Our Lady of Mejugorje is 165 meters tall.

New book with interviews of the seers.

This year marks 30 years since the phenomena of Medjugorje began, attracting over 30 million pilgrims in the process.  I wanted to believe in the apparitions, but I have always been unable to sustain any interest.  That is not to say I haven't been impressed with the devotion some of the adherents of Medjugorje have shown over the years.  A few devout people impressed me so much I was willing to accept the veracity of the apparitions on their testimony alone.  Holy people can be deceived as easily as sinners, even without losing the grace of God.  But like I said, I have never been able to sustain any interest in Medjugorje, and I am more inclined to disbelieve it entirely - especially in light of some very good documentation discrediting the veracity and obedience of the people involved.
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That said, I do not have the competence to say it is true or false, I only follow what the Church says and await the final official decision.  Of course belief in such matters is neither required or necessary for salvation. 
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"The Virgin Mary is a blue eyed teenage girl that appears taller than she is because she stands on a cloud."

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That is according to a new book that has carried out exclusive interviews with the the visionaries of Medjugorje, who first saw her 30 years ago this year when they were schoolchildren.
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On June 24, 1981, six children in the town of Medjugorje, in then Yugoslavia, began to experience phenomena which they alleged to be apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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The apparition they saw had a message of peace for the world, as well as a call to conversion, prayer and fasting.
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The message has gained a strong following among Catholics worldwide and Međugorje has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites attracting over 30 million pilgrims since the apparitions began in 1981. - Croatian Times
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People with special needs.
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I've noticed a wavering pattern with some Medjugorje believers over the years, they accept the events as true, then they don't, and suddenly they do again.  Such inconsistency seems to me to be natural - perhaps all too human, rather than direct diabolic delusion.  Possibly it is a case of 'the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak' .  In some cases it just might be that fallen human nature, desperate for some sort of sensate quasi-spiritual consolation or affirmation, returns hoping to recover an earlier experience of God's love.  I think sometimes God grants these mercies to desperate souls lest they despair.  Despite themselves, some end up attributing the grace to the extraordinary claims of the so-called apparition.  Indeed, God does work in and through particular places and events.  I'm not a theologian, so it is difficult for me to explain this very well.

Take a desperate man for instance, perhaps some sort of addict.  Suppose he wanders into a Pentecostal revival meeting and there experiences an inner healing or inner conviction concerning the love of God.  Almighty God can and does work outside the Church and 'approved' means sometimes.  It doesn't mean that Pentecostalism is the way to go however.  Frequently desperate souls find the encounter with God they need for salvation outside the normal structure of the Church and the sacraments.  Grace builds upon grace of course, thus solace in this or that particular experience which can sometimes be found outside the scope of Church approval, is meant to be a stepping stone to a destination, not the destination.  Similarly apparitions, private revelations and spiritual consolations are not an end in itself.
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Some movements can be a threat to pure faith of course, thus we see the Church entering in to correct any error, false teaching, and so on.  Normally, in and of themselves, unapproved private revelations often pose no harm to individuals of good faith - so long as the messages lead the soul to authentic conversion, the practice of the virtues, devout reception of the sacraments - and of course, fidelity to Church teaching.  What is always necessary is that pure faith be based upon the fullness of the truth of Jesus Christ which is only found in the Roman Catholic Church.
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In the meantime, wavering souls often need some sort of solace in this vale of tears, and if they do not find it in their parishes, they will find it in dubious movements and private revelations.  Most of us are very little souls, very weak, and in need of great mercy.  Let's pray for one another. 
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H/T Spirit Daily

Fr. Cutie on The View

Whoopie seemed to like him - she even expressed interest in his type of church.
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This morning Fr. Alberto Curie was on The View promoting his tell all book, dressed in clerics with the nice crisp Anglican dog collar.  He is saying some pretty lame things about celibacy and cites the ancient history that all protestants have done since Marty Luther.  He also has the same bitch about homosexual clergy getting away with 'stuff' while he was singled out for being honest about his needs.  Not exactly his words, but I caught the drift.  I know many former priests, gay and straight.  I'm not down on former priests - just the ones who lambasted the Church after they left.
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Cutie complained that he was singled out when his bishop went on television announcing the canonical penalties, he claimed he couldn't understand it considering how other cases have been treated.  Cutie appears not to understand that he was a public figure and he was caught scandalously romping with his mistress on a public beach.  A disc jockey in high school before entering seminary - hot-stuff Cutie was probably welcomed by vocation directors and faculty falling all over themselves to get him into seminary - regardless of any moral issues he may have had.  I have no doubt he was the golden boy, poster child for recruitment at the time.  Later, easily approved for ordination and in recognition of his communication skills, not to mention his show-biz good looks and aspirations, his ambitions were put to good use in the New Evangelization on Telemundo.  Cutie became a celebrity priest and spokesman for Latino youth, sort of a  pop-culture icon.  Considered a "What-a-waste" hip priest, he dazzled everyone from Gloria Estefan to Raymond Arroyo.  He knows all of that.  So why should the guy be surprised that the public scandal he caused was addressed so immediately and publicly?
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That said, he was groomed to fall from grace - albeit unwittingly.
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"Those who flatter you, lie to you." 

Spanish Catholic Youth Calendar...

The passion according to theology of the body...

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A Catholic youth group has shocked its religious superiors in Mallorca by producing a calendar that features a nude version of the passion of Christ. - Story

Mass Chat: Homilies

I've noticed my pastor usually strings together phrases from the introduction and commentary on the day's readings from Magnificat as the basis for his homilies - often including excerpts of the daily meditation.
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Magnificat is a very good resource.

Parent One, Parent Two...

