The Wheels of Justice Grind Oh, So Slowly Here

US pro-life activist to be vindicated after 20-year legal battle

A 20-year legal siege has nearly ended for Joseph Scheidler on June 8, with a judge's order expected soon to dismiss a lawsuit against the American pro-life activist and several co-defendants.

On June 9, 1986, the National Organization for Women (NOW) brought suit against Scheidler, the head of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, and other leading pro-lifers, under the federal RICO law designed to curb organized crime. NOW alleged that the defendants had engaged in a criminal conspiracy to restrain trade by attempting to discourage women from procuring abortions.

NOW v. Scheidler became a landmark legal case, in which abortion supporters sought to set new precedents discouraging pro-life activism. After an early court decision against them, the defendants were ordered to pay enormous legal damages to NOW. Facing the loss of their homes and personal possessions, the pro-lifers appealed, and the case eventually reached the US Supreme Court.

Before it was settled, NOW v. Scheidler had become the only case the history of the US legal system in which appeals were heard by the US Supreme Court on three different occasions. In 2003 the pro-life activists won an 8-1 victory in the high court, and again in February 2006, after NOW raised a new appeal, the Supreme Court ordered the charges dismissed.

Just one day short of its 20th anniversary, the lawsuit was finally scheduled to end. Following the US Supreme Court directive, Judge David Coar was to enter a judgment in favor of the defendants. But on a last-minute request from NOW, the judge agreed to postpone the final resolution of the case for two weeks. So, Scheidler observed, the case "slides into its 21st year." [snip] More

Tip O' the Hat to Catholic Report

Sanctuary O' the Day: St Mary's Oratory, Wausau

St Mary's Oratory of the Immaculate Conception, Wausau

HISPANIC CATHOLIC THEOLOGIANS CALL FOR JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM

On June 7, 2006 the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS) adopted and issued a Statement on Just, Comprehensive, and Humane Immigration Reform. ACHTUS is an association of scholars dedicated to promoting research and critical theological reflection within the context of the U.S. Hispanic experience. For the complete statement visit http://www.achtus.org/ImmigrationReform.html For more information, contact Miguel Díaz, St. John's University, Collegeville, 320-247-2139 or mdiaz@csbsju.edu

Of Vandals and Coadjutors

Father "Z", of W.D.T.P.R.S? Minnesota's permanent ambassador to the Vatican, via St Agnes, was spinning parables, one thinks, yesterday:

Several times already in the life if this still young blog I have used the Roman saying “Morto un papa, se ne fa un altro…A pope dies, ya’ make another”. I have done this very deliberately.

Lately, I have been musing about the concept of coadjutors. Here is a Patristic riff on the topic. [snip] Read More

Then today, good Father "Z" gives a bit of a geo-political lesson on the role of the U.S. Interstate Highway System in the reform of the Church. But I-35 seems to have been playing a key role here. You'd better check this one out!

21st Century Carthusian Monks --- Their Lifestyle is Still Fascinating the Outside World

Terry at rome-ing catholics has a couple of nice posts on Carthusian monks (Trappists) and the movie "The Great Silence" which received rave reviews from critics and movie goers alike in Europe. But for some reason, Hollywood doesn't want to distribute a movie about contemplattion and meditation by Catholics. I wonder why? See Terry's posts Here and There.

New Hermitages and Religious Orders in Minnesota

Terry of Abbey-Roads, is musing on the appearance of a half dozen or so small orders in Minnesota in the recent past and how they came to be and what their role is.

[snip] In the past 25 years or so, many others seem to have been called to found their own religious orders or hermitages. Many seem to have similar 'calls' - and many seem to have been called to found Carmelite hermitages specifically. There is a proliferation of so-called 'new orders' following the primitive rule of Carmel, the Rule of St. Albert, or something similar. In Minnesota alone I know of at least 5 or 6 different groups - all independent of one another, all claiming to be Carmelite. I assume they may do that canonically, with the local Ordinary's permission. At various times in the history of the Church this has happened, the emergence of numerous and varied religious orders, the Church supressed some, forced others to join established orders, but they eventually reigned them in. Yet now in the United States we witnes hermitages scattered all over the country, in addition to new orders. What is going on? [snip] Read More

Grand Forks is Getting Worried!

Twin Cities TV says Fargo Bishop could be in line to serve as assistant until Harry Flynn's retirement

Bishop Samuel Aquila, head of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo, is being mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Archbishop Harry Flynn of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, according to a Twin Cities television station. [snip] Grand Forks Herald

IRS Reminds SD Churches to Keep Political Distance

The line between religion and politics might become more blurry in South Dakota if a challenge to a law banning nearly all abortions makes it to the November ballot. The Internal Revenue Service is warning religious leaders that stepping over that line this election year could jeopardize a church's tax-exempt status. The agency promises stricter enforcement of rules against religious groups endorsing or intervening in election campaigns.

But what qualifies as illegal politicking under IRS rules is not clear, and some Sioux Falls-area church officials maintain that the restrictions apply to individual candidates and not to issues such as abortion. Some religious leaders say they probably will encourage their congregations to vote to uphold the abortion ban.

"I don't think there's any mystery about what the church's position is on abortion, so I'm certain we will be involved," Jerry Klein, chancellor of the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese, said. "How, we haven't decided." [snip] RapidCity Journal

Copyright Free Post For All Parishes

Courtesy of Father Welzbacher at the Parish of St Agnes. You May Print it Every Week if You Like!

Strib Reports That Archbishop Flynn Has Requested Replacement

The archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is making plans to retire and has asked the Vatican to choose an eventual successor, two knowledgeable Catholic Church officials said Thursday. The archdiocese wouldn't confirm or deny the report. Archbishop Harry Flynn and the Rev. Kevin McDonough, vicar general, refused to comment, and archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath said, "I can't say a thing and I don't know anything."

One of the church officials said "people I trust" have said that the archbishop has written to Rome requesting a coadjutor archbishop, who would share administrative duties with Flynn until his retirement and then succeed him. "The process itself is a black box of loose timelines known only to the Vatican," said the church source, who is familiar with the process. [snip] StarTribune

Mitchell, our blogging partrner at Our Word, has extensive and inciteful comments this morning here (I don't think he slept last night).

The PPD Makes the Rumors Official --- Kinda!

With Archbishop Harry Flynn less than two years from the usual retirement age, speculation is on the rise among area Roman Catholics over a possible successor. Flynn turned 73 last month. When a bishop reaches that age, the Vatican often appoints a coadjutor bishop who works with the present leader until succeeding him. [snip] Pioneer Press

Four Pro-Choice Incumbent State Senators Lose in SD Primary Election

Conservative voters delivered a stinging rebuke in the Primary Electionon June 6 to four Republican South Dakota legislators who refused to support passage of the nation's strictest ban on abortion.
[snip]
Abortion arose as an issue in the South Dakota races after the Legislature this session passed a ban that sets the stage for a direct challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized the procedure. Max Wentz, a spokesman for the state Republican Party, said the abortion ban was certainly one of the issues that motivated voters in the South Dakota primary.

