Voice of the Vicar

EWTN.com - Fr. Robert Barron To Launch National Catholic Television Show On WGN America

2010-09-15T17:13:00.001-05:00

EWTN.com - Fr. Robert Barron To Launch National Catholic Television Show On WGN America

This will be very interesting. Fr. Barron has a very successful video blog called Word on Fire that has been very helpful to many people to gain a bit of clarity on certain issues. I will be tuning in to this one.

Music Monday: 13 September 2010

2010-09-13T09:11:00.002-05:00

Show Me What I'm Looking For by Carolina Liar

Wait, I'm wrong
Should've done better than this
Please, I'll be strong
I'm finding it hard to resist

So show me what I'm looking for

Save me, I'm lost
Oh Lord I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Oh Lord

Don't let go
I've wanted this far too long
Mistakes become regrets
I've learned to love abuse
Please show me what I'm looking for

Save me, I'm lost
Oh Lord I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Oh Lord

Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for

Save me, I'm lost
Oh Lord I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
To save me from being confused
Wait, I'm wrong
I can't do better than this
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused

Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Oh Lord

This is another secular song that has some rather incredible lyrics. I acknowledge that the "Oh Lord" may just be an expression, but this is an even more incredible song if those lines are more than just an exclamation.

What impresses me the most about this song, though, is the recognition that he can't find his fulfillment by simply "looking deep in your heart" or "look inside you" but rather, the singer acknowledges that he must look outside to find what he is looking for. He sees that there is more than himself which is so important for us!

Our fulfillment is not found in our hearts, or by some modern version of narcissism that masks itself as a "meaningful" statement at some high school graduation, such as "believe in yourself." Ugh. Rather, at the Second Vatican Council, they wrote something to the contrary. Gaudium et Spes 22, "Christ...fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear." What a statement. It is Jesus Christ who reveals to the human person what the human person really is AND it is Jesus Christ who makes our supreme calling visible and real for each of us.

In the music video (which can be found HERE) we see the temptations and allurements of the world, and he walks through them but continually seems unsatisfied by them, which is very true. The world can bring us moments of delight...but they really don't last. It is only in Jesus Christ that we will find lasting happiness.

That is so important for us to recognize that it is only in Jesus Christ that we are going to understand who we really are as made in the image and likeness of God.

The song continues as well with a very powerful line, "I'll pay any cost." It is sometimes difficult to follow Jesus Christ and to look for him. But also, sometimes, Jesus Christ calls us to find our fulfillment in self-sacrifice. That can be hard and it does have a cost. The question be fore us is, "Are we willing to pay the cost for true happiness?" The author of this song expresses that he is willing to do so! That is something very encouraging.

Finally there is the rather shocking line, "I've learned to love abuse." I think that is the case as well in our world. We have lost sight of who we are and the dignity that we have as sons and daughters of God. As a result, we have become content with the faulty "love" that the world offers which is, in fact, an abuse of love and our dignity. It becomes important for us to "remember" our dignity and the goodness for which we have been made and the delight we can find when we let Jesus Christ be the lord of our lives.

So there you have it. Show me what I'm looking for!

2010-09-02T09:12:00.001-05:00

Mention of God is not appropriate in a "sacred" place?!?

2010-08-31T06:37:00.003-05:00

Here is an interesting video from a recent CNN interview that I think speaks to the society in which we find ourselves today.

What is troubling here is the fact that by saying this, Bill Press would be saying that Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech would be inappropriate on the exact same steps where Glenn Beck held his rally. King's drive, King's dream was filled with his faith. King was driven by his faith and inspired many people who recognized that all people are created in God's image and God's likeness.

However, this is the world in which we find ourselves where it is said that it is "inappropriate" to mention God in the public square. Well, if that is what society thinks, then I am going to be labeled "inappropriate" by many. God IS relevant to the public square as well as the private sphere. God has a beautiful message that is important for us to preach in public, because what Jesus Christ teaches is love of God and love of neighbor.

Jesus is relevant in the public sphere.

Fr. G

First day impressions

2010-08-30T16:02:00.002-05:00

Well, the first day is behind me. My first impressions. It was rather interesting to note that while Saint Thomas Academy is a private, Catholic, all-male, military, college prep high school...it is still high school. The students are different, but the same in so many ways.

They are different in that there is a certain level of respect and discipline that was not present when I was going through my public high school. However, they are still high school students on the first day with all the high energy level radiating through the tiredness of having to wake up early in the morning.

It was a good day, but I realize that there is still a great deal that I have to learn about teaching and about how to communicate the ideas of Jesus Christ to these students.

It was a good day and I look forward to all the future 174 days...but who's counting?

Fr. G

Back to school

2010-08-29T21:24:00.003-05:00

Yes, you are reading that right. I'm going back to school. This school year I will actually be teaching at Saint Thomas Academy as well as serving as parochial vicar of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. I will be teaching one section of the course entitle Sacraments and Morality to 22 sophomores.

So, the old phrase, "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" seems to apply here. I have a much deeper respect for all of my teachers. I never knew what it meant to teach a formal course, especially at the high school level. I realize now that I absolutely must depend upon God to make this happen.

As I stay up late and finish my "lesson plan" for the first day, I humbly request your prayers and the prayers of all the Saints in heaven, especially the teachers, as I prepare for yet another first in my life. Thank you and God bless.

Fr. G

Alaska parental notification initiative passes with ‘crucial’ Catholic support :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2010-08-27T09:14:00.000-05:00

Alaska parental notification initiative passes with ‘crucial’ Catholic support :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Matt Maher concert cont.

2010-08-26T20:13:00.001-05:00

He just sang Hold Us Together and it was great! Look it up on YouTube. I'll post it later.

Maher quoted JP2 "we are no the sum of our failures. We are the sum of the Father's love for us."

Location:Mill St,Excelsior,United States

Matt Maher concert continued

2010-08-26T19:58:00.001-05:00

He is now telling us about how he got to know Jesus Christ. He's Canadian, so I'm sure he loves hockey...as he should.

Location:Mill St,Excelsior,United States

Matt Maher concert

2010-08-26T19:22:00.001-05:00

Location:Mill St,Excelsior,United States

Please tell me this isn't true...a hockey musical?!?

2010-08-26T10:53:00.001-05:00

For those of you who know me personally, you know that I'm a big fan of hockey. I am from Minnesota where hockey permeates our our culture. So, whenever there is anything regarding hockey, I'm all over...but this is testing even my limits.

Music Monday: 23 August 2010

2010-08-24T21:24:00.007-05:00

Hey Ya by Outkast (and a great cover by Obadiah Parker)

One two three uh!
My baby don't mess around
Because she loves me so And this I know for shooo..
Uh, But does she really wanna
But can't stand to see me Walk out the dooor..
Don't try to fight the feelin'
Because the thought alone is killing me right nooww..
Uh, thank god for mom and dad For sticking two together
'Cause we don't know hooowww...

UH! Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..

You think you've got it
Ohh, you think you've got it
But got it just don't get it
Till' there's nothing at
AaaaaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaaAAAAAAaaaaaallllll..
We get together
Ohh, we get together
But seperate's always better when there's feelings InvooooooOOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOOlved
If what they say is
"Nothing is forever"
Then what makes, Then what makes, Then what makes
Then what makes, Then what makes LOOVVEEE? (Love exception)
So why you, why you
Why you, why you, why you are we so in denial
When we know we're not happy heeeerrreeee...
Y'all don't want me here you just wanna dance

Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..

Hey, alright now Alright now fellas, (YEAH!)
Now what's cooler than bein' cool? (ICE COLD!)
I can't hear ya' I say what's cooler than bein' cool? (ICE COLD!) whooo...
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, Ok now ladies, (YEAH!)
And we gon' break this thing down in just a few seconds
Now don't have me break this thang down for nothin'
Now I wanna see y'all on y'all baddest behavior
Lend me some suga',
I am your neighbor ahh here we go!

Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it (OHH OH)
Shake it, shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake it (OHH OH)
Shake it, shake it like a Polaroid Picture, shake it, shake it
Shh you got to, shake it, shh shake it,
shake it, got to shake it (Shake it Suga')
shake it like a Poloroid Picture

Now while Beyonce's and Lucy Lui's
And baby dolls, get on the floor (Get on the floor)
You know what to dooo..
You know what to dooo..
You know what to do!
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..
Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa..
Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa..

This is one of those surprises where the lyrics do not match exactly what the song sounds like. This song sounds like a fun, hilarious time where we should all be dancing around like there is not a care in the world. However, this song is filled with cares and concerns about the reality that our world is filled with hurt in relationships, particularly in marriages.

The line that caught me was "Thank God for mom and dad for sticking two together 'cause we don't know how." This line contains some incredible depth. First, it states the reality that married life is something that requires a great deal of work and sacrifice! For those of you who are married, you know this more than I could ever imagine. But I do know that marriage is something that requires both people in the marriage to need to listen, give, help, and sacrifice for the love of each other.

Sadly, though, this line also eludes to the fact that we as a society have lost a sense of the importance and the beauty of maintaining this great gift or marriage. Marriage is something that is very good for our society. It gives a stability to the society, to the children, and even to each other. It is the place where young people learn what it means to be a good person, where they learn their values and how to be a good citizen. Marriage is very important for our world and this song sees it as a good.

The song even thanks God for the example of the parents staying together. There is the implicit acknowledgment that for marriage to work, it NEEDS God. I know this was probably not what Andre 3000 was going for when he wrote this, but it is something that is important for us to remember. For any marriage, it takes 3. The husband, the wife, and God. It seems like living with another person until death do you part seems like an impossible task. Left to ourselves it is incredibly daunting. But if God, the source of love, is involved in the relationship, it becomes something that is possible.

Another interesting line is "If what they say is 'nothing is forever,' then what makes love the exception?" There seems to be an implicit acknowledgment of what Christianity has held to be true that love is what endures forever. It is a very good question to ask here, why does love endure forever. To that question, there are a couple of responses, but one of the most incredible is that God is love and God endures forever. Love is the very reason we exist and why we continue to exist. We have been made in love and for love. So if we choose to love, love can exist forever! If we choose to give of ourselves, we reach the fulfillment for which we have been made. In the Second Vatican Council, they wrote that it is only in self-gift that man finds himself; meaning that it is only when we choose to give of ourselves out of love for another, that we human beings will find what we have been made to be.

On a purely natural level, I like the cover of this song by Obadiah Parker even more than the Outkast version, though both are enjoyable.

God bless.

Music Monday: 16 August 2010

2010-08-17T09:35:00.008-05:00

Yes, I know this is being posted a day late, but here you go.

Secrets by OneRepublic

I need another story
Something to get off my chest
My life gets kinda boring
Need something that I can confess
'Til all my sleeves are stained red

From all the truth that I've said
Come by it honestly I swear
Thought you saw me wink, no
I've been on the brink, so

Tell me what you want to hear
Something that will light those ears
Sick of all the insinceres
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

My God, amazing how we got this far
It's like we're chasing all those stars
Who's driving shiny big black cars
And everyday I see the news
All the problems that we could solve

And when a situation rises
Just write it into an album
Singing straight, too cold
I don't really like my flow, no, so

Tell me what you want to hear
Something that will light those ears
Sick of all the insinceres
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

Oh, got no reason, got not shame
Got no family I can blame
Just don't let me disappear
I'm 'a tell you everything

So tell me what you want to hear
Something that will light those ears
Sick of all the insinceres
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away

This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away

So tell me what you want to hear
Something that will light those ears
Sick of all the insinceres
So I'm gonna give all my secrets away

This time, don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics never jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away
All my secrets away, all my secrets away

I really enjoy this song. What is so amazing about this particular song is that from a secular understanding, the lead singer, Ryan Tedder, is singing about how holding things back, holding secrets will just eat away at a person. A line that shows the power of this moment of recognition is, "Don't need another perfect lie." He is done trying to create lies and hide the truth. Now is the time that he is ready to open up, to turn it all over. He doesn't even care if people criticize him. He even says, "My God, amazing how we got this far." I take that as meaning that he is amazing that he was even able to get this far while holding all this in.

He acknowledges that he is sick of all the insincerity in his life, the hiding. It is like a baggage that he has to carry around and it is heavy. In the same way, our sins can weigh us down. Often, these things can weigh us down and prevent us from approaching the Lord. I think we all can relate to a moment in our lives when our sin was too much for us to carry, and so, we turn to the Lord.

Basically, this song explains why the sacrament of confession is so vital to our life as human beings. The sacrament of confession is that time that we open ourselves up to the healing love of God. It is only when we put our sins before Christ, open ourselves up, does the grace flow into our lives. We feel better, we feel refreshed, renewed. When we turn over our spiritual baggage, sin, we feel lighter. We dump our backpacks of sin in the confessional and the Lord lifts us up with mercy and love.

Confession is healing both on a supernatural level, but also on a natural level which seems to be the focus of this song.

Music Monday: 9 August 2010

2010-08-09T14:48:00.005-05:00

So, I am a big fan of listening to music. Yes, I sing along with the music when I am alone in the car. It's a blast. However, I have learned along the way that there are primarily two different type of people who enjoy music. Those who are fans of the notes and those who are fans of the lyrics. I am the latter. As a result, I will pour over lyrics again and again trying to find the meaning of the artist (a term that is used far too loosely for modern music) or the meaning that a person can find within the lyrics that may not have been intended, especially in secular music.