More reasons why gender neutral terminology is bad.
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Whereas one might expect most people would be able to simply point to this case (the change of U.S. passport applications from father/mother to parent one/two) as proof that ss marriage is not natural and demands special politically correct handling, which means upsetting Western Civilization as we know it - Hilary Clinton's State Department appears to have the power to convince us otherwise. 
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My friend Paula sent me a link to Fr. Malloy's blog, who in turn links to the Fox article:
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The words “mother” and “father” will be removed from U.S. passport applications and replaced with gender neutral terminology, the State Department says.
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“The words in the old form were ‘mother’ and ‘father,’” said Brenda Sprague, deputy assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services. "They are now ‘parent one’ and ‘parent two.’"
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A statement on the State Department website noted: “These improvements are being made to provide a gender neutral description of a child’s parents and in recognition of different types of families"
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“We find that with changes in medical science and reproductive technology that we are confronting situations now that we would not have anticipated 10 or 15 years ago,” she said. - Fox
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Needless to say, gay rights groups are in full support of the decision.  Fr. Malloy also posted an insightful piece of commentary from Lawrence Auster on the issue:
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When a supporter of homosexual "marriage" smugly says to you, "How does it hurt me, how does it hurt you, how does it hurt society, if two men or two women are allowed to marry each other and express their love for each other?", one answer you can give him is this: "It will result in the official elimination of the concepts of mother and father. Does that bother you? Or are you fine with that?" If your interlocutor is brought up short by your answer, he will have to admit that homosexual marriage is not just about benignly including same-sex couples in the institution of marriage, but about effecting an extremely radical transformation of human society. And if he's not brought up short, then he is exposed as someone who supports that extremely radical transformation. - View From the Right
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I also want to conclude with this from the same source:
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Of course this change is driven not just by homosexual marriage, but by homosexual adoption as well. Once homosexual couples are allowed to adopt, as they increasingly are in this country and elsewhere, you instantly have "alternative" families to which the terms "mother" and "father" do not apply. Therefore, in order to include homosexual couples equally in the parental relationship and not exclude them or treat them as "second-class parents," the terms "mother" and "father" must be replaced by sex-neutral terms. - View From the Right  
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(Thanks to Paula for the links to this story - and Fr. Malloy who did all the work on the original post.)
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Segue
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Did anyone else see this story:
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Parents should give babies sense of sexuality from birth: Planned Parenthood
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A program touted as “a bold, nationwide, social change effort” is being launched by Planned Parenthood to alter family dialogue about sexuality and encourage parents to ease their children’s transition into a sexually active lifestyle.
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Entitled “Real Life. Real Talk,” the program was first used in Connecticut, New York, Maine, and Arizona between 2004 and 2008, and its nationwide distribution is now being funded by groups that include the Ford Foundation.
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The stated goal of the program is “to positively change the social climate in communities” with “more open, honest, and balanced talk” about sex; it targets parents and guardians of children as young as 8 years old.

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“A more positive social climate will, over time, help to ensure that people — particularly young people — have adequate information and services to enable them to make healthy sexual choices,” states Planned Parenthood, noting that “getting people to talk openly ... about ... sensitive or stigmatized” issues is always “a critical step in making social change happen.”  - Source
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Photo:  Gay dads with daughter.

Appalling.

I don't know what else to say about the tragedy in Tuscon.  The shooting ranks right up there with the other assassinations and mass murders this culture of death breeds.

Prayers for the victims.

St. Sebastian and other news...

I might try to be more - 'pithy' with my posts in the New Year - and keep my commentary to a minimum.  We'll see how long that lasts. 

So anyway - I started a new image of St. Sebastian in anticipation of his feast day.  It is only 9" x 12", acrylic on gesso board.  I'm liking it already.  Anyway - what follows is the prayer for the saint's feast day:
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Lord, fill us with the spirit of courage which gave your martyr Sebastian strength to offer his life in faithful witness.  Help us to learn from him to cherish your law and to obey you rather than men.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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The prayers I am using for the painting are the rosary and Psalm 119: Love of God's Law, an alphabetical psalm.  It is frequently the same prayer I pray at adoration.  I have found that the more one prays the psalms the deeper the Word enters one's heart and there is no need for one to make up words to pray, much less imagine...
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Lord, you are just indeed;
your decrees are right.
you have imposed your will with justice
and with absolute truth.
I am carried away by anger
for my foes forget your word.
Your promise is tried in the fire,
the delight of your servant.
Although I am weak and despised
I remember your precepts.
Your justice is eternal justice
and your law is truth.
Though anguish and distress have seized me,
I delight in your commands.
The justice of your will is eternal;
if you teach me, I shall live.  Ps. 119: 137-144
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Art:  Sebastian and Fabian - they share the same feast day.

Living online.

Sometimes it all gets a little too bizarre.  I'm convinced a good share of bloggers have something wrong with them.

Pulled a Boehner

John Boehner.
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I always thought the Speaker's name was pronounced 'boner' and so I was disappointed when I heard it pronounced 'baner' (I don't know how to put in the long 'A' mark).  I even thought 'bahner' might have been a pronunciation, but I kept going back to 'boner'.  Anyway - when he does something media disapproves of, I'll bet someone uses the boner word, only they'll say, he pulled a Boehner.  Get it?
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Now about his tears. 
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Do you think the press is going to play the bully because the Speaker of the House tears up from time to time?  In a day and age when making fun of people and their weaknesses is practically illegal, there certainly has been a lot of discussion about this.  Many weaker types in our culture are lobbying for legislation outlawing any kind of bullying.  So why does the press focus so much on Mr. Boehner's 'gift of tears'?
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Anyway - I really like John Boehner. 

Implanted memories?

Something is off.
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Way off!  Belgian nuns molesting boys?  C'mon.  They are making it up!  Story here.  (The parent site takes forever to load BTW - at least for me.)
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And then...
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"In a stunning ten-page declaration recently submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, veteran attorney Donald H. Steier stated that his investigations into claims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests have uncovered vast fraud and that his probes have revealed that many accusations are completely false."  Read the rest here.
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What I know for sure.
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I know for a fact false memories can be implanted in vulnerable individuals... it happened to my little brother.  At the same time, I know true memories can be all together repressed... it happened to my sister.  Which is why I believe history will prove the clergy sex abuse scandal was grossly exaggerated and sensationalized, not unlike the Salem witch-trials in the late 1600's, and the Satanic-sex-abuse-day-care scandals of the 1980's.

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Just be skeptical about what you read or hear from media - especially blogs.  If it is too good to be true - it is probably false.  If it is too horrible to be true - it is probably sensationalized falsehood based on an element of truth.

Symbologists

A conspiracy theorist's picnic.
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Both Fr. Z and Fr. Blake have written about the Masons.  And all the crazies are coming out to comment....  Love it! 
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Art:  "Men Who Like to  Dress Up" - a portrait of Harry S. Truman in Masonic regalia.

Breaking News!: 20% of all young British women use morning after pill. But of course!

