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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Muslims receive Holy Communion and...

The "religion of peace" is just sickening!

I do not want to be biased to any form of religion but this latest atrocity is just too much!

Read more here.

Someone's very afraid...

The Archdiocese of Manila recently announced the series of lectures and seminars:

SEMINAR ON THE GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL
 "As part of the continuing formation we provide to our lay collaborators in the liturgical ministry, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission is organizing a two-day Seminar on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal for our Parish Liturgical Masters of Ceremonies.  The program of formation will include a discussion of the history, theology, pastoral considerations and liturgical directives on the celebration of the Eucharist.  The said seminar will be held on March 6 and 13, 2010 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Arzobispado de Manila. 

Considering the great help of the Parish MC’s in ensuring order and solemnity in our liturgical celebrations, it is important that they undergo on-going formation for their growth in knowledge and commitment.  We encourage every parish to send participants to the seminar.  We request the participants to bring a recommendation letter signed by their respective Parish Priests.

Seminar fee will be PhP 150.00 per day inclusive of the handouts."


LITURGY CONFERENCE ON THE LITURGY OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER TRIDUUM
" In response to the requests of many of our brother priests and in our desire to assist you towards a meaningful preparation this Lenten season, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission is organizing a liturgy conference with the topic THE LITURGY OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER TRIDUUM.  The study session will deal with the history, theology and pastoral considerations of these annual celebrations. [Through the interpretations of.... drum roll please!]

The conference will be held on March 8, 2010, nine o’clock (9:00) to eleven thirty (11:30) in the morning at Bahay Pari, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex.  Rev. Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB, [TADAAN!!!!] present Director of the Paul VI Institute of Liturgy, will be our resource speaker.

Let us take advantage of this opportunity to update ourselves [there you have it brothers and sisters!  aggiornamento 1969!  Are these people under hibernation for a long time or what?]  and deepen our knowledge [these "liturgists" claim that the pre-Conciliar are too cerebral so they "made" a liturgy that we can all understand.  Now, why do we need something like this to deepen our "knowledge"?] in the liturgy so that “the great mystery of our Redemption be celebrated in the best possible way” [best possible way...hmmm...sounds like inculturation to me!] and that our people “may participate in it with greater spiritual advantage” (Paschalis Solemnitatis, [sic]no. 5).

***

Is it really for "updating"?

Is it really a sort of "refresher course"?

How many priests in fact asked for this?

Or is it a desperate attempt to curtail the liturgical renewal of Pope Benedict XVI starting with Summorum Pontificum, then with the new translations of the Romal Missal?

Can't help it...

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Oratio Imperata for Rain

MANILA, Feb. 26, 2010—Temperature is high. The rains are still to come. More and more Filipinos are turning to God to solve the nation’s water crisis.


Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal has summoned his flocks to a prayer starting today to ask for rain to come and help ease the impending water and power crisis.

The church leader has also come up with an Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam (Obligatory Prayer to Request for Rain) to be inserted into the daily and Sunday Prayers of the Faithful of the Mass.
Government authorities have earlier warned that the country is facing drought and shortage of water because of the El Niño phenomenon.

“Our relief will come from nature. And so we implore the Master of all creation, God, our Father, at whose command the winds and the seas obey, to send us rain and ease drought,” Rosales said.

“Let us together storm heavens with our supplication, that God’s mercy be upon us and send us the rain we need,” he added.

The Oration [sic] Imperata, the cardinal said, is to be prayed after Communion before the Post Communion Prayer.

Following is the full text of the obligatory prayer:

God our loving Father, creator of our earth and of the universe, and all the wondrous elements of nature that sustain your living creatures, we humbly ask you to send us the rain that our country needs so badly at this time, to irrigate our fields, to stave off a power shortage, to provide water for our bodily health, and to refresh our parched lands. At your command the wind and the seas obey, raise your hand Almighty God to send us so that crisis may be averted.

Merciful and generous God, open our eyes to the richness and beauty of your creation and instill in us a deep love for this earth and all that is in and around it. Teach us to be wise stewards of your creation so that we may always use them responsibly and protect them from abuse and exploitation. At this time of crisis, dear

Lord, move us to share more and to love more.

Loving God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you entrusted the Filipino people to the special care of Mary our Mother, listen to the prayers that we bring up to her, our Blessed Mother, to intercede for us, for the protection of our land and our people, whom she loves.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Saint Rose of Lima, pray for us.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.


Cardinal Rosales is the third prelate to issue an Oratio Imperata this year, following Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu and Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad.

“February 28, 2010 is the Second Sunday of Lent and we start with these prayers on this day, the day of our intensified journey of Lent,” he said.

The Manila archdiocese defines Oratio Imperata as a special prayer for a special intention, besides the ones prescribed by rituals, that the Pope or the bishop may require to be recited during Masses.

In May last year, Rosales also issued an Oratio Imperata to end the threat posed by the H1N1 virus across the globe. (Roy Lagarde)

***

I was around Northern Luzon for the past two days that is the reason why I wasn't able to post.  I saw some areas.  Talking to farmers.  Getting my feet in some farmlands.

Believe it or not...they have water.  Maybe you shouldn't believe everything you see on TV.

Better yet.  Just pray.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

24 years ago...

Made me proud to be a Filipino...


Once I saw an Caucasian man here in Manila wearing a t-shirt that says, "If you want to stop a tank, call a Filipino!"



LONG LIVE FREEDOM!

For more of the historic revolution that inspired other peaceful revolutions around the world, click here.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Protestant Network features Vatican's Top Exorcist

Interesting at why and how Pat Robertson's CBN, Christian Broadcasting Network, featured Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the chief exorcist of the Diocese of Rome.

Listen intently to what the veteran exorcist has to say about the devil, what leads to a person getting possessed and what some bishops and priests do in relation to demonic possession, the rise of Satanists in Italy and what our great Holy Father, Benedict XVI is doing about exorcisms in the Church.

You can watch the video here.

And this one from CNN (surprisingly though!)

***

Yes, my friends. The devil is always at work!

I always carry a St. Benedict medallion and crucifix with me.  The medallion looks like this.  Mine is also made of pure bronze.



 Crux sacra sit mihi lux!  Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!

Health secretary asked to resign by Pinoy Catholic Bishops!

From CBCPNews.

***

MANILA, Feb. 22, 2010— Catholic bishops are calling for the resignation of a ranking health official who last week blamed the Church for the rising cases of HIV/AIDS in the country. [Just see how stupid some of our public officials REALLY are!]

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Bishops Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon and Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel [God bless them!] said it is astonishing that a government official would publicly impose immorality.

The prelates said Department of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral’s [she's the one!] strong promotion on the use of condoms should disqualify her from public service.

It’s so immoral for someone in the government to be pushing the use of condoms which we all know is not deterrent to AIDS prevention,” Arguelles said over Church-run Radyo Veritas.

He said that with Cabral in the DOH, “it’s worrying because it is the morality in society, especially among the youth, that is at stake.”

According to Bastes, condoms will never solve the spread of HIV. On the contrary, he said, it increases the problem. [Precisely!  How do you get AIDS?  By contracting it from an infected person through... sexual contact, use of syringes in drug abuse among others.  So...if you are faithful to your spouse, and you do not engage in promiscuity, pre-marital sex, drug abuse, you will not get infected!  So this "doctor" pins the blame on the Church for teaching abstinence and morality.  This "doctor" hates the Church for Her stance against the use of condoms which in this case, encourages more sex, within unmarried people!  How would you think Catholics, lay and clergy should react to this, uhm..."doctor's" thin or biased grasp of reality, huh?]