So, with that introduction, I thought it would be fun to post some lyrics and my thoughts about those lyrics and see what you all think.

NB: Just because I post the lyrics of a particular artist does not mean that I endorse this artist, their practices, beliefs (personal, public, political, etc.). Nor should this be an endorsement of the music videos that go along with the song. It is simply a point of discussion from the lyrics of this one particular song.

For the first week:
Sober by Pink

I don't wanna be the girl who laughs the loudest
Or the girl who never wants to be alone
I don't wanna be that call at four o'clock in the mornin'
'Cause I'm the only one you know in the world that won't be home

Ah, the sun is blindin'
I stayed up again
Oh, I am findin'
That's not the way I want my story to end

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're my protection
But how do I feel this good sober?

I don't wanna be the girl that has to fill the silence
The quiet scares me 'cause it screams the truth
Please don't tell me that we had that conversation
'Cause I won't remember, save your breath
'Cause what's the use?

Ah, the night is callin'
And it whispers to me softly, "Come and play"
But I, I am fallin'
And if I let myself go I'm the only one to blame

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?

Comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
Spinnin' 'round, spinnin' 'round, spinnin' 'round
I'm lookin' for myself, sober

Comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
Spinnin' 'round, spinnin' 'round, spinnin' 'round
Lookin' for myself, sober

When it's good, then it's good, it's so good 'til it goes bad
'Til you're trying to find the you that you once had
I have heard myself cry 'never again'
Broken down in agony, just tryin' find a friend, oh, oh

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?

I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me
But why do I feel this party's over?
No pain inside, you're like perfection
But how do I feel this good sober?

The first line that immediately jumped out at me was the line, "I don't wanna be the girl that has to fill the silence, The quiet scares me 'cause it screams the truth." I think that this is so true for our society. We are extremely afraid to be alone in the quite. We are afraid to actually listen to what our conscience is saying to us about our choices that we have made. It can be extremely frightening to each of us. We have this fear of God even. That is why we heard in the gospel reading this past weekend (the long version at least) Jesus say, "Do not be afraid any longer."

Too often, we can fear these things, thinking that we might have to sacrifice something that we like, something to which we have grown accustomed. As a result, we run from the silence, from the encounter with God, hoping that it wont catch up to us. We are running from the "Hound of Heaven," who pursues us continually with love. It becomes necessary for us to stop and actually encounter God in the silence and then we will be able to know the love of God for each and every one of us.

I also like this song because of it's overall theme of wondering why I can be happy or even content without living what this world is preaching/teaching. "Why do I feel this good sober?" Almost in awe of the reality that if I do not pursue all that this world is telling me is good, I can still feel good about myself and others.

I see this song as a description of the soul that encounters God for the first time and has all of the stereotypes and presumptions destroyed and the encounter was actually...good.

Let me know your thoughts about this song in the comments section.

California court endangering religious schooling

2010-07-29T07:25:00.001-05:00

This is something I had to read to believe. It appears that there is a legal battle going on between the University of California (UC) and religiously affiliated high schools. Basically would not accept the credits earned from students of religious high schools in certain subjects (biology, religion, etc.) because the views that the students were presumably taught were too narrow and thus not acceptable for the UC system.

In the past, there was a concern by the bishops of this country that our nation was becoming anti-Catholic. Thus they decided at the Council of Baltimore that every Catholic parish must have a parochial school to allow the Catholic children to receive a full education, including the Catholic understanding of our world. It seems that with this decision from a public university, we are entering into a similar time. It is different in one major way, however. This proposal is not anti-Catholic, but is anti-religious and I might also use the term anti-spiritual (used here with the colloquial understanding).

I am NOT proposing that we resort to requiring all of our parishes to reopen parochial schooling. What this should cause us to do initially is to redouble our efforts to help the world to understand that religious beliefs, especially Catholic beliefs are not a "threat", but are, in fact, a great joy! This is not going to happen in the way that it is necessary by some well structured homily from the priest on Sunday. It will not occur from some caffeine induced blog post (though I am sitting at a coffee shop right now). This necessary recognition of the pure joy of Catholicism will only happen if we Catholics of the world engage our neighbor, starting conversations, choosing to go out of our comfortable sphere and actually work to transform the world.

Yes, this seems like a daunting task and one to which we can create a million excuses. But it is so necessary as put forth by the Second Vatican Council. It is not in our best interests OR in the best interests of the world if we isolate ourselves and simply let the world go to hell in a handbasket. Rather, we are our brothers' keepers. We have an inherant responsibility to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world, to bring the GOOD NEWS of Jesus to all people. I will probably have another blog post soon regarding the topic of "how" we proclaim Jesus to the world, but I will save that.

So let us not hide from this horrible proposal from the University of California. Let us not run away. Let us not be content with a legal decision that defends our rights. Rather, let us recognize the truth...the world NEEDS Jesus Christ, and God has asked us to bring him to the world...especially UC.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/569165421.html

-Fr. Gjengdahl

New posts coming soon

2010-07-26T13:50:00.000-05:00

Okay, so during this transition to a new parish, I have totally let the blog go. However, I'm hoping to get things rolling again soon, so stay tuned!

Prayer in nature

2010-04-23T06:37:00.003-05:00

I have never been much of a "St. Francis guy." By that, I mean, I've never been one to have too many spiritual experiences in nature. I have had some of my most prayerful experiences in a church building in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

However, I can not deny that there is something inherently good about being in nature. I've gone hunting and it is really an incredible experience to be in the woods before the dawn and just experience nature "waking-up" with the sun. I also have had great moments at camp, or out in the wide-openness of North Dakota. I can't really explain it, but I think that most people recognize that there is something good about nature and about being in nature.

I am writing this, not because of Earth Day yesterday, but because I am out in the back yard of the rectory right now for the first time this year, just sitting, sipping-coffee, and praying the breviary, and it really is wonderful. I'm not saying that we should dismiss technology (God forbid), or that we should bow to nature as our "mother" (Mary is our Mother; thank you Jesus!), but I don't think I have ever met a person who isn't in awe of the beauty of nature.

So, what are your thoughts...why do we recognize that it is good to be in nature?

The coffee shop appeal?

2010-03-30T13:26:00.003-05:00

So why is it that coffee shops are so appealing? I always find myself enjoying the atmosphere of the coffee shop. If I have a book that I want to read, I like to go to the coffee shop. If I have a talk to write, I like to go to the coffee shop. If I have a little research to do, I like to go to the coffee shop. I like to meet friends there, I like to chat there, I like to sit there. Why is that? Obviously I'm not alone as there are people in coffee shops at all hours of the day and, for the most part, they seem to be quite pleasant, or at least content. Why is that?

Location:Aida Pl,St Paul,United States

Archbishop Dolan responds

2010-03-29T09:56:00.002-05:00

Here is a repost of a blog article from Archbishop Timothy Dolan. If you do not know who he is, he is a man of Christ and one after my own heart (he loves to laugh!). So here is a repost of his article addressing the headlines across the world regarding the Holy Father.

You can find the original article HERE

“Nobody, Nowhere, No Time, No Way, No How . . .”

Fridays of Lent are days of special sacrifice anyway, so I guess maybe the anguish caused by that day’s headline in our city’s newspaper should have been accepted as an invitation to further penance.

You’re familiar with the crescendo of recent stories on the sad and disturbing case of a German priest accused in 1979 of the vicious crime and sin of sexually abusing minor boys. When these hideous allegations came to the attention of this priest’s archbishop, a man by the name of Joseph Ratzinger — who now happens to be the bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI — he rightly removed the priest and ordered him to report for residential assessment and therapy.

The shock of the original abuse is intensified because, tragically, upon his release from treatment, the priest was reassigned to parish work, although not by Archbishop Ratzinger. Horribly, as often was the case, the Reverend Peter Hullerman went on to abuse teenagers again.

Sad and sickening, a story all too familiar to us, as we Catholics in the United States have had to face this same ulcer ever so frequently over the last nine years. Scabs are reopened, anger rekindled, trust painfully restored now being chipped-away-at again, victim-survivors, their families, the vast majority of priests, and faithful Catholics, all hurt anew.

Pope Benedict XVI himself has expressed hurt, anger, sorrow, and contrition. As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and now as Pope, he is seen as one “who gets it” when it comes to the horror of clergy sexual abuse, and who has placed the full force of the Apostolic See, the Vatican, behind efforts to reform. Who can forget his forthright references to this scourge at least half-a-dozen times in his visit to our country nearly two-years ago, and his moving meeting with victim-survivors? And now we have his blunt, realistic Pastoral Letter to Ireland on the crises there. He must be asking, as we all do, “When will it all end.”

So Friday’s headline, only the most recent, stings us again: “Doctor Asserts Church Ignored Abuse Warnings,” as the psychiatrist who treated the criminal, Dr. Werner Huth, blames the Church for not heeding his recommendations.

What adds to our anger over the nauseating abuse and the awful misjudgment in reassigning such a dangerous man, though, is the glaring fact that we never see similar headlines that would actually be “news”: How about these, for example?

– “Doctor Asserts He Ignored Abuse Warnings,” since Dr. Huth admits in the article that he, in fact, told the archdiocese the abusing priest could be reassigned under certain restrictions, a prescription today recognized as terribly wrong;

– “Doctor Asserts Public Schools Ignored Abuse Warnings,” since the data of Dr. Carol Shakeshaft concludes that the number of cases of abuse of minors by teachers, coaches, counsellors, and staff in government schools is much, much worse than by priests;

– “Doctor Asserts Judges (or Police, Lawyers, District Attorneys, Therapists, Parole Officers) Ignored Abuse Warnings,” since we now know the sober fact that no one in the healing and law enforcement professions knew back then the depth of the scourge of abuse, or the now-taken-for-granted conclusion that abusers of young people can never safely work closely with them again.

What causes us Catholics to bristle is not only the latest revelations of sickening sexual abuse by priests, and blindness on the part of some who wrongly reassigned them — such stories, unending though they appear to be, are fair enough, — but also that the sexual abuse of minors is presented as a tragedy unique to the Church alone.

That, of course, is malarkey. Because, as we now sadly realize, nobody, nowhere, no time, no way, no how knew the extent, depth, or horror of this scourge, nor how to adequately address it.

The sexual abuse of our young people is an international, cultural, societal horror. It affects every religion, country, family, job, profession, vocation, and ethnic group.

We Catholics have for a decade apologized, cried, reached out, shouted mea culpa, and engaged in a comprehensive reform that has met with widespread acclaim. We’ve got a long way to go, and the reform still has to continue.

But it is fair to say that, just as the Catholic Church may have been a bleak example of how not to respond to this tragedy in the past, the Church is now a model of what to do. As the National Review Online observes, “. . . the Church’s efforts to come to grips with this problem within the household of faith — more far reaching than in any other institution or sector of society — have led others to look to the Catholic Church for guidance on how to address what is, in fact, a global plague.”

As another doctor, Paul McHugh, an international scholar on this subject at Johns Hopkins University, remarked, “Nobody is doing more to address the tragedy of sexual abuse of minors than the Catholic Church.”

That, of course, is another headline you’ll never see.

Love

2010-03-18T11:53:00.002-05:00

I am sitting here at Barnes and Noble and I witnessed love. No, it was not some young couple that came in. It was not some PDA. Rather, it was an elderly couple that came in together. I would guess they are around the age of 80. The husband is balding and has some bad posture. His wife walked in very slowly with a cane. The husband walked along so patiently with his wife, not frustrated by the slow pace, not trying to hurry her, not pushing her along, but simply walking right by her side. They approached a table, she began to remove her jacket with some difficulty, the husband jumped over to help her immediately, and he then proceeded to get a chair for her and helped her push the char in.

After a few minutes, she seemingly expressed her interest in looking at books, so the husband got up from his chair, helped his wife, and they proceed to walk around the store at an excruciatingly slow pace...but without a hint of impatience on the face of the husband.

He loves his wife so much that he is willing to slow himself down, limit himself, to her capabilities just so that he can be with her.

That, my friends, is love. He sacrifices his own desires, wants, and capabilities just to be with her. Love.

Day in the life of a priest

2010-03-13T23:56:00.001-06:00

So here is the video that I made for Molly, a youth minister. I made it just for her youth group, but it appears that more than the youth are interested in it.

I'm thinking that I will try to make another one if there is interest. Just pick another random day and see what that day brings.

Let me know in the comments if you would be interested in that. Thanks and God bless.

Byzantine Catholic liturgy of presanctified gifts

2010-03-12T18:22:00.001-06:00

Tonight I am at the Byzantine Catholic church in Minneapolis for the liturgy of the Presanctified gifts. I will write more after we are done.

Location:22nd Ave NE,Minneapolis,United States

At my "study spot"

2010-03-11T17:09:00.001-06:00

During seminary, I would often sneak out to Barnes an Noble to study. I wasn't very productive in a silent room. I enjoyed the light din of the bookstore/coffee shop.