Who wouldn't use it if it is available?
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A poll has shown that as many as one fifth of all young women in the UK have used the morning after pill (MAP) in the past year after “unprotected sex.” - Source
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I'm sure even good Catholic mums know this.

Inside that I cried.

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Three paintings sold this past week.  You have no idea how hard it is to let them go.  One woman told me she was going to hang it in her bathroom.

Dead zones...

Birds falling in flocks from the sky, fish washing ashore, extreme weather...
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Yesterday at adoration one of the mystics stopped by to talk.  It was just the two of us in the church and he told me that our Lord said it was okay to talk because he was talking about God.  I sat and listened for 45 minutes until I finally convinced him I needed to pray for a special intention.  In the meantime, while I listened, I offered it up as a penance, albeit praying the Lord to shorten the time.  I decided to do this in imitation of Christ in the Eucharist - after all, He is there silently enduring much worse.  I wanted to exercise myself in patience and charity (after the cleaning lady episode a couple of weeks ago) thus my 'listening ministry' went so far as to draw tears; although the speaker was sure my tears were holy tears of edification over what he was telling me.  I offered the misunderstanding as my little sacrifice of praise.
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Disinterested friendship...
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Although I wasn't interested, my friend told me in great detail about his visions, crows, demons, and his gifts of bi-location and healing.  He shared some end-time secrets with me as well, it seems we're there.  I promised not to tell anyone who it was who told me these things... although I probably should tell you that the Ark of the Covenant will soon be unearthed in Nazareth and transported by angels, led by Moses, to Annunciation parish in Minneapolis.  Our modern parish church will soon become a great pilgrimage destination.  The man who told me all of this appeared to be completely normal and lucid - just a regular guy.  He spoke in a matter of fact manner and was very friendly and very humble about his gifts. 
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For the past several months, every Wednesday that I set aside for recollection and adoration is now filled with temptation, excuses to avoid going or staying the full time, distractions, interruptions, or just plain boredom.  I must admit, I prefer that to mystical experiences.

A Blessed Epiphany to All.

Happy Christmas!
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Art:  Epiphany, Giotto

Who she callin' a ...

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Adrienne obviously doesn't know the story of my life...

Bring back Shame!

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Larry wants it back... click here.

What You Will...

A Twelfth Night post about contemporary "performance life".

[Reader be forewarned, this post is much ado about nothing.] 

I always get Twelfth Night mixed up with Midsummer's Night Dream - just because I love all the craziness and fantasy in Midsummer's Night - which I romantically associate with Twelfth Night festivities.  Since the traditional date for the feast of the Epiphany marks the beginning of Carnival, one might understand why my fantasy gravitates towards such characters as Oberon and Titania, along with Puck and the other fairies.

In a sense contemporary life has become all about performance - in just about every respect, but none more so than living one's life online.  (Which may account for my boredom.)  Nearly every one of us can become  excessively self-aware in our chosen online avocation - perhaps none more so than YouTube performers, bloggers and Facebook addicts.

In the US I think it all started in the 1950's with television shows such as Candid Camera and Bandstand.  Dick Clark's American Bandstand really capitalized on teenage narcissism watching kids dance for the camera.  By the late '60's, kids were performing for the cameras.  And don't forget all the live game shows where ordinary people got on camera acting like greedy fools.

With the advent of video and cam-corders, used for surveillance and fun, somehow many of us accustomed ourselves to the awareness someone is watching... or maybe some of us just liked to pretend someone was observing us.
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Just shooting off my mouth now...
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I worked with a fellow who mastered the art.  We worked together in fashion in the '80's and became friends - we made each other laugh.  'Freakishly' tall,  he was one of the most wildly entertaining guys I knew.  Anyway, when he'd get a few drinks in him he went into full performance mode, becoming a case study in gender disorientation.  For instance, in the bar, on his way to the men's room he'd position himself like a runway model, look down at his shoes, throw his head back like a woman tossing her hair, and he'd walk like a runway model across the bar to the men's room.  I would be laughing so hard I'd be crying - the return trip was priceless because he'd come back and ask, "What?"  (As in asking what was I laughing about.)  The best part was how he pretended not to be aware of his performance... nor to understand when I complimented him, "You never even looked at the camera!"  Good performance.

So anyway - why did I tell you that?  Because it is stupid and silly and it is Twelfth Night and it never fails to make me laugh.  And because bloggers and commenters can be kind of like that.  Many of us put on our best performance online, projecting ourselves in the way we imagine ourselves, fully aware that someone is watching - or reading.  Not unlike my former friend, we sometimes perform for the camera, as it were.  We have accustomed ourselves to performing for 'our public'.  We've groomed ourselves, as it were, in the consciousness someone is watching, someone is paying attention to us - perhaps with the secret hope, one of these days, we might even be discovered...  Protesting our innocence of course, denying any artifice or conceit or ambition or self-promotion on our part.  I think that is what makes some blogs boring - phonies.   

Suddenly I've become extremely self-aware and I'm so scared what people will think of me after writing this...
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Yeah, so anyway pumpkins, I'm actually much too bored to finish this post...  

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And suddenly the truth came to me, as we stood there, trembling, searching, at our point of fulcrum. There were no watching eyes. The windows were as blank as they looked. The theatre was empty. It was not a theatre. They had told her it was a theatre, and she had believed them, and I had believed her. To bring us to this - not for themselves, but for us. I turned and looked at the windows, the facade, the pompous white pedimental figures. - John Fowles, The Magus
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Photo:  From Sartorialist

Twelfth Night...

The end of Christmas?  Or the beginning of Carnival!
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An evening's wassailing not being what it once was, Twelfth Night has declined into one of the less widely celebrated of the ancient festivals. All the same, Twelfth Night is still one of the most welcome days in the calendar, in spite of the absence of agreement about when it actually falls. If you take the view, as some do, that the evening of 24 December marks the start of Christmas, then last night, 4January, was the twelfth. If you go with 25 December as the first night, as most do, then Twelfth Night instead falls this evening, 5 January. Many nevertheless continue to regard 6 January, the feast of Epiphany, as Twelfth Night. Yet if there is little concord about when Twelfth Night actually falls – and perhaps it hardly matters – there is at least a healthy consensus that it marks the decisive end of Christmas. Twelfth Night, whenever observed, is the universally understood moment when the decorations come down, the cards are removed and the tree is stripped and banished. In Trafalgar Square tonight, London's Christmas tree, which survived student protesters' attempts to torch it last month, will finally become mulch. In Tate Britain, Giorgio Sadotti's bare spruce will come down too, as the spirit of Christmas is driven out of the gallery in a free one-off piece of performance art. Twelfth Night offers one last chance for revels and misrule. Shakespeare, who understood this best, subtitled his transgressive play What You Will. Tomorrow, though, the normal order resumes – and not before time, for many of us.  - The Guardian
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(For the very traditional, Christmastide lasts until Candlemas.  Happy Christmas!)

