"You're Already a Traditionalist, You Just Don't Know it Yet..."

This is what my wife has been telling one of her best friends for years when their conversations inevitably turn to the overall lack of reverence that one becomes accustom to in our diocese. Her girlfriend and her husband have shared in our same frustration for years. These conversations they have tend to always enable my wife to segue into what has become her pat answer to anyone who raises such concerns over Eucharist desecration and indifference. "You know, you really need to check out the Latin Mass..." She does this with the patience of St. Monica, knowing full and well that this could be the conversation killing, friendship ending, "you know that 'nypd green' family...I always knew they were overboard..." comment that can change relationships in a single breath... or it can open up a new doorway into a deeper Eucharistic devotion, one that any Catholic with a belief in the True Presence is searching for. What price we pay to Evangelize...

I'm quite familiar with the justifications for not attending the TLM that her girlfriend would give, because I've given them all myself. "I don't know if this is for me", "I can't follow the Latin Mass", "yada-yada-yada...". Yes, going to the Mass in the Extraordinary Form can be intimidating, but just like sitting behind the wheel of a car for the first time, once you do it, you know you'll be behind that wheel again. That liberating feeling you had as a teen, being able to run to the store without a parent taking you, has just been given to your Faith, one thousandfold. THIS is what anyone lamenting the lack of Holiness at a Novus Ordo Mass is seeking.

It's funny, I look at today's Catholic and I see a bunch of good folks seeking an identity. They think they can define it themselves by putting their own stamp on what it is to be Catholic. Much like a middle age guy getting his first tattoo (or goatee? Just a little self effacing humor there...) we are trying to redefine and make relevant, what is already BEYOND relevancy and very DISTINCTIVELY defined. Youth Masses, Gospel Masses, Spanish Masses, CLOW... all these gimmicks and countless others have cropped up to try and 'sell' the NO Mass since the Latin Mass was all but abandoned. I'm sorry, but these 'pitches' are the equivalent of holding a piece of gold in your hands and asking someone if they'd like to buy a some bronze. If one says they believe in the True Presence, how can one see any way of offering the Mass as more fitting than the Mass in its Extraordinary Form? I've heard it said, (and I've said it myself) "I'd prefer a reverent NO Mass". Yes, of course I'd take that if it were my only option, but you show me someone standing by that assessment and I'll show you someone who is either a tad bit intimidated by the TLM or they are a little more attached to the 'ME' aspect of the Novus Ordo Mass than they realize or care to admit. As Father said in his homily last night, "we are about to go to the foot of Calvary". This is something that I always believed to be true at the Novus Ordo. But it has become something that I KNOW to be true at the Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

As for my wife's friend, she finally attended a Latin Mass last night. The first one at St. Mary's in downtown Wilmington in years. I'm also happy, though not in the least surprised that she is now sold on the TLM. No shocker there, this is a lady who stands up for the truth just like my wife does. If you seek the Truth, you'll find it. She did and I know will be back. We also had some other very close friends show up last night. They couldn't get over what they'd been missing all these years either. In fact, their 14 year old daughter had just finished a book on the Mystery of the Eucharist and the Mass had a profound effect on her. Their 12 year old son was very moved as well, his one issue was following the Latin. I view that as a good thing, a 12 year old young man who wants to follow the Mass? Do I see a future Altar Boy in the making? ...or a Priest? Could be... At the very least I know this is a family ignited by what they participated in last night. My brother-in-law, another former NYPD officer who now works for our local department was also deeply moved as well. His offer to usher last night was rewarded in the deeper view of the Eucharist he now holds from this one experience.

So, despite the petty attempts to disrupt (the AC trick was very predictable, I didn't think the older woman who collapsed when going to receive thought it was funny though), it was truly a glorious evening. I'm sure I'll be hearing others relate their experiences, as the Mass attendance was well beyond our expectation. I'm sure that many others last night, received not only the deeper connection with the Eucharist we all seek, but also learned a little bit about the Catholic identity they've been seeking as well. It was never gone, just placed on the shelf for a spell. Hopefully, it's back for good.

Saint Michael the Archangel...

