Pro-life advocates to picket K of C Annual Convention!

From Catholic Fire

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WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, August 3, at 8:45 AM representatives of Concerned Roman Catholics of America and other pro-life advocates will picket the opening Mass of the 2010 Knights of Columbus annual convention to expose the treachery [that is a bit harsh, I think.] of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus.

The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus is harboring member knight politicians who vote pro-abortion and pro-sodomy. This failure to expel these knights and their refusal to allow state councils to do so is against the dictates of their own bylaws and the will of their own members. The Council is causing discord and dissension among their own members and creating a public scandal. According to their own bylaws, the entire Supreme Council should be suspended or expelled. In light of this, we are calling for the resignation of Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Director Virgil Dechant, Supreme Treasurer Emilio B. Moure, and Supreme Advocate John Marrella. [Bit harsh.  Make them answer to these allegations first.]

What: Press Conference and protest of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus

Where: Main entrance of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

When: Tuesday, August 3, 8:45 AM

Why: To expose the treachery of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus

"The Supreme Council is insisting that nobody in the 1.4 million-strong order can do anything at all about the pro-abortion politicians right in their midst," says Ken Fisher. [I would have to read a statement that the Supreme Council put out about this.  But I have heard such claims like moves to expel the late Sen. Ted Kennedy who was a knight and a voracious pro choice supporter.] "That is preposterous. You can bet that the Knights would rightly kick out racists and criminals."

"In fact," continues Fisher, "the Knights do expel members -- pro-life faithful Catholic members, such as my friends John O'Gorman, Bob Kumpel and Danny Levine, who brought attention to these scandals.

Fisher urges all D.C.-area Catholics, and all Knights, to speak up and tell the Supreme officers to stop hiding behind the bishops, to admit that excommunication is not a requirement for expelling a member, and to create an Order-wide policy that pro-abortion politicians are no longer welcome, and that the Supreme Council will boot out all such members brought to its attention. [HUZZAH!!! This is am fully supportive!]

***

Any practical Catholic lay men, 18 years o above, in communion with the Holy See can become a Knights of Columbus.

So this begs the question?  Why are pro-abortion advocates and politicians not being censured by their Districts or by the Supreme Council?  Let us consult the KofC Charter and see what are the grounds for expulsion.

Ipso Facto Forfeiture — Members

SEC. 168. Any member of this Order shall, ipso facto, forfeit his membership in the Order —

        Failure to Remain a Practical Catholic

        1. Who shall fail to remain a practical Catholic in union with the Holy See.

***

So?  Is being continually pro-abortion not a violation of this provision?

I can't wait for the response of the Supreme Council...

Blogging from the road

I am now in the mountains of Benguet.  And as usual my ever dependable wireless broadband service provider is...UNDEPENDABLE.

I was only able to approve some comments posted and then afterwards...BAM!  The connection signal dropped.  So hopefully I can post some updates.

What does Benedict XVI and singer Madonna have in common

From The Guardian

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Following in the footsteps of Madonna and Geri Halliwell, Pope Benedict XVI has written a children's book.

Already the author of a range of titles for adults, from an exploration of the legacy of St Paul to reflections on the role of Mary in human history, the pope is now turning his hand to children's literature with a recounting of the story of the 12 apostles and St Paul.

Gli Amici di Gesù (The Friends of Jesus), published by the Italian press Piccola Casa Editrice, brings together passages from the pope's Wednesday general audiences with a prologue by Spanish priest Father Julian Carron. The pope "takes us by the hand and accompanies us as we discover who Jesus's first companions were, how they met Him and were conquered by Him to the point that they never abandoned Him", according to Carron.

Running to 48 pages and illustrated by Italian artist Franco Vignazia, Carron's prologue begins: "Once upon a time there was a small group of men who, one day two thousand years ago, met a young man who walked the roads of Galilee. Each had his own job and family but, in an instant, their lives changed. They were called Andrew and John, Peter, Matthew, Thomas ... In Jerusalem at that time everyone knew that they were Jesus's 'friends' ... Later they were joined by St Paul [who] from being a persecutor of Christians became the greatest witness to Jesus."  [Lovely way to start it!]

As yet the book is only published in Italian, so is unlikely to trouble the UK's bestseller charts. However, according to the National Catholic Reporter, [Fish wrap!] English and Spanish versions are expected within the next year.

***

Hope the English version gets released soon!  Can't wait to buy this for my kids!

Docu on Archbishop Sheen goes to the silver screen

Great News: Fired Catholic prof. reinstated!