I still like to sneak over to here whenever I can to read and prepare talks (not homilies). Today I was reading parts of the Catechism and Cardinal George's new book "The Difference God Makes."

Location:Snelling Ave N,Roseville,United States

Last Catholic adoption agency in England and Wales threatened by gay equality laws

2010-03-06T10:19:00.003-06:00

Okay, I have remained silent on this issue long enough. We have come to the point in our society (world, global village, whatever word you want to use) where our concern over feelings is inhibiting people from doing any good whatsoever. Here is another example. Now this is not an isolated incident, but has happened here in the USA in several states already. It is a complete joke that now the Church is not allowed to do good (i.e. helping homeless children find homes) because they will not work to put these children in the homes of people living out their homosexual attractions. The logic here is so warped! The point of adoption agencies is FOR THE CHILDREN! So as a result, we are willing to sacrifice the good lives of children because we don't want anyone to feel bad. We are not willing to make a sacrifice of our own lives, our own wants, our own desires for the good of others. The only thing that we are willing to sacrifice is the lives and well being of others. This is completely antithetical to love. Love seeks the good of the other EVEN at the expense of the good for myself. This is not love.

This is a repost of the article found HERE:

London, England, Mar 6, 2010 / 10:38 am (CNA).- Church leaders are defending the last remaining Catholic adoption agency in England and Wales against homosexual equality laws that will force it to close. They say children in the agency’s care will suffer, charging that the government is trying to force the agency to disregard Church teaching.

Last Sunday, three bishops said that they were taking the case of the Catholic Care adoption agency to the High Court, the Catholic Herald reports. The agency finds homes for about 20 hard-to-place children each year.

Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds, Bishop John Rawsthorne of Hallam and Bishop Terry Drainey of Middlesbrough, said in a letter read at Masses that the government is trying to force the agency to operate “with disregard to the Church’s teaching on marriage and family life.”

They said the agency consistently placed “some of the most vulnerable children” in a service that has operated for over 100 years. But despite this work, the bishops charged, “we are being invited either to stop our adoption work or stop being a Catholic charity altogether.”

The bishops stated that vulnerable children have the right to a loving family and that the closure of the Catholic agency would eliminate an “effective and well-respected resource.”

Catholic Care serves the dioceses of Leeds, Middlesbrough and Hallam. It is the only one of 11 Catholic adoption agencies in England and Wales that is continuing to fight the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs). The 2007 law barred discrimination against homosexual couples in the provisions of goods and services. Leaders of all the mainstream religious faiths protested the legislation.

The law obliged Catholic adoption agencies to assess homosexual couples as potential adopters or foster parents, the Catholic Herald says. Because of Catholic teaching on homosexuality, adoption agencies have either been closed or disaffiliated from the Church.

The prelates said it is in the interests of children that the agency’s work continue, adding that they are not judging other agencies which accept homosexual couples for adoption.

“We should not be forced to do so, nor is there a necessity for this to happen. We believe that this is a legally justifiable position," they wrote. “Children have a right to a family life. There are too many children awaiting adoption and Catholic Care has a vital and a special role in helping very vulnerable children by finding loving families for them.”

Catholic Care had applied to the Charity Commission to change its charitable mission so it could appeal for an exemption under a regulation allowing limited discrimination.

However, the Charity Tribunal said it could not continue as an adoption agency unless it accepted homosexual couples. The regulation could not be a defense because the proposed alteration “arose substantially out of a desire to maintain a principled stance” rather than advance the charitable purpose of care for children without families.

The appeal to the High Court began last Wednesday.

Chicago archdiocese opens canonization cause for first African-American priest

2010-03-03T06:39:00.004-06:00

I am reposting this from the Catholic News Agency because it is worth reading.

Chicago archdiocese opens canonization cause for first African-American priest

Fr. Augustus Tolton.

“Many Catholics might not ever have heard of Fr. Augustus Tolton; but black Catholics most probably have,” the Archbishop of Chicago wrote.Chicago, Ill., Mar 3, 2010 / 03:08 am (CNA).- Fr. Augustus Tolton, a man born into slavery who became the first American diocesan priest of African descent, is now being considered for canonization. Cardinal Francis George announced on Monday that the nineteenth century priest’s cause for sainthood has been introduced in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Born in Missouri on April 1, 1854, John Augustine Tolton fled slavery with his mother and two siblings in 1862 by crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois.

"John, boy, you're free. Never forget the goodness of the Lord," Tolton’s mother told him after the crossing, according to the website of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Chicago.

The young Tolton entered St. Peter’s Catholic School with the help of the school’s pastor, Fr. Peter McGirr. Fr. McGirr would later baptize him and instruct him for his first Holy Communion. Tolton was serving as an altar boy by the next summer.

The priest asked Tolton if he would like to become a priest, saying it would take twelve years of hard study.

The excited boy then said they should go to church and pray for his success.

After graduating from high school and Quincy College, he began his ecclesiastical studies in Rome because no American seminary would accept him on account of his race.

On April 24, 1886 he was ordained in Rome by Cardinal Lucido Maria Parocchi, who was then the vicar general of Rome. Newspapers throughout the U.S. carried the story.

Fr. Tolton was ordained for the southern Illinois Diocese of Quincy. Upon his return in July 1886, he was greeted at the train station “like a conquering hero,” the web site of St. Elizabeth’s Parish says.

“Thousands were there to greet him, led by Father McGirr. A brass band played church songs and Negro Spirituals. Thousands of blacks and whites lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the new priest wearing a black Prince Albert and a silk hat. People marched and cheered his flower-draped four-horse carriage. Children, priests and sisters left the school joining the procession heading towards the church.”

Hundreds waited at the local church where people of all races knelt at the communion rail.

Fr. Tolton served in Quincy before going to Chicago to start a parish for black Catholics. The new church was named for St. Monica and opened in 1893.

On July 9, 1897 Fr. Tolton collapsed during a hot day and died from sunstroke at the age of 43. Cardinal George explained that most priests in the nineteenth century died before their fiftieth birthday.

“Visiting the sick on a daily basis was risky in an age before antibiotics,” he explained.

The priest was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery just outside of Quincy, Illinois.

An investigation for canonization will collect evidence of Fr. Tolton’s heroic virtues and will investigate claims of his miraculous intercession.

Catholic Medical Association issues open letter to congress

2010-02-23T09:09:00.004-06:00

The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is, in their own words, "Catholic Physicians of the United States and Canada [who] come together in the Catholic Medical Association in order to grow in the spirit of christ in our personal and professional lives, to bring His Spirit to all that is touched by our since and art, and to assist the Vicar of Christ, the Bishops, and the whole Christian community with leadership, especially with particular knowledge, skill, and experience we have as Christian Physicians."

So basically, this is a pretty awesome group of doctors who are working to use their gifts from God for the betterment of humanity as understood in truth, not in opinion. Sweet.

So, this group has issued an open letter to congress with regard to the health care reform that is happening. Here is an excerpt from the letter that contians the particular areas that need a reexamination from the perspective of doctors:

Specifically, we call upon Members of Congress and the executive branch to:

Engage in a true bi-partisan process. Social legislation of this magnitude should not be enacted without a clear consensus among legislators of both parties and of the American people.
Ensure that efforts to assist the poor and uninsured are effective and economically sustainable. In November 2009, CMS Chief Actuary Foster noted that H.R. 3962’s tactic of putting millions more people into Medicaid would make it “plausible and even probable” that Medicaid enrollees’ already unacceptable access problems would be exacerbated (p.15). Health-care legislation must be based on sound economic principles.
Respect the physician-patient relationship. The excessive levels of governmental regulation and control evident in the House and Senate bills are detrimental to the effective practice of medicine.
Respect fundamental human and constitutional rights. Health care serves many human goods and can be the subject of many rights claims. However, there is no right more basic than the right to life, and no right more central to American constitutional order than the right to freedom of conscience and religion. Legislation must not compel any public funding of, or provider participation in, abortion. Moreover, the rights to conscience and religious liberty of health-care providers must be more comprehensively protected as the power of governmental regulation grows.

The entire letter can be found HERE.

Clergy Study Day

2010-02-11T09:55:00.001-06:00

The priests of the Archdiocese are meeting today to discuss the Strategic Planning of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. We are receiving information about how we are planning to go in the future. There is an emphasis on the reality that the local church is the diocese, not the individual parish. Our planning, as a result must be relational

Location:6th St NW,New Brighton,United States

Tricks are for kids

2010-02-09T06:20:00.006-06:00

Here is an article from BustedHalo.com. The article exposes the problem of attaching one's self to a philosophy or political idea rather than to Jesus Christ. What I was particularly pleased to see was the author, William Doino, explained how G. K. Chesterton was able to work for the good of humanity through clear thinking without making compromises. If you don't know anything about Chesterton, I suggest that you look him up at Chesterton.org.

The article is incredibly well linked (I added most of them here), so be sure to click away.

Tricks Are for Kids

O'Keefe arrest shows dangers of conservatives' love affair with "Rules for Radicals"

by William Doino Jr. and Dawn Eden

Conservatives have long criticized the lingering effects of the 1960s, and not without reason. The legacy of the “Love Generation” — or, as renamed by some disaffected ex-members, the “Destructive Generation” — is decidedly ambiguous. Not unlike Woodstock itself — “three days of peace and music” which turned Yasgur’s farm into a 600-acre latrine — the era’s idealistic youth, having rocked the world with some positive transformations (particularly in civil rights), left a cultural morass for future generations to clean up. Among the era’s gifts to posterity is the continued popularity of the in-your-face tactics that Saul Alinsky promoted in his cult classic Rules for Radicals, which begins with an “acknowledgment” giving props to “the very first radical… Lucifer.”

When purported revelations emerged during the 2008 campaign which were held to show that Barack Obama was in some way influenced by the Chicago organizer (and which were somewhat verified, oddly, by Alinsky’s son), opponents of The One fell over themselves to denounce Rules for Radicals.

But a curious thing happened along the way of exposing the alleged Alinsky-like tactics of the modern Left: Some conservatives became Alinskyites themselves.

Case in point: the recent arrest of James O’Keefe, who shot to fame last September after he and a female undergrad, Hannah Giles, dressed as a pimp and prostitute to secretly videotape ACORN employees who seemed eager to aid their purported illegal activities. As the 25-year-old self-described “investigative journalist” began to make national news (in stories featuring photos and video of the barely legal Giles in her “hooker” garb), he boasted to the New York Post that he was using Alinsky’s tactics against the Left to beat them at their own game. When posting his ACORN videos on the Big Government blog, he often pointed out which of Alinsky’s rules he used to make the clips.

The future of conservative activism?

O’Keefe’s contention that his adaptation of radical tactics was “the future of activism” found an approving audience among numerous conservatives and libertarians. A typical reaction was that of Cato Institute Senior Fellow Richard Rahn, writing in the Washington Times: “We can hope that Ms. Giles and Mr. O’Keefe will serve as role models for millions of other young Americans who see that the present generation in Washington is stealing their financial future and liberty.”

Even Alinsky’s biographer, Sanford Horwitt, expressed admiration, telling an interviewer that an earlier O’Keefe YouTube prank — in which he complained to a credulous Rutgers University official that the Lucky Charms cereal served at the school was offensive to Irish-Americans — was “pretty creative.” Adding, “I give him points on humor and having some balls.”

O’Keefe’s follow-up act has not been nearly as successful. On January 26, he and three male associates were arrested for allegedly plotting to tamper with the telephone system of Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s New Orleans office. All four were charged with entering federal property under false pretenses with the intent of committing a felony. Since his arrest, O’Keefe has issued a statement saying, “the sole intent of our investigation was to determine whether or not Senator Landrieu” —accused of selling her vote for Obamacare — “was purposely trying to avoid constituents who were calling to register their views to her as their Senator.”
The mainstream media — already hostile toward the young upstart for scooping them on ACORN — misreported the story, falsely reporting the accused were charged with wiretapping, and both O’Keefe and his supporters have justifiably criticized liberal journalists for their bias. Still, upon reflection, his much-heralded exposé of ACORN should have set off warning bells for his conservative supporters. Was it really necessary to have an undergrad disguised as a scantily clad prostitute to expose the organization? Might this lurid sexual angle be a reason for the story’s popularity? And did not his helping a young woman exploit herself on national television belie his supposed concern that ACORN might be enabling the exploitation of real-life prostitutes? Or was he simply following Alinsky’s third rule of ethics—that “in war the end justifies almost any means”?

O’Keefe needs a reality check

In fairness to O’Keefe, he does not describe himself as a conservative, but rather, a “progressive radical.” At the same time, he calls G.K. Chesterton his “intellectual backbone.” In an interview for the American Chesterton Society’s podcast, he depicted himself as a modern-day heir to the conservative icon’s intellectual legacy: “It very well [might] be the case that if Chesterton was alive today, he’d be doing YouTube videos, or he’d be pranking people with camcorders.”