...Defend Us in Battle!!!

ObamaCare The Musical!
Joyfully stolen in it's entirety from those wacky kids over at The American Catholic


Hat tip to the ever musical Cminor. Just like the last Depression, at least we are getting some good music out of this fiasco.

Mr. Scampers In The Attack Mode
That crazy lil' Scamperness

Only believed if seen. Read it for yourself.

A Tale Of Two News Articles
♪♪ One of these articles is not like the other! ♪♪

Below is just a sliver of an article in regards to Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, and after that, an article from the Wilmington Red Star, oops, Star News;
Bishop of Tulsa "turns his back on the people" during Mass

TULSA, Okla. (CNS) -- When he celebrates Mass at Tulsa's Holy Family Cathedral, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa now faces the crucifix on the altar with his back to the congregation.

He has restored the liturgical practice, called "ad orientem," because he said it reflects "a more authentic Catholic worship."

The bishop, writing in the September issue of Tulsa's monthly diocesan magazine, Eastern Oklahoma Catholic, said the liturgical practice, largely abandoned in the 1960s, demonstrates how the priest and the congregation share in the act of worship.

"In the past 40 years," he wrote, "this shared orientation was lost; now the priest and the people have become accustomed to facing in opposite directions. The priest faces the people while the people face the priest, even though the Eucharistic prayer is directed to the Father and not to the people."Keep in mind that the alleged reporter of this next article is suppose to get all of her info from the Diocesan Director of Communications (and however he authorizes on behalf of the Bishop to provide info), I may be wrong, but I get the distinct impression that someone just may have somehow interjected their own 2¢ worth. But I may be wrong.
August 28th, 2009 10:30am
THE DIVINE DIVA: Regular traditional Latin Masses to be hosted at St. Mary
by Amanda Greene

Something sort of unusual is coming to Wilmington’s Catholic community this weekend - diocese-approved traditional Latin Masses or the Tridentine Mass. The Tridentine Mass was the service used in the Catholic church for 1,500 years before the Second Vatican Council (and what an objective website THIS is!) when the pope introduced a new Mass in the vernacular. Learn more about the Tridentine Mass here. The first of a series of monthly Tridentine Masses is at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at St. Mary Catholic Church on the corner of fifth and Ann streets.

I say sort of because Latin Masses have been hosted in Catholic churches here intermittently for years, but they were usually said by priests outside the Diocese of Raleigh. And this is the first time it’s been approved by the bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, Bishop Michael Burbidge. St Mary is merely hosting the diocesan-sponsored event.

A little background.
“On July, 7, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI released an Apostolic Letter, accompanied by a letter to all Bishops of the world, noting the Church has two forms of celebration of the Mass; the Mass in the local language and the “extraordinary form of celebration” known as the Tridentine Mass,” wrote Frank Morock, the press liaison for the diocese. “He requested that all dioceses provide opportunities for the faithful, where possible, by September 14 2007. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge implemented the Holy Father’s request on that day at a Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Dunn, by Father Paul Parkerson, pastor of the church. Bishop Burbidge was the homilist.”St. Mary will be the fifth parish where the Mass is regularly celebrated in the diocese. Here are the other parishes: Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh, Sacred Heart Church in Dunn, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rocky Mount and St. Bernadette Church in Fuquay-Varina.

Parkerson is the officiant for Wilmington’s Tridentine Masses, though Father Walter Ospina celebrated the Latin Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church in Wrightsville Beach before he was transferred last year. There are only five priests in the diocese who are trained to celebrate the Tridentine Mass. Parkerson did not return calls this week about the Masses.

The Latin Mass has garnered controversy with some groups who call some parts of it anti-Semitic, including a prayer for the conversion of the Jews.
Pope Benedict XVI has rebuked those fears publicly saying that the vernacular Masses will continue to be the main form of liturgical celebration for most Catholics.

Sacred Heart Cathedral
100 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
4:30pm First Sunday of every month

Sacred Heart Church
108 S. McKay Avenue
Dunn, NC 28335
12:00pm Every Sunday

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
328 Hammond Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
6:00pm Every Sunday

St. Bernadette Church
1005 Wilbon Road
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
9:00am Every Tuesday

St. Mary Church
5th Avenue at Ann Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
7 pm last Sunday of every month beginning 8/30/09Is it just me, or does this seem just a little more than nonobjective?