The prelate reiterated the church’s position that a “responsible and moral attitude” toward sex would help fight the disease.

The Church officials campaigned fidelity in marriage and abstinence from premarital and extramarital sex as key weapons in the fight against AIDS. [AMEN!]

Gutierrez, also chided the DOH secretary for pushing condom use as solution to the spread of HIV.

Cabral earlier pointed her finger on the Catholic hierarchy for the government’s failure to stem the rising HIV/AIDS in the country.

She said the Church is blocking the government campaign to prevent the spread of the disease by having people use condoms. (CBCPNews)

***

Conclusion?

The Health Department is ineffective, inutile and incompetent.

Their scapegoat?

The Church who teaches fidelity to marital vows and abstinence from sex outside of marriage.

Great thinking, isn't it?

That is the Philippine government working at its best.

In this case, I thank the bishops for taking a stand against this inutile "doctor".

HUZZAH FOR THESE PINOY BISHOPS!

Western media rubbish: Gay couple buys JP2's flat


I found this article in Google which led me to a pro-gay site. Not surprising, how they treated the news.

Plain rubbish.  But I posted it here to show you the slight-of-hand they do in treating anything about the Catholic Church.

***

It seems Pope John Paul II doesn’t mind conducting business with queers. [See how the Western media will play out this article.]

In a truth-is-weirder-than-fiction moment, a gay couple in Madrid told Typically Spanish they purchased their flat from the pope. [Basing from the lead, this "journalist" gives you the impression that they bought it directly from the dead pope!  But watch out.] Apparently, [apparently?!] a devout woman left it to him in her will. He, in turn, put it on the market. [JP2 inherited the flat.  He then put it up for sale in the market.  So when he put it up for sale, there was no notice banning the sale of the apartment from anyone who is against the Church and Her teachings!  Clear that out, you moron!]

The couple, Alberto and Miguel Ángel, said “the Church does not love us, but is happy to do business.” [See the twist?]

The Web site commented “The gay couple, who are now married, also against the Church’s wishes, now enjoy dinner parties showing the escrituras (deeds) of the flat with the name of the Pope.” [He never lived in the place.  Obviously, the journalist and the gay couple WANT to draw attention, which they got, which irritates a devout Catholic like me.  Cheap trick, isn't it?  Well, as they say in the PR world, "Any publicity is good publicity.]

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Another reason why we should stop Communion in the Hand

Very troubling video. I squirmed.  Really.

Thanks to Rorate for the link.

Go to Rorate and WDTPRS for updates regarding this sacrilege.

***

SIGN UP, PLEASE!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Even the Pope goes on retreat

Courtesy of Zenit

***

Benedict XVI entrusted his spiritual exercises that started today to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, asking her to pray that Lent be a time lived "with joy and fruit."


The Pope said this today before praying the midday Angelus with those in St. Peter's Square. It was his last public audience until next weekend, as he began this evening his seven-day spiritual exercises.

The Holy Father's address considered what it means to "enter into the Lenten journey." He said the Gospel from today's liturgy -- detailing Christ's temptations in the desert -- illustrates the meaning.

"It is evident that there is an insistence on the fact that the temptations were no accident but the consequence of Jesus’ choice to carry out the mission entrusted to him by the Father, to embrace completely his reality as beloved Son, who hands himself over entirely to the Father," the Pontiff said. "Christ came into the world to free us from sin and the dangerous fascination of planning our lives without God."  [Beautiful!]

"He did it not with high-sounding proclamations, but by personally struggling against the Tempter, right to the cross. This is an example for all: The world improves beginning with ourselves, changing what is not right in our lives with the grace of God." [The Agony in the Garden scene in "The Passion of the Christ" beautifully illustrates this.]

The Bishop of Rome noted how Christ answered Satan's suggestions with sacred Scripture and God's criteria.

"Jesus answers that God must never be put to the test," he said. "We must never try an experiment in which God is supposed to respond and show himself to be God: We must believe in him! We must not make God 'material' for our 'experiment!' [Oftentimes we try God in our prayers and put Him to the test! If you are God, You'll give me this, You'll give me that!"]

"Referring again to sacred Scripture, Jesus opposes to human criterion the only authentic criterion: obedience, conformity with God’s will, which is the foundation of our being." [I had a chat with a friend who belongs to a religious congregation.  I told him that the laity have their own vows to.  The vows of marriage!  But like the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience which the religious pronounce as vows, the laity too live out these counsels.  Poverty: as professionals, you work on an approved budget and you are always subjected to a financial audit.  As a married person, your salary belongs to your family!  Chastity:  your time, attention and affection belong only to your family.  Obedience:  what the boss says is final:  Your supervisor and your spouse that is!]

Benedict XVI said this is a "basic teaching" for us: "If we carry the Word of God in our heart and in our mind, if it enters into our lives, if we have confidence in God, we can reject any sort of deception of the Tempter."

Thus, the Pope said, Lent can be considered a long retreat, "during which we return to ourselves and listen to God’s voice to overcome the temptations of the Evil One and find the truth of our being. It is a time, we could say, of spiritual 'contest' to live together with Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the weapons of faith, that is, prayer, listening to God’s Word and penance."

Following this itinerary, the Holy Father suggested, "we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our baptism."

He concluded: "May the Virgin Mary help us so that, guided by the Holy Spirit, we live this time of grace with joy and fruit. May she especially intercede for me and my co-workers in the Roman Curia since this evening we will begin our retreat."

***

For those who are busy at work and do not have the chance to go on a retreat to a "real" retreat house.  You might consider buying this book.



I have a copy of this wonderful book.  It is available via Amazon.com or here in the Philippines at St. Paul bookstores.

If you want to do the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises online, you may go this site:

http://www.iveignatianexercises.org/site/dbpage.asp?page_id=180000223&sec_id=180000384&nc=1216737185312

or

http://www.catholicsoncall.org/programs/onlineRetreat/index.html

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Digital Communications in the Church

DHAKA (UCAN) – A lecture on digital communications here by a Vatican expert has exposed just how big are the challenges for the local Church. [or how far behind we are.  I thought we opened the windows to let some fresh air in?]

Most of the priests, nuns and brothers have little knowledge and scope to use digital media and communication tools,” said Father Theotonius P. Rebeiro, chancellor of Dhaka archdiocese. [I thought Vatican 2 modernized the Church?]

“It’s costly [?!  So does settlement cases!] and we’re not asked to use them for our ministries. [What?  Wait and see?  Was liturgical dance asked?  But I am digressing.] In my case, I can’t [use digital media] because I am busy with pastoral duties and deal with an irregular electricity supply,” said the priest, who is also pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon, the largest Catholic parish in Bangladesh.

“For a long time I’ve not opened my email inbox and I’ve no idea about how to blog, use podcasts or social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube,” he told UCA News. [I think this is the real time for a REAL aggiornamento, eh?]

“But I realize that the Church needs to be present in this digital world.” [We are.  Some priests are.]

The gathering, organized by the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (ECSC), featured Vatican representative Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli as keynote speaker.

The archbishop, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, in an hour’s speech, spoke of the need for modern techniques.