"South Dakota's a red state, and on Election Day, voters weren't afraid to vote conservative and vote Republican," Wentz said.

The senators who were defeated were among eight Republicans in the GOP-dominated state Senate who voted against the measure. [snip] Stateline.org

St Agnes Celebrates Feast of Corpus Christi in Style on June 18!

National Shrine of Mary Near Milwaukee Hit With '666' Vandalism

Vandals struck one of Wisconsin's most-recognized landmarks, spray-painting the religious site with graffiti and obscenities in an incident apparently linked to Tuesday's date of 6-6-06.

Washington County sheriff's deputies remained at Holy Hill, the National Shrine of Mary, on Wednesday afternoon investigating the damage, which included painted references to "Satan," "Hell on Earth" and "6-6-06" along with satanic symbols and vulgar references, Sheriff Brian Rahn told The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The vandalism occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

The Rev. Cyril Guise, director of the shrine about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee, told WTMJ radio that the front door of the Holy Hill monastery was damaged, along with several outdoor Stations of the Cross. Several statues of Jesus had red paint scrawled on their faces.

On one of the stations where Jesus is stripped of his garments before he is crucified, the vandals spray-painted a pentagram, sheriff's Lt. Steve Gonwa told The Associated Press. On another monastery entrance, vandals spray-painted an obscenity and "Happy Birthday Satan," Gonwa said.

A sign over the entrance to the stations reads "This is a religious shrine. Please be respectful." The vandals spray-painted "Hell" over it.

"Nice guys," Gonwa said. "Unfortunately there are some pathetic people out there."

Investigators have spoken with some people they believe are linked to other vandalism in the area, but so far haven't turned up any suspects, Gonwa said.

A contractor had been called to remove the paint but no estimate of the cost of repairing the damage was available Wednesday afternoon, Guise said.

Holy Hill is a registered U.S. and Wisconsin landmark. Its church, shrine and monastery sit at 1,350 feet above sea level -- one of the highest points in the state. Its Web site says Holy Hill "has been a beacon of beauty, faith and peace ... for over 130 years."

The Discalced Carmelite Friars, a Roman Catholic religious community, owns the historic site atop a cone-shaped glacial hill, known as a kame. The current main church, a Romanesque revival structure, was built in 1930.

The vandalism appeared to have occurred in the final hours of June 6, 2006, or 06-06-06. Many Christians believe the numerals "666" to be the "Mark of the Beast" or the "Number of the Beast" referred to in the New Testament's Book of Revelation. The numerals are said by some to signal a person or entity associated with, or controlled by, the Antichrist. Janesville Gazette

Channel 5 Announcement was just what has been rumored for a couple of weeks on the Internet.

Sorry for the False Alarm!

Watch Channel Five, St Paul - Mpls at 10 p.m.

They are promo-ing a story on changes in the Archdiocese.

Thoughts on the Job of Being a Coadjutor to an Archbishop

The rumors have been flying for over two weeks in the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis as to the possibility of the appointment of a Coadjutor assistant for our Archbishop Harry Flynn who will be required to submit his retirement letter in a couple of years. As with most rumors, nobody has seen any documents. But in this computer age, electrons are spinning and flying from monitor to monitor at the speed of light. Parchment is what is really wanted, but electrons will do for the time being.

Our Archdiocese is the home of some wonderful things that have been happening and we have every right to be proud of them. And Archbishop Flynn deserves much of the credit. Specifically I am thinking of the rehabilitation of the St Paul Seminary and the increasing number of seminary enrollments and ordinations, the 30 plus Eucharistic Adoration chapels going 24 hours a day, and many more in smaller parishes providing such opportunities to their parishioners at limited times, parents committed to Catholic education for their children and the recent announcement of the construction of a new Jesuit high school in a poor area of South Minneapoolis.

Not all is shiny here. Like much of the United States, many Catholics, priests, religious and lay, read the headlines of the secular newspapers for information as to what was to be expected from the Second Vatican Council which was held in the 1960s. This was also the time of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S., also the beginnings of the resistance movement to the Vietnam War, and the beginning of the age of sex, drugs and rock and roll. And Catholics had their own movement and they started to make it up before the reports from Rome were even published.

Well, forty years later, Rome and many of the Bishops of the U.S. are attempting to put the brakes on some of these extemporaneous movements that were not based on any written documents of Vatican II.

Our St Joan of Arc parish has become the poster child for parishes who have adopted a ministry devoted to Peace and Justice, Diversity, the Environment and full lay participation in church management. It's infamous "gym Masses" with homilies given by secular speakers with national reputations have given St Joan's a reputation world-wide in scope. Many parishes no doubt have similar ministries, but the "Joanies" get the publicity.

Archbishop Flynn, to give him credit, has attempted to restrain the doings at St Joan's, and elsewhere, with only paritial success.

What one wonders, should be the role of an Archbishop when confronted with the disobedient? The Archbishop gives us one answer that he gave in his homily at the consecration of Father Samuel J. Aquila of Denver as Bishop of Fargo in August of 2001:

"Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis was the principal consecrator. He sat on the altar as he delivered his homily, offering words of advice to Bishop Aquila in a booming voice.

"The title of bishop is not one of honor but of function," Archbishop Flynn told the new bishop. "A bishop is to serve and not to rule.

"The greatest should behave as the least and the leader as the one who serves," he said later, adding that Bishop Sullivan provides an excellent example to follow."

But maybe times have changed since then. Archbishop Flynn was 68 on that day when he was Consecrator of 50 year old Bishop Aquila.

I don't think that Bishop Aquila has been noted for being a passive shepherd in Fargo. On the contrary, he has not been afraid to take a stand by warning Catholic politicians that they "risk the possibility of Hell."

The good Bishop even confronted his flock in his 2004 Pastoral Letter entitled "You Will Know the Truth and the Truth Will Make You Free" when he noted that many Catholics “are more influenced by the secular culture in which we live than by the teachings of Jesus Christ,” and stated that many Catholics have “an inadequate understanding of the Catholic faith.”

He added that "The first area of concern is that many people who call themselves Catholic “even reject the principle that we must accept what the Church believes and teaches, and think they can pick and choose what to believe,” writes the bishop. "We must never forget that certain Church teachings," - those revealed in Scripture and Apostolic Tradition and upheld by the Magisterium - "can never change," he said, "regardless of whether no not people accept them or are faithful to them."

