The Coronation of His Holiness Pius XII. This is a clip from an Italian film on his life preceding the Papacy, hence the narration for the first half. Although the video quality is rather poor, it is still an interesting historical piece.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrs0w0cilCc]
The headline from an article in the latest e-edition of the Catholic Courier is “Diocese, parishes strive for transparency”
That caught my attention, so I read on. Here are various quotes of interest, all seeming to suggest that the Diocese of Rochester is boasting about its transparency when it comes to letting you know where your donations go:
“This really shows that the diocese views transparency as non-negotiable”
“She added that demonstrating accountability helps build trust with the faithful and increases their tendency to donate”
““Transparency allows people to feel more comfortable. If they know their money is going to be spent on something of value, they’ll be more likely to contribute,” he said. “People are really good at filling a need if they feel it’s a genuine, legitimate need.”"
Ok, I can’t stop laughing. Perhaps they would like to explain where the transparency is with regard to the CMA allocations. Here is how the CMA allocations page looks today (no information on how much money is going to each recipient):
So much for transparency.
The local NBC affiliate has put up a story about the Diocese of Rochester’s response to the Swine Flu situation. NBC notes that the diocese of Buffalo has taken actions to prevent the spread of the disease, but apparently Rochester is content to just caution people.
Various passages of interest from News 10 NBC’s Web site:
“The Catholic Bishop of Buffalo is directing parishes to immediately suspend the distribution of Holy Communion through the cup and instead of shaking hands during the Sign of Peace at Mass, churchgoers should offer a nod or a verbal greeting of peace.” [Bravo to Bishop Kmiec! This prelate obviously understands the magnitude of the problem, and is willing to take measures to prevent it from getting any worse. We are not at all required to shake hands during the Sign of Peace nor to drink from the chalice (we receive the full Jesus, body and blood, when we partake of the host).]“Parishioners in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo have eliminated the hand-shake as a sign of peace during mass but News 10NBC learned today that the Rochester Catholic Diocese won’t be following Buffalo’s lead.” [And why will the Diocese of Rochester not take any action? Are they really so attached to the touchy-feelyness of the Sign of Peace that they can't tell people to take a break from it for a few months?]
“Doug Mandelaro of the Rochester Catholic Diocese said, ?It’s a moment before Communion when the Church comes together as one human family and when we embrace one another.?” [What about the rest of the Mass? Have we not truly come together until we hug and shake hands?]
And of course there is this ridiculous comment from a parishioner of St. Mary’s downtown (yes, the St. Mary’s) that proves that not only does the diocese have a problem dealing with a pandemic, but it also has major catechesis problems:
“Mary Hansen said, ?Some people aren’t shaking hands and stuff, but I still do. And I still drink from the cup. I feel like if it’s Jesus’ blood, I’m not going to get sick.?”
The next day, Cardinal Spellman, more than forty visiting bishops, politicians, friends of the bishop, area clergy of all denominations, packed Sacred Heart Cathedral for the 90 minute installation ceremony. The installation luncheon was held at the old Manger Hotel. Four thousand people attended a civic welcome in the ten-thousand-seat War Memorial. Cardinal Spellman returned to New York immediately after the installation service.
Soon the new bishop was traveling throughout the diocese, visiting institutions and parishes. He traveled to St. Francis deSales Church in Geneva and had a pleasant conversation with assistant pastor, Father Michael C. Hogan. Sheen soon summoned Hogan to Rochester and named him his secretary. Hogan handled a variety of administrative chores and managed appointments, but he acted principally as the bishop’s chauffeur. Sheen brought his personal cook with him from New York and played tennis twice a week and rode a stationary bicycle in his apartment.
Whenever Sheen traveled, he invited people to write to him. They did, and Hogan was overwhelmed with mail, so he and another priest devised form letters to handle the deluge. The people soon caught on.
SHEEN ON THE SCENE
On the very first day of Hogan’s employment, a fire destroyed St. Philip Neri’s parish, killing the 77 year old priest, Father George Weinmann, who had tried to rescue the Blessed Sacrament, and a 26-year old nun, Sister Lillian Marie SSND, who attempted to help him. Some students had committed arson. Hogan drove Sheen to the scene. The bishop was aghast to learn that the priest had left $7 million in stocks he had forgotten about and had not made out a ill. The state took most of the money. The tabernacle is today in the renovated Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Sheen offered a series of retreat talks at the Masonic Auditorium on East Main Street, very few people showed up and Fulton was furious. “The whole world comes to hear Fulton Sheen,” he said privately, “except his own diocese.”