________________________________
UPDATE!!
I just received a comment on this posting, and it's way too good to stay just in the ComBox;

Adeodatus49 said...

Greene doesn't know what she's talking about. Why am I not surprised? She is probably somebody's mouthpiece.

The Tridentine Mass is not 1,500 years old. In the 16th Century, Pope St. Pius V decided to standardize the normative liturgy of the Church which had experienced multifarious uses over time, and in some cases became subject to liturgical abuse.

What came down as the Mass of Pope St. Pius V, known colloquially (and sometimes erroneously) as the Tridentine Latin Mass, was the very ascetic and "nobly" simple Mass of the Roman Curia which, by tradition, goes back to Pope St. Peter. St. Pius embellished it with elements from the Gallican liturgies. One example of embellishment is the Gloria which in the Byzantine East is recited during Great Compline, the night prayer during for eves of major feasts and Sunday celebrations.

Another thing she messed up on. Greene stated that the modern mass, i.e., the Ordinary Form, is the the form that is said in the vernacular. The official version of the N.O.M is LATIN, not any of the vernaculars of the world today. It can be said in Latin which would have the advantage of by-passing the inadequate English translation of the old ICEL. So the "Latin Mass" could very well be the Mass of Pope Paul VI as amended since 1970 or the Mass of Pope St. Pius V, as amended down through the Roman Missal of 1962. Greene should have been specific and careful when talking about the Catholic mass.

Folks, this is Catholicism 101. Even a mouthpiece ought to get this right, unless of course there is another agenda going on.

Another GROSS error which borders on slander is the prayers for the conversion of Jews. It is not found in the mass, but in the traditional Good Friday liturgy which is a pre-sanctified liturgy (ask the Orthodox about this liturgy--it is attributed traditionally to Pope St. Gregory the Great whom the East calls the Dialogos.).

I agree with Pope Paul VI in modifying this prayer so as not to give undue offense to the Jews. The term "perfidious" merely means faithless (strictly vis-a-vis Jesus Christ the Lord), but does not mean that Jews do not believe in God. Also, "perfidious" has an awful sound to it (IMHO) just as the terms: rapist, child molester, etc. So if we are to use these terms, we must really mean them and they must be true.

That said, we must still pray for the Jews because Jesus Himself said "Unless you are born of water and the Spirit, you shall not enter the Kingdom of God." Water Baptism is the ordinarily necessary means of salvation. This has been Divinely revealed to the Church by Jesus Christ through sacred scripture, and it therefore a Dogma of the Faith.

The Latin Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 ought to be said in every parish Church, not just in special Churches. It is up to the laity to make this happen. According to Summorum Pontificum, all that is needed is a "stable" group of laity to make the request. The bishop has to comply.

Ooops! Another long post. This one struck a sensitive nerve in me. LOL

Slouching Towards ObaWorship
The Fruition of the Spirit of Vatican II

Here's some of the article from JH Westen of Life Site News. Emphasis and comments mine.
The Kennedy Funeral - A Golden Opportunity or Capitulation for the Catholic Church
August 26, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Saturday's grandiose Catholic funeral for Senator Ted Kennedy has the potential to be a scandal that will make Notre Dame's Obama Day a walk in the park. With all four living former Presidents in attendance and an address from President Barack Obama, the funeral is set to be a royal crowning, right inside a Catholic Church, of a man who betrayed the most fundamental moral teachings of the faith. (This is where I believe Weston is off the mark. Kennedy isn't being crowned. That's impossible... he's dead. So who exactly was it that was being coronated?)

What example will this give to Catholics and the rest of the world looking in? It will surely belie the Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life and sexuality. "Surely," they will say, "if one of the most vociferous proponents of abortion and homosexuality in politics is so feted in the Church, the Church cannot possibly regard abortion as murder." Would anyone so honor one who so advocated what the church officially considers an "unspeakable crime"? (How could Christ be present in The Eucharist at this obamanation? Think about it.)