I think that there are a lot of peole in the St Paul - Minneapolis Archdiocese who would be quite ready to accept an Archbishop who lays it out right on the line for us. We're tired of people "making it up" and being allowed to do so.


Thanks and a Tip O' the Hat to our Pal, Mitchell, from Our Word who Tipped us off to the Article on Bishop Aquila's Consecretation.
Pastoral Letter found here

Most of You Under 60s Wonder What All the Fuss Is About With the Tridentine Mass

The Washington Post has done a good job of covering one in its area.

The ringing of bells. Latin wafting high into the church rafters. Women's heads draped in lace.

There is a solemn aura to 9 a.m. Sunday Mass at Saint Mary Mother of God, a D.C. parish on Fifth Street NW where hundreds of Catholics who long for ancient ritual gather each week to celebrate what is among the most traditional and complex of Roman Catholic rites: the Tridentine Mass. [snip] Washington Post

Thanks and a Tip O' The Hat to Gerald of The Cafeteria is Closed . . . .

Georgia Foundation Continues Pursuit Of Ethical Stem Cell Use

Call it God’s natural gift to scientists of regenerative medicine. And in that context, the Babies for Life Foundation can be considered a divine instrument of distribution. This highly unique foundation collects donations of this “diamond” mine of stem cell–rich umbilical cord blood, linking new mothers, researchers and patients in need.

For the past five years Dr. Gerry Sotomayor of BFL has collected umbilical cord blood from newborns, sending it to cord blood public registries to help patients worldwide with the 65 diseases now successfully treated with umbilical cord adult stem cells—not to mention the at least 97 diseases that can be treated or cured by the various types of adult stem cells found throughout the body. The foundation, established by Sotomayor, has developed a systematic way to collect units at 10 participating Georgia hospitals from women who agree to donate cord blood at no risk to themselves or their babies, thus facilitating a newborn’s first act of charity. Reflecting the wonder of God’s handiwork, each birth provides 1.5-2.5 million cord blood stem cells. These and other adult stem cells are regenerative, unspecialized cells that are able to differentiate into various specialized cells that form tissues. [snip] Georgia [Catholic] Bulletin

Thanks and a Tip O' The Hat to Amy Welborn of Open Book

Archbishop's Aide Dies; Visitation For Friends To Be At St Joan Of Arc!

The plot thickens; The Joanies apparently had a Fifth Columnist in Chancery Headquarters

Sister Ann Ganley, archbishop's aide

Ganley, 70, was a teacher and principal before she began working for Archbishop Harry Flynn in 1998.

Sister Ann Ganley, a longtime educator who brought calm efficiency and graciousness to her job as special assistant to Archbishop Harry Flynn, died of ampullary cancer Monday at her home in St. Paul. She was 70.

"Sister Ann expressed her faith in a quiet manner and by treating everyone kindly and nonjudgmentally," said Flynn, of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Her work involved making sure he was able to interact with as many people as possible in meetings, lunches, conferences, worship services and confirmations, he said.

"She was even-tempered, extremely professional and courteous," he said. "I'll miss her terribly."
[snip]
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4537 3rd Av. S., Minneapolis. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the School Sisters of Notre Dame motherhouse, 170 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato, with visitation one hour before services. [StarTribune]

The Pioneer Press obituary confirms that she was a member of St Joan of Arc Parish, which has a strong peace and justice ministry, and that prior to coming to the Archdiocese, she had spent six months in a sabbatical with Quakers.

Thanks and a Tip O' The Hat to Mitchell from Our Word.

Gaudete Tuesday?

Clayton, from The Weight of Glory blog, formerly of the St Paul Seminary, now in Los Angeles, considers it to be Christmas Eve in St Paul - Minneapolis

Amy Welborn, in her Open Book, the most visited Catholic blog, agrees.

Father Z, in his What Does The Prayer Really Say, St Agnes' permanent ambassador to Rome, was perhaps the first to know: Here and Here

Terry from Abbey-Roads was the first to put ink to paper, or electron to monitor, if you will. [See it here]

Mitchell at Our Word, one of our partners, has a nice post on the tumult that's been occuring in the St Paul - Minneapolis Archdiocese these past few days.

Our Ambassador to Rome, +Veritas+, The Roamin' Roman, has heard things too. It looks like she will be bringing a wonderful present back with her later this month. Her thoughts on the matter and those of many, excited blog-readers are in the comments to Adoro Te Devote's (one of our partners) post.

But if you can't wait, think "Mile High" in your expectations and dreams! Even if for a couple of years only, it would be a blessing to the people of our Archdiocese. And please say the Memorare and the Prayer to St Michael the Archangel as has been suggested. Mother Theresa considered saying the Memorare nine times to be the equivalent of a novena.

If the Coadjutor rumor is true, he will take over virtually immediately and Archbishop Flynn will be leaving his residence for a remodelled retirement home outside the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (but still within the Archdiocese).

The people who might have the most to be concerned might be the priests and lay leaders at St Joan of Arc in Minneapolis. They were surprisingly contrite in their minutes of June 1. They might have been tipped off to the fact that Archbishop Flynn was quite livid when he returned from the memorial service they held for their former pastor, Father Harvey Egan who died a couple of weeks ago.

And those priests who signed the letter opposing Archbishop Flynn's stand in favor of having marriage defined in Minnesota as being between a man and a woman might want to run over to Leaflet Missal and purchase a fresh Roman Collar and get their black suits cleaned and pressed for a "Come to Charlie" meeting.

I wonder when the last Te Deum was celebrated in this Archdiocese?

Father Robert Altier's Farewell Letter to the Parish of St Agnes

In the winter of 1991 I received a letter from Archbishop Roach stating explicitly that it was his will that I leave the Church of St Raphael in Crystal and begin working as the Associate Pastor at the Church of St Agnes. Now, fourteen years later, Archbishop Flynn has made his will explicitly known, namely, that I am to leave the Church of St Agnes and to begin working as a Chaplain at the Regina Medical Center in Hastings. It is difficult for people of our day to understand the nature and grace of obedience, but it is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us through His Church. Obedience to one’s rightful superior (in all things but sin) guarantees the one being obedient that he is doing the will of God. The Lord does not ask beforehand why He is asking something of us, He simply asks for obedience. So, it is in obedience that I came to St Agnes, and it is in obedience that I am leaving St Agnes.

These fourteen years have been anything but uneventful for the parish and for my own life. When I came to St Agnes my own personal desire was to learn. In charity I can only say that my seminary education was not the best. My time at St Agnes has provided for learning in ways that I could never have foreseen. I have so much for which I am grateful. I will not try to run through the list of all the people who have touched my life over these last fourteen years. Such an attempt would not only be foolish, but inevitably someone is inadvertently left out and feelings are hurt.

