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November Rally for the Catholic Purge
Wife & I just signed up.
It’s the least we can do. The Church needs to purge itself to stay holy. All victims of sexual abuse should be turning TO the Church for healing — not be in fear of the Church for predators & complacency.
Church needs an Exorcism
… The crisis we face arises from both human weakness and sin, but also demonic activity of the Enemy of the soul.
I ask each and every one of you, individually, before your upcoming November meeting, to perform a Rite of Exorcism over your respective dioceses, or, if you are the Auxiliary or Emeritus Bishop to take part. If you are non-episcopal Administrator, invite a bishop to do it. Whether you decide to do this privately or publicly, please – just do it.
In addition, during the November meeting, together as a body, go to the National Shrine of Our Lady and perform a Rite of Exorcism over the whole nation.
CLEANSING THE CHURCH OF CLERICAL SACRILEGE by Dominic Legge, O.P. 8 . 16 . 18
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2018/08/cleansing-the-church-of-clerical-sacrilege
(some quotes from article:)
It is time for clergy and laity to begin a movement for the purification of the Church. The shameful sexual sins and crimes of clergy—including cardinals, bishops, and priests—can no longer be tolerated. Tolerance is precisely what has allowed these problems to multiply for decades and persist up to today.
As Fr. Thomas Berg recently explained, the issue is sexually active priests and bishops. In the main, the persistent problem is with homosexually active priests.
Bishops and priests should be holy, they must pray for it, and with the help of grace, strive for it.
When priests habitually commit mortal sins, they lose their zeal for the gospel, they become numb to the truth of the Eucharist’s holiness, and they water down the doctrines of the faith. This leads to many other infidelities, and to a kind of pastoral despair.
(5 good points are detailed in the article)
Hand-wringing and pious platitudes won’t fix things. It is time to confront the real problem with courage and sobriety.
Watch “Scandal in the Church” on YouTube
A homily with great perspective on the latest revelation of the Church scandal regarding the bishops’ handling of sexual abuse.
Catholic wedding bells
Since I am getting married this Saturday, I thought the latest Vortex episode (from RealCatholicTV) was appropriate (and very true).
In a few days, I’ll be one of the few … the proud … the married … Roman Catholic !
— God bless & stay holy!
New Miami Archbishop Wenski!
Today was announced that Miami Archbishop Favalora is retiring and the new bishop will be Orlando Bishop Thomas Wenski starting on June 1, 2010. WOW! I’ve been praying for Bishop Wenski for years, with hopes that he would return back to his “home” diocese of Miami. He was an auxiliary bishop here for years before becoming bishop of Orlando in 2004. I don’t think they could have found a better candidate. He has always been a strong advocate for the Haitian community. He’s fluent in Creole, Spanish, English and (of couse) Polish (my background as well). He will be welcomed with open arms by everyone, I’m sure!
I suspect we will see some changes with new Miami Archbishop Wenski, but not right away. From discussion from my fellow seminarian friends from Orlando, I get the impression that Bishop Wenski is a very dynamic bishop that challenges and demands a lot from his priests. Our diocese has challenges, just as all do, so I hope the transition is well received and fruitful without the need to totally “new wine skins.”
“When I was in Orlando, I used to tell the priests that I would not ask them to work harder than I did. To the priests of Miami, I say the same. And priests do work hard – and our people do appreciate that; and, they have every right to expect that: not that we burn ourselves out but that we burn ourselves up with love for them and for the Lord.” — Archbishop Designate Thomas Wenski
Thank you Archbishop Favalora for your loving Fatherhood to us all and welcome home Archbishop Wenski!
God bless & stay holy!
Today’s statement from Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora
Today’s statement from new Miami Archbishop Designate Thomas Wenski
Archbishop Designate Thomas Wenski history (Curriculum Vitae)
Coat of arms for Orlando Bishop Wenski
In this season of Confirmations, here is a great homily by Bishop Wenski at a Confirmation Mass.
Catholic? Bon Jovi concert
Went to the Bon Jovi concert (Circle Tour) at the (Bank Atlantic?) Sunrise Arena. Opened with one of my favorite songs, Blood on Blood. Also closed with an encore of Runaway, Wanted (Dead or Alive) and Livin on a Prayer. Show was great! Our nosebleed seats were eye level with the lighting catwalk, which may be why the audio was vocal audio was so hard to hear, but, otherwise, and great show! I think their show last time in 2008 was better even through we were behind the stage.
Their newer songs seem to be more focused on social justice. I know Bon Jovi is a big campaigner for Democrats (Gore, Kerry and Obama), but I was wondering if he’s still Catholic, especially since he sang Hallelujah solo for 5 minutes.
I found a quote from Parade magazine in 2007:
On his Catholic upbringing:
“I went to Catholic school in and out. I’m what you call a recovering Catholic. I have many major issues with the church.” — Jon Bon Jovi
I know that was 3 years ago, but I hope and pray that his search for truth brings him back home to a faithful Catholic identity. I also noticed Richie Sambora was wearing a St Benedict rosary around his neck. I hope it wasn’t just a fashion statement. I couldn’t find much about his faith background.
Another favorite Bon Jovi song is Keep the Faith.
