feast on grape jelly, went after the suet cage.

The mature Orioles may have already departed.  But there are lots of younger birds hanging around.

This may be one of the last adult males around.

Color change.  A very wet Blue Jay.

I had the most alarming sight the other day of 6, perhaps 7 Jay at the same time.

The Oriole and the Jay don’t see eye to eye where it comes to the use of the rain-infused grape jelly drink.

I mentioned lots of young Orioles.  I wasn’t kidding.

Color shift.  A member of Team Goldfinch.

More Oriole gluttony.

Meanwhile…

I must make an appeal for donations.  Some of these birds are gearing up, I believe, for migration.  Others, like the Goldfinches, nest late.  I filled the big feeder yesterday and they emptied it in a single day.  

I feed them only from donations. 

On Friday 30 July I will be taking a list, as I do periodically, of people who have used the donation button or who have sent items from the wish list, to Mass and I will remember you at the Memento of the living.  It is a duty and pleasure to pray for benefactors.

To paraphrase Preserved Killick, "Which tuppence a bag ain’t in it!"

Finally, an editorial from Team Goldfinch.

Posted in The Feeder Feed |
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