The people of God make a parish and without them there would be no purpose to the life to which I have been called to live. I am eternal grateful to God for all the people at St Agnes whom I have had the privilege to serve over these past fourteen years. Above all I would like to thank the generous young families who sacrifice so much to raise their children to love and serve the Lord. Children are God’s greatest gift to us on the natural level and without them life would be quite empty. I will greatly miss the beautiful faces and the eager questions of the children of the parish and the school.

St Agnes has been blessed with many very fine and loyal staff members over the years. That kind of stability is truly rare in this day and age where commitment is hard to find. I am grateful to the many staff members with whom I have worked over these years, for all the good work they do or have done for the parish and also for the support they have provided me. Words could never fully express the depth of gratitude I have for these good people with whom the Lord has blessed me.

St Agnes is a rare gem in so many ways, but one of these points of rarity, which has been commented on by so many priests who have visited St Agnes over the years, is how everyone in the rectory gets along. In fourteen years I have never heard anyone raise their voice at another person living there. Of course, being human, there will always be some disagreements. I think that I can count on my fingers the number of times that has occurred in my time here, and these have always been handled well. I must single out Msgr. Schuler and Fr. Welzbacher for mention here. I know that I am not the easiest person to live with, but their kindness and patience have been truly heroic. It has been an honor to serve under these great men. They are among the most intelligent people I have ever met and I have been able to glean much, not only from their knowledge, but from their love for learning and their willingness to teach.

As I move to another phase of priestly ministry I take with me many wonderful memories from this revered parish. I will greatly miss the beauty of the church, and the love and reverence for our Blessed Lord and His glorious Mother that have come to be synonymous with St Agnes parish. Oremus pro invicem (let us pray for each other).

Father Altier

Transcribed from a pdf file at: http://www.stagnes.net/media/bulletins/2006/bulletin2006-06-04.pdf
Tip O' the Hat to Mitchell at Our Word

MN Catholic Homeschool Conference Report

Love2Learn Mom sums up her experiences at the recently held 8th Annual Conference: The Minnesota Conference was terrific. What an outpouring of camraderie and faithfulness. The campus (University of St. Thomas) is beautiful (can't wait to go back for the Chesterton conference) and the atmosphere was loving and encouraging. With well over 1100 attendees, it was an amazing and beautiful place to be in many ways. I always love attending Mass at homeschool conferences. Everyone sings, there are babies everywhere and a great sense of faithfulness and unity. [snip] [See the rest]

Mr Faithmouse Reports on Blogger Outing Waaaaaaay Down South of Us

Chris [the gen-u-wine Faithmouse and former Las Vegas Harpist] and I hosted a meeting of the Stella Borealis Northland Catholic Roundtable yesterday evening, here in the wooded outer orbit of the much abuzz Twin Cities Catholic Community, where to the eyes of concerned bloggers everywhere everything wrong seems to be happening. [snip] [For the Menu, See Mr. Faithmouse's Report Here]

When Bloggers' Husbands Get Together, What Do They Talk About?

Erin from bearing blog was musing today: After Mass I was sitting at the parish KofC pancake breakfast with my family and the Desperate Irish Housewife family, and (after a string of conversational turns that led up to it) Mark volunteered that my PhD experience was comparable to Macbeth.

I turned on him. You have never compared my graduate education to Macbeth before.

I haven't?

Mr. Desperate Irish Housewife interjected: I've heard people compare graduate school to Sisyphus before.[snip] I suspect you want to read the rest, don't you?

Last 6:30 a.m. Mass With Father Altier at St Agnes

Terry of Abbey-Roads attended a sad Mass this morning:

Now he is something of a Carmelite hermit...

I was at the 6:30AM Mass at St. Agnes yesterday. One of Fr. Altier's last Masses there for now. There was a hint of sadness in the air. When the bells rang out from the tower to announce the Mass, they ceased down to one bell that dribbled off in a sort of toll, as it does at a funeral. Fr. Welzbacher spoke a farewell at the end of Mass. Altier had read a statement before his homily from Welzbacher about the health of Monsignor Schuller, who is currently staying with his nephew, Fr. Hogan, but it looks as if he will be moving into assisted living sometime soon. How amazing is that, all three priests are leaving St. Agnes at virtually the same time? Would anyone have ever guessed it would happen like this, and so quickly? It is truly the end of an era for St. Agnes. How inscrutable the workings of God. [snip] [Read More]

Rainbow Sash Desecrators Strike Cathedral Again!

Local Papers Ignore Incident. Not Newsworthy? Or Do They Approve?

More than 50 gay rights activists wearing rainbow-colored sashes were denied Holy Communion at a Pentecost service yesterday at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in St. Paul, Minn., parishioners and church officials said.

In an act that some witnesses called a "sacrilege" and others called a sign of "solidarity," a man who was not wearing a sash received a Communion wafer from a priest, broke it into pieces and handed it to some of the sash wearers, who consumed it on the spot.

Ushers threatened to call the police, and a church employee burst into tears when the unidentified man re-distributed the consecrated wafer, which Catholics consider the body of Christ. But the Mass was not interrupted, and the incident ended peacefully, said Dennis McGrath, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. [snip] [Washington Post]

Tip O' the Hat to Dom Bettinelli

Identical Twins From Michigan Enroll at St John Vianney Seminary

Identical twins Gary and Todd Koenigsknecht have shared many moments together, including working on their parents' farm, but in August they will embark on a new journey — college. The 18-year-old twins from Fowler will enter St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., where they will study to become Catholic priests.

"They don't need to take several years to find themselves," the Rev. Tim MacDonald, pastor at their home parish, told the Lansing State Journal for a story published Sunday. "They seem to have a clear idea of where they're going, and they'd like to start doing it tomorrow."
[snip]
They will be among a freshman class of 130 students. [snip] MI Live.com

Thanks and a Tip O' the Hat to the Curt Jester! who wonders if these guys are going to be "faking" bi-location all the time.

Vicki Larson, Lac Qui Parle, Makes Profession of Final Vows as Presentation Sister

Sister Vicky Larson's journey began in 1997 when she entered the contact stage of Presentation religious life, visiting frequent- ly with Presentation Sisters in Mitchell, SD. Two years later she moved on to the candidate stage, which entailed her moving in with a community of Presentation Sisters in Aberdeen. On Aug. 5, 1999, she entered the novitiate stage of religious life and became a member of the community as Sister Vicky. [snip] [Aberdeen American News]

How do you pronounce "Coadjutor?"

The Whole Town's Been Buzzing With That Question!

Terry at Abbey-Roads is just chock full of thoughts as to the proper answer tonight. Go on over there!

Rainbow Sash Wearer Desecrated the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral

Blasphemy in the Cathedral

I haven't seen the news yet, but Adoro Te Devote full of completely righteous anger, has reported on KSTP Channel 5's early evening report.