Wow! I am so bored with blogging and bloggers and the Internet and TV and, and, and...

I must say!

The Rabbit's New Year

Mrs. Rabitowitz.
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On New Year's Eve I painted a little portrait of Mrs. Rabitowitz - just as a sort of memorial. She is dead of course, mysteriously murdered, perhaps poisoned. I miss her terribly. She liked to be around me as I tidied up the yard and did my chores. She was especially attentive during the winter months when I put out feed for her and the other critters and of course the birds. She wasn't at all afraid of me, and she was always respectful of the gardens.
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Sadly, her relatives are not quite as civilized. They are voracious eaters... eater bunnies, I call them. Perhaps Mrs. Rabitowitz had been too indulgent with her little ones, but I rather think the trauma of her early demise, the tragedy of the circumstances of her death, as well as growing up on their own without a mother - I think that may account for the new generation's disrespect for boundaries and their avaricious behavior.
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At any rate, the new generation of rabbits is eating my hedge row - last year they killed out a section of the back cotoneaster wall, this year they are going after the south wall. They eat the bark of the mature stems, just as the squirrels consume the bark of the lilac trees. This despite the fact I have provided nutritious feed for all of them, comprised of seeds and nuts and hard grains. Unfortunately for the birds, I've had to stop feeding for now, and I've resorted to spreading granulated fox urine throughout the hedge row, although I noticed new footprints in today's fresh snow.
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In the meantime I will pray St. Martin De Porres to help out, he is very persuasive with little critters. I'll continue some of the natural fox granules before doing anything else. I'm considering a 'Have-A-Heart' trap and possible relocation, although that would be my last resort. I couldn't kill any of them.
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I don't like killing.  I've even gone so far as to have an arrangement with the mouses that they may not live in the house, although they are welcome to come into the garage when it gets too cold. I have a little bag of peat that they can either snuggle in or take from for their nests - peat warms a nest nicely - I found that out from a gnome many years ago.
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Young mice can be rather impetuous... they sometimes 'forget' and attempt to barge in, but the cat takes care of them when they dare to do that. Last year a very handsome young mouse got in. Xena was still alive, and as heavy as she was I woke up to what sounded like a wrestling match going on. I got out of bed to see what all the ruckus was in the middle room. Both Agnes and Xena were standing somewhat proudly over the tail of the Zebra rug. Still rather drowsy, it appeared to me a portion of it had been torn away. As I bent over to pick it up I realized it was a very striking, young mouse, black as coal, his coat so shiny as to glisten in the night light from the hall. Sadly, I disposed of his still warm carcass, congratulated the cats, washed my hands and went back to sleep. The story must have gotten around, because there hasn't been a mouse in the house since.
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I wish animals were more understanding of domestic rules.  But I digress...
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As I began to tell you, for New Year's Eve, I painted the portrait of Mrs. Rabitowitz alongside the hedge.  She often sat exactly like that when I came out.  In her honor, I shot off a few small fireworks leftover from summer as the clock struck midnight.
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Today is the 11th day of Christmas by the way, and tomorrow is 12th Night...  happy Christmas! 

The Holy Name

The Key of David.
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On this the 10th day of Christmas we celebrate the feast of the Holy Name.  The Holy Name contains the whole Gospel, the whole of the prophecies of the Old Testament.  The Holy Name "contains all...  His Name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies".  (CCC 2666)  The Holy Name, JESUS, frees the addicted and the imprisoned: it is the great light for those who sit in the darkness of death.  The light of the Holy Name is so powerful and revealing, even kings and rulers and presidents have sought to obliterate and cover it up - yet the Holy Name is victorious over sin and death.  In hoc signo vinces.
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O Jesus your Holy Name proclaimed, even from the moment of your conception, your mission as Savior.  Enkindle in our hearts a deep love and reverence for your Holy Name, that filled with confidence in its saving power, we will be courageous in breaking with every sinful affection and unlawful attachment.  Amen
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Bottom photo:  Remember when Obama addressed the audience at Georgetown in 2009?  The Holy Name in the pediment above the row of flags had been covered over at the request of the White House.
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Top Art:  Adoration of the Holy Name, El Greco

Someone else had the same idea...

More resolution suggestions...
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My resolution to avoid blogs that make me crazy is echoed in the following commandment(s) proffered by Brett Salkeld of Vox Nova:
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8. Avoid occasions of blog sin. If you frequently find yourself losing your cool in discussions at certain blogs, stop commenting on them.  If you try that and don’t succeed, stop going to certain blogs altogether.  It is the sin of pride that convinces us that we must engage certain people in order to show them the truth.  The fact is that people who can’t engage each other productively force one another away from the truth, not towards it.  The Holy Spirit has more instruments than just you.  Take a step back, make an act of trust in the Spirit, and resign yourself to other apostolates.  There’s probably a homeless person near your house who hasn’t had a meaningful conversation in a long time.  - Brian Salkeld
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Read the entire post Suggestions for a Better Catholic Blogosphere in 2011.
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Quite seriously, Brett offers some very good suggestions.  Avoiding the occasions of blogging sin is for me a real issue - which is why I've resolved to avoid a few blogs and their authors.  As in any 'break-up', let me just assure you, "It's me, not you.  I'm the problem." 