Courtesy of EWTNNews.com

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A professor who was recently fired for explaining the Catholic teaching on homosexuality will be reinstated, [That is how bigoted some people can be!  Teach a fact and you are prejudiced!] according to the University of Illinois. Dr. Kenneth Howell's position at the school was terminated at the end of the Spring Semester this year after teaching in a class on Catholicism that the Church believes homosexual behavior violates natural law. [He is just stating what Catholicism teaches!  Will the University fire a Muslim professor, if they ever have one, who teaches Islam and says that death to infidels is justifiable?  Will they?]

A Thursday letter from the University of Illinois Office of University Counsel told Howell’s lawyers at the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) that “The School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics will be contacting Dr. Howell to offer him the opportunity to teach Religion 127, Introduction to Catholicism, on a visiting instructional appointment at the University of Illinois, for the fall 2010 semester. Dr. Howell will be appointed and paid by the University for this adjunct teaching assignment.”

Howell had been teaching at the university since 2001 and consistently gained high approval ratings on student evaluations. In a class on Catholicism last spring, he followed up a classroom discussion with an e-mail contrasting the ways in which utilitarianism and natural law theory would each determine the morality of homosexual conduct.

A student complained that Howell's words were “hate speech” in an e-mail to the head of the department, Dr. Robert McKim. Howell was called into McKim's office at the end of the semester and told that he would no longer be allowed to teach for the university because his e-mail had “violate[d] university standards of inclusivity.” [Inclusive?  In whose point of view?  By including idiots like that students who e-mailed and gays, they excluded those who are against homesexual sex and unions!  Wow!  Now that is inclusive.]

In Howell's defense, the ADF declared that the First Amendment exists to keep controversial ideas from being suppressed. “A university cannot censor professors’ speech--including classroom speech related to the topic of the class--merely because certain ideas ‘offend’ an anonymous student,” said ADF Senior Counsel David French. [Get that?  The deab fired Dr. Howell for reacting to an anonymous email!  Now that is using brain power!]

“We greatly appreciate the university’s move to put Professor Howell back in the classroom,” he continued, “but we will be watching carefully to make sure that his academic freedom is protected throughout the university’s ongoing process.”

***

This crap called inclusivity...now borders on "I can live the heck I want to!  Don't you dare tell me how."

NO thanks to Obama-niacs!

Sad news: Young priest found dead

MANILA, July 29, 2010— The Archdiocese of Caceres mourns the passing of 35-year old Rector of the Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary and Archdiocesan Vocation Director Fr. Baltazar A. Acompanado, Jr. [pictured at right.]

In a statement released and signed by Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi, O.P., D.D. today, it was learned Fr. Acompanado was found dead in his room at the Preparatory Seminary (High School), San Jose, Camarines Sur at about 9:30 A.M. Wednesday, July 28.

Archbishop Legazpi described Fr. Acompanado as “a good and dedicated priest.”

“There is an on-going process of verification as regards the particular circumstance of his demise,” the 75-year old prelate said. [So an autopsy will be performed.]

The late seminary rector was first appointed Parochial Vicar of St. John the Evangelist church in Naga City on March 24, 2003 and Professor/Formator of the Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary in San Jose, Camarines Sur on November 22, 2003, Assistant Coordinator of SPARC from May 15, 2004 until his appointment as Assistant Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Social Action on April 2, 2006.

He was named Professor and Formator of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary on April 2, 2006 and later Rector/Vocation Director of the Holy Rosary Preparatory Seminary last November 28, 2006.

His remains lie in sate at the Good Shepherd Chapel of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary, Naga City where a concelebrated funeral mass will be offered on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 2:00 P.M.

Interment will follow at the Resurrection Garden, the burial ground for priests from the Archdiocese of Caceres. (Melo M. Acuna)

***

Rest in Peace Father!

Let us pray for the repose of the soul of Father Baltazar.

***

DE PROFUNDIS

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness:
and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all her iniquities.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.


Responsory Prayer for the Dead

V. Do not remember my sins O Lord,
R. When you come to judge the world by fire
V. Direct my ways in your sight, O Lord, my God
R. When you come to judge the world by fire
V. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire
V. Lord, have mercy
R. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy
V. Our Father in heaven, holy be your name, your kingdom come your will be done on earth as in heaven.
R. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil.
V. From the gates of Hell.
R. Deliver his soul, O Lord.
V. May he rest in peace
R. Amen
V. Lord hear my prayer
R. And let my cry come to you.


Let us pray.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful,
grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that through our pious supplication they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR A DECEASED PRIEST

O God, Thou didst raise Thy servant, Fr. Baltazar A. Acompanado, Jr, to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchisedech, giving him the sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the sins of men in Thine own Holy Name. We beseech Thee to reward his faithfulness and to forget his faults, admitting him speedily into Thy Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of his labors. This we ask through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Soc Villegas receives the pallium

Here is a screen grab of Archbishop Soc Villegas after he received the pallium from the hands of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI. Unfortunately, his back is turned when the video was taken.