“The Catholic Church must be present in this digital world because the Holy Father inspires us to use modern media and communications tools to fulfill the Church’s mission of proclamation,” he said at the event on Tuesday [Feb. 16]. [Why are we soooo slow in this?  Even before Vatican 2, priests, bishops and nuns have been active in the media of Social Communications.  Archbishop Fulton Sheen is one.  He pioneered televangelism!  Mother Angelica of EWTN founded the famous TV network at her monastery's own garage!  Here in the Philippines, the first Catholic radio network is NOT Radio Veritas in Manila, but DXMS in Cotabato City, founded by the Oblate Fathers...before the War!  It is all in the passion and dedication.  These exemplary men and women of the Lord, LISTENED to the proddings of the Holy Spirit and saw the HUGE potential of the pulpit of the airwaves to spread the Gospel to people of ALL Faiths!  Do we need another Vatican document to tell us what to do?  Well, we are also bad in following what the Holy See says, aren't we?  Take Redemptionis Sacramentum, Liturgicam Authenticam, Summorum Pontificum...]

Using social networking sites

He stressed the use of social networking sites, and blogging and podcasting in different Church ministries.
While participants were eager to learn, some found Archbishop Celli’s lecture hard to grasp. [Or were they really so rooted in what they do, change is sooo hard to accept.]

“I actually didn’t understand much of what Archbishop Celli spoke about, using social networking in Church ministries,” Holy Cross Brother Placid Peter Rebeiro told UCA News. [Time to get out more often I guess.]

But I realize it’s high time the Church takes major initiatives to go digital.” [AMEN!]

Sister Bina Rozario, head of Catechist Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Angels (CIC) in Dhaka told UCA News a similar story.

“Neither our sisters nor aspirants use the computer and the Internet,” she said. “I myself have little knowledge about digital media and social networking."

She acknowledged the Church needed to introduce a digital culture, however.

“We’re far behind in terms of communications and digital media usage.” [As a church, probably.  I know a bishop who does not even know how to open his Yahoo Mail account!]

Church needs to enter digital age

Sattya Purification, a third-year major seminarian, said the Church was not well-equipped with media and communications tools either.

“It will be very challenging for us to cope with a digital world.” [Guess they never heard of EWTN, Gloria TV or Catholic blog sites and Facebooks groups!]

His seminary had enough computers for students but only three Internet connections. [Maybe the seminary is in a poor location?  Or the rector does not see the necessity of having more Internet connectivity?]

Cizar Rinku Costa, who had completed his seminarian studies, said he had “no idea what Archbishop Celli spoke about, on the use of digital media and social networks.”

“I’ve little knowledge about using the computer and know almost nothing about the Internet,” he said.
Christian Communications Center (CCC) director Father Kamal Corraya, who is also secretary of ECSC, admitted to UCA News that there was a long way to go to fulfill Archbishop Celli’s dream. [Were they subjected in a cryogenic experiment or what?!  Is this a heavily cloistered community?!  This is too hard to accept!]

“I admit that what the Vatican archbishop suggested is difficult for us to do but not impossible. Since almost all our bishops attended the media seminar, they now will decide what the Church needs to do to engage with the digital world."  [Now that is a good start!]

“Archbishop Celli assured us that if the Church asks, the Vatican will help to educate priests and Religious in media and communications,” he added. [There are lay people who are willing to help.]

About 300 Catholics including apostolic nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino, almost all the country’s bishops, together with priests, brothers, nuns and media persons attended the event.

The Vatican archbishop was invited by ECSC chairman Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi to visit the local Church and promote the Vatican’s teaching on social communications.

***

We Filipinos have a saying...

Kung gugustuhin may paraan.  Kung ayaw, maraming dahilan.

If one wants it, he can find a lot of ways.  If one doesn't want it, he can find a lot of reasons not to.

Maybe sister can help them...

Brother Knight - Priest murdered by thieves!

This is really saddening...

***

MEXICO CITY, FEB. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A 49-year-old Mexican priest was killed this week as assailants stole the van he was driving to take a Church employee home.

Father José Luis Parra Puerto, vicar at the Assumption Metropolitan Shrine, was killed in Mexico's federal district. He was driving a 21-year-old Church employee home.

The two were attacked at a gas station. The priest resisted the thieves, who shot him in the head and took the van with the wounded priest inside; the employee meanwhile went for help to the police.

The priest's body was found inside the van the next morning.

In addition to his work at the shrine, Father Parra Puerto was the chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Mexico City.

Father Hugo Valdemar Romero, spokesman of the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico City, appealed to authorities to bring justice.

The spokesman referred to the murder as an "absolutely condemnable and sacrilegious crime" and said there was "great consternation in the archdiocese over the news."

"We call on the capital's authorities to carry out a rigorous investigation and to arrest the delinquents, but the real ones, because sometimes they create [false] cases and we hope it won't be like that," said Father Valdemar Romero.

The spokesman described Father Parra Puerto as an "exemplary and much loved priest."

José Luis Parra Puerto was born Aug. 5, 1960. He was ordained a priest in 1986 in the Archdiocese of Yucatan.

***

Please pray for the repose of the soul of the dear Padre...

Pray for the conversion of the murderers...

Pray...pray...pray.

Two new national shrines!

MANILA, Feb. 20, 2010─Two well-known shrines in the archdiocese of Manila have recently been elevated as national shrines through a decree of establishment issued by the CBCP President and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar.

The elevation of the status of the Shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Jude Thaddeus into national shrines were unanimously approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during its 100th plenary assembly on January 23.

The parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalupe, Makati City was proclaimed Archdiocesan Shrine by Cardinal Jaime Sin in 2001.

The increase of devotion to the Lady of Guadalupe especially by Pro-Life groups against the onslaught of anti-life values encouraged the devotees to launch a petition for a national shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe citing the urgency to promote Pro-Life values under the patronage of Our Lady.
Meanwhile, St. Jude’s Shrine in San Miguel, Manila is frequented by numerous pilgrims and devotees asking the intercession of the saint for various needs.

“Through the years, the Shrine has been providing solace to the destitute, the downtrodden, the marginalized, the desperate, and the lonely,” the petition read.

“Even without asking for special favors or after obtaining their answered prayers, they maintain their personal relationship with St. Jude Thaddeus as a source of inspiration, guidance, and strength in their daily lives,” the petition further said.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales endorsed both petitions to the CBCP giving assurance “that all canonical and liturgical requirements for the elevation to the status of being a National Shrine have been complied with.”

Current rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine is Fr. Edwin Mercado, while St. Jude Shrine is under the leadership of Fr. Roland Aquino, SVD. (Pinky Barrientos, FSP)

***


The interior of St. Jude, Manila



The interior of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati  (What's wrong in this picture?)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Finally, the cardinal has spoken!

MANILA, Feb. 19, 2010—Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has joined the growing chorus of those opposing the likelihood of President Arroyo becoming House Speaker if ever she wins a seat in Congress.

The influential Archbishop of Manila said Mrs Arroyo as House Speaker is nothing but an insult to the country’s democracy.

“It’s not a good sign (if she’ll become House Speaker),” Rosales lamented in an interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas. [Arroyo's father, the late former president Diosdado Macapagal when he was a congressman and a president was NEVER, even in a newspaper article, implicated in any form of graft and corruption allegations.  He was once referred to as the "Incorruptible". Well, his daughter ruined that immaculate reputation.  As Cindy Lauper once said, "Money changes everything."]

The cardinal said Mrs. Arroyo and her allies should let others fill the said key position in the Lower House “out of delicadeza”. [sense of propriety which politicians do not even care what the world thinks of them just as long as they are in power and raking in the billions while millions starve to death!]

Development ideas can’t be monopolized by one person only,” he said. “We cannot monopolize good leadership.”[aka "Who does she think she is?]

“I think we should respect other’s giftedness and give them a chance to become a leader in the government or any other organization,” added Rosales.