I think I'm getting better with my commenters, however a few of my readers continue to have difficulty with what I post or what others have to say - I blame myself.  I shouldn't write about everything that comes to mind - although a few dear readers seem to have formed some sort of opinion about me beforehand and no matter what I write - I'm wrong.  Wrong or write?  That is the question.  I'm still going to write.  That said, Mr. Salkeld has more advice for the comment box.
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7. Admonish your allies. Admonishing sinners is probably the most thankless of the spiritual works of mercy. My feeling is that it takes a particularly high level of sanctity to be able to admonish one’s opponents in the blogosphere to any good end. Rather than telling those with whom you disagree how poorly they are conducting themselves, take the opportunity to caution your allies when they have crossed a line. This has at least three advantages: it is more likely to be effective than admonishing your opponents, it develops the virtues (patience and humility come to mind) that might eventually be useful in admonishing opponents, and it helps ensure that those who agree with you aren’t costing your side of the argument credibility by their bad behaviour. - Brett Salkeld
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I would add to that:  Admonish your fans to not think too highly of you.  Try to avoid 'vain rejoicing' when they praise you or compliment you - it is not good for your spiritual health.  (Especially for weak-minded people like me.)  These people may mean well, to be sure, and may be lovely online friends, but they don't really 'know' you.  Needless to say, compliments and praises often deceive us into thinking we have something going for us beyond our personal opinion.  Without intending to do so, their praise often flatters our pride and is vain and useless, feeding a false sense of self-importance if one is not careful. 
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In my case, after a short time, most people soon come to understand I'm just an ordinary man, a sinner struggling to live a Christian life, and I make a lot of mistakes.  Some of these readers leave on their own accord - and rightly so, for the good of their souls.  Some come back as if to gawk at a train wreck, only to leave again - which is why I would also say, never believe that you have real friends online.  Although in reality, some of the more critical and indignant may in the end be the best friends one has, because they show us our faults.
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Photo:  New Year Resolution #2 - Post my real photo.

Epiphany

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New Year Resolution #1

#1)  To be more charitable.

So.  The blogger people who annoy me the most - I will no longer read them or link to them.

Dottie Henkel

Drunk again!

Solemnity of the Mother of God

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The miracle that Moses witnessed on Sinai in the burning bush

Foretold your virgin childbearing, O pure Mother.

We the faithful cry to you:

Rejoice, O truly living bush!

Rejoice, O holy mountain!

Rejoice, O sanctified expanse and most holy Theotokos!

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Art:  Icon of the Unburnt Bush



Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Happy New Year!

The Cleaning Lady.

An adoration story.
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Several weeks ago, I entered my parish church for my afternoon of adoration.  After doing this for so long I'm afraid I sometimes approach my scheduled time rather routinely.  That day I noticed an older woman parishioner polishing the black marble communion rail.  While the Blessed Sacrament was exposed.  Two other women I know were just finishing up their hour and I called one of the ladies over to ask her about the cleaning lady.
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Actually, she wasn't a cleaning lady at all, but a long time parishioner.  An elderly lady who dressed very young; capri pants with an un-tucked shirt and rolled-up sleeves over a modest t-shirt, nicely cut and colored hair, light make-up - she could pass for a much younger woman.  I'd noticed her before, sometimes during Mass, moving about the church, and I wondered if she had some sort of mental problem.  I asked my adoration friend that very question - "Is she nuts?  I don't think it is appropriate to be cleaning during adoration, passing back and forth before the Blessed Sacrament like that."
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"Oh no!"  My friend laughed.  "She's just fine - why would you think she is crazy?  Anyway, she's been here for better part of an hour and we just let her do it.  I suppose it isn't the right thing to do, but I'm sure she'll be finished soon."
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Nevertheless I felt rather indignant and considered saying something to the woman.  I tried to pray but was distracted watching everything she was doing.  She applied polish, and then buffed it to a bright shine, leaving a section and moving on to repeat the same procedure.  At times she would step back and admire her work.  Each time she crossed in front of the monstrance she bowed reverently and proceeded with her job.  I was slightly relieved after she left for a bit, imagining she was finished - although I noticed she hadn't returned some things she had moved back to their proper place.
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I tried to pray but remained distracted, and of course, that particular day, the thought of spending an afternoon in adoration felt burdensome, and I was already cranky anyway.  The lady returned with her buffing equipment and really threw herself into finishing the job, and so I decided to join my prayer to her work and began offering what she was doing to our Lord, thanking him for her devotion - I suddenly regained my peace!  It seemed that in very little time she was finally finished, returning everything to its proper place as well.  After the equipment was put away, she knelt on the bare floor for what seemed to be a very long time, in devout, attentive prayer before the Eucharist. 
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I was so edified, my hair sort of stood on end and I was suddenly deeply humbled at the sight of this woman praying, oblivious to anything around her.  I somehow understood how pleasing she was to Our Lord.  She came in and anointed his feet as it were... she did what she did out of love and with great faith.  I on the other hand - the only other person in the church at the time - had wanted to rebuke her.  In my heart I had condemned her and scoffed at her.  I came to adoration without charity...  only doing my duty... and did it begrudgingly, routinely.  Yet the 'cleaning lady' gave everything she had - and with great love.
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Love is repaid by love alone.
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Art:  Jesus Anointed at Bethany, Donald D. Krause




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(Later it occurred to me that the woman may have been unable to sit still for very long due to some physical disability.  Regardless, it wasn't any of my business.)

"Dissent is opposed to ecclesial communinon."

"Opposition to the teaching of the Church's Pastors cannot be seen as a legitimate expression either of Christian freedom or of the diversity of the Spirit's gifts."
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113. Teaching moral doctrine involves the conscious acceptance of these intellectual, spiritual and pastoral responsibilities. Moral theologians, who have accepted the charge of teaching the Church's doctrine, thus have a grave duty to train the faithful to make this moral discernment, to be committed to the true good and to have confident recourse to God's grace.

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While exchanges and conflicts of opinion may constitute normal expressions of public life in a representative democracy, moral teaching certainly cannot depend simply upon respect for a process: indeed, it is in no way established by following the rules and deliberative procedures typical of a democracy.  Dissent, in the form of carefully orchestrated protests and polemics carried on in the media, is opposed to ecclesial communion and to a correct understanding of the hierarchical constitution of the People of God. Opposition to the teaching of the Church's Pastors cannot be seen as a legitimate expression either of Christian freedom or of the diversity of the Spirit's gifts. When this happens, the Church's Pastors have the duty to act in conformity with their apostolic mission, insisting that the right of the faithful to receive Catholic doctrine in its purity and integrity must always be respected. "Never forgetting that he too is a member of the People of God, the theologian must be respectful of them, and be committed to offering them a teaching which in no way does harm to the doctrine of the faith".177 - Veritatis Splendor

Seventh Day of Christmas.