Cryptic Thoughts From Father "Z"

Father John Zuhlsdorf, on loan to Rome from St. Agnes had a very cryptic post last week. Can anybody translate?

23 May 2006

Coadjutor curiosity

While I am pondering the subject, here is a super informal poll:

How do you pronounce “coadjutor”?

Do you say A) “coádjutor” or B) "coadjútor"?

I say B) "coadjútor".

You?


Mitchell from Our Word discovered another cryptic post by Father "Z" on the 20th!

Contraception War

Scott at Viam Pacis posts a Kentucky opinon piece today citing a Baptist theologian:

The Louisville Kentucky Courier Journal claims that the right to contraception is a greater political battlefield today than the war in Iraq. I find it quite interesting that they quote a Baptist theologian as an anti-contraception expert, when the Catholic Church has NEVER swayed from it's anti-contraception, pro-life stance.

"I cannot imagine any development in human history, after the Fall, that has had a greater impact on human beings than the pill…. The pill gave incredible license to everything from adultery and affairs to premarital sex, and, within marriage, to a separation of the sex act and procreation."

I can't tell you how pleased I am to see the obvious effect of John Paul II's teaching on the Theology of the Body spreading as a Christian truth. [snip] [Read More]

The Minnesota Catholic Homeschool Conference is About Over . . . .

But Love2Learn Mom, who blogs as Studeo, and who was one of the presenters at the Conference, has posted some of her lecture notes and notes taken at some of the presentations:

Here is the "handout" for my beginning homeschooling talk at the Minnesota Catholic Homeschool Conference, on Saturday, June 3

"Catholic Homeschooling: Where to Begin? What to do? How to do it? A Guide for the Overwhelmed"
"Homework Packet"
Recommended Reading
Catholic Suppliers
Catholic Homeschool Programs
Quotes to Ponder on Children and Education
25 Ways to Inspire a Love of Learning in Your Children

New Information from Sister Lucy on What Happened at Fatima

More on the Need for the Practice of the First Saturday Devotions Requested at Fatima

Terry of rome-ing catholics who knows a bit about books, reports on a new book by Sister Lucy that is being published in Italian this month. It's going to be at the top of your list when the English translation has been completed.

[snip] Skeptical In the essay, Sister Lucia says that on May 15, 1982, she received an invitation from Father Vechina, then provincial of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, "to write all the details that refer to the message of Fatima, from the beginning." The visionary said she remained skeptical, fearful that she didn't have the authorization of the Holy See to write on such questions. Her doubts vanished when she had the opportunity to speak with Cardinal Eduardo Pironio, then prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Religious, during his visit to the community on Sept. 9, 1983. In the first part of the book, Sister Lucia wonders why the Lord chose "such poor and ignorant children" for carrying out his plans. She goes on to explain that the Lord "wants pure hearts to act in them as he wishes," as written in the Gospel: "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." Sister Lucia then addresses all the instances of meetings with the Virgin, the requests to pray the rosary, respect for the Commandments, the mysteries of the Most Holy Trinity, the practice of the Eucharist and above all the Christian meaning of suffering. "The Lady," she writes, invited the little shepherds to "offer to God" and "to endure all the sufferings he wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins with which he is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners." The visionary recounts that the little shepherds, "not worried about the sufferings the Lord might send them, gave themselves totally to the will of God and, without knowing it -- as they did not know the Scriptures -- responded like Christ, when he said: 'Here I am Father, I have come to do your will.'" World War II Further on, Sister Lucia recounts unpublished details, as when, referring to World War I, Mary said: "The war is about to end but if mankind does not cease to offend God, a worse one will begin during Pius XI's pontificate."
[snip]
The observance of the first Saturday of five consecutive months in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is intended to make reparation for the offenses, knowingly or unkowingly, directed to Her Most Immaculate Heart.
The request for this devotion was revealed by Our Lady of the Rosary to Bl. Francisco, Bl. Jacinta and Lucia to whom she appeared at F?tima, Portugal, in 1917. On June 13,1917, Our Lady clearly said to Lucia:
"Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. Our Lady repeated this in the July 13th apparition when, after the vision of Hell that was granted to the three little shepherds, She said:
You have seen Hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace." [snip] [Read More]

Martyrs to Help Those Struggling with Homosexuality

Terry from rome-ing catholics has got a wonderful post on the Ugandan Martyrs wherein he proposes that they be used as patron saints for those struggling against the urges of homosexuality.

St. Charles Lwanga and Companions; The 22 Martyrs of Uganda. Martyred 1886-1887 One of the twenty two Ugandan martyrs who converted from paganism, Charles was the chief of the royal pages in the King's court. Despite the fact that he was baptized the night before being put to death, he was already a moral force amongst his companions and became their leader even in death. He was the best athlete in the Kings Court and considered "the most handsome man of the Kingdom of the Uganda." He instructed his compatriots in the Catholic faith and personally baptised the younger pages. Charles encouraged the boys and young men to live chastely and resist the homosexual advances of the perverted King Mwanga. [snip] [Read More]

Pastors Say "No" to Talking About Touching

While more and more pastors are receiving approval to use Formation in Christian Chastity, some pastors, after reviewing the materials and hearing feedback from parents, are opting for other programs altogether.

For example, the pastors at St. John the Baptist in Savage, and St. Joseph’s in West St. Paul, while initially open supporters of the Talking About Touching curriculum, ultimately chose an alternative and obscure program from the diocese of Alexandria, LA. What's important to note about this is had the parents in those parishes not banded together to raise this issue with their pastors, they would have been using TAT in their school and parish. Our initial take on the Alexandria program is that while it is not as explicit as TAT, it does not rise to the level of Formation in Christian Chastity. It remains an obscure program throughout Catholic dioceses across the country. [snip] Primary Educators League

A Priest Forever . . . . Father Todd's Legacy

Basil of A Country Boy Writes pays tribute to Father Todd Reitmeyer who was buried last week after his tragic boating accident in Texas:

Just by chance i happened upon Hebrews 12 today and this is exactly what Fr. Todd was. After reading it, you will see how the Marine in him and the priest in him collided and created one hell of a priest who stuck to God's law and was even known for telling people that they were practically naked in Mass, that we need to dress appropriately for our Heavenly Father, and that we need to become his Sons and Daughters. Now- notice the parts I highlite. They will be the parts that speak to me most deeply as words that describe Fr. Todd to me! [snip] [There's more here]

Basil is going to donate a computer in Father Todd's name to the church in Faulkton, SD. If you can afford to help him, I'm sure he would appreciate it.

How Homosexual People Are Welcomed Into The Church

Just like everybody else! The first step is repentance!