IMPLEMENTATION OF VATICAN II
As part of his determination to implement the teachings of Vatican II, Sheen sought to create a curia, aboard of counselors to advise him, and he chose to be democratic by asking all the diocesan priests to nominate three priests. He appointed several priests to serve as vicars in administration or in geographical districts. A lay administrative committee had been named to handle financial affairs of the diocese. He appointed a vicar of pastoral planning, vicar of religious education and two territorial (with jurisdiction) vicars. Throughout the diocese, with Sheen’s approval, parishes began founding lay boards of education and lay advisory councils. Sheen changed the name of the Rochester Chancery, which he thought bureaucratic and impersonal, to the “Pastoral Office.” The new bishop meant what he said about democracy in the diocese. Or so it seemed.
SCHOOL CLOSING SANS CONSULTING
Without consulting anyone, Sheen announced the closing of the Most Precious Blood School in Rochester, attended largely by Italians. When Sheen appeared at the new Becket Hall to bless it, a crowd of Italians were waiting for him. Angry people pounded on his car and waved signs. Some shouted “You son of a bitch” and worse. Sheen locked his car doors and would not emerge until the vehicle was safely inside the institution’s garage. The bishop was greatly shaken. He ordered the school reopened the following day.
SAINT BERNARD’S SEMINARY
Sheen had bold plans for the seminary. In time, a number of non-Catholic professors would be hired. At one point, the bishop wrote a letter to eighty of the world’s leading theologians, inviting them to come to teach at St. Bernard’s. A few responded and faculty were hired from Italy, England and Belgium. The regular faculty wondered where the money was coming from. Some faculty members were worried about retaining their jobs.
Later that year, Protestants were hired to teach pastoral and preaching skills. Psychological testing was employed in order to weed out seminarians who might be emotionally or otherwise unfit. A board of seven laypersons – four men and three women – was created to “assist the seminary authorities in the selection of fit candidates for the altar.” The lay board, Sheen said proudly, was the first of its kind in a Catholic seminary in the United States. The seminary rector, Father Joseph P. Brennan and the faculty were not consulted in advance about the lay board. Brennan invited the bishop and the board members to a get acquainted dinner at the seminary. After dinner, Sheen made a few suggestions and then heard a polite rebuttal from faculty members eager to maintain their prerogatives. Sheen was disenchanted by the women during the first meeting, so he invited only men to the next meeting. He never called the board together again. Some clergy began grumbling about his lack of administrative skills.
Sheen changed the name of the faltering St. Andrew’s Minor Seminary to King’s Preparatory Seminary and made it a co-educational high school. Its aim would be the education of leaders, a “spiritual elite.” These raised eyebrows throughout the diocese. Things did not work out, and King’s Prep closed in 1970.
SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE
Sheen was vitally interested in the spiritual welfare of his people. He advised priests and seminarians to adopt his Holy Hour practice. He welcomed the Cursillo movement, urged families to read scripture and acts of self-denial. He initiated Home Masses, giving priests permission to celebrate Mass in private homes during evening hours on weekdays. Sheen took the lead himself, saying Mass in the homes of both blacks and Hispanics and afterwards visiting with attendees.
One day, as the bishop was in Wayland. He bought ice-cream cones for about twenty or thirty children when a little girl came up to him and asked him to visit her sister. “Yes, where is she?” asked Sheen. “She’s dead; she is in the undertaker’s parlor.” Sheen and Hogan (his secretary) went to the funeral home and saw the little seven-year-old girl who had been hit by a car. Sheen wrote later, “She looked alive and appeared like an angel.” Fulton consoled the family, telling them that a great good would come from the accident. In time, two conversions resulted from Sheen’s compassion. He later made a special trip from New York to Rochester to baptize one of the converts.
Below is a 1967 picture of Sheen at the St. Joseph House of Hospitality.
Islamic terrorists have abducted a Catholic priest at gunpoint in the Philippines. Oh, but wait, that can’t be! Islam is the faith of peace, tolerance, and charity. Silly me.
Make no mistakes: most followers of Islam are great and noble people. However, as we have discussed before, you don’t see Catholic gunmen abducting imams or rabbis, do we?
The Crescat has just released the “snappy new uniforms” for his fans and followers online.
ALBANY ? Gov. DavidPaterson declared a state of emergency, saying a recent rise in swine flu cases has created a “disaster” and that certain provisions of state law needed to be set aside to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
I envision a similar article explaining the massive amount of liturgical abuse in the Diocese of Rochester:
ROCHESTER – Bishop Matthew Clark declared a state of emergency, saying a recent fall in vocations has created a “disaster” and that certain provisions of Canon Law needed to be set aside to get people educated as quickly as possible.
We laugh, but something tells me we would find very similar articles in the Catholic Courier if we looked.
Celebrate the Life ofRichard Gladwell
On Sunday afternoon, November 1, you are invited to come together with the community to celebrate of the life of Richard Gladwell, host of With Heart and Voice, who passed away on October 15, 2009. The Evensong Celebration will be held at Asbury First United Methodist Church on East Avenue.