Allies of Arroyo in Congress assured that she can easily get House speakership if she is elected congresswoman. [Hell yeah.  Money is the name of the game in the election of the Speakership.  How did I know?  I was a newspaper correspondent at the House...before.]

Ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwart and Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said they are going to field Arroyo as Speaker “and she has a big chance to be the House Speaker of the 15th Congress.” [Big chance or Big Money?]

The Constitution bars a president from seeking re-election prompting Arroyo to vie for election in May as representative in Pampanga’s 2nd district. (Roy Lagarde)

***

Cardinal Rosales, unlike his revered predecessor Cardinal Sin, is not very outspoken when it comes to politics.  But when Arroyo is running the country like her own back yard, the cardinal let loose what Filipinos have been asking him to do for a veery long time.  My friends at the "inner circles" have been asking the cardinal to make a bolder statement against Arroyo in the past but the cardinal maintained that he'd focus first on church governance.  I am no fan of the cardinal especially in terms of liturgical discipline in the archdiocese but I admire his work in Catholic charities most especially his work in Pondo ng Pinoy (Filipino's Fund)  BUT it has been a long awaited comment from the cardinal that is like a drop of water in a parched land.  He is due to retire in two years but he is still cardinal archbishop of the most influential diocese in the whole country.

Thank God for the cardinal's voice!

I think he sees the importance of the role of the Church in the coming general elections in May and how Arroyo, his family and their minions try to stay in power to suck the country dry.

This is one vampire story Filipino teens would shriek...in disgust.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Why Lent is forty days?

Thanks to Taylor Marshall for this beautiful collection of Biblical passages of why Lent is 40 days.

***

In Sacred Scripture, the number forty is a sign of penance:

* God made it rain for forty days and forty nights in the days of Noah (Gen 7:4 - by the way they only ate fish on the ark, not meat)
* Moses spent forty days fasting on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24:18)
* The People of Israel people wandered forty years traveling to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33)
* Elijah spent forty days and forty nights walking to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8)
* Jonah prophesied forty days of judgment for Nineveh to repent (Jonah 3:4).
* Jesus fasted for forty days days in the wilderness, and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2)
* Jesus was also in the tomb for about forty hours.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

See what gets left behind when you receive Him in the Hand.

Another reason to sign up the petition.

Our goal is 50,000.  Spread the word.

Stop Communion in the Hand!

Now it is up...




Spread the word...

STOP COMMUNION IN THE HAND!!!

Receiving Christ in the Hand

Listen to how Bishop Athanasius Schneider recalls the story of how he was horrified as a child to witness "communion" in the hand and how he views it now as a bishop.

The interview was with Fr. Mitch Pacwa on EWTN.

Another Anglican bishop comes home

That is the photo of Right Reverend Paul Richardson who had been Assistant Bishop of Newcastle since 1998.  That photo is from his former diocese's website.

Damian Thompson reported that has been received into full communion with the Holy See.

Here is the rest of the blog entry of Mr. Thompson:
He tells me that his conversion is not the product of recent controversies. “I would have become a Catholic even if the Church of England wasn’t ordaining women bishops,” he says. “In a sense I feel it’s what I’ve always been, so this is like coming home.”
Richardson, 63, is not planning to join the Ordinariate, but hasn’t ruled out ordination as a Catholic priest – “You can’t just jump in and say ‘I want to be ordained’. I think I have to let the Church guide me over that,” he says.

***

Another fruit of the great work of the shepherd, Pope Benedict XVI, the Great Pope of Christian Unity!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Bishop Jaucian...Heretic

Bishop Leopoldo Laucian of Bangued Abra sent shockwaves to the Catholic blogosphere when he made the following remark regarding the celebration of the Chinese New Year

“God is present in other religion and culture so the belief in Feng Shui, Astrology, and praying at Buddhist temples should be perceived as instruments that all draws us closer to God."

I posted this on February 13, FYI.

Fellow, Pinoy catholic blogger Carlos Palad of Rorate Coeli and St. John's Valdosta Blog also posted the same.

The reactions and comments of readers?

THE BISHOP IS A HERETIC.

Read how those who know their Catholic Faith better than this man who happens to be a Catholic bishop, defend their position that Bishop Jaucian is a downright heretic!

Here is the thread in Rorate Coeli.

Here is the thread in St. John's Valdosta.

Holy Father, when will you release us from shepherds who do not even know their Faith?

***

UPDATE:  Go to this link where the original news from CBCP News was posted and see how the readers posted their reactions.  Some are in Tagalog, understandably though.  BUT none agreed with the bishop.  All are saying:  resign now, heretic...and others.

Pinoy bishops' exhortations for Lent

Courtesy of the Philippine Star

***

MANILA, Philippines - Catholics are being called to repent for the sins that they have committed and promise they would become better Christians during today’s observance of Ash Wednesday, which will mark the start of the Lenten season.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo yesterday said he is hoping that the country’s leaders would experience a “moral renewal” and shun graft and corruption. [We have been praying for this since the time when Marcos was still president.  Let's continue to hope and pray.]

Archbishop Lagdameo said today’s leaders should use the Lenten season to re-examine their lives.

“The call of Lent is for moral renewal. To achieve this we need at least a critical mass of citizen-leaders who are willing to ‘break out of the box,’ to operate with a new social consciousness and conscience, not for their individual or group security, but for the good of the greatest number,” he said.

In his Lenten Message, the CBCP president reminded leaders that graft and corruption is like a contagious social cancer that eventually affects the services to the poor. [It is almost the same as robbing the beggar of the alms he received the whole day under the blazing heat of the sun.]

The most seriously affected by the crisis of moral values are the poor, the marginalized, oftentimes treated like commodities. Graft and corruption breed widespread poverty. Widespread poverty in turn breeds graft and corruption,” he said. [Beautiful!] 

With national elections slated for next year, he reminded the public that one way to cure the social cancer is by electing new leaders who possess the values of honesty, justice, truth, integrity, credibility, accountability, transparency and stewardship. [Leading isn't it.  Love it though.  We have lots of competent, intelligent people who can be president but none have the strength of character to stand up against the ills of our country.]

“The forthcoming national elections must not simply be a changing of hats for the same persons, or change of faces but with unchanged hearts. We must be able to gather a critical mass of citizen-leaders with a genuine passion and obsession for good governance and prophetic leadership,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales told the faithful that in order to complete their true transformation, they should be generous and perform good deeds and almsgiving.

In his pastoral letter, Cardinal Rosales invited Christians to “live out a deeper meaning of Lent this year by performing acts of good deeds and almsgiving.” [The cardinal is really for his movement Pondo ng Pinoy.]

The money that they could save from their fasting and abstinence could be donated to one of the programs, HAPAG-ASA which is dedicated to feed hungry and malnourished Filipino children.

HAPAG-ASA is an integrated nutrition program meant to alleviate hunger among Filipino children. Through the Archdiocese of Manila and the five Suffragan Dioceses, the program has been able to feed close to 24,000 children in its two-and-a-half-year history. [This is a worthy project.  Imagine for just P1,200, you can feed a malnourished child for 6 months!  How can you save that much for these poor children?  Stop drinking that ridiculously expensive water-down coffee.  My 3-in-1 coffee tastes better and it costs only P12!  The money you save from that coffee shop can help more needy people.  Don't you agree?]

This year, HAPAG-ASA aims to feed at least 12,340 children from Metro Manila as committed by the dioceses.

***

HUZZAH TO THESE PINOY BISHOPS!!!

To donate to HAPAG-ASA, click here.

No better way to observe Lent than to do acts of mercy.

Remember what the catechism taught us?

The Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To visit and ransom the captives.
To shelter the homeless.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy
To admonish sinners.
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To comfort the sorrowful.
To bear wrongs patiently.
To forgive all injuries.
To pray for the living and the dead

Interesting clarifications from Ecclesia Dei

I found this interesting post from the New Liturgical Movement about some clarifications about the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass as laid out in Summorum Pontificum.

***

The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei has recently answered some important questions regarding the application of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum submitted by the moderator for the faithful attached to the Extraordinary Form of the diocese of Rzeszów, Poland. The answers, however, are applicable generally. The original questions (in German) and answers (in Italian), published by Nowy Ruch Liturgiczny are reproduced below. Here is an NLM summary; questions 2 and 3 have easily the biggest impact:

1. If there is no other possibility, because for instance in all churches of a diocese the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum are already being celebrated in the Ordinary Form, the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum may, in the same church in which they are already celebrated in the Ordinary Form, be additionally celebrated in the Extraordinary Form, if the local ordinary allows.

2. A Mass in the usus antiquior may replace a regularly scheduled Mass in the Ordinary Form. The question contextualizes that in many churches Sunday Masses are more or less scheduled continually, leaving free only very inconvenient mid afternoon slots, but this is merely context, the question posed being general. The answer leaves the matter to the prudent judgment of the parish priest, and emphasizes the right of a stable group to assist at Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

3. A parish priest may schedule a public Mass in the Extraordinary Form on his own accord (i.e. without the request of a group of faithful) for the benefit of the faithful including those unfamiliar with the usus antiquior. The response of the Commission here is identical to no. 2. [even without the request of the faithful! Now this is something!]

4. The calendar, readings or prefaces of the 1970 Missale Romanum may not be substituted for those of the 1962 Missale Romanum in Masses in the Extraordinary Form. [Summorum Pontificum allows the readings of the 1962 Missale Romanum to be read in the vernacular BUT using the approved translations which are still on the works. I hate the hideous translations of the new New American Bible.]

5. While the liturgical readings (Epistle and Gospel) themselves have to be read by the priest (or deacon/subdeacon) as foreseen by the rubrics, a translation to the vernacular may afterwards be read also by a layman. [Using the approved texts as mentioned in SP.  Our priest reads the translations before he gives the homily so I do not see the need for a layman to read the Epistle and Gospel.]

***

I am not sure if this would matter in the Archdiocese of Manila.  The cardinal is hostile to the Traditional Mass community, having Anscar Chupungco around and all what do you expect?

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday!

Even though it is not a holy day of obligation, do not forget to go to Mass and have Blessed Ashes imposed on you.

Pinoy nun, new head of International Union of Superiors General

QUEZON CITY (UCAN) — Sister Estrella Castalone will soon take the reins as head of the English section of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in Rome next week. In an interview with UCA News on the eve of her departure, she said she was optimistic about the future of women Religious in the country, despite dwindling vocations. [hmmmm...]

UCA NEWS: How do you feel about the state of women Religious as you leave the Philippines?
SISTER ESTRELLA CASTALONE: I am optimistic about the future. Our Sisters are interested and open to find out more about their role as contemplative prophets. [another, hmmmm...]

What is a “contemplative prophet”?
This means deep contemplation that launches us outside ourselves to share more fully in the mission of Christ. Our prophetic actions are fruits of our efforts to have a deeper union with God through contemplation. In turn, our social involvement also deepens our spirituality. [but more often, I see more sisters in social involvement rather than in spiritual involvement, don't you think?]  Sisters cannot just exhort others. We must be present to and walk with those we are exhorting. That is contemplative prophecy in action.

What are the prospects of success with this?
There has been progress with the nuns because of the Sister Formation Institute and AMRSP [Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines] programs. But we have not reached our goals and there is still need for growth in the area of our journey with everyone in every situation that needs us.  I’d say it is still a long road to journey to exercise our prophetic role as religious. People come to us for help, but we need to open up more.  Today, if you mobilize the Sisters for an event that is religious or spiritual in nature you will get an avalanche of responses quickly. But if you mobilize the Religious for action for the farmers who have been denied land reform for such along time, there are Sisters who would go, but very few. Many would tell you they cannot leave their schools. [You see the difference?  This part here is revealing.  Unlike what we see in television, most Filipino nuns opt to respond to the call of their vocation, giving it first priority, rather than be in the streets most of the time.  I am not saying the social action is bad, but if the religious has more time for social action than with religious affairs, then we have a problem with that.]
At our conventions we come up with proposals and action plans. The foremost concern is the religious formation of our Sisters. This is the primary role of our association. There is also a program to raise the awareness of our role in accompanying the people of God toward the transformation of Church in Society. [How about the good old sisters teaching us catechism?  Oh wait.  Yeah I forgot.  How they can teach us catechism when they too DO NOT KNOW IT!  You always get the sense that our sisters would want to become the next Nelson Mandela, don't you think?  As one sister-friend recalled how she responded to her fellow sisters who are so anti-American: "No matter how loud you shout in the streets...Not even if you take of your veil, America will remain a superpower.  So deal with it.  Take care of the souls of people.  That's what we are here for."  Makes sense, no?]

How many women Religious are there in the Philippines?
The number I sent to Rome in 2009 was 18,000 female Religious. [!]

How are vocations now?
They are dwindling. [Why is it dwindling?] We start our census with novices. In 2008 we had 690 novices and in 2009 we had 530. The trend is the same with all orders – new, old and traditional. [Oh really?  In the United States, traditional orders are growing, like the Dominican Sisters of Mary in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The younger generation is attracted to congregations that are faithful to the Magisterium and have more prayer and community time, so says the 2009 Survey for the National Religious Vocation Conference.] In my own order, the Salesians, when I was a novice we were 13. Later when my niece entered they were six. Now we have only one. I would not know how to explain the drop, but it is a worldwide trend. [NO! Check your figures!] They say we are old wine in new wine skins. Older sisters are taking on new work rather than new nuns taking over older works. [More like old wine trying to be new!] Decline in vocations is the result of many factors that interact in our increasingly ‘globalized society.’ Lifestyles are changing and perhaps we will need to change our way of living consecrated life, living out our vows and living together in community. [Maybe some orders have been too secularized they forgot why they became a congregation in the first place.  Same with its members, they forgot why they became priests or religious in the first place!]

How much education do nuns have today?
They are children of this world, better trained in “informatics” than older nuns. They are well trained in the use of computers and technical aspects, but, for me the education needed is more than that.
Schools and education today no longer attend much to transference of cultural heritage, but focus more on technology. When the older women came out of school they were educated in the higher things.

How was the journey for you personally?
I entered the Salesian Order at 29 after I worked as a science research assistant in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines. I was an activist during the “The First Quarter Storm” of university protests against Ferdinand Marcos. [Now we know why.] I realized human intervention alone was futile. I entered the convent. Since I had been involved in catechetical work with youth, the charism of the Salesian sisters who ministered in schools among youth suited me. They sent me to Italy to specialize in youth pastoral ministry and theology and serve in the office for youth ministry there for 13 years.  After returning to the Philippines in 2003 I started as executive secretary of AMRSP. When I was just working in my Salesian order, I was happy with the little mission given to me. I taught in a school, then with the youth center, and then with the larger Salesian family. I thought that was enough for me. I will now have to admit though my understanding of my prophetic role widened when I came here to work at AMRSP. [That's where she became a prophet?]

***

I hate to be sarcastic or anything... BUT...

First things first.

Militant nuns just isn't my kind of thing.