If this is meant to imply some kind of common ground between Chestertonian and Alinsky-style tactics, O’Keefe needs a healthy reality check. Chesterton was not a progressive, much less radical, but a Catholic with an intensely Christian vision. His writings and novels attack just the kind of anarchy, relativism and subversion Alinsky embraced. Whereas Alinsky promoted rumormongering and, in the words of Time magazine, “something that comes very close to blackmail,” Chesterton followed St. Paul’s dictum that we cannot do evil that good may come. Alinsky believed in the politics of personal destruction (”pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it“). Chesterton embraced all people, however misguided, and tried to lead them to God, with good will and reason. Chesterton served Christ. Alinsky — who boasted he would one day organize hell — served, well, Lucifer.

For Chesterton, and the Church he so loved, the beginning of wisdom and maturity is the recognition of what actually protects society and effects positive social change. It is not protest, or clever politicking, or subterfuge, but a defense and promotion of the family. Without the family, he wrote, “we are helpless before the State.” More than a half-century later, Pope John Paul II would similarly write that the family is “the place of origin and the most effective means for humanizing and personalizing society.”

Of all people, conservatives — who so mocked “The One” during the 2008 campaign — should be extremely wary of a false messianism, which attempts to use politics as a short cut towards societal changes that can only truly be realized by changed attitudes and behaviors. Our present pope, as Cardinal Ratzinger, warned of this very error: “Wherever politics tries to be redemptive, it is promising too much. Where it wishes to do the work of God, it becomes not divine, but demonic.”

A more fruitful path

If the goal of O’Keefe, who left off his MBA studies at Fordham University last year to pursue undercover video work full-time, is truly to be a leader in the “future of activism,” he would do well to heed John Paul’s additional assertion that “the future of the world and of the Church passes through the family.” True, the quiet martyrdom of being a self-sacrificing son, brother, and perhaps someday a husband and father, may never return him to fame. But if he is sincere about wanting to “change hearts and minds“, he is far more likely to do so on a wide and lasting scale by finishing his graduate degree and living virtuously in the real world, than by trying to extend his 15 minutes of recognition as an Internet insurrectionist.

For those seeking a more fruitful path of activism, a higher and nobler form is one that emphasizes prayer, fasting, reparation and charity, such as what the 40 Days for Life campaign does for the unborn. The grassroots organization’s powerful and persistent witness has brought about extraordinary results, including the conversion of Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson, who was transformed from an abortion-rights ideologue to a passionate pro-lifer.

“The human race,” Chesterton observed, “has been playing at children’s games from the beginning, and will probably do it till the end, which is a nuisance for the few people who grow up.” Where that nuisance is concerned, to paraphase Alinsky’s contemporary Eldridge Cleaver, one is either part of the problem or part of the solution. O’Keefe’s arrest — and the misdirected activism that spawned it — is a timely reminder that, today, a full half century after the dawn of the Sixties, the most radical, countercultural work of activism is to become mature adults. Mighty oaks may yet from little ACORN pranksters grow.

William Doino Jr. is a contributor to Inside the Vatican and other publications.

Dawn Eden is author of The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On (Thomas Nelson, 2006) and lives in Washington, D.C.

Pine wood derby

2010-02-06T10:56:00.001-06:00

Today the Cub Scouts of Pack 626 are having their annual Pine Wood Derby races. Over 40 cars entered. The track is incredibly technologically advanced with electroinic start, electronic finish and the scores are immediately posted on the video wall. This is awesome!!!

Location:Victoria St N,Shoreview,United States

Catholics encouraged to enter politics

2010-01-27T09:03:00.002-06:00

I think that often, Catholics can have an aversion to politics. They do frustrate me and seem to be filled with unacceptable compromises. However, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, an Italian Cardinal spoke to young people, encouraging them to actually enter INTO politics so that they may transform politics into something good. A beautiful thought and with God's help all things are possible. Here is the article from CNA:

Italian cardinal calls for 'new generation' of Catholics in politics

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Italian Catholic Bishops' Conference (CEI), inaugurated the first meeting of the year of the CEI's Permanent Council with an opening speech on the state of the Catholic Church in Italy. One of the most prominent themes of the address was his call for a "new generation" of Catholics to provide for "the foundations of civilization."

The prelate touched on many subjects including the Pope's recent visit to the Synagogue of Rome, the extraordinary response by Italians in providing assistance to Haiti and papal addresses from the Pope. However, it was the end of the speech that drew the most attention.

In his conclusion, the cardinal spoke of a "dream" of his that a "new generation of Italians and Catholics might rise up" to public offices, where they can "give the best of their thoughts, projects and days" to "marking the destiny of all."

Cardinal Bagnasco said that he knows those who work in politics "need the abundant grace of God, but," he added, they also need to let that grace "invest and work" in them.

"We need a Christian community in which the lay faithful learn to live the mystery of God in life with intensity, exercising the fundamental goods of liberty, truth and conscience.

"There is a growing urgency for capable men and women, with the help of the Spirit, to incarnate these ideals and translate them into history not by the easier path of convenience ... but by the truer path, that better deploys the project of God on humanity, and therefore is able to stir, in time, the admiration of others," he stated.

"We would like values to constitute the foundations of civilization," concluded Cardinal Bagnasco, listing the Church's concerns in this arena for "any way human life presents itself and wherever it exists; the family formed of a man and a woman and founded on marriage; the educative responsibility; solidarity towards others, in particular the weakest; employment as a possibility for personal realization; the community as good destiny that associates men and brings them closer to the goal..."

The first issues on the agenda for the Permanent Council are the drafting of the third edition of the Roman Missal and reaching an agreement as to the territorial organization of the Italo-Albanian Church in Italy.

The Church suffering on earth

2010-01-25T21:47:00.002-06:00

The reality is that religious tolerance, while it may be in question here in the USA, it is completely absent in other places of the world. As a result, there are places on the planet where Christianity is openly attacked. We just heard in the readings this weekend that when one of the parts of the body suffers, all parts suffer. It is important that we understand the sufferings of the Christians throughout the entire world, pray for them, and work for change to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.

To help us with the aspect of our Christian duty, Catholic Radio and Television Network (CRTN) in cooperation with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), have put together a website devoted to helping us understand the real sufferings of the Church on earth. You can find the website HERE.

Where God Weeps

Virtual March for Life

2010-01-21T13:34:00.000-06:00

No abortion in healthcare!

2010-01-21T13:19:00.001-06:00

Priest Calendar

2010-01-20T05:46:00.006-06:00

So here's a cool idea. The Archdiocese of Westminster has put together a 2010 calendar that features their archbishop, 10 priests and one nun for each of the months of the year. There is a little biography about each priest and a photo of the priest with one of their passions. I know where my picture would be...in the Xcel Energy Center wearing my Minnesota Wild jersey! That's a cool idea:

Here is the summary from the website where the calendar can be purchased:

Westminster Cathedral Calendar 2010
posted on 25 November 2009

Westminster Cathedral has produced a 2010 calendar that features pictures and personal words from Archbishop Vincent Nichols, eleven priests and one sister.

Each month features a picture of a priest or sister “off duty” involved in projects or pastimes outside their day-to-day life in the Cathedral, along with a few words explaining why they decided to enter religious life, what they would do if they had not entered the church and a quote or scripture passage that inspires them.

The Archbishop reveals if couldn't do the job he has now, he would either be a lorry driver or a French horn player.

Keep priests in their prayers

The calendar, priced at £5, is being sold to encourage the parishioners of Westminster Cathedral to keep their priests in their prayers during this ‘Year for Priests’, as well as to raise money for essential works needed to maintain the Cathedral.

Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Cathedral Administrator said ' When we were approached about taking part in the production of this calendar there was some initial reluctance as, although we have a public profile, most of the Cathedral clergy are fairly private people.”

“However, as this calendar is being sold in aid of the Cathedral Appeal, we felt we had no choice other than to take part and, in the event it has proved to be great fun. We hope that the pictures of your clergy will bring some amusement to you throughout the year”.

The calendar can be purchased from Westminster Cathedral Gift Shop or online by following the link at the bottom of this page.

Tip of the biretta to Coo-ees from the Cloister for finding this.

Pope Benedict continues to encourage new media

2010-01-19T08:13:00.003-06:00

So Pope Benedict is really up to date, so much so that he at the World Day of Communications, the topic will be "The priest and pastoral work in the digital world: new media at the service of the Word." This is just fantastic! I think I'll need to book my tickets now. Special thank you to "The Hermeneutic of Continuity" for posting this.

What this all points to is the reality that technology and new media is important to how we communicate in general, but more importantly, how we communicate the Word of God, Jesus Christ, to others.

I think that is the challenge right now. We all enjoy communicating, but how much are we choosing to communicate Jesus christ to others? We might think that all of these new forms of communicate are for entertainment only, and thus we think that it might be too banal to use these new forms to speak about Jesus. Or we might think that they are purely for entertainment and bringing up Jesus might throw a wet blanket on all of our fun.

Well, the truth is that Jesus Christ will bring more joy than any overdose of video games, or a greater depth of delight than the latest YouTube video.

Let us continue to pray for the people of the world that we continue to use social media not just for our pleasure, but for the delight and the glory of God.

Social Media is not for everyone.

2010-01-18T18:23:00.005-06:00

So this was a rather interesting to find. Certainly, today, the technology and social media is a central part of our social interaction. Though, the truth is, not everyone is interested in this form of interaction. So, on this day where I was interviewed by Drew Mariani about technology and the spread of the Gospel, I come across this little piece from over at Mashable:

Why Social Media Isn’t for Everyone

Social media has a loyal tribe of disciples. We follow each other on Twitter, connect on Facebook, read each other’s blogs and listen to each other at conferences. We provide each other moral support and though we are a minority, we have religion and we are here to change the world (I’m not joking).

Joshua-Michéle Ross is SVP of Digital Strategy with Fleishman Hillard. He blogs atopposableplanets.com.

Most importantly, we share stories. These stories are all about finding common ground and building a defensible position on the what/why/how of our new orthodoxy; what is “social”, why you need it, how it actually works and how you measure it.

In this giant food-mill of collective meaning making we are defining the significance of new terms and putting our arguments to the test. Like any self-interested group however, we easily slip into dogmas that serve our purposes but may not serve our clients. Lately I have become increasingly aware of the oversimplified answers that social media consultants apply, often regardless of business context.

So let me be the first to tell you: Social media may not be for you — yet.

Are You Willing to Act? Can You?

One of the most common issues big organizations have with social media is a reasonable fear that customers will air their grievances on a company-sponsored platform such as a blog, Twitter or Facebook page. The nearly universal response to this fear, one that has been hammered home at every conference, and in every blog post is, “your customers are already saying these things about you. Wouldn’t you rather have them talking on your site?” This response rings true because, by and large your customers are online –- and they do have the means to talk about you. If you are a sizable company and you look around it is very likely that someone, somewhere has said some pretty shocking things about you. Sometimes they even work for you.

The hackneyed “you better join the conversation” is often an appropriate response. But it isn’t always the appropriate response.

First, there is a difference between isolated criticism that a company may receive here and there on the Social Web from people of varying influence and veracity, and painting a target on your back by hosting that conversation.

Second, and more importantly, when an organization makes an investment in social media it is a constructive opportunity to consider not only what could go wrong, but why it could go wrong. In other words, what are the valid criticisms that customers and employees might have and what you are willing to do about it. If you aren’t willing to consider the former and have no power concerning the latter, social media might not be your best bet.

Be Prepared to Change

All too often the person making the social media investment has little control over (1) the quality of the product, (2) the pricing strategy, (3) the terms of use, (4) the company’s stance on cause-based issues (political, environmental, etc.), (5) the quality of customer service, and the list goes on. Yet these are often exactly what the customer wants to talk about.

All too often the person making the social media investment has a narrow mandate — quarterly growth — that exists within a parochial frame of reference (“it’s still marketing, isn’t it?”). All too often the company has not thought through (or perhaps willfully ignored) what its response to criticism will be.

So it might not be the best idea to “join the conversation” if you just want to make your quarterly numbers. Don’t create a Facebook Fan Page if your product is a letdown. Don’t use Twitter if your intern will be running the campaign. Above all, don’t engage in social media if you aren’t prepared to change in the bargain.

Ultimately if your company is willing to take the feedback and turn it into action, then social media is a competitive game changer. Connecting with customers, partners and employees can drive innovation, decrease cycle time, improve customer service and so on. This usually involves bringing various internal constituents to the table; marketing, customer service, product development, legal etc. But social media isn’t for every company or every situation. It has a transformative power but, like fire, not everyone is ready to wield it without getting burned.

Apple!

2010-01-18T18:08:00.002-06:00

So, as many of you know (or heard on the radio today), I am a Mac Fanboy. So, it is with excitement that I heard that Apple will be having an "even" on January 27th. It is highly suspected that the event is to announce the infamous "iTablet" computer. This could be very cool.

Life is ALWAYS good!

2010-01-18T18:05:00.000-06:00

American Idol seems to care

2010-01-18T06:44:00.004-06:00

I really have no interest in American Idol. The show does not appeal to me at all. So, it is only through the internet I came across this clip from the show that gave me some hope even for secular entertainment.

In this clip, one of the contestants is the 9th of 12 children, some of which have Down Syndrome. The editors of the show chose to feature her siblings with disabilities. That's pretty awesome as we have a problem in this world where 9 out of 10 children with Down Syndrome are aborted.

I hope that Maddie Curtis wins this contest, if for no other reason than to give her the chance to promote the worth of ALL people.