Contemplative Nuns and Lady Gaga

This was posted by a lot of Catholic bloggers after it was reported, but I am posting here the newsreel of the signing of the recording contract of Cloistered Avignon Nuns for Decca, the same recording company of Lady Gaga, Elton John and Amy Winehouse.

First Nuncio to Russia!

VATICAN CITY, JULY 27, 2010 (Zenit.org) - Archbishop Antonio Mennini, until now the Pope's representative to the Russian Federation, is now the Holy See's first apostolic nuncio to the country, the Vatican is reporting. [HUZZAH!!!]

The archbishop presented his letters of credence to Foreign Affairs Minister Sergej Lavrov on July 15 in a ceremony that was followed by a "cordial" meeting, reported the Vatican press office.

Last December, Benedict XVI and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to upgrade relations between the two sides to full diplomatic ties, which raises the level of representation to apostolic nuncio and embassy.

The two sides have maintained representation below the rank of ambassador since 1990.

In an address to the new nuncio, Alexander Krusko, the vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, reviewed the development of bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the Holy See. He noted that the relations between the two were "characterized by a growing understanding and spirit of collaboration," reported L'Osservatore Romano.

Krusko also assured Archbishop Mennini, on behalf of the Russian president, of "a fruitful collaboration in the great moral and ethical challenges posed to man today." [Diplomatic language if taken soooo seriously has a very deep an serious meaning especially in a very highly secularized Europe.]

For his part, the archbishop transmitted the Pope's greeting to the Russian president, assuring his "collaboration for a further reinforcement of relations with the government, as well as for the spiritual and moral growth of the Russian people." 

This ceremony brought to an end the exchange of embassies, which began on June 26 in Rome with the presentation of the letters of credence of the first Russian ambassador to the Holy See, Mikolaj Sadlichov.

***

Take note that this is a huge step!

The Russian Orthodox Church under its former Patriarch Alexy is soooo paranoid of the Roman Catholic Church that even a meeting between the Pope and him is soooo hard to organize.  They charge that Rome is proselytizing on traditionally Orthodox land, while they go and build Orthodox churches in traditionally Latin Church grounds.  Remember in 2009, they built a Church in....Rome itself.  Did they hear the Pope throw a nutty?  Nope.

But things have changed since the election of Kirill to the Patriarchate.  Alexy is seen as very hardline and seemingly highly suspicious of the Latin Church.  But under Kirill, things have changed.  The once archbishop was the leading ecumenism champion who dialogued with Rome's Cardinal Kasper to improve relations between Rome and Moscow.

In February 11, 2002, Moscow was raised to the dignity of a Metropolitan Archdiocese with Saratov, Irkutsk and Novosibirsk as suffragans. The current archbishop is Paolo Pezzi, FSCB.  (pictured at left)

So things are improving.  Praying for the best.

Liturgical Vestments in Manila

The Archdiocese of Manila website posted photos of the Blessing of Liturgica, a shop that sells Catholic liturgical items in SM Megamall.

The text of the invitation for the blessing of the shop, signed by Fr. Genny Diwa, the archdiocesan Minister for Liturgical Affairs.  Weird that the online letter says he is the Director Archdiocesan Office of Communications.  I think someone forgot to edit the pro-forma letter, eh?

Fr. Diwa blessed the shop.

Well, anywho, here is the message of the letter:

It has been our experience at the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission to receive inquiries and calls from priests, religious and lay, from our archdiocese and from other arch/dioceses in the country, on where they can get some needed liturgical item. [Huh?!  I guess they did not know about a LOT of tailors and metal workers who do great works in liturgical arts.  Maybe the Commission does not want them to go to these stores?  Hmmm?  Dan Brown conspiracy?  Nahhh.  More of this later.] We are glad there are places and shops that we can refer them to [I am not sure if the shops I will refer later are those that they actually refer.] but we have also come to realize that more shops of this sort are needed.

It is in connection with this that we invite you to the blessing of LITURGICA, a shop or house where various liturgical items can be obtained such as liturgical vestments, books, publications [BOOKS!!! PUBLICATIONS!!!! LITURGY!!! ANSCAR!!!!] and CDs on the liturgy, and other paraphernalia used in the liturgy. It is touted as a one-stop shop. [One stop shop? Of anything liturgy?  So does this include items of the traditional Mass?  We'll see.]

***

So now let's look at selected photos of the shop courtesy of RCAM.org.  Why do I get this feeling that the Liturgy Commission is running the Archdiocese's website?