Choirs from Asbury Church, Christ Church, Third Presbyterian Church, Downtown United Presbyterian, Incarnate Word Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Saint Anne Church, Saint Luke Church and Saint Paul Church will participate in the traditional Anglican liturgy.The music will include Parry: I was glad; Stanford: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in G; Brahms: How lovely is Thy dwelling place; and Cary Ratcliff: Praise God with heart and voice. The prelude begins at 3:30 p.m. and will be offered by the Emerald Brass Quintet and Madrigalia. Evensong service begins at 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow in The Gathering Space.Please join us to celebrate the life of the man who brought so much music to the community. There is no charge; a freewill offering will be taken to defray expenses.
I’ve decided to have a constant stream of classical music on the blog, some religious, some not. It will be in the right hand column, so you can turn it on or off as you wish. In addition to having this music available perpetually, I will change the playlist depending on the liturgical season. Enjoy!
A “hate crimes” bill opponents claim will be used to crack down on Christian speech, even the reading of the Bible, was signed into law today by President Obama.
The Senate approved the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 68-29 on Oct. 22 after Democrats strategically attached it to a “must-pass” $680 billion defense appropriations plan.
Most Republicans, although normally strong supporters of the U.S. military, opposed the bill because it hands out federal money to states and local governments in pursuit of “preventing” hate crimes. The bill creates federal protections and privileges for homosexuals and other alternative lifestyles but denies those protections to other groups of citizens.
Obama signed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act at a White House ceremony today. Prior to signing the act into law, Obama spoke briefly of the hate crimes bill.
“After more than a decade, we’ve passed inclusive hate-crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray or who they are,” he said. “I promised Judy Shepard when she saw me in the Oval Office that this day would come, and I’m glad that she and her husband, Dennis, could join us for this event. I’m also honored to have the family of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy who fought so hard for this legislation. I just want you all to know how proud we are of the work that Ted did to help make this day possible.”
American Family Association President Tim Wildmon warned that the new law “creates a kind of caste system in law enforcement, where the perverse thing is that people who engage in non-normative sexual behavior will have more legal protection than heterosexuals. This kind of inequality before the law is simply un-American.”
Wildmon said the legislation creates possible situations where pastors may be arrested if their sermons on sexuality can be linked in even the remotest way to acts of violence.
“It threatens free speech and freedom of religion and is totally unacceptable,” he said.
As WND reported, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder admitted a homosexual activist who is attacked following a Christian minister’s sermon about homosexuality would be protected by the proposed federal law, but a minister attacked by a homosexual wouldn’t be.
The Alliance Defense Fund blasted the “hate-crimes” bill, calling it “another nail in the coffin of the First Amendment.”
“All violent crimes are hate crimes, and all crime victims deserve equal justice,” ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley said in a statement. “This law is a grave threat to the First Amendment because it provides special penalties based on what people think, feel, or believe. ADF will be on the front line to defend those whose free speech or free exercise of religion rights are violated by this unconstitutional law and to ultimately overturn this attack on freedom.”
Opponents point to cases in Canada and Sweden, where Christians have faced criminal prosecution for preaching that homosexual behavior is a sin.
“ADF has clearly seen the evidence of where ‘hate crimes’ legislation leads when it has been tried around the world: It paves the way for the criminalization of speech that is not deemed ‘politically correct,’” Stanley explained. “‘Hate crimes’ laws fly in the face of the underlying purpose of the First Amendment, which was designed specifically to protect unpopular speech.”
Stanley said such crimes are already punishable under existing federal, state and local laws.
“Bills of this sort are designed to forward a political agenda and silence critics, not combat actual crime,” he said. “The bottom line is that we do not need a law that creates second-class victims in America and that gives the government the opportunity to ignore the First Amendment.”
Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, testified before Congress against the hate crimes bill in 2007.
“It is fundamentally unjust for the government to treat some crime victims more favorably than others, just because they are homosexual or transsexual,” Dacus said. “This bill is an unnecessary federal intrusion into state law enforcement authority, and it is an unwise step toward silencing religious and moral viewpoints.”
He said the adoption of hate crimes legislation has led to widespread suppression of speech deemed politically incorrect. The Pacific Justice Institute noted that in California, hate crimes laws are commonly invoked as a basis for further laws pushing acceptance of homosexuality in public schools and the workplace. The group also warned that use of “hate speech” terminology is also now being employed by minority religious groups in America to encourage suppression of free speech, as a prominent Hindu group called on Congress and major Internet service providers to shut down websites critical of Hinduism, including websites of Christian mission organizations.
The Pacific Justice Institute pledged to come to defend anyone who is prosecuted under the new hate crimes law because of their religious expression.
Liberty Counsel litigation counsel Matt Krause told WND, “It’s a very sad day for America and for religious liberties in general.”
He said the law will not deter crime or help the law-enforcement system.
