We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.   My motto “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa  Fe

_______________________________________________________________________

In light of the Muslim outbreaks throughout the Middle East, I thought you might enjoy this chapter of my book Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics.

Conversation, Pre-Man

Devil: Are you sure you know what you’re doing?

God:  I am.

Devil: From what my fallen angel spies tell me, you’re putting a big stake on this new thing that you’re creating.

God:  I guess there are leaks everywhere.

Devil: From what I hear, this new creature is going to be superior to the thousands of other species you’ve made.

God:  You are right on target.

Devil: What’s the matter with the monkey?  You seemed to have been pretty well satisfied with him.

God:  I am, as a matter of fact.  But I think I can do even better.

Devil:  Don’t be too sure of yourself.

God:  Well, as long as word has already gotten out, let me give you a few facts.  This new animal will have a fantastic brain that will enable it to reason, to master all the other animals and even to create.

Devil:  Wow!  Sounds like you’ve done a bit of self-cloning.

God:  To a certain extent, you are right.  But during this creative process, I accidentally pressed the wrong button.

Devil: (with chuckle) You mean you goofed?

God:  Even perfection has its problems.

Devil:  Agreed.

God:  As a result of a mishap, this superior animal which I intend to call “Man”, will be the only creature on earth that can hold malice.

Devil:  The hell you say!  Doesn’t that mean that these man-animals will  eventually destroy themselves?

God:  I was concerned about that.  So I compensated for this flaw by adding a positive ingredient I call “free will”. Thus, Man will be able to make the right decisions.

Devil:  Verily, verily, I know you’re right in all things, but don’t you think this free will might be a two-edged sword?  If Man makes bad decisions, the history of Man will be a one of random slaughter.

God:   I see your point.

Devil:  Acknowledging that you are the Supreme Power and the Perfect

One, I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  For this new superior animal, I’ll give it a special gift.

God:  I have good reason to be skeptical of anything you have to offer.

Devil:  Be at ease, my friend of infinite wisdom.  My contribution to

Man will be the gift of a behavioral ability that will make him aware of you.  This will guide him in believing in the unbelievable.  Also it will encourage Man to be better than he is.

God:  So far I see no objection.  What is your gift?

Devil:  I call it “religion”.  It will be the means through which Man can worship you.  And religion should enable Man to fulfill his role in the universe.

God:  On that basis, I see no reason why I should not accept your offer.

So be it. Devil:  Deal accepted!

God:  But why are you smirking?

Devil:  Even though you are All-Knowing, you’re going to witness something that will shake you to the core. Now, with his religion and free will, each Man will try to possess you.

God:  I do not understand.

Devil:  For example, Man will have the expression, “Oh, My God” – not  “Oh, Our God”.

God:  Well, that implies intimacy.  But I do not like the gleeful tone of your  voice.

Devil:  Rather than trying to reach up to you, Man will attempt to pull you

down to his level and put you in a straitjacket.  Thousands of religious turf battles will be a constant war until Man no longer exists.

God:  Why should that be?

Devil:  These man-animals will give you dozens of names, and each will

interpret his personal relationship with you.  Throughout the multitude of religions, malice will be the hostile link between one man and another who believes differently.

God:  Are you telling me that rather than religion being a unifying force, it

would be divisive?

Devil:  Divisive?  Hell, it’s going to be explosive!  The more religious, the

more fractious the world will become.  Religion will assure that there will never be peace on earth.  Man’s worst enemy will be his fellowman.  And there will be more fighting over religion than over land and gold.

God: That does not make sense.

Devil: During a battle, both armies will be convinced you’re on their side.

Believing he’s right, Man will murder fellow-Man with impunity.  And transformed by religion, Man will become his own greatest predator.

God:  I have changed my mind.  You can take back your gift of religion.

Devil:  No way – a deal’s a deal.

God:  Damn!  You have sure played the devil.

Devil:  So?

Recommended Readings

 -        “A Jewish take on Jesus” in October U.S. Catholic

-        “The Road Ahead” in September 24 America

     -    “Endless War” in October 12 Commonweal

      -     “Saint Thomas Aquinas, ‘The Dumb Ox’” G. K. Chesterton (a must!) 