The Church in the US has suffered a dangerous precedent with the recent Notre Dame award to President Obama. However, President Obama is not Catholic. Therefore, the impact of the scandal was blunted. Regarding Senator Kennedy, however, the stakes are much higher in terms of scandal and public relations. (Besides the obvious, how could they have been worse? Possibly the Papal Crowning of Pope Barry the Worst?)

Rev. Patrick Tarrant, pastor of the Church where Kennedy is to be buried has informed the media that he was present at Kennedy's death and thus hopefully the senator made a last confession and was reconciled with the Church. ("Hopefully"? Hope in one hand, deficate in the other. See which one fills faster.)

However, only a public repudiation of his militantly anti-life and anti-family actions would serve to lessen the scandal of the upcoming funeral extravaganza. (And that simply ain't gonna happen.)

If we assume a private confession was made there could be a private funeral Mass for the family, without politicians and media. And of course there would still be a secular memorial event, with all the pomp and ceremony for this star of the secular world. (And the Master of Ceremonies for this Three Ring Circus was good ol' Cardinal Sean. What gutless cowards we have for shepherds.)

Such a deliberately subdued Catholic liturgical event for the Senator would, at this time, with the announcement of the Catholic funeral already out, come at the cost of enduring the rage of those who have become used to the Church giving in to their demands. However, the eternal benefit would be to send a clear message to Catholic politicians in particular, and to the public in general, that the Church is actually serious about the sanctity of human life. (BINGO!! This farce that just took place in Boston proves that The Novus Ordo Catholic Church in America is NOT serious about the sanctity of human life, period. Think I'm overreacting? Fine, when the USCCB refutes what just happened, I'll happily retract my statements.)

Canada suffered a similar scandal in 2000, with the death of former Catholic Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Despite his having legalized abortion, divorce and homosexuality he was given a state funeral in Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica, presided over by the archbishop of Montreal, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte. One of the pallbearers was Cuba's communist president Fidel Castro. (Yep, The Canadian Socialized Health Care isn't the only thing Canadian that The Zero wants to incorporate in Ammerica.)

Five months after the funeral Calgary Bishop Fred Henry was asked if he were offended by Trudeau’s funeral. He replied: “Yes, I was.... there were some issues or questions there that might make one kind of pause and consider whether or not this was an appropriate funeral to have or not." (Understatement of the year.)

The Hypocritical Kennedy Klan Hits A New Low
So pasty, they don't need white sheets

The Martha's Vinyard Marxists absolutely make me want to puke. During the first official 'Mass' of the American Catholic Liberation Church, the funeral mass, AKA: Saint Ted's Farewell-As-I-Voyage-to-Gehenna/SuperPope Barry's coronation, the family used quotes from Saint Ted's past speeches. No passages from Sacred Scripture... no quotes from past popes or Saints. None of that. Kuotes from Komrade Kennedy - KKK.

Funny, they failed to use any of his quotes in regards to the following;
Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)
Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
Kinda missed those gems, didn't ya, Kennedy Klan?

And Why Does No One Take Confession Seriously?
Look to Boston

When a murder the magnitude of Ted Kennedy receives a Catholic Funeral Mass at a Basilica, "presided" over by a Cardinal, no less, who could blame a NOD (Novus Ordo Drone) for repeating the hypnotized, drooling mantra of "I'm not that bad, it's not like I'm a murderer or anything."

A handful receive Penance, hundreds receive Holy Communion. Show me a Novus Ordo parish that isn't that way, and I'll show you the golfer who was hit twice by lightning and won the lottery.... three times.

By the way, the only "Mass" Ted Kennedy could be connected with, is when the word "Murderer" is next to it.

In Case You Were Wondering About Pope Barry The Worst
When exactly does he become SuperPope of Amerika?

Interesting reading from the Archdiocese of Boston; (Comments mine)

Presiding at the Funeral Liturgy
Funeral Policy
Presiding at the Funeral Liturgy
1. Only a bishop, priest or deacon is allowed to preach the homily at the funeral liturgy. (or the SuperPope?)