Terry at Abbey-Roads lays out the simple path: People with same sex attraction or homosexual tendencies, even those who consider themselves gay are indeed welcome in the Roman Catholic Church. The Church proclaims Christ's message in the Gospel to all persons; "The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Repent! And believe in the Gospel!" The Church calls all to repentance and reconciliation. People with homosexual orientation are called to repentance as are all members of the Church. Communion is given to all of those who have converted and returned to Christ through the Sacrament of Penance. Christ calls us to deny our very selves, take up our cross and follow Him. He calls us to change, to reform our lives - we may not and can not demand that He change or that the Church change or that Church teaching should change. Truth is immutable. [snip] [Read the Rest]

Terry has another post on the Rainbow Sash folks and Archbishop Flynn HERE

Civil marriage isn't the same as religious rite

In the Strib's Faith and Values section, Hap Corbett, publisher of the Chrisitian Response newsletter published in Staples, MN, takes on the Minnesota Atheists who generally are on the opposite side of any position we take. I believe we do agree that oxygen is good for breathing and that clean water is good for drinking, etc.

Corbett very effectively points out that "Society has the right to encourage its survival. That's the justification for giving certain benefits (tax, inheritance, etc.) to members of the opposite sex who marry. It is simply to encourage the propagation of humanity -- a legitimate, essential and secular function of society.

Because same-sex marriages cannot, within themselves, propagate the human race, society has no interest -- secular or otherwise -- in licensing, promoting or endorsing them in any way." [snip] [See More]

Thanks and a Tip O' the Hat to the Minnesota Catholic Defense League

Sanctuary O' the Day -- St Agnes, St Paul, MN

St Agnes Parish, St Paul, MN

When it Rains, it Pours -- More "priestesses" in Minnesota

Father Martin Fox of Piqua, Ohio, who blogs as Bonfire of the Vanities has a post today regarding some joint Lutheran "catholic" service whereby "priestesses" from an organization called "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" [sic] officiated at some blasphemous ceremony at Luther Seminary in St Paul. There was no indication whether or not the seminaries administration knew of the event.

It was described as "a beautiful celebration with inclusive language and a model of the discipleship of equals." Apparently there was no mention of Jesus. But there were some special attractions that more than made up for that omission: "During the homily, Dagmar invited us to stand and bless the people next to us. I heard the Holy Wind, Wisdom Sophia, move through that upper room as the voices of women whispered blessings upon each other. I'm getting chills just thinking about it."

Apparently, Roman Catholic Womenpriests will be ordaining another priestess and a deacon this Summer, probably in the middle of a river to be named at the last minute. [Read more if you can handle it!]

Tip O' the Hat to Gerald at The Cafeteria is Closed . . . .

2005 Report on Rainbow Sash Demonstration at St Paul Cathedral

Gerald at The Cafeteria is Closed. . . . has posted a report by Michael J. Bayly, the driving force behind the Twin Cities Rainbow Sash Movement. Bayly is creating unrest, no doubt, in Australia, the land of his birth this Summer. It will be interesting to see what kind of a turnout out they have tomorrow. [See More]

"Dignity" Homosexual Group Plans for Pentecost 2006 in St. Paul, MN

(From the Dignity/Twin Cities Website: www.dignitytwincities.org)

Please join us this year for noon Mass at the St. Paul Cathedral wearing the Rainbow Sash. It is more important than ever that we are present in large numbers this Pentecost given Archbishop Flynn's "wholehearted support" for a consitutional amendment in Minnesota that would outlaw same-sex marriage, and its legal equivalents.

The Rainbow Sash is a symbol of celebration reserved for liturgical events, not a political banner. Nevertheless, all liturgies take place in a political context. In 2006 Archbishop Flynn has helped create a political context where same-sex families, including those with children, are being made permanent second class citizens. He is saying "back of the bus" to all glbt people in Minnesota, not just Catholics. We need to be present in the Cathedral on June 4 to remind him once again, that our glbt sexuality is a gift from God, which we proudly celebrate on Pentecost.

As in years past, we will meet on the Selby Ave. side of the cathedral at 11:30. Organizers will provide the Rainbow Sash to everyone who agrees to wear it throughout the Mass, and not remove it if so requested by the presider during the Mass. If denied communion, as we were last Pentecost, we will peacefully and prayerfully return to our pews and remain standing while the rest of the congregation kneels. After Mass we will meet for a group photo on the steps of the Cathedral, and the organizers will collect the sashes.

Please join us. All who share our belief in a loving God who celebrates with us the diversity of Her creation are welcome.

Questions, please call me, Brian McNeill, 612-721-6341, or cell, 612-251-7873.

Adoro Te Devote suggest brilliantly that

DIGNITY TWIN CITIES
TWICE-MONTHLY LITURGIES
7:30 PM
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the Month
Prospect Park United Methodist Church
Malcolm & Orlin Aves. SE
Minneapolis

Dignity/Twin Cities (Catholic glbt and friends group) meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month at Prospect Park United Methodist Church (PPUMC), Malcolm & Orlin Ave. SE, Minneapolis. Mass is celebrated on the 2nd Friday of the month, and an alternative liturgy is celebrated on the 4th Friday of the month. Doors open at 7:00pm; social time follows liturgy.

For more information, go to: www.dignitytwincities.org.

===========================

Julie at Adoro Te Devote, my choice for the most humanly authentic blogger out there, brilliantly proposes the following:

Folks, as Jesus was crucified by Roman Soldiers, we will truly witness this again as a re-enactment at Mass tomorrow. While Jesus is made present by the power of the Holy Spirit, these people will be standing, and in effect, taunting our Lord. It hurts us all when they do this.

I ask that wherever you are, you begin a prayer vigil at 11:30 am tomorrow and lasting until at least 1:00 pm. I realize that this is a long period of time and we all have demands on that time. But we can all say extra prayers, we can offer up our sufferings and joys during that time period, and we can offer Masses and adoration hours throughout the weekend. Let our intention be the conversion of EVERY SINGLE person who wears the sash, supports the sash, and lives the active homosexual lifestyle. Let us also offer prayers for those with Same Sex Attraction who are living a celibate life and trying to follow God's will in their lives.

Let's continually ask God to convert the Roman Soldiers. [Read it All]

Is the St Joan of Arc Parish Council Getting Nervous?

Do they know something we don't know?

The Recovering Dissident Catholic, a former insider at St Joan's, has pointed out to us a few items from the minutes of their most current meeting of June 1.

III. Presentation by Julie Madden: Julie gave a brief presentation on the Communications Committee. The committee has three areas where they are working to improve communications: to the parish, to other churches and the Archdiocese, and to the larger community. . . .

Julie mentioned that she and Lou Ann Sexton (Communications Committee Chair) have met with the Catholic Spirit [Diocesan Newspaper] and will be meeting with the Communications Director from the Archdiocese. It is felt that creating a good relationship with these folks is a very good idea. . . .