UPDATE: It is floating around the "cloud" that Maddie and her whole family converted to Catholicism several years ago.

The Waterloo for Embryonic Stem Cell Research

2010-01-15T11:27:00.000-06:00

The Waterloo for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 9:00 AM
Joe Carter

The battle over embryonic stem cell research is over. A few skirmishes will no doubt continue—perhaps even for years—and some ESCR advocates will refuse to acknowledge defeat. But they have decisively lost. Years from now, when we look back in astonishment at having been fleeced for billions to pay for therapeutically worthless research, we’ll recognize that California was the Waterloo for ESCR.

In 2004, California approved Proposition 71, a ballot measure that would allow the state to borrow $3 billion for ESCR. At best the measure would have been an epic boondoggle: pharmaceutical companies would have been able to profit off the taxpayer-funded research without the state sharing any of the profits or even obtaining any of the developed drugs at a cheaper cost. But because it was considered a “progressive” measure (ESCR has always been a stalking horse for abortion rights) it received the support from a long list of billionaires, Silicon Valley tycoons, Nobel laureates, and Hollywood celebrities. Convinced that the only thing standing between science and cures was time and money, the citizens of California opened the state’s coffers.

But five years later, the hype has died down and ESCR has provided no cures, no therapies, no progress, and no hope. Investor’s Business Daily notes,

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the state agency created to, as some have put it, restore science to its rightful place, is diverting funds from ESCR to research that has produced actual therapies and treatments: adult stem cell research. It not only has treated real people with real results; it also does not come with the moral baggage ESCR does.

To us, this is a classic bait-and-switch, an attempt to snatch success from the jaws of failure and take credit for discoveries and advances achieved by research Prop. 71 supporters once cavalierly dismissed. We have noted how over the years that when funding was needed, the phrase “embryonic stem cells” was used. When actual progress was discussed, the word “embryonic” was dropped because ESCR never got out of the lab.

Advocates of ESCR preyed on the scientific and ethical illiteracy of the general public to support the massive funding of this speculative research. The complexity of the issue and the peculiar terminology used often prevented many citizens from developing a fully informed opinion on the matter. They relied on the “experts” and the ESCR supporters took full advantage of this trust by making claims that had no basis in reality. As Ronald D.G. McKay, a stem cell researcher at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, said in 2004 about the claims that ESCR could lead to cures for Alzheimer’s, “To start with, people need a fairy tale. Maybe that’s unfair, but they need a story line that’s relatively simple to understand.”

The truth about ESCR wasn’t unknown to researchers and scientists. The only legitimate practical (though it remained unethical) reason for pursuing ESCR has always been basic research. Researchers know, however, that you’ll never get a grant for millions of dollars because you find stem cells intriguing and want to spend your life studying them in a lab. So they stretched the truth by downplaying the fact that the barriers to therapeutic applications were all but insurmountable. They’ve always known, as MIT researcher James Sherley says, that, “Figuring out how to use human embryonic stem cells directly by transplantation into patients is tantamount to solving the cancer problem.”

Fortunately, the misinformation and false promises seem to be on the wane. Some politicians still continue to tout the benefits of ESCR, of course, because their ignorance is often as limitless as their willingness to talk about issues they know nothing about. (Digression: Several years ago I presented testimony on ESCR and cloning before the Illinois legislature. A Chicago Democrat told me I was wrong about ESCR because he knew that people had already been cured by injecting “embryos into a patient’s spinal cord.”) Scientists and researchers, however, appear to be less vocal than they were a few years ago. Perhaps the Climategate scandal has served as a warning that trust in science is destroyed when they are willing to deceive the public.

This doesn’t mean that they will be honest about their deception, of course. And we shouldn’t expect the “ESCR has proven to be a failure” theme to be carried by the media. Despite the fact that adult stem cell research has provided 73 treatments for everything from heart disease to brain cancer while ESCR has never produced any results at all, ESCR will still be considered a “promising approach.” Like climate change, stem cell research is often more about politics than science, so as long as gullible politicians are willing to hand over millions in funding, supporters won’t admit defeat.

Still, while the people of California may continue to throw their money away on the research, the real debate about the promise of ESCR is over. Whether they realize it or not, ESCR advocates have lost—and ethical research has won.

From: First Things Blog

Haiti

2010-01-14T16:28:00.001-06:00

U.S. Catholic dioceses mobilizing to help Haitian earthquake victims

CNA STAFF, Jan 14, 2010 / 12:58 pm (CNA).- In reaction to the recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Bishops' Conference, is asking all dioceses to take up a collection this coming weekend. Other initiatives taking place include prayer services and Masses.

In a Jan. 13 letter to all U.S. bishops, Cardinal George and Archbishop Timothy Dolan, chairman of Catholic Relief Services, call on each diocese to take up a special collection the weekend of January 16-17 for the humanitarian efforts of the U.S. bishops and Catholic Relief Service (CRS) in Haiti.

The two prelates also note that there is an upcoming collection for the Church in Latin America on Jan. 23-24 that will assist with the pastoral needs of the Church in Haiti. “We urge that you use both of these opportunities to express our solidarity and our loving support for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and ask you not to substitute one collection for the other,” they write.

Dioceses around the country are already offering an outpouring of support for the beleaguered people of Haiti.

“At this time of destruction and loss of life in the country of Haiti, I urge all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to pray for those who have died and are suffering as a result of the devastating earthquake in the capital city of Port-au-Prince,” said Cardinal Justin Rigali on Wednesday, who is holding a Mass on Jan. 15 and a special collection over the weekend throughout his 269 parishes in the five county Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, who is currently in Rome, met with the Haitian Ambassador to the Vatican and assured him that his archdiocese would provide whatever financial assistance possible.

In addition to having the Archdiocese of New York take up a special collection over the weekend, Archbishop Dolan urged his faithful to pray for the intercession of the Venerable Pierre Toussaint, who was born in Haiti in 1766 and was brought to New York as a slave. Archbishop Dolan also said that he echoed the words of Pope Benedict on the tragedy, saying “I invite everyone to join my prayers to the Lord for the victims of this catastrophe and for those who morn their loss.”

The Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina has also announced their relief efforts, with Bishop Robert Guglielmone saying this morning that “Our faith compels us to pray for and reach out to them in their time of suffering. I encourage you to take up a special collection for the people and Church of Haiti.”

The Charleston Diocese includes 116 parishes and missions across the state.

A special Mass also took place at the Notre Dame d' Haiti Mission in Archdiocese of Miami on Wednesday night, and the parishioners of the archdiocese are being asked to make donations to the local Catholic Charities.

All 140 parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington have taken up a collection as well, and they along with many others dioceses, are sending the funds to Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

“This is an unimaginable tragedy in a country that already experienced tremendous poverty and hardship,” said Cardinal Rigali on Wednesday.

“I also extend my prayers and condolences to the family and faithful of the Most Reverend Joseph Serge Miot, the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, who lost his life in the earthquake. I pray too for the hundreds of priests, seminarians and religious who are reported to have died. My sympathy and heartfelt compassion are also with the Haitian community here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as they mourn and wait for the word of loved ones in Haiti.”

To visit Catholic Relief Services, go to: http://crs.org/

Beautiful music

2010-01-13T06:17:00.003-06:00

So here is a repost from a blog that I read: The Creative Minority Report

New Catholic Music by Kevin Allen

Like the "Second Spring" we've been seeing in church architecture, there is also something of a renewal of church music these days... and one of its bright lights is Chicago composer and conductor Kevin Allen. We are fortunate that he will return to the Mundelein Liturgical Institute's Sacred Music Retreat in June of 2010 as schola director. His web site tells that he has "developed a unique reputation as a composer of church music for the Roman Rite" and that his "works, sacred and secular, have been performed in churches and concert halls throughout the United States and Europe." Click the video below to enjoy a beautiful setting of "Desideromi, Jesu" ("I desire, oh my Jesus, that you would refresh me on this, the food of angels") sung by soloists from the Lincoln Chamber Chorale in Chicago, directed byTimothy Woods. Imagine hearing this during your communion meditation... then realizing it is new music. Sing a new song unto the Lord, indeed.

A healthy recognition of truth.

2010-01-11T22:36:00.003-06:00

So, politicians can become very territorial. I think that this happened to an incredible degree with Ted Kennedy. Now, here is a candidate running for the seat and he has one of the best lines from a congressman that I have ever heard. Listen carefully:

"It's the people's seat." That's awesome.

Incredible

2010-01-04T19:03:00.002-06:00

Okay, so for those of you who do not follow sports, there is an incredible young man named Tim Tebow. He just finished his senior year of college and his future is unknown at this point, but he could easily go professional if he so desires.

So the man is good a football, he has a VERY public faith (he prints Bible verses on his black eye protection every game), he speaks publicly with ESPN about abstinence, and now this:

This is the kind of guy I hope that the kids look up to at my parish. I know that I will promote him.

Avatar review

2010-01-02T10:50:00.003-06:00

I saw this movie last week, so my memory might be a little fuzzy, but here is my review of the movie. Simply put, this movie is over-hyped. Now, I did not say that this movie is bad, just over-hyped. The movie cost around 350-400 million dollars. That alone puts undo-hype out there. Then, there are the people who say that this movie will "forever change film making." So with phrases like that floating around, it is easy to see how expectations were placed so high.

So the story of the film itself is COMPLETELY predictable from the first five minutes. There were not twists, no turns, no reveals, no shock, no surprise. I admit, that when it comes to watching films, I am one who desperately desires to have a good story. I enjoy old films, with bad effects, and I will even tolerate bad acting so long as there is a good story. As a result, I was horrifically disappointed with this movie. This movie had less twists and turns than the interstate across North Dakota. Though, one HUGE critique that I have in the story was with the Navari "prayer service." When they went to pray, the Navari all gathered around a big tree in concentric circles an were swaying while a witch-doctor undulated violently like an epileptic seizure. Now, that didn't bother me too much, but what did was this ridiculous notion that there was nothing wrong with the Navari culture to the point where they all wanted to go worship together. I was asking, "Where are the teenagers who don't want to go to service that week and are complaining and sitting in the back listening to their iPods?" The Navari were presented as being without fault.

Another complaint about the story was the attack scenes. I won't bore you with my observations, but the Navari could have won the battle in 1 minute. I don't know why directors of movies, especially science-fiction, will purposefully dismiss OBVIOUS attack strategies in their movies. It is frustrating for any viewer who has their brain turned on. If you are wondering what I am talking about, you can ask in the comments section.

So the story was flat.

The acting was fine. Though, a majority of the time the acting was done via CGI. Still, CGI just can't quite get the fast humanoid movements down. When the Navari were just sitting or slowly walking, the CGI was fine, but in some of the movements during the action, it was still clearly CGI with the way the physics were being portrayed. Acting is fine.

Visuals were great. Now, here is where the visuals and the story intersect in one of the most humorous ways. The story clearly has a "one with nature" bent, promoting the care for the environment to an ALMOST silly degree. However, the entire environment was CGI!!! So they used computers, technology, and synthetic production to promote an all-natural movement! Hilarious! I couldn't get past that while watching the film and laughed out loud a few times at the moments where the planet was described as being "alive."

So, in the end, I was entertained for 2 hours and 40 minutes, but was incredibly unimpressed with this film. I wouldn't prohibit anyone from going, but I would recommend the best comment that I have heard about this film: "Turn your brain off and open your eyes."

Gallup includes pro-life shift memorable for 2009

2009-12-31T13:50:00.003-06:00

A recent article from Gallup.com gave the signifiant/memorable moments of 2009. In May, it was recorded that a majority of Americans are now pro-life. That's a heck of an ending to the year if I do say so myself. I think that people are finally beginning to realize that EVERY human being is important. Very exciting.

You can find the article HERE. Be sure to look under "May" for the link to their article.

The internet on paper?

2009-12-30T10:06:00.002-06:00

So, the Catholic Spirit (the local Archdiocesan newspaper) interviewed me about the use of technology and my priesthood. The article is here. It should be interesting to see if we can finally get more Catholics to use the internet for God!

Article

Test

2009-12-30T10:03:00.001-06:00

This is a test of the link between facebook and this blog.

Cathedral of St. Paul

2009-12-30T06:19:00.002-06:00

Yes, I'm biased. With that being said, the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, now a national shrine, is the most beautiful church in the United States. Recently the local Catholic paper, The Catholic Spirit, had a photo contest of pictures of the cathedral.

A great evening

2009-12-29T22:10:00.001-06:00

I'm spending tonight up in Anoka at the Catholic Church of St. Stephen with my good friend Fr. John Floeder. We ate at a local Italian retaraunt and now we are watching the Wild hockey game. If you didn't know, I'm a HUGE Wild fan.

For your Christmas viewing pleasure

2009-12-24T18:14:00.000-06:00

This just made me laugh

2009-12-22T08:35:00.000-06:00

The topic of choice: Abortion

2009-12-18T23:00:00.001-06:00

Recently, at my parish I gave a homily in which it was the first time at this parish that I brought up the abortion issue. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit, it seems to have been received very well. I will post a copy of the homily here at some point. Well, in this video, Fr. Barron addresses the issue of abortion and the topic of "pro-choice."