This year the Seventh Day of Christmas falls on New Years Eve.
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To be completely frank, I'm not sure why Christians even observe New Years.  However, I'm sure some of my readers can provide an adequate explanation for the adults who read this blog.

Fr. John Hardon, S.J. - 10th anniversary of his death.

Servant of God
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This morning at prayer Fr. Hardon came to mind.  Only later, while checking Te Deum Laudamus blog did I discover today is actually the tenth anniversary of Fr. Hardon's death.  Diane has details here.  I'm always delighted when I experience Divine Providence and the intercession of the saints in this way - I never attribute such graces to coincidence.
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Mortal sin
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I was thinking of something Fr. Hardon once said regarding his caution of people in mortal sin - a quote I have never found by the way - but I once read something to the effect that he said about how much harm such unfortunate souls can cause.  Fr. Hardon was a great champion of the Sacrament of Penance, and keenly grasped the gravity of sin - especially the prevalence of grave sin in our culture.  The Fr. Hardon Archives contain many conferences and excellent instruction on the subject - as well as a conference on the benefit of frequent confession.
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I noted elsewhere on the blogosphere today that Bishop Slatterly of Tulsa is scheduling a conference for priests on exorcism, a topic very much in the news of late.  After searching the Fr. Hardon site on sin and the Sacrament of Penance, I wonder if the pressing need for exorcists these days would be as critical if proper catechesis on the sacrament and the necessity of frequent confession had been consistently taught in the last forty years?  Instead, as Fr. Hardon noted:
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Judging by the drastic drop in confessions in countries like the United States, the false opinion is gaining ground that Confession is not to be received, or made, frequently.
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No doubt, one reason for this sad state of affairs is the prevalence of some wild theories about mortal sin. For example, the Fundamental Option theory claims that no mortal sin is committed unless a person totally rejects God. Who but the devil hates God? One adultery or one abortion is not a mortal sin. On these grounds, there are parishes in which almost no one goes to Confession. - The Spiritual and Psychological Value of Frequent Confession
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"There is no hatred more cruel, no treachery more demonic than that of an unrepentant sinner."
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My thoughts went in this direction this morning as I reflected upon my sins and their consequences - examining their source, I couldn't avoid recalling how I was raised.  I was sent to Catholic schools but I lived in a home which was less than ideal - family members lived in mortal sin whilst attempting to justify their predicament.  Thus I wondered if parents living in mortal sin leads to other more grave offences within the family?  The alcoholism, the abuse, the lying, the stealing, the fraud, and on and on - such was the atmosphere wherein I grew up.  In turn I considered what it must be like today when many people no longer have any faith, and children are raised in single parent households exposed to adultery, drugs and alchohol and all sorts of abuse.  These are all mortal sins and outright rejection, if not hatred, for God.
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There is no hatred more cruel, no treachery more demonic than that of an unrepentant sinner. Thirty-seven years in the priesthood have taught me many things none more clearly than that.  - Fr. Hardon

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To be sure, I know I am responsible for the amendment of my own life and I do not look to "blame" my sins on how I was raised or external forces - but one cannot avoid reflecting upon the necessisty of a good, holy, stable family life in order to raise children, while protecting them from the errors of our time.
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+Prayer+

Lord Jesus, you are the loving God Who came into the world to save sinners. But we believe You are also the almighty God. Who, if sinners do not repent, punish even for all eternity those who love themselves more than You. What we most want, Dear Jesus, is the grace to love You more than ourselves even if the price You demand is the sacrifice of what we most love on earth. Jesus, mighty God, have mercy on us sinners.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen - ibid

Before the advent of imposed, early sexualization.

Growing up not even knowing the definition of 'gay'.
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I found this gem of a comment on California Catholic Daily in response to their obituary for Fr. John Harvey:
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Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2010 12:12 AM By charlio

In an age before total sexual saturation, young people with same sex attraction were free to go through the process of forming confident adult sexuality without the menace of traumatic early sexualization. (Recall the relaxed treatment of kids' w/same sex "crushes" on teachers and other elders in the long-ago age when the latency period was assumed by all.) If just left alone, a majority of those approximately 10% of adolescent males with SSA self-report spontaneous growth out to heterosexuality. A common homosexual seduction strategy is to first bring up heterosexual prurience, then to switch to the homosexual. This is the first fact of the "gay youth" phenomenon: Risks posed as rights. - CCD
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Don't accuse or expose the innocent before their time.
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I've always wondered what would have happened to some of those kids if they hadn't been told by parents or authority figures they were 'different' or 'queer' - or even condemned as 'dirty little homosexuals', and then abandoned to the inevitable predators who would show up to convince them of it? 
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Parents beware.

Sixth Day of Christmas: Ornament of the Christmas Octave - St. Barbara Cho Chung-i

"We must train ourselves by mortification in order to glorify God and save our souls."
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From Catholic Church in Korea:

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Cho Chŭng-i Barbara was the wife of Nam I-gwan Sebastian. She was born in 1781 to a renowned noble family. She was married to Nam Sebastian when she was 16 years old and gave birth to a son who died soon after birth.

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During the persecution of 1801, many of her relatives were martyred, and her husband was sent into exile. Barbara lived with her younger brother, but he made her very unhappy. She could not practice her religion faithfully, because there were no priests in Korea at that time, and she lived far away from other Catholics. When she was about 30, she came up to Seoul and lived with a very devout Catholic family. Barbara then had a chance to practice her religion faithfully.
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She was a cousin of Chŏng Ha-sang Paul, and helped him to prepare for his trip to Peking to introduce foreign missionaries into Korea. After Father Yu Pacificus came to Korea, Barbara's husband was released from exile in 1832, and she was able to help the Chinese priest. After Father Yu returned to China, Barbara bought a small house in which she had Fathers Maubant and Chastan and Bishop Imbert stay. The Catholics used to come to her home for prayers, confessions and Masses. She used to say: "If a persecution breaks out, we all must die. We must train ourselves by mortification in order to glorify God and save our souls."
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Barbara was arrested in July of 1839. She continued to refuse the demands of the police chief to deny her faith and to reveal where her husband was hiding. She said: "Even if I have to die ten thousand times, I cannot commit a sin." Consequently, she was severely tortured. Her legs were twisted, and she was beaten with a cudgel 180 times. Even after she was sent to the higher court, she was beaten more severely. Her husband, after his arrest, was also severely tortured. Both of them showed courage and a desire to die for their faith.
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Barbara was kind to the other inmates and consoled them. She said goodbye to them, and then fell asleep. She woke up just before she was taken out for execution.
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Barbara was taken outside the Small West Gate and was beheaded on December 29, 1839 with six other Catholics. She was 58 years old when she was martyred. - Source
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May St. Barbara and her Companions pray for us and obtain for us the courage to stand fast throughout the tribulations of our time.