V. Old Business
2. Pastor’s Report: Jim reported that the funeral for Harvey Egan went ok, it went too long. It had some challenges because things happened that were not planned. Overall it went well, except the Archbishop felt a bit annoyed. . . .

VI. New Business
4. Hospitality to the Archbishop: Vicki felt that some of the things that were said at Harvey’s funeral were very inhospitable to the Archbishop and they were not what SJA is all about. The Council agreed that Vicki should write a letter of apology to him from the entire Council. [snip]

For a parish that prides itself on marching to its own drummer, the Parish Council last night sounded unduly contrite. We've been hearing some rumors, too. Maybe they have heard those same rumors. If true, there might be tremors ahead.

New Web site ranks states on reproductive, sexual rights

New York and New Mexico rank first [or worst]; Ohio and South Dakota tie for last [or best]

Iowa ranks 19, Minnesota ranks 29, Wisconsin ranks 31, Nebraska ranks 43 and North Dakota ranks 48

Mapping Our Rights: Navigating Discrimination Against Women, Men and Families” was launched at a May 31 press conference (listen here) at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C.

Complete with state-by-state rankings, “Mapping Our Rights” is an ideal tool for monitoring state policies. A resource that will help activists, journalists and researchers, it’s also for individuals who wants to know how their states — or a state they may relocate to — govern their bodies and relationships.

The site is a unique collaboration between Ipas, an international reproductive health and rights organization; the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective. [snip]

Remember that this article favors unrestricted abortions and homosexual marriages when you read what they have to say.

Click here so you can see the map for your state's standings!

Canadian Prime Minister Harper says Same Sex "Marriage" Vote Coming this Fall

OTTAWA, June 2, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said he will hold a free vote on re-opening the marriage debate in Canada this Fall. Carolyn Stewart-Olson, spokesman for Prime Minister Harper, told LifeSiteNews.com that when she made the announcement the Prime-Minister noted that this was a campaign promise.

Pro-family groups were seeking a delay, at least till the Fall, on the vote to have time to shore up support for the measure to reopen the debate, but homosexual activists were pressing for a vote as soon as possible. Parliamentary sources told LifeSiteNews.com that opposition parties were going to introduce a motion on the matter as early as next Thursday.

Former Liberal MP Pat O'Brien who left the Liberal Party over the first same-sex 'marriage' vote has repeatedly charged that the procedure for the vote and debate was a farce, noting also that former Prime Minister Martin did not permit a free vote on the matter .

(see coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05060601.html)

O'Brien is actively lobbying his former colleagues on the matter and also pointing to new evidence on the subject. The most salient piece of new evidence is the report by the government of France rejecting homosexual 'marriage' on the basis of the harm it would cause to children.

(see coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06032004.html)

Should the motion to reopen the debate pass, the Conservative Government is committed to putting forward a bill to restore the traditional definition of marriage.

Stained Glass O' The Day -- St James Basilica

St James Basilica, Jamestown, ND

To Inspire Love: A Return to Modesty

Ted Sri, a Professor for only a few more weeks at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, was in St Paul a couple of weeks ago at Nativity parish talking about The Da Vinci Code. The other day, Father Mitch Pacwa had him on EWTN talking about Mary in the Bible and other things. He will be teaching in Denver starting next Fall. But I"m going to give him Minnesota citizenship and start posting things that he has to say. The man is hot! And you should know what he's about.

Here's something to whet your appetite from the Catholic Educator's Resource Center!

In our post-sexual-revolution world, skimpy dresses, mini-skirts, tiny bikinis, low -rise pants, and low-cut shirts have become part of the mainstream attire for women today. And anyone who might raise questions about the appropriateness of such dress is viewed as “rigid,” “old fashioned,” or “out of touch” with modern style. Modesty is no longer a part of our culture’s vocabulary. Though most people sense they wouldn’t want their own daughters dressing like Madonna and Britney Spears, few have the courage to bring up the topic of modesty, and even fewer know what to say if they did. [snip] [Here's More]

A Tip O' the Hat to the blog with my favorite moniker: The Catholic Golfer

Matthew Fox's New Theology to be Nailed Up for your Review on Pentecost

Clayton, Twin Cities expatriate, now blogging as The Weight of Glory in Los Angeles, discusses the new theology of Dominican apostate, Matthew Fox, recent speaker in April at one of St Joan of Arc parish's "events." Fox unveiled his own "95 Theses", reminiscent of those of Martin Luther in 1517 that were nailed to the door of the Wittenberg, Germany, church. Luther's statement is deemed to be the creation point of the Lutheran (or "Evangelical") Church. Fox urged the "Joanies" to do the same this Pentecost at various churches in the St Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese. [Details]

Traveling Mexican consulate facilitates documentation

Representatives manning a mobile unit of the Mexican Consulate produced and renewed hundreds of passports and identification cards for more than 1,000 Mexicans currently living across Will and Grundy counties and surrounding regions May 25-28 at University of St. Francis in Joliet.
[snip]

Issued by consular representatives, the Mexican identification cards, known as matriculas, work to equip those undocumented Mexicans or other Mexicans with lapsed legal documents with legitimate photo identification, said Goobar-Szleifer. Individuals can presently utilize these documents in the United States to acquire state identification cards as well as library cards and to open bank accounts and apply for tax identification numbers. “Many Joliet banks are now accepting these cards,” she said. “The cards meet real concrete needs.”

In order to obtain the official documents, the individuals must verify their status as Mexican citizens by submitting birth certificates, military identification cards, school transcripts or other legal documents. After extensive examination by the consulate representatives, the decision is made to approve or decline the request. A matricula from the mobile unit costs $25 and passports are $32 for a one-year passport and $84 for a five-year passport, said Yuri Velez, a representative of the mobile consulate center. [snip] Catholic Explorer

Hawthorne family to be reburied in U.S.

Nathaniel Hawthorne will soon be reunited with his wife - more than 130 years after they were buried an ocean apart. The remains of Sophia Peabody Hawthorne and their daughter, Una, will be brought from England and reinterred June 26 in the Hawthorne family plot at Sleepy Hollow cemetery in Concord, where "The Scarlet Letter" author was buried in 1864, The Boston Globe reported Thursday.
[snip]
But that's what happened after Hawthorne's death in Plymouth, N.H., in 1864.
[snip]
Hawthorne's daughter, Rose, returned to the United States and started a Catholic order dedicated to caring for cancer patients that became the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, based in Hawthorne, N.Y. For decades, the order has paid to maintain the Hawthorne graves in England. When cemetery keepers told the nuns the grave site needed major repair, the order proposed bringing them to the United States to Hawthorne's descendants. [snip] Duluth NewsTribune

The Buck$ Behind VIRTUS - The haze clears a bit

Georgette, our Hyderabad, India, correspondent, the power behind Chronicle of a Meandering Traveller has been doing a little research and it seems that the old aphorism "Follow the Money" used by many investigators came in handy for her.