At my high school

2009-12-17T20:41:00.000-06:00

At a hockey game at my old high school.

Location:Minnesota 36,North St Paul,United States

Lastest Church rummors: Pope John Paul II = venerable 12-19-09

2009-12-17T15:33:00.001-06:00

Financial support for Catholic schools.

2009-12-17T14:52:00.002-06:00

Repost from Star Tribune.

Pohlad family pledges $5m to help Catholic elementary schools

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: December 17, 2009 - 2:23 PM

The family of the late Carl Pohlad is pledging annual $1 million gifts for the next five years to 19 Twin Cities Catholic elementary schools to help students from economically struggling families, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced Thursday.

Through the Minneapolis Foundation and the Catholic Community Foundation, $1 million in tuition assistance will be distributed starting this school year and continuing through 2013-2014.

"The Pohlad family's quiet giving has focused on providing opportunities that help young people move out of poverty," Archbishop John Nienstedt said in a written statement. "We are grateful for the family's recommitment to Catholic education in neighborhoods where poverty has been growing."

In the first year, $900,000 will be distributed among 12 schools, all are members of a network Friends of the Catholic Urban Schools (FOCUS).

The schools began cooperating in 2004 to improve teacher recruitment, training, compensation, communications and fundraising. These schools are: Risen Christ, Pope John Paul II, Ascension and San Miguel in Minneapolis; St. Agnes, St. Matthew, St. Francis/St. James and St. Peter Claver in St. Paul; St. Raphael in Crystal; St. Michael in West St. Paul; Blessed Trinity in Richfield, and Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale.

Pohlad Family Foundation board member Robert Pohlad, a son of the longtime owner of the Minnesota Twins, said: "A strong education opens many doors and is the way out of poverty. My family appreciates the efforts of these schools to reach out to children and families who are working toward a better future."

The remaining $100,000 will be given annually as challenge grants to seven other Catholic schools. These schools are: St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center; St. Jerome in Maplewood; Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights; Maternity of Mary in St. Paul; St. Helena in Minneapolis; St. John Vianney in South St. Paul; and Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery. Each will be challenged to raise a proportional share of $50,000 by this coming Easter to be eligible for a 2-for-1 matching gift.

Carl Pohlad died 11 months ago at age 93. His funeral mass at the Basilica of St. Mary attracted 1,400 mourners and included Archbishop Nienstedt and his predecessor Harry Flynn.

An important message from Archbishop Nienstedt

2009-12-17T10:52:00.000-06:00

An important message from Archbishop Nienstedt

The U.S. Senate version of health care reform (H.R. 3590) is tragically flawed in its current form.

First, it requires that each state offer a plan to include abortion coverage. Second, it provides tax support of enrollment costs for private plans that cover abortions. Third, it author izes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allow for abortion coverage in a proposed “public option.” The overall public and private op tion plans, therefore, will permit abortion coverage that will be paid for by taxpayer dollars.

I urge our Catholic people and our esteemed friends to contact their representatives in the Senate and House to protest these radical changes to present legislative limitations on federally funded abortions and demand that this legislation not be passed in its present form.

A “health care program” that permits the killing of babies in the womb is a contradiction in logic and a moral abomination.

Video about confession

2009-12-16T09:08:00.002-06:00

So, the local high school asked me if I would help make a video to present to the students answering their questions about confession. Here's the result:

Bishop Sirba's ordination WEBSTREAM!

2009-12-14T11:00:00.001-06:00

REPOST:

In Minnesota, Mitre Monday

It's almost like deja vu, folks -- another day, another hatting... and yet another in an arena.

For the fourth time this December, this afternoon sees the ordination of a Stateside bishop: this time, Paul Sirba of Duluth, who was sent up I-35 from the Twin Cities at the mid-October hat trick. Unlike the three that preceded it, however, today's Mass welcoming the 49 year-old will be webstreamed; the livefeed from local ABC affiliate WDIO is expected to start around 2pm Central (2000GMT). And lest anyone's looking for a pre-game show, fullaudio of Sirba's Northland introduction isavailable for listening via his hometown's Catholic Spirit.

After an unusually heavy autumn wave of chair-shifts that's yielded the youngest crop of episcopal appointees on these shores in over three decades, the year-end circuit ends tomorrow in Providence with the ordination of Auxiliary Bishop-elect Bob Evans, his appointment celebrated in the latest issue of Rhode Island's diocesan weekly.

The nation's most-densely Catholic state, tomorrow's ordination of the first Ocean State auxiliary in a decade will be streamed by not one, buttwo local outlets.

Elsewhere, it seems that the O antiphons will get an unusual early start this year... but more on that, and everything else, in due course.

PHOTO: Michael Smith/Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

-30-

Morality breaks into the film industry!

2009-12-10T08:27:00.002-06:00

Okay, this is incredible. Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is working on a film adaptation of the book The Lovely Bones. I have not read this book, but in the book there is a rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl. Jackson, in a recent interview, stated that he decided not to depict or even hint at the rape, and was leaving the murder simply as implied.

Now, here is the great part. Jackson gave several reasons why he chose not to film that scene and among those reasons was...get ready for this...MORALITY! That's right. Someone in the film industry is actually concerned about morality. While in the interview, he did not expound upon the morality he was employing, but rather said that if there was a rape scene of a 14-year-old girl, he would not watch the film. Earlier in the interview he said that if there was such a scene, the movie would merit an R-rating and thus his daughter could not see the film. Notice what he says here...his daughter would not be ABLE to see the film. It was not a matter of he would not permit his daughter to see it (implying that it was some option out there), he simply said that it was something that was not even an available option. he even went so far as to say that the depiction of a rape scene was not something that they (he and the girl's mother) would even want to work to shield her from.

This is just incredible! Because of this interview alone, I will probably make time to see this film and support it with my money. This is great!

Check out the interview HERE.

"The Catholicism Project" new trailer

2009-12-10T06:15:00.003-06:00

If you do not know about "The Catholicism Project", but I seriously suggest that you check it out. It is a project by Fr. Robert Barron whose goal is to tell the real story of the Catholic Church for the world to hear. His basic desire is to let us tell the story about the Church, not the world. It looks pretty awesome. Check it out.

Transformation!

2009-12-09T00:03:00.002-06:00

It is incredible what one can do with some patience and some ambition. St. Peter Catholic Church in North St. Paul is another example of a beautiful modern designed church. Though the website does not have pictures of the parish, trust me, it's wonderful! It's great to see beautiful architecture.

Silent monks sing

2009-12-05T15:42:00.001-06:00

How do monks who have taken a vow of silence sing the Halleluia Chorus?

Like this:

Eucharistic Adoration

2009-12-04T17:10:00.002-06:00

At my parish we do have adoration of the Eucharist on first Fridays. I really do appreciate this time and think that we should have adoration much more often. Here, Fr. Barron beautifully explains Eucharistic adoration! Go Fr. Barron!

Advent help from the USCCB

2009-12-02T22:13:00.002-06:00

Want a little help with what to do during this Advent season? The USCCB is here to help with the aid of the internet.

www.usccb.org/advent is a website from the United States Council of Catholic Bishops created to help people with small devotions to make Advent a truly holy time. Go check it out. God bless.

Vatican and Muslims condemn Swiss vote to ban minarets

2009-12-01T07:03:00.002-06:00

For anyone who has been to the Holy Land, one thing that is extremely memorable are the minarets that dot the "sky line" of Jerusalem. The minaret is the equivalent of the bell tower for Christian church buildings. Now, while I do have my opinions about the morning prayers being blasted through poor sounding loud speakers, it is still terrible that there is this direct attack against religious freedom.

Repost from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8385893.stm

The Vatican joined Muslim figureheads from Indonesia and Egypt, as well as Switzerland, in denouncing the vote as a blow to religious freedom.

France's FM Bernard Kouchner expressed shock at the ban which, he said, showed "intolerance" and should be reversed.

But European right-wing groups welcomed the result, calling for other countries to take similar measures.

More than 57.5% of Swiss voters and 22 out of 26 cantons - or provinces - voted in favour of the ban on Sunday.

The proposal had been put forward by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the largest party in parliament, which said minarets were a sign of Islamisation.

'Expression of intolerance'

The Vatican on Monday endorsed a statement by the conference of Swiss Bishops criticising the vote for heightening "the problems of cohabitation between religions and cultures".

Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa described the ban as an insult to the feelings of the Muslim community in Switzerland and elsewhere.

Much of the concern is based on fear... There are only four minarets in Switzerland but there are widely-held concerns of society dividing into 'parallel communities'.

Gavin Hewitt

Gavin Hewitt's blog on Europe

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Minaret vote: Your views

Tough debate to follow Swiss ban

Sunday's surprise result also prompted dismay from secular leaders in Europe.

"I am a bit shocked by this decision," Mr Kouchner told France's RTL radio on Monday. "It is an expression of intolerance and I detest intolerance.

"I hope the Swiss will reverse this decision quickly."

But Marine Le Pen, the deputy-leader of France's far-right National Front, praised the outcome, and said France should now hold a wider referendum on multiculturalism.

"The elites should stop denying the hopes and fears of European peoples who, without opposing religious freedom, reject ostentatious symbols forced on them by politico-religious Muslim groups, often verging on provocation," she was quoted as saying by Agence France Presse.

In Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands, anti-immigrant movements called on their own governments to debate similar measures.

"What can be done in Switzerland, can be done here," said Geert Wilders, the head of the Freedom Party in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile Roberto Calderoli, a member of Italy's Northern League, which is part of the country's ruling coalition, said: "Switzerland is sending us a clear signal: yes to bell towers, no to minarets."

In recent years, countries across Europe have been debating how best to integrate Muslim populations.

France focused on the headscarf, while in Germany there was controversy over plans to build one of Europe's largest mosques.

Government ignored

The vote is very bad news for the Swiss government which fears unrest among the Muslim community, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Bern.

Wilders welcomed the ban and called for the Netherlands to follow suit

The Swiss government had opposed the ban, saying it would harm Switzerland's image, particularly in the Muslim world.

Voters worried about rising immigration - and with it the rise of Islam - had ignored the government's advice, our correspondent adds.

The government said it accepted the decision, and that the construction of new minarets would no longer be permitted.

Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said: "Concerns [about Islamic fundamentalism] have to be taken seriously.

"However, a ban on the construction of new minarets is not a feasible means of countering extremist tendencies."

She sought to reassure Swiss Muslims, saying the decision was "not a rejection of the Muslim community, religion or culture".

'Major problems'

Switzerland is home to some 400,000 Muslims and has just four minarets.

After Christianity, Islam is the most widespread religion in Switzerland, but it remains relatively hidden.

Kouchner said he hoped the Swiss would reverse the decision

There are unofficial Muslim prayer rooms, and planning applications for new minarets are almost always refused.

Supporters of a ban claimed that allowing minarets would represent the growth of an ideology and a legal system - Sharia law - which are incompatible with Swiss democracy.

But others say the referendum campaign incited hatred. On Thursday the Geneva mosque was vandalised for the third time during the campaign, according to local media.

Amnesty International said the vote violated freedom of religion and would probably be overturned by the Swiss supreme court or the European Court of Human Rights.

The president of Zurich's Association of Muslim Organisations, Tamir Hadjipolu, told the BBC: "This will cause major problems because during this campaign mosques were attacked, which we never experienced in 40 years in Switzerland.

"Islamaphobia has increased intensively."

Sunday's referendum was held after the SVP collected 100,000 signatures from voters within 18 months calling for a vote.

Christ the King!

2009-11-22T08:20:00.001-06:00

The beat goes on

2009-11-17T06:03:00.003-06:00

My dad had a heart attack Sunday morning. He is doing well and the doctors expect him to come home today (Tuesday). Incredible.

However, it was the biggest "shocker" for me because, as all children think, their parents are invincible. I knew dad was not invincible, but I had not seen much evidence of that...until Sunday. I received the call from mom that dad was in the hospital, I went down there, and I had the honor of anointing my dad. That was a humbling moment for both him and myself. It was the first time that I can remember ministering to my dad. He has certainly done an incredible amount for me over the years, but now was my time to minister to him, and that was very humbling.

Thankfully, though, there is incredible technology and skill out there to help people and their hearts. I was just fascinated to see all of the advancements in the technology to the point where my dad can have a heart attack one day, surgery the same day, and then be sent home less than 60 hours later. WOW!

I will keep everyone updated. Thank you all for your prayers.

Church Examines Its Use of the Internet

2009-11-12T20:23:00.003-06:00

Okay, as you all know, I'm a techie. I really enjoy technology...maybe too much, but that's for another blog post. So now, the Church is getting on board from the "top" down. Zenit has an article explaining where the Vatican is having a four day conference on this reality.

"This analysis is taking place at a four-day conference that began today in the Vatican.

Benedict XVI is the first to encourage such a self-examination, as affirmed in his message to the participants delivered by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, his secretary of state. The Holy Father urges an analysis of "this new culture and its implications for the Church's mission."

So, what I see happening here is the Church responding to the reality of the world. Yes, it is late, but I am thankful that the Church is responding. That is good...that is VERY good.