My favorite part (usually cut off the radio version) is the part after the guitar solo (about 4 minutes) where he says:
I’ve been walking in the footsteps of society’s lies
I don’t like what I see no more
Sometimes I wish that I was blind
Sometimes I wait forever
To stand out in the rain
So no one sees me cryin’
Trying to wash away the painMother father
There’s things I’ve done I can’t erase
Every night we fall from grace
It’s hard with the world in yours face
Trying to hold on, trying to hold on
Catholic Cartoon Blog
I ran across this Catholic Cartoon Blog with some “Cartoons based on happenings in the Catholic Church, or in the world at large from a Catholic viewpoint.” — I added it to my blog roll.
Lots of comments and discussion about the Catholic Church and the world. Check it out.
Happy Resurrection Day!
NFP vs Contraception, 7 skits
As I was looking for videos about IPF, I ran across these short skits about the difference between Natural Family Planning (NFP) and Contraception. These skits were used for a final project by seminarians at IPF for the course on Christian Spirituality & Sexuality. Finding these skits is God’s Providence (a “God-incidence”) since our high school Confirmation class is asking a lot of questions about Catholic Matrimony, birth control and their Catholic identity. — Check them out!
NFP vs Contraception #1: “It’s about the relationship”
Contraception, does NOT need to communicate about their fertility
NFP, (1) DOES need to communicate (which builds the relationship),
(2) doesn’t have to worry about fertility altering chemicals (that could hurt your chances of getting pregnant even when you stop taking pills,
(3) doesn’t have to worry (as much) about a “testy” wife from hormone manipulations,
(4) doesn’t have to worry about a decrease in libedo (sexual desire)
NFP vs Contraception #2, “It takes two.”
NFP, (1) builds trust and imtimacy with the greater need for communication,
(2) experience a full self-giving to each other (not holding back their fertility),
(3) statistically, couple doing NFP stay together longer, less divorce.
NFP vs Contraception #3, “It’s natural.”
Contraception introduces a couple to chemicals, while NFP is natural (the way God’s designed us), so it’s healthier.
NFP vs Contraception #4, “Know the facts.”
Contraception is potrayed in the media more than NFP.
NFP is taught in churches around the world. Even some Protestants practice NFP.
The facts can be lost. www.onemoresoul.com
NFP vs Contraception #5, “Demand the whole story.”
Contraception may come with divorce, abortion, infertility, and mysogyny. The media can minimize these possibilities.
NFP may come with life-long marriage, health, love, and respect. www.onemoresoul.com
NFP vs Contraception #6, “It’s not a tough choice.”
Contraception is the answer of many to poverty in third-world nations. Sometimes it is a prerequisite before food is sent to those countries.
NFP works when it is taught and practiced (even in third-world nations). The only agenda is God’s design for human beings. www.onemoresoul.com
NFP vs Contraception #7, “Know the consequences.”
Contraception is recommended by doctors or ailments not related to fertility. Just because it help one thing, does not mean it doesn’t have side-effect elsewhere. Everyone knows it’s real purpose.
Get the facts. www.onemoresoul.com
IPF on TV (EWTN) with Fr Gabuzda
The Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) was featured on EWTN show Sunday Night Live with host Father Benedict Groeschel. The guests were Father Richard Gabuzda (IPF director) and Father Joe Kelly (priest of New York & IPF faculty). They focused on the the mission of IPF and their efforts in building a Center for Priestly Spirituality. Some great discussions and live call-in questions. They spoke on the summer programs (that I took last summer) and how awesome the Holy Spirit has grown the mission of IPF. I hope they post some of the show on their website or YouTube. You can order it from EWTN, show #280.
Here is a short video about the mission of IPF that is on the IPF website and on YouTube (from 2 years ago):
Vatican praises The Simpsons
I’m not a huge fan of The Simpsons, but I just watched a episode about Bart going to Catholic school called “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star.” [S16E21] In the classic Simpsons’ satire, Bart & Homer become Catholic while Protestant Marge tries to bring them back. WOW! A great episode to use with high school discussion groups. This episode touches on all kinds of questions about faith and religion (and there’s lots of paintball in it, too!).
I also found an article about the Vatican praising The Simpsons show.
Animated US television show, The Simpsons has gathered praise from the Roman Catholic Church for their “realistic” way of dealing with religion and spreading happiness among viewers. An article published in the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano has lauded the long-running show, insisting “many today wouldn’t know how to laugh” if the series hadn’t been aired, reported Contactmusic.
The newspaper story thanked the show’s producers for depicting family patriarch Homer’s struggle with his own faith through its 20 years on the small screen. “Homer finds in God his last refuge, even though he sometimes gets His name sensationally wrong. But these are just minor mistakes, after all; the two know each other well,” the article said. The story also insisted that The Simpsons success is due to its “realistic and intelligent writing”.
The same newspaper had recently paid tribute to ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’, for highlighting the “sacrifice” needed for good to triumph over evil.
WOW! Who would think The Simpsons would be watched at the Vatican? What next, Family Guy?
young adult retreat @ St Vincent DePaul Seminary
First time ever, the seminarians at St Vincent DePaul Regional Seminary in Boyton Beach, FL led a retreat open for young adult of the Palm Beach Diocese. I heard about it through my friends on FaceBook. It was a Spirit-filled retreat … simple schedule … 3 seminarian testimonies … deep small group discussion … Benediction & Adoration … and lots of social time.
Even though I couldn’t stay for the whole retreat, I’m grateful to have been invited and grateful to see by brother seminarians at their finest at “home.”
Hopefully, with their great turnout, they can do more events to not only reach out to the community, but keep vocations on everyone’s minds and prayers!
See the Florida Catholic article that promoted the events.
Here’s some pictures I took of their beautiful chapel on campus:
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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