More Catholics are losing their identity because those we expect to nurture us in the Faith are busy doing something else, forgetting their primary job objective.

You do not use a spoon to push a nail.  You use a hammer. Get it?

Monday, February 15, 2010

"Dominus vobiscum", anyone?

Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, parish priest of the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy in Sikatuna Village, and one of the few priests in Manila who regularly celebrates the Extraordinary Form of the Mass has his own blog.  The wonderful Sense of the Sacred.

His latest post is about his fellow priests expressing their disdain of the traditional Latin greeting "Dominus vobiscum."

Here is his original post and my comment posted in the comment box.

Please support Fr. Jojo and the TLM Community of the Diocese of Cubao.  Visit his blog and send your donations for the construction of the personal parish church of the TLM Community.

***
I get upset whenever I hear a priest greet the people: "The Lord is with you!" I even heard some priests complain that "Dominus vobiscum" is so archaic a greeting that it no longer is relevant to our modern use. With the new translations returning to "and with your spirit", many liberals object that this response does not mean anything more than the formula we use today: "and also with you." I came across this very enlightening article which I think would make us appreciate the return to the more literal translation of "et cum spiritu tuo."
***

Muslims greet each other with "Assalamu alaikum"

Yet you do not hear them complain about being to archaic.

Scientists use Latin terms for identifying different species.  Yet they are not complaining.

Is there a hatred for anything before Vatican 2?

Or is it the excuse of someone playing dumb?

"Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-tulugan." [It's hard to wake up someone playing sleep.]

15 years ago...

Exactly 15 years ago, my dear father passed on...

Please say the Requiescat for his memory...

Just say 'For the soul of "Pinoy Catholic's father"...The Lord will understand.

Thank you very much.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Another disappointing Filipino bishop

MANILA, February 12, 2010 (CBCPNews)—The fact that the Chinese Lunar New Year falls on Valentine’s Day this year should all the more remind Filipino-Chinese Catholics to integrate their faith and Christ’s Gospel values to their culture and tradition. [Sounds like Anscar Chupungco talking to me!]

Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian [at left] reminded the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community that the gift of life and love should always be attributed to God as the ultimate source of all creation—a basic Catholic teaching that he said should not be compromised given the nature of Chinese culture.

“As we celebrate the Chinese New Year on Valentine’s Day this year, let’s pray for more blessings of life and love and share it generously to others. Let us pray for God’s abundant blessing of good health and prosperity and joy in life. Without God we are nothing so let us think of him for this year of the metal tiger,” Jaucian said


The prelate, who is the national spiritual director of the Filipino-Chinese Catholic Youth, [hmmm.  I once worked as a volunteer catechist to this ministry and may I say...it is a ministry full of "fringe benefits".  Lots of excursions, parties and the small red envelopes.  You get the point.] said there is nothing wrong with observing the Chinese Culture but Chinese Catholics should keep a prayerful life and be faithful to their Catholic religion.

God is present in other religion and culture [MODERNISM ALERT!] so the belief in Feng Shui, Astrology, and praying at Buddhist temples should be perceived as instruments that all draws us closer to God. [*&*^%#$@#!$%@&^&@*!$_&!!!!!!!!  This is a Catholic bishop my friends, and he is saying that tarot cards, Ouija boards, and the whole damn Occult is OK because it draws us to God!  Jesus Christ is not the same as Buddha or Shiva!  CAN YOU NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BISHOP?!?!   Can someone send a petition letter to Rome and report this, this, this......!  Please do us a favor!!! And we expect a new Filipino cardinal with this kind of bishops we have?  I can tolerate politically active bishops but this!  Give me a break!] As such, we discourage too much dependence on culture especially up to the point that faith in God is compromised,” he said. [I just got a migraine attack reading this.  At first he says ok, a few keyboard strokes later it's not ok.]

Jaucian also urged Filipino Catholics to understand and respect the Chinese’s way of life, adding that their Catholic faith should keep them united amid cultural differences.

“We should respect each otheir’s culture. Let us extend respect, understanding and solidarity to our Chinoy brothers and sisters so we can live harmoniously with each other,” he added. (Kris Bayos)

***

The belief in the respect of religion and that we all are worshipping the very same God is a Masonic creed.  Masons are respectful of any type of religion you practice. BUT...the problem lies here.  Buddha will never be the same as the Lord Jesus Christ, nor pagan worship be anywhere near a Catholic Mass or even the Rosary.

SO NO BISHOP JAUCIAN!!!  FENG SHUI WILL NEVER GET YOU CLOSER TO GOD!  IT WILL MAKE YOU CLOSER TO THE FENG SHUI MASTER WHO WILL MAKE A QUICK BUCK OUT OF YOU FOR TRUSTING WHICH CHARMS TO USE, WHERE TO PUT THEM... WHEN TO TRAVEL, OR WHEN TO GET MONEY FROM THE BANK.  IT IS PLAIN STUPID!!!  WHERE IS GOD IN GEOMANCY?!  IN THE OCCULT?!


YOU ARE SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT!  ARE YOU EVEN A CATHOLIC IN THE FIRST PLACE?!

The Philippines is not so Catholic after all.

No wonder we don't have much cardinals...

New archbishop of Cebu?

Pope Benedict XVI may name a Philippine bishop to succeed a Philippine cardinal who will turn 80 in February 2011.

The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA) cited sources in the Vatican who said the Pope’s appointment may replace Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

“He might also assign a red hat to the Philippines, as one of its two cardinals – Cardinal Ricardo Vidal – will turn 80 in February 2011," the UCA said in an article on its Website. [Maybe, maybe not.  More on this below.]

UCA added that Benedict XVI was also tipped to make as many as four other Asian cardinals at the next assembly of cardinals with the pope in October.

It said the Pope might also decide to appoint a cardinal from Pakistan to give encouragement to the Christian community there.

Among the most likely to be given red hats are Japan’s Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada, Sri Lanka’s Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, [my personal favorite.] India’s Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, and Myanmar’s Archbishop Charles Maung Bo.

But UCA said the Pope has a major problem as there are far more candidates than available positions.

“If he abides by Pope Paul VI’s rule that the number of cardinal electors should not exceed 120, then he will have at most 20 positions to assign," the UCA said.

Asia currently has a total of 18 cardinals but only 10 of them are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a conclave to elect the next Pope.

***
Cebu is not the primatial see of the Philippines.  Manila is.  But both are considered cardinatial sees since their last two archbishops were cardinals.

Let me digress a bit...

I remember, a few years back, Senator Joker Arroyo plans to "petition" the Vatican to appoint more Filipino bishops as cardinals since he believes that Filipinos are not well represented in the Sacred College of Cardinals considering that the country only has 3 cardinals even if the Philippines is one of the biggest Catholic countries in the world, second only to Brazil..  You can read more of it here.

I know.  Most Filipino politicians are downright dumb and stupid.

But my point here is this.

Some Filipino bishops are worthy to be given the red hat, but most are not.  Historically, cardinatial appointments come from the importance of the see the appointee is occupying, or the curial position he is occupying.

So in the case of the Philippines, we have only two cardinatial sees, Manila and Cebu.  The Pope can appoint another archbishop of a non-cardinatial see.  He has the exclusive prerogative for this.

BUT...

Are our present Filipino bishops worthy of the red hat?

Hmmmm....

Uhhhh....

NEW SAINTS!

VATICAN CITY, 12 FEB 2010 (VIS) - In the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace at 11 a.m. on Friday 19 February, an ordinary public consistory will be held for the canonisation of the following Blesseds:

- Stanislao Soltys, called Kazimierczyk, Polish professed religious of the Order of Canons Regular Lateranense (1433-1489). 