  The inside of the shop and the people who attended the blessing.

Wow!  Beautiful retablo for a chapel.  Beautiful altar!  Beautiful lectern!  Classy chairs.  Processional cross modelled after the Paul VI/John Paul II ferula and... WHAT THE?!?!?!

The Tabernacle is on the side AGAIN!!!  I know...it does not have the Lord in it.  But this set-up says a lot!

Can you not see how the liturgists try to make a parallelism between the presider's chair and the Tabernacle?  Geez....after the Year of the Priest and naming St. John  Mary Vianney the model for all priests on loving ministry and the Eucharistic Lord, you would think THIS would not happen again?  Hah!  Wishful thinking Pinoy Catholic!

Busts of laughing Christ and a Christ showing His Sacred Heart with a crown of thorns on the Sacred Head.  Hmmm...Never seen this before.  I can't make out of this.  First, the smiling and the suffering Christ...Nuff said.  Then the Sacred Heart with the crown of thorns.  Never have seen this before.

Drab vestments!

Ho-hum overlay stoles.  The St. Joseph the Worker stole is nice, though.  

Guess when this will be used?  Duh!

White Chasuble with an overlay design most oftentimes mistaken as a stole or what some would call "pallium stole" or "center stole".   There is no such thing folks.  According to the GIRM, stoles are worn under the chasuble.  Only in exceptional cases should it be worn over the chasuble.  This overlay designed-stole can still be used provided that an inner stole be worn inside.  Looking at the embroidery and the design, it is a nice handiwork and the material is probably the same used in a Barong Tagalog.

Ho-hum chalices and patens.  Well, better than the water goblet!

***

As I mentioned above, there are some shops who do excellent liturgical vestments.

Here they are: 

 Talleres de Nazaret 

You may visit their website.  Actually some of their work is sold at Liturgica but these are the ugly ones.  Go to their website and you can find excellent Roman chasubles.  I have personally seen the Roman chasubles and maniples and traditional copes they make and they are EXCEPTIONAL!  BUT!

Talleres is VERY PRICEY and the craftsmanship is not as excellent as I have seen done by smaller shops, staffed and owned by la people.   The people who work there need something to buy their daily bread, no?  Here is a screenshot of the chasubles.

Next is 

  Paulus Fine Liturgical Vestments

They have their own website also.  Click here.

Here is the profile of the company according to their website:

Paulus is a family-owned company started by the late Gerardo S. Salazar(†) in 1999. It started as Ecclesia Manila and was changed to Paulus Fine Liturgical Vestments following Jerry's untimely demise in 2006.

Today, our family steadfastly pursues the lifelong interest in embroidery, art and design together with a love of worship sparked by Jerry during his life as a designer and servant of the church. Paulus is now being managed by Marcela S. Salazar.

You can come to custom tailor your vestments in our studio located at 5421 Marcelo H. Del Pilar Street, La Huerta Paranaque City, Philippines. Or you may contact us directly through this website.

Here are sample works of Paulus:

Traditional Y Cross Gothic Chasuble.  Simple, traditional and beautiful!

With a detachable collar.  Very fine embroidery!

Traditional Banner for the Mother Butler Guild

Paulus has its share of liturgical horrors too...

AHHHHH!!!!

I also know of one from Bulacan who makes very great vestments also.  I cannot find her contact details.  I will post this as soon as I get them.

 
UPDATE December 28, 2011

Try this one instead!  You can have the best traditional vestments here.

Neumann Liturgical Vestment

Ronnie C. Lominoque 
(Liturgical Art Designer)

63 9167153435

And for your sacred vessels!

Mamerto Pingol Metal Craft Manufacturing
1631 Felix Huertas Street, Sta. Cruz Manila
Telephone Number
+ 63 2 711-8216

Telefax
+ 63 2 711-8880

and/ or


Relobin

63 2 473-2431

They really do good work. And the insides of the chalices are gilded in REAL silver and/or  gold.  Excellent attention to details also!

Processional Crosses

A collection of photos of different kinds of processional crosses..

From the beautiful...

To the absurd and weird...

This one looked like it came out of the workshop of Nickelodeon.

And I saved the best for last.

AHHHH!!!!! Run!!!!!!  It's a Tiki god pretending to be Christ stuck on pole!!!! AHHHH!!!!

Incorrupt bodies of Saints

This is the body of Blessed Ildefonso Schuster, the Cardinal - Archbishop of Milan during World War II, after his body was exhumed in preparation for his beatification on January 28, 1985. Schuster was beatified on May 12, 1996 by Pope John Paul II.

Now his body is displayed at the Duomo. His face is covered with a silver mask as an Italian tradition.

For other photos of other incorrupt bodies of saints, click here.