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this group.   (aljagoe@comcast.net) 

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edmund Connors, (Katonah, NY)
Fr. Paul D.Counce (BatonRouge, LA)
Fr. Paul Duchschere (Fargo, ND)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Charles E. Jacobs, (Hartford CT)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington,DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)                                                         Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)
Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa)
Fr. Michael Radermache, (Vancouver, WA)
Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville,OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Fr. Anthony O’Gorman (London, UK)
Fr. Alberto Rodriguez, (Miami)                                                                                Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

                                              

News flashes

-       In Carthage, MO, 60,000 Vietnams gathered in triple-digit temperatures to celebrate their annual Marian event at the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix Campus. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, a group of Vietnam priests fled Vietnam and founded the monastery in Carthage where this event takes place every year.

-   The Economist reports that Islam in America has flourished with the number of mosques doubling in the past decade from 1209 to 2106. We have become more tolerant. (comment: How many Christian churches are there in Saudi Arabia?  Answer: none.)

-    American Atheists is trying to block the display of a cross-shaped    steel beam at the September 11^th museum in New York. The beam, found in the wreckage of the World Trade Centre, was a totem for rescuers.  The atheists see its inclusion as an unconstitutional mingling of church and state.

 

Limerick

by Ronald Knox

There once was a man who said, “God

Must think it exceedingly odd

If he finds that this tree

Continues to be

When there is no one about in the Quad?”

(reply)

     Dear Sir: Your astonishment’s odd;

     I am always in the Quad,

     And that’s why the tree

     Will continue to be

     Since observed by, Yours faithfully,

     God.

 
 Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

 Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.

                           St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

In Pakistan a band of Muslims severely beat a pregnant Christian woman, causing her to miscarriage her female twins.

A suicide bomber crashed the gate of a Christian church in Bauchi, Nigeria, killing himself and ten parishioners and injuring more than 30 others. He was a member of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram.

                                 

My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization

 Please, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference.

aljagoe@comcast.net 

 

Interesting sayings

Knell down in your little room and pray to God with real humility and earnestness, that through his dear Son may give you his Holy Spirit, who will enlighten you, lead you, and give you understanding….Martin Luther

 These are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others..Groucho Marx

The wisdom of God, since it is infinite and incomprehensible, brings about in an incomprehensible and unsearchable way the dispensations of grace toward the human race in various ways for the testing of man’s free will…..Pseudo-Macarius, an Egyptian monk an hermit, died 390 A.D.

 

There is no reciprocity. Men love women. Women love children. Children loved hamsters. Hamsters don’t love anyone….Alice Thomas Ellis, English novelist

So let us be exultantly happy, experiencing through charity in this life what we shall see face to face in the next…    Saint Catherine of Siena

 

That lowdown scoundrel opponent of mine deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I’m just the one to do it….   A Texas Congressional Candidate

 

Communiqués

The thing that puzzles me about all the poll findings is who the hell are the folks being polled?  Other than my barber, no one has ever asked me what I think about what is going on.  Furthermore, I don’t know anyone who has ever been questioned. Are the pollsters getting their info from Martians?                           Archibald Kiddson, Des Moines, IA

 

Chuckle time

At a faith healing, the minister asked everyone who had a deep concern to come forward for a healing. When a man came up, the minister asked, “And my son, what is your concern?”

He answered, “It’s my hearing.”

With that the minister put his hands over the man’s ears and prayed for a healing. The congregation gave out a loud “Amen!”

The minister then removed his hands and asked the man is he was cured.

“No,” the man replied. “My hearing is still set for next Wednesday.”

 

How They See Us

(From the July 7 The Economist) 

Pope Benedict XVI may favour a smaller, more obedient church, but American Catholics remain a large and politically heterodox group.  Official church doctrine opposes birth control, yet American Catholic women use it at similar rates to non-Catholic women. Despite the church’s opposition to homosexuality, a 2010 Pew Foundation poll found that more American Catholic favour than oppose gay marriages. Both the Catholic priests who served in Congress were Democrats, as were all three Catholic big-party presidential nominees (Al Smith, John Kennedy and John Kerry); yet five of the six Catholic on the Supreme Court were nominated by Republican presidents.  American Catholics mostly supported Barach Obama in 2008, George Bush in 2004 and Al Gore in 2000.

Around one in four American is Catholic. That proportion has held steady for decades, largely because of immigration, but there has been a shift in American Catholicism’s centre of gravity from traditional bastions in the urban north-east both southward and westward.