 
- Andre Bessette (ne Alfred), Canadian professed religious of the Congregation of the Holy Cross (1845-1937). [Our beloved Saint Brother Andre!]



 - Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola (nee Juana Josefa), Spanish founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus (1845-1912).







- Mary of the Cross MacKillop (nee Mary Helen), Australian foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (1842-1909). [The first person who was previously excommunicated, reinstated and canonized!]


 
- Giulia Salzano, Italian foundress of the Congregation of Sisters Catechists of the Sacred Heart (1846-1929).






- Battista da Varano (nee Camilla), professed nun of the Order of Poor Clares and foundress of the monastery of St. Clare in the Italian town of Camerino (1458-1524).

ORA PRO NOBIS!

SNAPSHOT: A seminarian's thoughts

Cool!  When do I get to wear that?

Pray for more vocations and pray for the perseverance of our seminarians, religious, priests and bishops.

Even though they have made their final profession or have been ordained or consecrated, they still need our prayers.  Just like married people, it is only death that separates the person from the vow he professed.

Pray for them!

Friday, February 12, 2010

A thought on Valentine's Day

What Catholic women want on Valentine's Day [This is a play on the Mel Gibson film "What Women Want"]

HYATTSVILLE, Maryland, FEB. 10, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and many men are scrambling to prepare for what seems like a yearly comprehensive exam on the state of their relationships. [ROFL! I love it! HAHAHA!]

They wonder: Does she want something material this year, like diamonds and roses, or rather an evening out? Has she been dropping me hints that I've been deaf to? What if I thought I knew what she wanted, and then she said something that threw me for a loop again? [Because women want men to keep on guessing.]

ZENIT asked Rebecca Ryskind Teti, a wife and mother herself, about the inside scoop on what women really want on this Feb. 14 celebration. Teti, who blogs daily at www.faithandfamilylive.com, asked her readers, women from across the country, about their plans and hopes for Sunday.

Teti, also a contributing editor to Faith & Family Magazine and the In Good Company columnist for Catholic News Agency, added some other ideas for making this day special for the whole family.

ZENIT: With Valentine's Day approaching, we are being bombarded with television commercials that give the impression that all women want this Feb. 14 are diamonds and cellular phones. Do these material things really make a woman happy? What is it that makes women happy? [Marketing ploy at the expense of men's wallets.  (Sigh. Sniff.)]

Teti: Gifts do help! Ads exaggerate to sell particular products, but to the extent that a gift is a token of something deeper -- of love, affection, or appreciation -- of course it is delightful [And when women who exaggerate their feelings see something exaggerated, everything gets exaggerated, don't you think?]

What sometimes offends us about advertising is the implication that women live for gifts, that presents must be extravagant to count, or that a token of affection can be coerced. [Now that's woman power!  Asserting for the right reasons.]

We shouldn't neglect the positive premise that's also present, though, which is the reminder to take time to show the people we love that we appreciate them.

Material things have no power to make us happy, but they do make our daily routine a little sweeter. We live not by bread alone, but by bread as well.

ZENIT: What do women, especially Catholic women, want this Valentine's Day? [Now here goes.]

Teti: Most of our readers mentioned looking forward to simple pleasures: a card, a little chocolate, perhaps a single rose. Some were hoping for an opportunity to dress up a little and go out; others were hoping for a quiet evening in.

Whatever form their fancy took, however, what all the married women who responded were hoping for was concentrated time with their husbands. [Which is even harder to get these days!]

The desire seems to be to break the daily routine of chores and obligations, and just be able to enjoy each other's company for awhile. [Hear that?]

One woman laughingly did ask for sapphire earrings, but said she wasn't expecting them this year. She was thinking many years down the road -- perhaps one extravagant Valentine's Day just once in her married life.

ZENIT: What do wives particularly look for from their husbands?

Teti: That is too big a question! I will narrow my answer to one thing that seems relevant to Valentine's Day.

Thanks to Venerable John Paul II's "Theology of the Body," the Church understands more deeply than ever the meaning of the line from Genesis: "male and female he created them."

In other words, man and woman together present to mankind an image of God.

The vocation of woman is to reveal God's beauty to the world. [WHAT?!  Not women priests?  Dang!  The nuns-in-pants would be up in arms!  The Anglicans and Episcopalians will be mad!]

Woman is made to be beautiful. Our culture's emphasis on physical beauty is not wrong, but it is shallow, and often misdirected. [And costly!]

The deepest way a woman is beautiful is when she reveals to others their own goodness by teaching them the love God has for them. This is the "feminine genius:" to reveal the goodness of the human person, and thus the beauty of God. [Hmmm... still no women priest.  Hey get that!  Richard McBrien!]

What Mother Teresa of Calcutta did for the poor, every woman can do in her environment, and certainly every mother does in her home for her husband and children. [Oh how the liberals hate Mother Teresa.]

This is the most satisfying and happy "work" of women, but there remains in every woman an emotional need to feel her beauty is appreciated. [Naturally.]

So one of the best things a husband can do for his wife is give a little assurance now and then that she is still beautiful in his eyes: in spite of wrinkles, stretch marks, perhaps the weight gain that can come with bearing children, cooking for them, and taking more care of others than oneself. [And don't ever ask her or tell anyone her real age and weight!  If you do not want World War 3 erupting so suddenly, eh?]

That's the real meaning of a romantic gesture for most wives, I think: It's a sign she is appreciated not just as cook and chauffer and governess and maid, but as wife. [Now that is a 24 hour job and probably the most important in the world.  Some career women prefer to take care of dogs and not get married.  Why?  Because they are afraid to become wives and mothers.  They can be CEOs and be rich, famous and powerful but yet cannot handle the greatest job a woman can ever have...wife and mother.]

ZENIT: How can Catholic families celebrate St. Valentine's Day? [Now I like this. Hope you do some of these suggestions or even some of your own in the Com Box.]

Teti: Faith & Family readers have lots of good ideas. Some of them study the various saints named Valentine.

Some make it a day to remember people who might otherwise be forgotten by taking valentine cards to sick or elderly shut-ins.

Almost everyone makes it an occasion to exchange cards with family members, celebrating the family's love for one another.

And, of course, there must be heart-shaped desserts
.

ZENIT: Valentine's Day has its roots in Christianity. There are actually several St. Valentines who were martyrs in the early Church. What is it about this Christian holiday that appeals to popular culture so much that they have embraced it as well? [With some atheist nut jobs greeting you "Merry Winter Solstice".  I'm a Christian and you are celebrating a Christian feast so deal with it!]

Teti: I think we have Geoffrey Chaucer to thank for that. Not much is known about any of the St. Valentines, but they were martyrs, and there does not seem to have been any association of the day with romance until Chaucer wrote a poem about the marriage of Richard II to Anne of Bohemia.

Chaucer made St. Valentine the patron saint of the marriage, and his poem also included allusions to Cupid and Venus. After that, there seems to have been a conflation of Cupid and St. Valentine, and Valentine's Day came to be associated with the "courtly love" of the medieval courts.

It's from the tradition of courtly love that the practice of sending a "valentine" in secret comes about. Or so the historians say!

ZENIT: In popular culture, it can seem that Valentine's day has become more of a day about sex and being sexy than about love. Is there a place for both on this day? [I love the quesions.]

Teti: Catholicism isn't puritanical. The Catholic approach to culture has always been to embrace what is wholesome and overcome what is evil with good.  [Do I hear an AMEN?]

Of course there is no necessity to celebrate Valentine's Day; it's not a holy day of obligation! [And another one?]