2. A eulogy is not appropriate where a homily is prescribed (OCF #27), although examples from the person's life may be used in the homily. The literary genre of eulogy is not a homiletic form. Rather, the homily is to "illumine the mystery of Christian death in the light of the Risen Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1687) as proclaimed in the readings. (Oh, but a eulogy WILL be given, even though "inappropriate" as the Archdiocese of Boston themselves admit. But inappropriateness never stopped the Archdiocese of Boston. Just look at the millions and millions of dollars paid out to protect rapists in Roman Collars.)

3. Excellence in preaching is of critical importance to the evangelizing task of the Church, especially at a moment when the faithful who live apart from the regular life of the Church may yearn for a message of faith and Christian hope. (Excellence and Ted Kennedy aren't words that go together. Then The Zero is thrown into the mix? Let the coronation begin.)

4. In the Archdiocese of Boston, one speaker chosen by the family may offer not more than a five-minute remembrance of the deceased at the Funeral Liturgy before the final commendation. The remarks are to be simple, brief, and prepared. Care must be taken to follow this. Some priests have found it helpful to see the text beforehand. Within the context of a liturgy, the tone should remain one of faith and hope. (Time it... I dares ya. Just the ass-kissing alone as The Obamessiah floats his way to center stage will take more than 5 minutes. Anyone care to make a wager?)

5. Other occasions might offer opportunities for individuals to share remembrances of the deceased. (Yet another glowing example of a Novus Ordo loophole big enough to drive Ted Kennedy's coffin through. But this will be the moment that he becomes the SuperPope of all the Americkas, as well as the spiritual advisor of Chris Matthews & Friends. )

All The News That's Fit To Delete
A curious bulletin note, part II

Just about a month ago, the news was made public (and world-wide at that) concerning the very same parish where the presider had some rather... curious, shall we say... comments in regards to both the Traditional Latin Mass and indirectly towards the visiting priest who is about to offer said Mass at the Shrine of St Mary's in Wilmington, NC.

Father Zuhlsdorf certainly had some rather pointed comments for the Presider-in-Residence occupying the rectory at St. Mary's.

Here's the latest bulletin for that very same parish. Amazingly enough *sarcasm off*, not one peep in regards of the Traditional Latin Mass that's about to be offered. Not one.

But there is space enough for some of these oh, so important notices -

St. Mary Nursery News!
The nursery is open each Sunday during 9:30 Mass. We offer a safe and fun environment! We are located on the main floor of the Tileston Building. There is no cost or requirements for this service. The nursery is open to all children 6 mos. to 5 years old!

New Nursery Opportunities!
We are looking to open a nursery during the other Mass times. However, we need additional volunteers to staff those times. It only takes an hour! If you are interested in volunteering in the nursery during the, Saturday 5p.m., Sunday 8a.m., 11:00a.m. Masses please contact us. Stop by the nursery during Sunday 9:30 am Mass or email us at xxxxx@xxxxxx.org for more information!
English as a Second Language Classes
Classes will resume in September. Sunday mornings from 10:45 am – 12:45 pm.
Rides to Church Ministry
One of our parishioners, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, has graciously agreed to head our new “Rides to Church" ministry. This ministry will be divided into Zip Code areas. All who are interested in becoming part of this ministry as a driver should call Mr. Xxxxxxxxx at 910-xxx-xxxx to discuss arrangements.
Centering Prayer
An hour of contemplating prayer and the Centering practice Wednesday afternoons in our Chapel in Tileston. www.centeringprayer.com
When: Wednesday from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Place: Chapel - Tileston – 1st floor
More information: contact Xxxx Xxxxx – xxx-xxxx
Coming Soon to Immaculate Conception Church
Immaculate Conception Parish is pleased to offer a dymanic [sic] seminar by Deacon Bob Diehl, a certified spiritail [sic] gerontologist, “The 12 Keys to Ageless Living” This seminar will be offered both in the mornings and evenings during the week of September 27th. For more details and to register, contact Xxx Xxxxxxxx at xxxxxxx@aol.com or xxx-xxxx
And finally, from the parish calender;
Sunday, August303 [sic]:
Nursery* – Av ailable [sic] at the 9:30 am Mass
No Faith Formation – (Begin again in the Fall)
Faith Sharing* - 9:45 am in Tileston
No English as a Second Language Class* - (Begin again in the Fall)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament* - 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm in the Church

Welcome To The Coronation Of Pope Barry The Worst
It's official now

What have I been saying about The Zero making a grab at becoming the pope of the American Catholic Church? I first posed this question back on July 20th of this year.