That shift also has political consequences. Between 2008 and 2011 the number of American Catholics who identified themselves as, or leaning towards, the Democrats fell by five points, while those who were, or leaned, Republican rose by six; Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee enjoys a commanding lead among “very” or “moderately” religious white Catholics. Among white Catholics, the rightward drift has been more pronounced, while the opposite is true for Hispanic Catholics, 71% of whom identify or lean Democratic, as opposed to 68% in 2008.

All this suggests two things about American Catholics. First, there is no coherent “Catholic vote” that coalesces around distinct issues and cuts across ethnic lines. White Catholics largely display the political preferences of white Americans, and Hispanic Catholics of Hispanics. Catholicism contains teachings that find a natural home on America’s left (opposition to capital punishment) and on the right (opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage). Catholics of either party can find doctrines to justify their position.

Second, religious Catholics are increasingly finding common cause with other religious Christians. Several of the plaintiffs suing the HHS are represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a non-partisan law firm that defends all forms of religious expression. The plaintiffs have also found strong support among evangelical Protestants. Conservative Catholics and conservative Protestants may disagree on papal infallibility and transubstantiation, but they share a common enemy. He is in the White House.

(And what are your thought after having read this? aljagoe@comcast.net) 

Recommended readings

-  “Social Justice” in July U.S. Catholic.

-  “Love’s Greater Freedom” by Thomas Joseph White, O.P., in June/July First Things  

-  “Faith by Heart” in September 10-17 America

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Anthony O’Gorman (London, UK)  NEW!
Fr. Alberto Rodriguez, (Miami)        
Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edmund Connors, (Katonah, NY)
Fr. Paul D.Counce (BatonRouge, LA)
Fr. Paul Duchschere (Fargo, ND)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Charles E. Jacobs, (Hartford CT)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington,DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)                                                         Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)
Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa)
Fr. Michael Radermache, (Vancouver, WA)
Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville,OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

 My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.” 

Michael J. Sheehan  Archbishop of Santa Fe

________________________________________________________________________________________

Just Who Are We?

How would you define a Joyful Catholic?  For example, during the 2^nd Century, Mathetes, a Christian writer, gave this description of a Christian to Diognetus, who was top advisor to Emperor Marcus Aurelius:

       Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines.

But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners.

Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all others; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all.

They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life.  They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.

Now, give me your thoughts about how you would describe a Joyful Catholic. I’ll publish what you send me in a future blog. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

      Recommended readings

“There is one thing I want to say” by Joel Giallanzo, C.S.C., in summer Spiritual Life.

“Dumb Kids’ Class” in June  The Atlantic.

“Not a Muslim Issue?” and “The Church Downstairs” in July 13,  Commonweal.

“Femi-Nuns in the Echo Chamber” in

June New Oxford Review. 

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Alberto Rodriguez, (Miami)        NEW!
Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edmund Connors, (Katonah, NY)
Fr. Paul D.Counce (BatonRouge, LA)
Fr. Paul Duchschere (Fargo, ND)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Charles E. Jacobs, (Hartford CT)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington,DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)                                                         Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)
Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa)
Fr. Michael Radermache, (Vancouver, WA)
Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville,OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.   My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe

__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

 Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth….St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

In Boko HaramKaduna, Nigeria, the Islamist group  blew up three churches, killing over 20 people. The Christian Association of Nigeria stated, “The pattern of bombings and gun attacks suggests to us a systematic religious cleansing which reminds Christians of the genesis of a jihad.”

It’s been going on a long time…

On June 24, 843 AD, Vikings raided Nantes, France, and stormed the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. They then massacred Bishop St. Gohard, a large number of priests and laity, piling their bodies on the altar.

 Interesting Sayings

 He who serves God truly has a paradise within himself…  Saint Philip Neri (died 1595)

The distinguished Catholic peer, Lord Alton of Liverpool, has calculated that during Elizabeth’s reign, there have been six Popes, and her Catholic subjects have increased from 4.4 to 6.6 million in Britain, and from 25 million to 140 million throughout the Commonwealth. One-third of the primary schools in England are Catholic, and they comprise two-thirds of the most highly rated ones. During the Queen’s reign, the number of Catholic charities in the United Kingdom has grown to 1000. In the Commonwealth countries, the Catholic Church runs 5,246 hospitals, 17,530 dispensaries, 577 leprosy clinics, and 15,208 homes for the elderly Fr. George W. Rutler, The Church of our Savior NYC.