But for those who choose to observe it, there's no reason it can't be an opportunity to celebrate human love in all its dimensions -- including the romantic and erotic, which are part of God's gift to husbands and wives.[Leave the erotic part for those who are married...by the Church.]

***

Observe Valentine's Day for all the right reasons.

And I hope our hippie, soon-to-be-former, loves-to-construct-anything and run-fund-raisers "Deal or No Deal" parish priest would not use the Sunday Mass as an occasion to turn make it his very own Jerry Springer Show once again!

Imagine, having a special ritual blessing for married couples right after Holy Communion...in a huge church....5,000 capacity...waiting for the couples to gather in front of the sanctuary...for the blessing that can come before the dismissal.

I forgot what he said during his homily.  All I remember was he tried being Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil in 30 gruelling minutes.

When do I get to sing that Beatles' song?  (Na na na na. Hey hey!  Goodbye!)

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Catholic Farmer named Top 10 People of 2009 in China

BEIJING, FEB. 8, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A 71-year old Catholic farmer, who has spent 23 taking care of the elderly, sick, abandoned and handicapped, has been named one of the "Top 10 People of 2009" in China.

The list is compiled based on votes cast by major Chinese national media and by the general population through online voting, reports the Fides news agency. The award ceremony will take place on Chinese New Year, which falls this year on Feb. 14.

The story of Wang Ping An, who has accompanied 63 dying people during their last days, has caught the attention of the nation. He also took out a loan in 2000 to build a 50-room shelter for the homeless.

The poor farmer is known for often saying: "Jesus taught us 'Whenever you did to this to the least of these my brethren, you did unto me.'" 
[Like Blessed Teresa of Calcutta!]

Wang Ping (which means peace) said that the highlight of his life was when he visited Rome in 2007 and attended a general audience with Benedict XVI. [Probably Wang is not of the patriotic church.]

Fides news agency called the award an "eloquent testimony of how Chinese Catholics today are valued and recognized by society and by the Chinese media in general." [Surprisingly indeed.]

Unthinkable but it happened

Would you believe it?

The Dominican Nuns of Mary, Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were interviewed in Oprah yesterday.

I have watched several episodes of Oprah wherein she does not put the Catholic Church in a very friendly light but I am surprised to learn that she took the time to feature the lives of these nuns.

FYI.  These nuns are one of the fastest growing orders in the US.  Their unique mark?

Wears traditional habits.

Hmmm... Nuns in pants dying?  Modernism isn't attracting the younger generation to enter the religious life.





Monday, February 8, 2010

Touchdown... for Life!

ROME (Zenit.org) - Every year, millions across the United States of America fervently follow the athletic clash of titans called the Super Bowl. In today's Super Bowl, however, the winners won’t be limited to either the Indianapolis Colts or the New Orleans Saints. A special victory will go to life, thanks to a singular advertisement that will air during the most watched sporting event of the year.

Created and paid for by Focus on the Family, the commercial features Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators, and his mother, Pam Tebow, discussing her difficult choice for life. [Pro-choice!  Choice of life!]

While missionaries in the Philippines, Pam Tebow and her husband were advised to terminate her pregnancy after she contracted amoebic dysentery. The cure, said the doctors, would cause serious damage to her unborn child and as a result could possibly cost Pam Tebow her own life. The Tebows refused and 23 years later, the world famous athlete will have a chance to thank his mother for choosing life in front of 100 million spectators. [Filipino doctors were the ones who gave the advice!  And thank God did his mom choose life!  Imagine what the aborted babies would have become?  Only God knows.]

Like all great victories however, this one has not come easy. Last year the Catholic Vote organization filmed a pro-life video telling the story of Barack Obama and his single mother’s choice for life. Despite having raised the necessary $3 million and produced a highly professional spot, both NBC and CNN refused to air the ad, claiming a policy of not airing advocacy ads. [Another reason why we should not support CNN and NBC.  These networks are anti-life!]

This year, CBS agreed to air the Tim Tebow ad despite massive pressure. A coordinated campaign organized by the National Organization of Women and NARAL, the National pro-abortion organization, is lobbying CBS to drop the ad. Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL, had some choice comments on the spot (which she hasn't seen): "CBS has cleared the way to subject nearly 100 million people to Focus on the Family's extreme agenda [so choosing life is extreme?  how do you then describe those who choose defenseless babies?] by agreeing to air its new pro-life ad during the Super Bowl"; adding, "If that isn't bad enough, its views on women are just plain insulting and dangerous." [So it is an issue against women, eh?  What does Tim Tebow's mom have to say?  Oh yes.  She choose life and it did not insult her one bit.]

The good news is that Keenan described the ad as "pro life," forgetting in her rant her Orwellian newspeak term, "anti-choice."

The better news is that even the New York Times, not known for pro-life sympathies, published an editorial last week defending the advertisement. [Wow!  That's some breath of fresh air.]

Simultaneously, attorney Gloria Allred demanded the ad be pulled because of "misleading advertising." Pointing out that abortion is illegal in the Philippines, [it is!] she claims no doctor would ever tell a woman to have an abortion for fear of losing his license. [Don't be so sure about that.  There are instances where doctors do recommend an abortion in extreme cases such as that of Tebow's.  I have an OB-Gyn friend doctor who confessed that abortions are happening even in the most famous hospitals in Manila, even if it is illegal in the Philippines.  Life is protected in our country's constitution.] Besides the Ivory Tower reasoning here, given that the Tebows are citizens of the United States -- the country with some of the most permissive abortion laws in the world -- all they had to do was get on a plane. [Stupid!  The mom was stricken sick in Manila and had to be admitted to the hospital!]

As yet, to its credit, CBS is holding firm, and even those who don't care for football (myself included) will be tuning in to see this great triumph for life.

But here in Italy the land of Sunday soccer, has anyone taken notice of those fighting the good fight? I asked Legionary of Christ Father Kevin Lixey, director of the Vatican Office of Church and Sport, if the Curia would tear itself from the World Cup preparations to follow the game for life on Sunday.

“It is safe to say that not many Italians nor the Holy Father will be watching the late night Super Bowl,” responded Father Lixey, “nor are they aware of this pro-life spot.” [They must be informed!] That said, Father Lixey pointed out that “the Holy Father consistently encourages top athletes to live up to their great responsibility of being authentic role models for the many young people who look up to them."

Father Lixey quoted Benedict XVI’s address to champion swimmers last Aug. 5: “Dear athletes,” the Pope exhorted, “you are models for your peers, and your example can be crucial to them in building their future positively. So be champions in sports and in life![AMEN!]

Noting that this is not the first time an athlete has used his media “status” to defend life, Father Lixey recalled that in the fall of 2006, an ad against an embryonic stem cell research amendment in the state of Missouri featured such athletes as St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner and baseballers Mike Sweeney and Jeff Suppan -- who incidentally participated in the first Vatican sports seminar in 2005.

As with Tim Tebow, Father Lixey pointed out, “Suppan received criticism for the ‘timing’ of this advertisement, since he was pitching in the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals.”

The director of the Church and Sports office praised figures like Suppan and Tebow, noting that these are “athletes who are conscious of their leadership role among the youth and are not afraid to step up to the plate to defend life.” [And which is very rare!]

“Super Bowls have become notorious for permissive halftime shows and raunchy beer commercials to the point that some parents would prefer that their children not view it on television at all,” reflected Father Lixey. “While we do not know if the Saints will beat the Colts, one thing is certain: the Tebow ad will certainly be family friendly!"

***

Here is the video.