And as I stated on that post, The South-Side Stooge will deliver the eulogy at the Funeral Mass. Agree or disagree with the Novus Ordo practice of this mutation between worshipping the dead and a Friars Roast, the Novus Ordo mob has ensured it's now a part of a Catholic Mass... period.

And rest assured --- Barack Hussein Obama will be the center of attention at this lil' secular soiree with all the trappings of Catholicism. You can bet your ass that Ted Kennedy's massive, NASA-worthy space-shuttle-hangar-of-a-coffin will be nothing more than a prop for DingleBarry's coronation.

Anyhow, it all began with such Judasesque organizations the likes of Catholics For Obama, Knights (of Columbus) for Obama, Catholic Democrats, etc., vomitus maximus. Even the former Lt Governor of Maryland, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is suggesting President Obama is more Catholic than the pope. In her own words - "they know Obama's on their side... [his] agenda is closer to their views than even the pope's."Then came the debacle at Notre Damned. "Catholics" by the bucketful, clergy and laity alike, pissed themselves into an Obamanic frenzy.

Now comes his key participation in a Catholic Mass. Key participation. The same guy who wants babies that have survived the abortion procedure to be left to die...

And of course, the first member of The Chicago Curia will without a doubt, be that good Catholic, Chris Matthews. His quote says it all -- "Barack's now the last brother". Wow, how the hell did that happen... did Rose have jungle fever? But in all honesty, between breathless moans, eyeballs rolling back in his head, and his all-body quivering, it's kinda hard to make out anything coherent in regards to Ms. Matthews. I dunno 'bout you, but I certainly have a thrill going up my leg.



But of course, Pope Barry's first encyclical is on it's way: Ego sum Deus.

REMINDER!
The Traditional Latin Mass returns to Wilmington

It's right around the corner, gang! After forty long years, the Traditional Latin Mass returns to the Shrine. From the Diocese of Raleigh, NC official website;

Mass in the Extraordinary Form To Be Offered Monthly

Beginning in August, a regular Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered at St. Mary's Parish and Shrine in Wilmington on the last Sunday of each month at 7 p.m. The first of these, a Solemn High Mass, will take place on Sunday, August 30, with the Reverend Paul M. Parkerson as principal celebrant.

The Forma extraordinaria, commonly referred to as the Tridentine Mass, is also offered in four other churches in the Diocese of Raleigh: Sacred Heart Cathedral, 4:30pm on the First Sunday of every month; Sacred Heart Church in Dunn, at noon every Sunday; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Rocky Mount, at 6 p.m. every Sunday; and St. Bernadette Church in Fuquay-Varina, at 9 a.m. every Tuesday.

If you know anyone from Camp Lejeune to Myrtle Beach to Fort Bragg, pass the word! And I have to also ask, for those who are planning on attending this Mass, if you're going to write a check, please make it payable to: The Extraordinary Form Ministry in c/o Fr. Paul Parkerson.

Californiathon
Satire has become a reality

A few weeks back, I joked about how The Zero will end up hosting a fund-raising telethon to get America out of it's economical straights, à la the old John Ritter movie Americathon.

Watch the below video clip, then read this wonderful article from AuctionBytes.com. Here's just the headline;
California Governor Holds Garage Sale on eBay, Craigslist

The Latest From The Lavender Mafia
Of course... California

Spiritual AIDS. That's the best way to describe the drivel that comes from certain "shepherds".