Let mystery have its place in you; do not be always turning up your whole soil with ploughshare of self-examination, but leave a little fallow corner in your heart ready for any seed the winds may bring….Henri Frederic Amiel, Swiss writer who dies in 1881

 

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.                                      Albert Einstein 

 Teacher: When George Washington admitted chopping down the cherry tree, why didn’t his father punish him?

Student: Because George still had the ax in his hand.

Communiqués

 I have carefully read the concerns of the so called Catholics who wanted to leave the Church. All are about others. No one is about the self, whether obedient to Jesus and Church teachings, leave alone Bishops and priests. It is easy to find excuses and justifications. One who wants bigamy can raise the doubt why at all Church insists on monogamy, one who wants free sex, can argue that there is no ban on premarital sex anywhere. Yes, the Church is not meant for such mundane successes and satisfaction, but for the sanctification and salvation of people.

(unfortunately, I lost the name of the sender)

I am Miss.Adel Gassama Ali, tall, slim, fair and a very good looking girl that loves traveling and dancing, a student that loves to be loved, kindly I am compelled to contact you via this medium for obvious reasons which you will understand when we discuss details of my proposition. Pls I will like you to reply to me through my mail so that we will know each other very well.

(My wife will confirm that I didn’t reply)

Tid-Bits

          In Shingo, Japan, there is a tomb which local legend claims was the burial site of Jesus who escaped crucifixion because his brother Isukiri took his place on the cross. When Jesus moved to Japan, he married a local woman and lived to be age 106.

Chuckle Time

Woman parishioner: Oh, Father Sullivan, I am so distressed to learn you are beingtransferred. You are the best priest we have ever had, and I will be broken hearted to see you go.

Father Sullivan:  Now don’t worry. I bet you will find my successor to be a splendid priest, and one you will appreciate even more than me.

Woman parishioner: No, that’s not so. That’s exactly what your predecessor told me when he left.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 It Ain’t Necessarily So 

My good friend and critic, Fr. Joseph Marini, in San Mateo, CA, gave me a rough time about my including in a recent blog columnist Nicholas Kristof’s article “We Are All Nuns”, in which he blasts the bishops regarding our female religious.  Father Joe reminded me that we should consider the source of news and expect negative slants from those who are not Catholic friendly.

 Fr. Gerald Coleman, vice president for corporate ethics for the Daughters of Charity Health System, points out that the Vatican’s eight-page statement acknowledges “with gratitude the great contribution of women Religious to the Church in the United States a seen particularly in the many schools, hospitals and institutions of support for the poor which have been founded and staffed by Religious of the years.”

It further states, the assessment “does not intend to offer judgment on the faith and life of Women Religious in the member congregations which belong to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.”  The assessment then does express concern that the group is silent on key issues like the dignity of human life, marriage and the family, homosexual activity and women’s ordination. This is a matter of concern, but not a criticism of the nuns and their splendid work. So, when we read the news, we should consider the source.  Not-Catholic-friendly writers will write not-Catholic accounts of news.

Regarding the impression the press gives about our current administration being anti-Catholic, Nicholas Cafardi, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at Duquesne University of Law, wrote, “Would an administration that was waging a ‘war on religion’ fund Catholic Charities to the tune of $322 million in 2009 and $361 million in 2010?”

We also should be aware of accepting as true all that we see. Years ago, in a conversation I had with Don Hewitt, of the 60 Minutes TV series, he agreed that, in cutting a 20-minute interview into a 3-minute presentation, a film editor can make the subject appear as a saint or a devil.

 (And what are your thoughts about this? (aljagoe@comcast.net)

                                   Recommended Readings

“The ‘Vatileaks’ Case is not closed” in the June-July Inside The Vatican  (Comment: Gotti Tedeschi, the disgraced Opus Dei head of the Vatican bank, has been fired and says his life is in jeopardy)

“Theology Behind Bars” in July 2-9 America

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net) 

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)

Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)

Fr. Edmund Connors, Katonah, NY

Fr. Paul Duchsch(Fargo,ND)

Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)

Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)

Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)

Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)

Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)

Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)

Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)

Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)

Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)

Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)

Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)

Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)

Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)

Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)

Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)

Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa)

Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)

Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)

Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)

Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)

Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)

Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)

Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)

Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)

Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)

Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)                        

Fr. Michael Radermache, (Vancouver, WA)

Fr. Paul D.Counce (BatonRouge, LA

Share this with friends:

                         

______________________________________________________________________________

News flashes

         On May 8, vandals committed hate-crime acts against the Holy Cross Church in Monterey, CA damaging the baptismal font brought to Californiaby Bl. Junipeo Serra in 1791 and causing damage to the church and Mission Santa Cruz.

Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of Network, a Catholic social justice lobby founded by sisters, said, “I am stunned” after being criticized by the Vatican for focusing their work too much on poverty and economic injustice while keeping “silent” on abortion and same-sex marriage. (comment: those fellows in the Vatican don’t have much to do.)

-         While attending a funeral at a Methodist Church, I picked up a brochure in the pew “Looking for a Church Home? Please Join Us! Our Hearts ,our Minds and our Doors are Always Open.”

(comment: have you ever seen such a welcome mat in a Catholic church?)

 

 Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

 Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.

St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization

Bishop Andrew Francis of Multanis calling upon the Church to declare to declare Shahbaz Bhatti a martyr. He was the only Catholic in the Pakistan cabinet and was assassinated for his opposition to the nation’s blasphemy law. In his last conversation, he said, “I know I will die assassinated, but I lay down my life for Christ and for inter-religious dialogue.” 

(Now, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference aljagoe@comcast.net )

 

Interesting sayings

(Regarding the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith’s recent censuring of our women religious) Their action is certain to be a pastoral disaster, another instance of the hierarchy acting in an imprudent and counterproductive fashion. All Catholic should support the effort of the bishops to preserve and pass on the fundamentals of the faith, and correcting doctrinal error is part of that process. But wouldn’t the bishops be more effective in that task if they did not confuse disagreement about public policy with doctrinal dissent—and if the experience and judgment of women were given an honored place and a decisive role in the church’s governance?

                        Editors in the May 18 issue of Commonweal

 

 My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would quit dying.

Rodney Dangerfield

 

If the Lord had been born to high rank and amidst luxury, unbelievers would have said the world has been transferred by wealth. If he had chosen as his birthplace the great city of Rome, they would have thought the transformation had been brought about by civil power. Suppose he had been the son of an emperor. They would have said: “How useful it is to be powerful.” Imagine him the son of a senator. It would have been: “Look what can be accomplished by legislation!”

          But in fact, what did he do? He chose surroundings that were poor and simple, so ordinary as to be almost unnoticed, so that people would know it was the Godhead alone that had changed the world. This was his reason for choosing his Mother from among the poor of a very poor country, and for becoming poor himself.

Theodotus of Ancyra, (died 446 AD)

 

 Communiqués

(Regarding Catherine Grant’s submission, “Thank You”, and her replies)

-   I want to thank you for making this available to me. I have pasted it on   my refrigerator door to remind me every morning how blessed I am.

Gertrude Owens (Boston,MA)

Dear Gertrude, It is a wonderful reminder. I, too, keep my copy within eyesight for daily viewing. I would like to suggest another reading that you will enjoy called “Desiderata”, which is available at your bookstore. 

-         It might help some people, but I’ve got enough problem of my own   without having to worry about those millions of poor souls who might be worse off than me.

Jonathan Willsby (Liverpool,UK)

Dear Jonathan, Thanks for you response. We all have problems in our lives, but there is always room for a small prayer for the less fortunate. If it is possible, try to get a copy of “Desiderata” from your bookstore; it will give you a new outlook on life. 

-         In addition to reminding me how fortunate I am, this encourages me to pray each day for the millions who are in need of my prayers.

Wiley Kincaid (San Diego,CA)

Dear Wiley, Thanks for your prayers, and may you continue to be blessed.

-         Having gone through two divorces, I want to add to your list those lucky women who are happily married, and to warn single women that over half of the marriages in America end up in the pond.

Maggie O’Brien (New York,NY)

Dear Maggie, Sorry for your misfortune. Your suggestion to add the happily married to the list is appreciate. Now we must pray for those who are contemplating marriage and hope that they will take a hard look at the vows they will be taking. Marriage is not always easy. It is a job that requires love, trust, honesty and understanding between two individuals.

Chuckle Time

Seated beside a priest on the subway, there was a very drunk and unkempt man with lipstick smeared on his cheek. He was annoying the other passengers as heread aloud his newspaper. Turning to the priest, he said, “Tell me, Father, what causes arthritis?” The priest said, “Too much alcohol, bad living conditions, and too much freedom with women.”

The man listened intently and nodded.  A few minutes later, the priest felt a pang of pity and asked the drunk how long he had had arthritis.

“I never had arthritis,” he said, “but I read that the Pope has it.”