However, I do hope that the people involved with this examination know what they are dealing with. For example, one cardinal who was quoted as saying that, "The Internet is culture." Okay, I certainly understand what he is getting at, but I think that it is something that we should be weary of saying. I would have said that the internet is a medium of culture. The Internet it nothing without the work of people who have true culture. However, I will let this slide. I know what he meant.

The other concern that I have is that people who have not grown up with the internet will be the ones trying to speak "for" the culture that has only known the internet. I think that those who remember an era before the internet and the those who have only known the internet understand this medium in different ways.

I also am concerned that some who are still new to interacting with the internet (read here "older folks" who are just getting on board with the internet) will try to dictate how the Church should use the internet and try to make it "cool" rather than allowing the medium of the internet develop and then sanctify what develops.

Though, I am EXCITED that those at the meeting are acknowledging that our Evangelical brothers and sisters in Christ have used this medium MUCH better than we have. I think that they acknowledged the internet, used it, and have done a wonderful job using the internet to promote Jesus Christ.

Just my thoughts. Let me know what you think.

Here is the article.

Hurry up to WAIT!

2009-11-07T00:02:00.001-06:00

It became the running joke during my preparation for my flight home. I hurried to arive at the airport early. Naturally I encountered incredibly long lines for security at 5:30am. So I hurried up to wait.

Then, at the gate, I was informed thy my flight had been delayed indefinately due to mechanical failure. So we all SPRINTED into line to find an alternative to returning to the Twin Cities. So we hurried up to wait in line.

Upon reaching the counter I was informed of a flight going to LA thy would have a connecting flight to St. Paul (yes, I know the airport is in Minneapolis, but I like St. Paul better, so there). The flight, though, was leaving in 5 minutes. So once again I moved with incredible speed through the terminal (my apologies to the old lady with the walker). I arived at the gate only to be stopped because there was not an authorized person to open the door for me. I hurried up to wait.

Once on the plane, it was only a little jump over to LAX where, thankfully there was no hurrying, but there was waiting until the flight to MSP. Now, I am writing this while on the flight and preparing to run to the car where I will rush to St. Odilia's for the tail end of the St. Odilia Night Club performance (more on that at a later post). I'm guessing that I will have to wait once I arive before I perform (again, more on that later).

So today was a day where I was able to hurry up to wait. I think that this describes my spiritual life at times. I will make these spiritual sprints toward what I think to be the true path to my holiness only to discover that what I thought was the true way is either not he true way or is blocked for whatever reason. Then, I must wait for Jesus to show me the best way. Thank you Jesus for causing me to wait and listen.

Cirque du Soleil: Ka

2009-11-04T20:33:00.001-06:00

Buffet #2 at the Wynn

2009-11-04T15:24:00.001-06:00

The Bellagio

2009-11-03T19:39:00.001-06:00

The first of many buffets

2009-11-03T17:55:00.001-06:00

The joy of flight

2009-11-03T11:27:00.001-06:00

Just how Orvile and Wilbur envisioned it.

Don't drive drunk...especially a fork-lift

2009-11-03T07:02:00.000-06:00

Hooray for Technology: Planned Parenthood Director becomes PRO-LIFE!

2009-11-02T20:12:00.004-06:00

Check this out! There is a video of Abby Johnson's amazing change of heart because of TECHNOLOGY!!! She had her conversion because of ultrasounds!

I give much respect to KBTX for running this story so prominently. Let us pray for Abby as she goes through this incredible conversion. Undoubtedly she will receive many graces, but also many temptations and disparaging remarks from the pro-choice movement.

LINK

Archbishop Chaput speaks for children with Down Syndrome

2009-11-02T19:19:00.002-06:00

Here is an EXCELLENT article by Archbishop Chaput of Denver regarding children with Down Syndrome and defends their lives.

He brings up a subject that is too often overlooked in the movement to show the true beauty of all human persons, and that is the subject of the pressure from the medical community. While there are many respectable and praiseworthy medical professionals who work tirelessly to be supportive of mothers who choose to protect, love, and care for their children, regardless of the abilities, there are still some who actively pressure mothers to end the life of their children with disabilities.

"Some doctors deliver this information [the prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome] with sensitivity and great support for the woman. But too many others seem more concerned about avoiding lawsuits, or managing costs, or even, in a few ugly cases, cleaning up the gene pool...In practice, medical professionals now can steer an expectant mother toward abortion simply by hinting at a list of the child’s possible defects. The most debased thing about this kind of pressure is that doctors know better than anyone else how vulnerable a woman can be when she hears potentially tragic news about her unborn baby."

As many of you know, this is a subject that is important to me because I have a sister who would be a prime candidate for this selective abortion. However, I have lived my entire life with my sister who has disabilities that do not fit into any nice little category...and you know what, I love her!

She is more holy than I am and I know that God loves her so dearly. She has dignity that has NOTHING to do with what she is capable of, but rather, is written into her very being.

I think that is something that is difficult for so many of us to see, the inherent dignity of every single life regardless of what we can do, can't do, have done, or haven't done.

I would encourage everyone to read this article. It is a gift from one of our bishops. Please pray for ALL people to see and love ALL people.

Conscience, Courage, and Children with Down Syndrome.

Priest Study Day

2009-10-29T10:01:00.001-05:00

Archbishop Nienstedt regularly asks the priests to gather for study day. Today we are listening to a talk from Fr. Basil B. Cole, O.P. entitled "Priest As Homilist."

Granite City

2009-10-25T19:46:00.000-05:00

So this is quickly becoming my favorite restauraunt...Granite City. I especially enjoy the micro-brews.

Chicago group is "good without God."

2009-10-22T13:09:00.003-05:00

I came across an article in the Chicago Tribune that struck my attention. There is a group in Chicago, "Chicago Coalition Of Reason," which rented a billboard that says, "Are you good without God? Millions are."

I am interested in this claim and what the title of this group seems to imply. (This may get a little philosophical).

By saying that millions of people are "good" is a statement that begs a question: What does it mean to be "good." The Christian would respond that it is God who reveals fully in Jesus Christ who we are as human beings, and thus, God reveals what it truly means to be good. However, this group denies God as the one who reveals goodness to the human heart and so, I am left pondering, "What does the CCOR use as the standard for 'goodness'?"

They can say that to be good, one must be nice to others. To which I would reply "why?" Why is "niceness" associated with this undefined "goodness"? If the CCOR says that to be good, we should help others, I would reply "why"?

Ultimately, I am asking the CCOR, "Without God as your standard for goodness, what does it mean to be good and why is that goodness?"

I must say that I am pleased that people are inspired to use reason! This is a great move on the part of these people. Reason is truly important to our humanity and I encourage them to continue to use and reuse their reason. I would also hope that they have not "reasoned" away entirely the existence of God, but are continuously revisiting this question from the point of reason. If you are looking for the truth, you don't need to look far because He is going to find you.

You can find the article HERE.

Pro-Life today and always!

2009-10-20T16:27:00.002-05:00

So today, many students across the country donned a pice of red tape across their mouths in silence to be in solidarity with those whose voices have been silenced by abortion.

I think this is the most impressive and effective social campaign yet (prayer is without a doubt the most effective, but here I am speaking in the visible realm). I think it is effective because silence is something that our culture could not imagine someone freely engaging in! This is awesome! I think it will truly change hearts with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Let us continue to pray for an end to abortion in our world and a true respect for every person who is created..."very good."

Below is a repost from the CNA article:

Students in 3,000 schools across 25 countries will participate in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity today to protest against the killing of innocent children by refusing to speak, a pro-life group reports.

In addition to remaining silent, students will wear red armbands or place red duct tape on their mouths and distribute educational flyers. Many homeschoolers will participate by visiting local malls and other public areas to distribute flyers.

Student participants are instructed to be respectful towards teachers and other officials and to speak with them when required.

Stand True, Christ-Centered Pro-life, the Ohio-based organizer of the worldwide event, says that last year participants reported about 59 girls canceled their appointments for abortions because of the students’ efforts.

"By refusing to speak the students create a huge buzz and abortion will be the most talked about subject on campus," said Bryan Kemper, President of Stand True Ministries. "This generation is fed up with the senseless violence of abortion as is determined to bring an end the abortion holocaust."

Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life, commented that the event will allow pro-life students to honor those “permanently silenced” by the “violent act of abortion.”

The website for the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity is at http://www.silentday.org.

Wow. I would not have expected this.

2009-10-13T11:40:00.001-05:00

Here is something interesting that I found on the blog-o-sphere. I am not a person who enjoys daytime television, but I must applaud the show "The View" for actually having what I would deem "open discussion" about many topics. It seems that in the past year, the show "The View" has actually had people/hosts on the show who have offered a true variety of opinions and received them with a seeming willingness to have them heard.

Now, hopefully this open discussion leads to a greater desire for the Truth, but it is certainly laudable that such public figures are actually willing to listen and receive these ideas with dignity and respect.

Here is the latest. Watch and be amazed. God truly works and remember that the Truth will set you free.

President Obama receives Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-09T08:43:00.006-05:00

I have never been one who has been impressed with awards and degrees. Should we have awards and degrees, yes. However, one should not let the awards dictate what is good, but rather, the goodness should be evident and then rewarded.

So, now President Obama has received the Nobel Peace Prize only 8 months after being elected president. I concede that my initial reaction is, "why?" but I am open to being told the "why" behind this decision. Here is what I have found thus far.

CNN.com reports:

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the committee said...His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population..."

Now here is what disturbs me. His diplomacy is "founded" on the idea that the leaders must do whatever the majority of the people value?

Throughout the history of the world, the most magnanimous figures have been those who have opposed the "status quo" of the world. We have become better people because of those who would not just simply go with the majority opinion, but encouraged others to reach beyond what the majority of people thought. It has been those who have not simply listened to the masses and have challenged humanity to grow and become better. The challenges have not necessarily been in some gigantic revolution, but simply by the inspirational lives they have led. Look at the Saints! They did not go with the public opinion or the majority values...many of them even had to inspire the Church to greater holiness than what was commonly being lived at the time.

This is a VERY poor reason for give out the Nobel Peace Prize, and so I am reminded again that one should not attain to gain the prize, but should live a good, holy, virtuous life and let the prizes fall where they may.

Remember what St. Paul said, let us not strive for an earthly crown that will fade, but let us strive for the imperishable crown...eternal life in heaven. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Archbishop Nienstedt writes about World Mission Sunday

2009-10-08T11:08:00.002-05:00

Too often, it is forgotten that ALL people are called to be missionaries. If you have been baptized, you have a commission (an order) from God to be a prophet. Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not reserved just for the priests from the pulpit, but is, in fact, the duty of all the baptized. Speaking, living, spreading, sharing Jesus Christ with all the world is the job of every baptized Christian, especially Catholics.

Now, the Catholic Church has put a good deal of effort into the formal missionary work where laity, priests, religious go to new countries to work for the spread of the Gospel and the good of the people and in a special way, we remember those in the missions this Sunday.

So, Archbishop Nienstedt, in his article this week from the Catholic Spirit addresses this:

My emphasis and comments

Following the invitation to be a light to all nations

BY ARCHBISHOP JOHN C. NIENSTEDT
THURSDAY, 08 OCTOBER 2009
Each year at this time we renew our commitment to be witnesses of Christ to all nations.

We gather our prayer for missionary efforts happening in foreign lands so that the way of Jesus may be revealed to people of every place, language and way of life.

And we are invited to make a sacrifice to share in God’s mission. Indeed, it is the sacrifice of Jesus, our High Priest and Good Shepherd, which is the pattern for our own sacrifice and witness to the world.

The way of love

In Pope Benedict’s World Mission Sunday message, he reminds us: “The Church walks the same path and suffers the same destiny as Christ, since she acts not on the basis of any human logic or relying on her own strength, but instead she follows the way of the Cross [because the cross leads to the resurrection, the glory!], becoming in filial obedience to the Father, a witness and travelling companion for all humanity.”

Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross revealed God’s plan for saving the world — the way of love. We have been marked by this way of the cross in our baptism and called to participate in this one, true, living and eternal sacrifice of Jesus at every Eucharist.

Our sacrifice, sharing gifts of charity and works of mercy, illuminate Christ here at home and fields afar. [are we willing to sacrifice for God and neighbor?]

The sacrifice of Jesus is also related to his universal mission as the good shepherd. Jesus said, “. . . I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16-17).

We share this destiny of Christ, the Good Shepherd, reaching out beyond many borders to gather and reconcile God’s flock into communion.

Our missionaries

Together, we cooperate in mission with the universal church through our generous support of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Locally, I am mindful of the many priests, sisters, brothers and lay missionaries from this archdiocese serving in a variety of capacities around the world.

In particular, I think of our archdiocesan mission in Venezuela that is approaching 40 years of loving service, and our young partnership with the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya, who we just hosted in several of our parishes.

Through these and other apostolates of mission cooperation and ecclesial solidarity we are able to further the shepherding mission of Jesus.

During this Year for Priests, let us pray for our priests and draw strength from Christ, who is our great High Priest.

On this World Mission Sunday, let us share Christ’s destiny by following his invitation to be a light to all nations. God bless you!