Chastity, Continence, and Celibacy: Kind of a Primer.

I came across the following on Jimmy Akin's blog.  I have rarely read a more practical definition of the Catholic observance of chastity, continence, and celibacy.
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First, let’s be clear about what celibacy is: It’s the property of not being married. Anyone who is not married is, by definition, celibate. People often confuse this with two other concepts—continence (which in a sexual context means not having sex) and chastity (which means behaving in an appropriate manner sexually, based on your state of life). If a person is celibate (unmarried) and they wish to be chaste (act in a moral manner, sexually) then they will be continent (not have sex), because sex outside of marriage is immoral. By contrast, if you are not celibate (i.e., you are married) then you can be chaste (act in a sexually moral manner) even though you presumably are not continent (i.e., are having sex)." - Jimmy Akin

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Coincidently, Akin goes on to discuss priestly celibacy - something I was also thinking about after prayer this morning - in relation to chastity and continence... 
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"Second, the requirement of celibacy is neither a “doctrine” (teaching) nor a “dogma” (infallibly proclaimed teaching taught or implied by Christ and the apostles) of the Catholic Church. It is a “discipline,” a practice that has been adopted for prudential reasons but that can, and does, admit of exceptions..." ibid

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I was wondering what some readers would think if I said I wouldn't be totally opposed to married priests.  I prefer things as they are, but observing how some Anglican turned Catholic priests are married and how well the married permanent diaconate is working, I no longer see it as such a big problem.  Jimmy Akin correctly notes that "a Catholic can hold the opinion that it would be pastorally prudent to make such a change. You are not being disloyal or a bad Catholic by holding such a view."  Although he's also realistic about any change happening soon - if at all - in the discipline;  "Suffice it to say that it would be pastorally inadvisable in the extreme for the Church to make a sudden, unprepared shift in its discipline on this point. Translating the Mass into the vernacular would be peanuts compared to this. Thus, even if one felt that the Church should move toward such a solution in the long-term, that does not in the least mean that it should be done precipitously. Or at all, because . . ."
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Be assured that I accept the teaching of the Church on this matter.
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Art:  Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Fr. John Harvey, osfs: Some thoughts.

Courageous witness.
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Yesterday I read an offensive comment on another blog condemning the late Fr. John Harvey's view that in certain circumstances men with same sex attraction could be ordained or admitted to religious life - but only if all things were well ordered in their life, of course.  Fortunately the negative comment has been removed this morning.  Without much ado, I present a brief look at the Fr. Harvey view below - which coincides with the Vatican Instruction BTW.  From a Zenit interview on the same document:
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Father John Harvey, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, is director of Courage International, a support group for men and women with same-sex attractions who wish to live chastely according to Church teachings.

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Q: What is your impression of the new Vatican document on seminaries and those with homosexual tendencies?

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Father Harvey: I think it is very good because it does not try to answer every question -- it tells you from the beginning that it will not. I think it is refreshing. It simply sets down norms for bishops, rectors and people in seminary work.
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I think it is wise to put the responsibility on bishops and rectors to understand this issue and to make decisions about individual seminarians. I think this is a good thing instead of answering every question.
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It is clear of two types they do not want: those are actively engaged in a homosexual lifestyle and those who push the gay agenda, that "gay is good." People with that view should not be in seminary.
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The document rightly mentions that some distinctions should be made between people with deep-seated homosexual tendencies and people with transitory same-sex attractions. It is correct in that some homosexual tendencies may be a symptom of a problem of delayed adolescence.
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I was hoping the document would not be a big universal statement like "Anyone with same-sex attractions is automatically eliminated." It does not say that and allows that there are a lot of distinctions to be made. - Zenit, November 2005
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Clarification.
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Please understand that whenever I write my private opinion and say something like, "gay men should not be ordained" I am writing about active homosexuals, men without self control who do not practice celibate chastity and continence, as well as ssa men who remain sexually open-ended, as it were: "if the right situation or guy comes along".  Men who continue to harbor inordinate affections or preferential options for the same sex.  As well as those who Fr. Harvey referred to in the following statement:  "For years within the Church we have had people pushing the gay agenda - groups such as Dignity, New Ways Ministry, and gay and lesbian ministries."  Needless to say, I am also writing about those same sex attracted men who identify as gay, and or approve of or promote the gay lifestyle.  As Fr. Harvey noted in the 2005 interview, "There is a distinction between transitory same-sex attractions and permanent and destructive homosexual tendencies."  Is there ever!
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A fitting tribute.
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I also came across the following tribute to Fr. Harvey on that same blog which carried the negative comment.  This is a beautiful and fitting tribute to the holy priest who ministered to persons with same-sex attraction with such dedication and charity for the better part of his life.
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Thank you for all your work in promoting disinterested friendship and helping all of those afflicted with homosexuality overcome their deep-seated tendencies. You showed nothing but acceptance with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. You avoided every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard. You helped many to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they be Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. You showed that homosexual persons are called to chastity. You taught that the virtues of self-mastery lead to inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace that they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. - Andy Milam


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Note:  Spirit Daily incorrectly referred to Fr. Harvey as the founder of the group that healed homosexuals - Courage International never makes such claims.
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Link to Fr. Harvey's Memorial.

I've been sitting on this news for days....