“The only thing it will do is silence and scare Christians and religious organizations,” Krause said. “It will penalize thoughts and actions, and it will not stop crime. It should be called the ‘thought-crimes’ bill.”
He continued, “We encourage pastors and church leaders to keep doing what they’re doing and preach the gospel. If they run into any barriers, they can contact us because we are ready and willing to defend them in any way we need to.”
The White House announced it will host a reception this evening to commemorate the enactment of the hate crimes legislation. Obama’s remarks will be aired live on the White House website.
You know the drill. Winner emails me at cleansingfire@live.com and receives five CF prayer cards.
. . . if he gaineth the whole world but loseth his soul.
I pray that the CMA accomplishes its more important goals, i.e. care for retired priests and seminarians. However, I pray also that the Spirit which the instigators are trying to keep alive does not succumb to the continued irreverence shown by many who transform sermons, homilies, “reflections” and “thoughts” into fund-raising opportunities sandwiched between The readings and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
There’s a time and a place for everything. Mass is not a time for perpetual pandering.
I was posting those instructional videos on the Mass that you see below, but I found a website that has all of them. So I’ll save the space here and give you the link http://www.maranatha.it/MissaleRomanum/videoEN.htm
From the Catholic Courier:
“Father McMullin said the adaptions at Mass have been willingly followed, noting that “to date I, and my staff, have received no negative complaints. In fact, there is a sense of relief on the part of some students who were uncomfortable with our standard practices of joining hands at the Lord’s Prayer and shaking hands at the sign of peace.”"
A couple of observations… Holding hands during the Our Father should not be a “standard practice” in any parish as there is no mention of such an action on the part of the laity in the rubrics of the Novus Ordo Mass. In fact, the orans posture during the Mass by the laity is nothing more than an imitation of the actions of the priest, who is called to raise his hands several times during the liturgy. A second observation… if holding hands during the Our Father (again, not part of the Catholic liturgy) is making some students feel uncomfortable, and this is indeed obvious to the pastor, why not discourage this “standard practice” during Masses? Shouldn’t all feel welcome in the house of the Lord? Where is the inclusivity if you have people forcing their hand into yours during the Lord’s Prayer if you do not wish to hold hands?
A humorous piece from Zenit regarding a friendly World Series bet between Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Dolan:
“As the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies set to square off in baseball’s World Series, the archbishops of the two cities are placing a friendly wager on the outcome.Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, settled the terms of the bet Tuesday evening, the dioceses reported in a joint press statement.
Cardinal Rigali will send a case of Tastykakes to the Big Apple if the Yankees win. Should the Phillies take the World Series, Archbishop Dolan will ship a dozen bagels to the City of Brotherly Love.
…
In the light-hearted note, Archbishop Dolan lamented his friend’s loyalties to the Phillies: “I know he has exquisite taste in most matters. I just wish he had better taste in baseball teams.”
Cardinal Rigali also noted “great esteem” for his colleague. “He is a gifted spiritual leader who has been a true friend for many years.
“That is why I am so sorry he will be disappointed when the Phillies successfully defend their World Championship.”
“We have the cream cheese ready for the bagels that I know will be arriving shortly after the Repeat in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly love,” the cardinal noted with confidence.”
Based on early returns, Archbishop Dolan should begin his bagel shopping.
I leave you to count the ways.
I just wanted to remind anyone who reads this that you may do the following:
I am a bit OCD, so I would be ecstatic if we could hit the following goals: 25 followers, i.e. five even rows of five, and 20 fans on Facebook, i.e. four even rows of five.
According to the Diocese of Rochester Web site, the 2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal has thus far brought in nearly $600,000 more than was raised as of this date last year. That is impressive. Although it is worth noting that the real number is probably more around $390,000 more than last year if you actually go back and look at the tally from the end of October, 2008.
Below is a comparison of the CMA parish by parish tally of October 30th, 2008 to October 27th, 2009:
October 30, 2008
October 27, 2009A couple of things caught my eye. One is that a good number of the parishes that were the upper echelon of donating last year (or rather closer to realizing their respective goals) are located at the top of the list again this year. Another item of note is that both Holy Name of Jesus and Our Lady of Mercy (not seen here, but is close to the top) are doing very well towards reaching their goal. Let’s see if a strong CMA showing can help save one or both of these parishes.
What may be the reason for the increased CMA donations this year? Is it economic? Has there been stronger advertising? Perhaps a combination of the two. There does appear to be an increased amount of bulletin articles by priests and administrators devoted to why people should donate to the CMA. Some parishes have even gone to the length of showing CMA videos before or during the Holy Mass. Regardless, I doubt the CMA music video did much of anything to increase donations.
It will be interesting to see if this early spurt of donating will carry on throughout the 2009/10 CMA season. It will probably begin to taper off towards the end of this year. Time will tell.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j_3QJ7kggw]