New Catholic Newt making moving about JP2

2009-10-07T22:20:00.003-05:00

So here is some interesting news. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is a recent convert to the Catholic faith. He is now working on a movie about Pope John Paul II's first trip back to Poland as a priest. It could be fantastic!

Washington D.C., Sep 30, 2009 / 06:03 am (CNA).- Former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich, a recent convert to Catholicism, is producing a forthcoming documentary about Pope John Paul II’s first return visit to Poland in June 1979. Titled “Nine Days that Change the World,” the film explores the impact of the visit on the collapse of Communism.

The film’s website says that the Polish trade union movement “languished” before June of 1979. Following the visit of Pope John Paul II and the 1980 Gdansk shipyard strike, the Solidarity movement became the first officially recognized free trade union in the Communist bloc and had over 10 million members.

Nine Days that Changed the World seeks to examine what happened during John Paul II’s nine-day visit, why millions of Poles came to see the Pope and what made John Paul II’s visit such a “liberating moment.”

The story of Pope John Paul II’s role in the overthrow of Communism, in Gingrich’s view, will show that our true humanity is found “only in a relationship with God.”

“I hope people will see the film and think about their relationship to Christ and the importance of courage,” [That's awesome!] Gingrich added, speaking to Deal Hudson of InsideCatholic.com.

Gingrich says he hopes the film, co-produced by his wife Callista, will be an “evangelical vehicle” to counter the “secularist moment” in U.S. culture.

In the former politician’s view, the United States is “heir to a Scottish and English Enlightenment that did not reject God, unlike the atheism of the French Revolution.”

"In the face of the secularist threat," Gingrich mused, "along with that of militant Islam, endurance is what really matters."

Telling Hudson of his conversion, Gingrich said his wife did not push her faith on him but witnessed to it through her example.

“It was clear it meant a great deal to her,” he said, telling how he went to Mass with her at Washington’s basilica and wherever they traveled.

Gingrich said his wife “created an environment where I could gradually think and evolve on the issue of faith.”
Reading and conversations with friends advanced his understanding until the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States. Callista’s choir was to sing vespers for the Pope, allowing Gingrich to see him up close.

He said it was clear Pope Benedict was “having the time of his life.”

“[T]he joy in his eyes belied his reputation as an austere German,” Gingrich told Hudson. “As he walked past me, I knew I wanted to become a Catholic."

"I knew that I belonged here." "No --as a Catholic, I should put it: Here is where I belong."

Nine Days that Changed the World is scheduled to be released in Fall of 2009. The website for the film ishttp://www.ninedaysthatchangedtheworld.com/.

U2 + Pope = good music

2009-09-21T10:32:00.002-05:00

I am a fan of music. I have perhaps too much music on my iPhone. People often ask, "Who is your favorite artist/band." I must reply that there is no one band/artist that I universally enjoy. Rather, I enjoy picking song by song (it's also cheaper).

The reason for this "pickiness" is that I evaluate my music in two ways: do I enjoy the sound AND are the lyrics good. I know that the term "good" is very vague, but I evaluate the lyrics through a certain criteria:

1. Is there foul language?

2. Is the artist actually trying to say something?

3. Is the content worth listening to?

4. Am I inspired?

5. Does it speak to something about the human person or God?

Admittedly, not everything that I listen to passes all of these criteria, but I try to use this.

A result of this is that there are quite a few U2 songs that I enjoy, so this article from the Boston Pilot caught my attention:

Pope to meet artists in Sistine Chapel to rekindle faith-art dialogue
By Sarah Delaney
Posted: 9/14/2009

Singer Bono of U2 performs during a concert in Barcelona, Spain, in this July 2 file photo. The rock star and philanthropist is among hundreds of artists Pope Benedict XVI has invited to the Vatican for a dialogue on faith and art in November.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has invited hundreds of artists to meet with him in the Vatican in an attempt to rekindle the special historical relationship between faith and art.

More than 500 personalities from the worlds of art, theater, literature and music have been asked to gather with the pope under the legendary Michelangelo frescoes in the Sistine Chapel Nov. 21.

Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said the meeting was to be the first of many initiatives aimed at bridging the gap that has developed between spirituality and artistic expression over the last century or so.

At a news conference at the Vatican Sept. 10, Archbishop Ravasi said that separation could best be seen in the art and architecture of many modern churches, which he said "do not offer beauty, but rather ugliness."

He said the church hoped that dialogue could help artists regain the "transcendence" that once inspired the 16th-century painter and sculptor Michelangelo, his contemporaries and countless other artists of religious works over the centuries.

The guest list for the papal encounter is comprised of people who have made their mark in visual arts, architecture, literature, poetry, music and performing arts, including theater, dance, cinema and television.

Most of the list will be disclosed shortly before the event, but a few names of the invited were mentioned at the news conference: Italian film score composer Ennio Morricone, avant-garde theater director Bob Wilson, architect Daniel Libeskind, and Bono, the lead singer of the group U2. American video artist Bill Viola was asked but has already said he won't be able to attend.

Archbishop Ravasi said the meeting was conceived as a continuation of earlier papal rapprochements with contemporary culture. Forty-five years ago Pope Paul VI had a similar encounter with artists in the Sistine Chapel and some years later opened the Collection of Modern Religious Art within the Vatican Museums complex. And ten years ago Pope John Paul II wrote his "Letter to Artists," in which he complimented their work and urged a greater cooperation between the church and the arts.

Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, said at the news conference that contemporary religious art has been diminished by "bad taste." In medieval times, he said, the faithful lived poor and colorless lives, but found brilliant colors and "a glimpse of heaven" by going to churches filled with wonderful works of art.

"Nowadays," he said, "many people live in the dreary outskirts of cities, in ugly houses. They go to church and it's uglier still!"

Paolucci said that throughout history the Catholic Church had taken great risks in its patronage of new forms of art, and that the art inspired by the Christian faith had produced much of the world's greatest art.

Over the last century, however, artistic excellence and faith have separated and it's the job of people of culture to try to mend the rift, he said. The church, he said, must show the courage it showed in the past in confronting contemporary art.

Archbishop Ravasi said that choosing the artists for the Vatican event was the most difficult part, but that they were selected on the basis of their reputation and awards they had received. The day before meeting with the pope in the Sistine Chapel, the artists will get a special tour of the contemporary art collection at the Vatican Museums.

Getting ready for day 2

2009-09-13T07:10:00.001-05:00

Things are getting ready for day two of the Fall Festival here at St. Odilia

Fall festival continued

2009-09-12T20:58:00.001-05:00

So it begins

2009-09-12T11:23:00.001-05:00

Today begins the St. Odilia Fall Festival. It is the 40th aniversary of this event and it promises to be fantastic!

It started with a 5K at 11am.

There is over 15 hours of music all performed by parishioners. There are also games, botique, crafts, Guitar Hero competions, food, food, and more food. This year there is also a car show.

So stop on by.
3495 Victoria St. N.
Shoreview, MN 55126

Friday 5: On hold

2009-09-11T13:35:00.002-05:00

The Friday 5 is on hold today to remember 9/11 and the North St. Paul police officer whose funeral is today. We will return next week with the F5.

Collest thing EVER!

2009-09-08T15:43:00.001-05:00

I thought the Cathedral of St. Paul is awesome as it is. But today I received a little treat in the mail!

Apparently these little Lego sets are being sold at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN and the proceeds go to help the restoration of the Cathedral. They would make a great stocking stuffer or small treat for your local priest! Thank you Nan and God bless you!

FBP: Foreign Born Priests

2009-09-08T06:38:00.002-05:00

In our Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, we are gifted that we have quite a few vocations from our very own diocese. It really is a gift when a diocese can have many priests that are "home grown." It is an advantage on many levels: the priests know the attitudes of the people, they know the local culture (I use that term loosely), and they are able to articulate and pronunciate clearly (in theory).

However, the reality in many places, including our Archdiocese, is that there are priests who arrive from other countries to assist the diocese. Some arrive as a part of a religious order that is operating in the diocese. Some come to study at local universities and help in the local parishes for a few years. Other diocese actively seek out priests from other parts of the world because of the shortage in their diocese. Still others are immigrants to the diocese and then receive the call from God to be a priest for that diocese. Regardless, the reality is that in the USA, we have many who are Foreign Born Priests.

Thanks be to God for their generous response to God and his Church.

Just this morning, I was listening to the radio and there was a conversation regarding the reality of the difficulty of understanding some of the priests who have heavy accents. Naturally, people were not excited about the reality that their parish priest had difficulty speaking the local language, or had a "thick" accent. People explained that they desired to "get something out of mass," and the accent made that difficult.

The reactions of the people who called in ranged from: leave the parish and join another; stick it out; help Father through accent reduction classes

While I certainly am sympathetic to the people who desire to receive something from every mass, I fear that there may be a lack of recognition that the first reason for the Mass is to GIVE worship to God. Now, it is certainly beautiful when we can receive something from God at mass, and in fact, whenever we receive Holy Communion, we receive something even more special than what Father could say in the homily.

Also, as one who has recently been in another country, learning another language, I have a great deal of sympathy for those who are learning a new language, especially the priests who rely heavily on their ability to communicate. So, for my opinion, I do not see the accent barrier as such a big deal as others might. Yes, in an ideal world, at every mass, everyone would be able to understand every other person. Though, I know that there are many people who can not remember what I said in my homily 10 seconds after I am finished. So, the reality is that we are not in a perfect world this side of eternity. It is a struggle. We should work for perfection, especially in the liturgy. However, the truth is that none of us are able to do everything perfectly and as a result, there will be flaws and difficulties.

Let us continue to pray for our priests in this Year of the Priest, ESPECIALLY those priests who have so generously left country, family, and home to minister to those in other countries.

Beautiful day

2009-09-05T11:05:00.001-05:00

Friday 5: Your favorite childhood toys

2009-09-04T09:21:00.002-05:00

So, I was inspired at the Minnesota State Fair. There was a replica of the Cathedral of St. Paul made out of Legos, which will be on display in the Cathedral. It got me thinking about my childhood toys and which were my favorites. So today, what were the favorite toys you had as a child?

1. Legos

My dear, sweet, mother still has my Legos in the basement of the house. I'm tempted, on occasion, to get them out and possibly build my own replica of the Cathedral.

2. Axis and Allies

This was definitely my favorite board game as a child. I would play with with friends, or even against myself. Yes, I am a nerd.

3. Baseball glove

I'm not sure this counts as a toy...but hey, it's my blog, so it counts. We played a lot of backyard and pickup baseball in my neighborhood. I think that every game ended in a fight about someone being out or safe.

4. Football

Again, similar to baseball, we just played pick up games in the park for hours.

5. Bicycle

There was a 26 acre park near my house growing up, and so we would play hide and seek, only the seekers were on bicycles. It made it a lot more fun for the riders to run down the people they were looking for.

So what were your favorite toys as a child?

Way to go Queretaro!

2009-09-03T23:20:00.000-05:00

Mexican State of Queretaro Overwhelmingly Passes Pro-Life Amendment, 21-0

QUERETARO, MEXICO, September 3, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Mexican state of Queretaro has passed a pro-life amendment to its constitution, protecting the right to life from the moment of conception until natural death.

The passage of the measure followed a letter writing campaign that brought over 58,000 notarized letters to the state's congress in support of the right to life.

The text of the amendment, which was approved by an absolute majority of 21-0, was quoted in the Mexican media several weeks ago as follows: "In the state of Queretaro the existence of life from the moment of conception is recognized, therefore, respect for it and for all human rights will be guaranteed, its defense will be promoted, and the conditions necessary for its exercise will be provided."

It also stated that, "the State has the obligation to respect life as a fundamental right and to not offend it, nor expose it to any danger, a protection that should be understood from the moment of conception until its natural end, because it is a primordial, universal, absolute, and inalienable right."

However, in cases of rape, the penal code continues to provide no penalty for abortion, according to the Mexican newspaper Mileneo, which also reported that women who go to hospitals after failed abortions would not be prosecuted.

Queretaro is the 15th Mexican state to pass a pro-life amendment in the past year. The amendments have followed Mexico City's decision to legalize abortion in 2007, creating fear that the same could happen at the state level.

Parties from across the political spectrum voted for the measure, following the example of other states in which left-wing and right wing politicians have come together to support the value of human life.

For the students

2009-09-03T20:52:00.002-05:00

So for those of you who are headed off to the university and have a tech streak, here is a great little article that I found. It is a list of 15 different applications found on the internet to make college a little easier.

Article from Mashable found HERE

Theology on a Stick in the NCR

2009-09-03T10:10:00.004-05:00

So, Theology on a Stick as been quite successful. Last night, one of the journalists for the National Catholic Register (a fine Catholic newspaper) was on hand to speak about young adults in the Church and the reality that young adults are active in the Church and religious life.

Here is the article that was written by Tim Drake entitled, "Theology at the Fair."

Coolest ordination video ever.

2009-09-01T15:13:00.001-05:00

A friend sent me the link for this. Just watch.

Theology on a stick

2009-08-28T20:40:00.001-05:00

Tonight is the first day of Theology On a Stick at the St. Bernard Lodge at the Minnesota State Fair.

I will be there for "Grill the Priest" where people ask priests any questions they want...pray for me.