My apologies to all who have been praying for Michael R - he came through surgery and is doing well...  I'll let him tell it:
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Hi Terry,

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My surgery went very well on Tuesday and I was basically ready to leave the hospital an hour after I woke up. I had to remain in ICU for a couple days, and then only because I have a bleeding risk(Von Willebrand's Disease), I had to stay in hospital to have blood products infused every morning. I am finished now and released. I am back in my home for a brief nap, and my sister will return and take me to their house to stay for a few days. They did bring my laptop to the hospital yesterday. And I was overwhelmed when I read of all of the prayers that your readers have offered for me. I went to a place that is very special to me, the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cincinnati Cathedral. I said the sorrowful mysteries for you and your readers, knowing that you guys would be praying for me. I hadn't been able to type any response until now because my left hand was hooked up with too many tubes and I couldn't hit the keys properly. I can tell I'm not doing much better right now, but hopefully things will come back to me.  I have a follow-up on January 5.  All of the doctors and nursing staff are always in amazement that I have beaten such long odds in the past. And apparently some must think I am an inspiration. Yesterday they had one lady who came in on the anniversary date of her tumor surgery, and she distributed gifts. It had us in tears. They nabbed the staff of the local university medical community magazine and took photos of me and her. If I get a photo, or print copy I will foward to you. I have been anxious to reconnect to you. If you get a chance please let you readers know that you have heard from me. and I recovered from the surgery very quickly.
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Thanks for all of your prayers and love. I hope to be able to return to some kiind of normal routine shortly, and catch up with you and your pals online sometime soon.
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Kind regards, Michael
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Dear Michael, you are an inspiration - continued prayers for you!

My creche for this year.

Merry Christmas!

Spiritual metaphor.

I live yet no true life I know...
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This morning while praying for Fr. Harvey, I found myself reminiscing over the days that led to my meeting with him in NYC at St. Michael's rectory back in the 1980's.  Fr. Harvey had very good insight into the psychology of same sex attraction and the addictive elements frequently associated with the behavior.  I think he was delighted to discover I understood as much as I did.  As I am now, at the time I was very much into John of the Cross, and appreciated the Saint's analogy of Samson to the soul enslaved by sin; his eyes gouged out, blindly grinding at the grist in his bondage.  The allusion John of the Cross makes to Samson relates very well to the Catholic view of addiction.
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That said, I couldn't avoid recalling how deeply difficult the struggle against sin has been at times - just as it is for millions of others of course - I know I'm not so special in that regard.  Samson has remained quite a good metaphor nevertheless.  Today I reflected on how even in his last stance, situated between the two support columns of the temple, mustering all of his strength and with the grace of God, he brought the entire edifice down upon the assembly.   It seemed to me that even in this aspect, Samson's actions can be somewhat analogous to one's personal conversion process.   Sometimes our struggle may become so intense, our unwillingness to compromise so resolute, we bring the whole house down upon ourselves and even those around us - perhaps even our companions and friends...
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Ah - how many times I have done that.  How many times all of my structures and supports have collapsed around me and in the apparent chaos, even upon those closest to me, not excluding myself of course...  and if anyone could have survived, they in turn have fled.  "My friends avoid me like a leper; those closest to me stand afar off."
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Ah...  I die because I do not die.
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(I closed comments for this one because only a few may understand it - and I expect even fewer would receive it well.)

4th Day of Christmas - The Holy Innocents

This is the second feast of martyrdom the Church observes within the Christmas Octave.  In our day, Christians continue to be martyred in the Christmas season...  It helps one understand how vital the liturgy of the Church is to our every day lives, don't you agree?
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I think it is popular now days to compare the first infant martyrs with those unborn infants killed by abortion.  I'm sure the parallel is appropriate, but it seems to  me that since the Holy Innocents were already born and as old as two years, they are very much the patrons of little children who are abused and brutally murdered in so many ways today.  Last night there was a story on the news of a mother's live-in boyfriend who beat her little daughter to death.  Innocents continue to shed their blood today.
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Merry Christmas!
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Random question for the "I Celebrate Christmas" crowd:  Are you still celebrating Christmas?  Still got your tree up?  The lights in the window?  Still sending Christmas greetings?  Still saying, "Merry Christmas"?  For some - still drunk?   LOL!
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Art:  Massacre of the Holy Innocents - Duccio di Buoninsegna

Fr. John Harvey, osfs - Founder of Courage Apostolate - dies.

At 8:33PM a friend sent me the following news:

We just received word from Father John Harvey's niece that he died this morning. He had a fall two days ago, and they took him to the hospital, but he never bounced back. His niece told us that he died very peacefully, and that is family is sure that he is in heaven. Let us all thank God for this wonderful and holy priest who has helped so many. Let us pray for him, and let us ask him to pray for us. - Fr. Knapp
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May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Was Christmas over yesterday?

Christmas season.

I was sitting in the Blessed Virgin's chapel, praying my rosary before Mass yesterday, the first Sunday after Christmas, Feast of the Holy Family, when I heard a jovial usher respond to another man's Merry Christmas greeting with;  "That's all over now - Christmas is over - now it's the New Year!"  (He repeated his catechesis to everyone who came in.)  I recognized the man's voice and was really surprised he was so convinced Christmas was over already - he is a daily Mass goer after all.  Sunday was only the second day of Christmas.

I would never attempt to correct the gentleman, especially since he was so convinced Christmas was over.  One can explain things to religious people over and over, but one is usually unsuccessful in changing their opinion.  I couldn't help being entertained by the irony of it all however.  Throughout Advent we heard the militant demands that secular businesses and newsrooms say "Merry Christmas", while Catholics were told to hold back on the Christmas celebrations until Christmas...  and predictably, the day after Christmas, not a few people think it's over.  (My sister takes her tree down the day after.  I know!)

To be sure marketing and retail proclaim it is over, and since many consumers worship in that temple, I suppose their Christmas is over.  However, if one prays, and especially if one's prayer is based in liturgical prayer, one understands that Christmas is a season traditionally referred to as Christmastide, and the first eight to twelve days are Christmas.  (Albeit with Epiphany transferred to Sunday, the liturgical season appears shortened this year as well.) 

Anyway, religious people who like to wear their religion on buttons and bumper stickers ought to know better.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas: On the Third Day of Christmas...

The vision of St. John the Evangelist. 

December 27 is the feast of the Beloved Disciple.

And the signs of the times: 

“The Church has the right to refuse holy orders to those who do not have the requested attitudes or who, in one way or another, are not in harmony with the teaching it has received from its divine master,” Monsignor Tony Anatrella added, saying that the homosexual tendency was actually a “counterindication to the call to holy orders.” - A Tim Drake quote found on WDTPRS

Don't blame me - I'm just the messenger...
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Although I'm absolutely convinced one must think with the mind of the Church in these matters.

Merry Christmas

Feast of the Holy Family.
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Art:  The Holy Family with St. Anne and St. Elizabeth and John the Baptist - by the workshop of Franz Floris, 16th century