Most of you are aware that Spero News came up with an article yesterday, May 31, written by Elizabeth Schwab, which pretty well trashed much of what has been happening recently in the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis. It appears that this Ms. Schwab, with her husband, Ken was one of the founders of the Desert Voice web page which is now posting the homilies of popular preacher Father Robert Altier that had been removed on order of the Archbishop from the St Agnes parish website.

Father Altier has recently been transferred frm St Agnes parish in St Paul to a nursing home in Hastings, MN. The ostensible reason for the transfer of Father Altier was his vehement oppostion to the sex education program VIRTUS which was deemed the principal program recommended by the Archdiocese for its parishes with mandatory participation.

There is another program, "Formation in Christian Chastity" (FICC), that 31 parishes of the 220 in the Archdiocese have chosen to use, taking advantage of an option not initially made clear here. FICC apparently is owned by the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA, and is available for use by any Diocese at no charge.

VIRTUS with its controversial "Talking About Touching" program, is a private corporation, many of whose stockholders are U.S. dioceses. It is alleged that St Paul-Minneapolis Vicar General Father Kevin McDonough sits on the board of VIRTUS.

Georgette discovered a May 16 opinion piece in Spero News by Ms. Schwab that provides detailed information on the nature of VIRTUS and its ownership. [See Her complete post here]

South Dakota Reservation Bans Abortion, Suspends Tribal President Seeking Abortion Clinic

The tribal council of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has voted to completely ban abortion on the reserve, ending efforts by council president Cecelia Fire Thunder to establish an abortion clinic within tribal territory.

The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council also voted to suspend council president Fire Thunder, saying she solicited donations for an abortion clinic without the permission of the council, Keloland news reported Wednesday.

Tribal council representative Will Peters, who made the motion to suspend Fire Thunder for 20 days until an impeachment hearing takes place, said the president's actions amounted to unauthorized political activity. [snip] LifeSiteNews

8th Annual Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference And Curriculum Fair

June 2-3, 2006: The 8^th Annual Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference And Curriculum Fair will be presenting Kimberly Hahn and Dr. Ted Sri among other speakers, at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. This is a very informative conference for anyone homeschooling or considering homeschooling their children. The cost is $35 per person or $40 for married couples, and $20 for youth. For information, call 952-941-5646, or see: www.mnconference.org Thanks to Catholic NewsNet

Who Told You Times Have Changed

Bruce at Stella Matutina, Morning Star, the blog of The Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St Francis, a Twin Cities Catholic lay association, asks a question that all of should ask ourselves regularly:

Why do people think they must change holy things! Paths set for us by Saints are altered by people who can hardly spell their names in times long after they lived. What possesses us to do that! The modern Rules of most Orders, lay Orders for sure, are not the Rules of life that were given by their originators! In some cases they were revised by committees even! No Committee has ever been canonized! Condemned perhaps! So, has Jesus spoken to them? Did He come again and ask for this to be done? Did the Church Fathers ask for it? Did the Pope request it? At least in such a case it would be justified and perhaps accepted. Who asked for it? That is the question. [See More]

Into great silence. . . .

Eighth day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit.
I started the novena on the traditional Ascension Thursday - so I have way too many days for a novena. But today is in effect the begining of the triduum for the feast of Pentecost. I want to enter into a more silent way of prayer, more hidden and interior in preparation for the Holy Spirit. I thought I'd put up a piece from Guigo the Carthusian on solitude and solitary prayer. [See More]

Terry from rome-ing catholics has strayed from the strict definition of what a "novena" is. But in private prayer, that is perfectly OK. I missed one day on mine and I just kept going. Jesus will understand. So, if you didn't start it on time to end on the Vigil of Pentecost, that's OK, you could start it today and finish when you finish. Jesus will understand that, too.

Here's One Guaranteed to Make Your Head Hurt -- Predestination

Daniel at Lumen Fidei has some thoughts on "predestination", as interepreted by John Calvin, and as interpreted by the Roman Catholic Church. [See Here]

June is "Cor Jesu" Month -- "Sacred Heart of Jesus"

"Martial" at "Laudetur Jesus Christus!" has a wonderful meditation on the month of June that is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And, as usual, he comes up with many beautiful images that are not often seen on the internet. [See Here]

"Tommie of the Year" Ceremony

A [Belated] Ascension Thursday Gripe

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but the division in the U.S. over the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord is stupid. In the provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. -- in other words, most of the northeastern seaboard -- and Omaha, the bishops have decided to retain this solemnity where it belongs, on the 40th day after Easter, which always falls on a Thursday. In all the rest of the country, the feast has been transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. [snip] Thomas from the Epiphany blog

Is "Anonymous Confession" an Oxymoron

Erin from bearing blog had another interesting post on the state of confession reconciliation the other day.

Fr. Altier’s Reassignment Shows Double Standard By Archbishop Flynn

Here’s a tale of two priests. It’s a sort of “Groundhog Day” scenario that has played itself over and over again over the past 40 years, a bishop taking punitive action against a solid priest for upholding the teachings of the Church, especially the rights of parents and families, while rewarding another priest who promotes schism, heresy, and apostasy.

Earlier this month, Fr. Robert Altier, associate pastor of the world-renowned St. Agnes Church in St. Paul for 14 years, was named assistant chaplain at a small, remote nursing home by Archbishop Harry Flynn. This was apparently for Altier’s speaking up against the “child-safety” or “safe environment” programs the archbishop mandated for use in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis as a response to the long-running scandal of clerical sex abuse.

As Elizabeth Schwab wrote for Spero News:

“This is a priest who generously spends long hours in the confessional bringing souls back to God, who has been responsible for guiding numerous young people to offer their lives in religious vocations, who for years has painstakingly given instruction through his Fundamentals of Catholicism course to over 150 people each year and brought hundreds of converts into the Catholic Church, who is renowned for his skills in spiritual direction, who acts as board member and adviser to several orthodox Catholic organizations, and who up until recently had been preaching to a worldwide audience via the desertvoice web site and Relevant Radio broadcasting....
“With approximately 10-12 parishes in the archdiocese lacking a resident priest, it is certainly surprising that a priest of Fr. Altier’s caliber would be sent to a destination where he will have an overabundance of time on his hands. [snip] The Wanderer


Elizabeth Schwab, referred to in this Wanderer article by Paul Likoudis is the author of the Spero News article of May 31, 2006, attacking the Archdiocese of St Paul - Minneapolis, and Archbishop Flynn, for a half dozen reasons. See it immediately below this article.