Here's some of the article from the California Catholic; (Emphasis mine)
Sympathy
The Bishop Barnes Agenda

Bishop Gerald Barnes of San Bernardino celebrated Mass August 20 for all diocesan school employees to kick off the school year. The Mass, offered at St. Francis Cabrini Church in Yucaipa, featured a homily in which Barnes reminded administrators and teachers that they must be more tolerant of people of different nationalities, different races and different “orientations.” (People choose to engage in perverse acts, not their nationality. You'd think a bishop would know that. Unless he's in favor of further forwarding the homo agenda.)

This is not the first time Bishop Barnes has shown sympathy to the gay agenda. In 2003, Barnes celebrated Mass for the 10th National Conference of the Catholic Association for Lesbian and Gay and Ministry in Palm Springs. In that homily, Barnes apologized to the National Conference for the “strife they had endured,” adding, “I know your particular ministry is not easy. Some would say you don't belong. But we know that's not true because the Lord Himself says that." Barnes apologized in 2000 for the diocese’s past mistreatment of gays, blacks, American Indians, and others and in 2001 created a Diocesan Commission for Ministry with Families of Gay and Lesbian Catholics. ("Acting upon" one's cultural heritage doesn't quite equate to being a fudge packer. You'd think a bishop would know that.)

One San Bernardino Catholic school teacher in attendance noted that there were booksellers present selling gay pride books and that in his homily Barnes spoke more like a political candidate than a Catholic bishop. One of Barnes’ laments was over the reports of violence from people opposed to President Obama’s healthcare legislation at town hall meetings. (What a shock. *Sarcasm off*)

A Note On Teddy Kennedy


I have absolutely nothing good to say about Ted Kennedy, so out of respect for the dead I will refrain from saying anything of a personal nature about him at all. Even though I had absolutely no regard for the man, out of Christian Charity I am greatly concerned about his soul and even though it will be very hard for me to do, I will pray for him at Mass this coming Sunday.

On a more public note, I will say that the media does make me sick the way they fawn over this man as if he lived some tremendous and heroic life of public service. Such sentiment I think says so much more about the very low state of modern society than it does about the man himself. I believe the last day or so is just that much more concrete proof that our society has been corrupted beyond human repair and that we very well may have passed Sodom and Gomorrah. Modern society is so diabilically disoriented that it is a wonder why God allows us to conintue.

And on a particular Catholic note, I thought I would point out the following from the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

Can. 1184

§1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;
2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;
3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.

Even though recent history within the American Church gives us absolutely no reason to, I guess we should all give the local bishop in Boston the benefit of the doubt and assume that he is exercising his just authority on this matter with the knowledge that Ted Kennedy had a death bed conversion. If not, I would just ask for whom was this code provision written to apply to if not to a man like Ted Kennedy?

Let The Spin Begin!
Don't tell me that the Kennedy Clan doesn't OWN the Catholic Church in Boston

WARNING!! Harsh language alert.

Oh, what a good Catholic boy, Teddy Kennedy was! *sniff, sniff*

Bullshit. He was a murderer rivaled only by the likes of Stalin, Hitler and Mao. He also had the personal scruples of a $2 whore. And that's an insult to $2 whores.

Good ol' Carinals Sean and Barnie must be nice and cozy in Fat-Boy's rather bulbous hip pocket. But hey... when you're broke and need a quick influx of cash... it's always good for some to whore themselves out to the highest bidder. How pathetic. Try not to puke as you read some of the below information -- Enjoy some of these snippets from The Telegraph (of London);

The funeral will take place Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica commonly known as the Mission Church in the Mission Hill neighbourhood of Boston.

President Barack Obama will deliver a eulogy at Ted Kennedy's funeral mass later this week, a White House official has said.Then there's this from some dip-shit named Dan Gilgoff who writes for US News & World Report;

How long did it take for Kennedy to get his first marriage annulled?
Between the divorce and the annulment, there was about 10 or 11 years. They never really announced when the annulment was granted. We all became aware of it when [Kennedy] took [Holy Communion] from Cardinal [Bernard] Law at his mother's funeral in '95. But the divorce was in 1982.No real answer, huh Danny Boy? Don't fret, the spin was good. Funny how the Catholic Church never made the announcement... it was Fat-Boy's act of reception that "made it public".

And never mind this little fact of life;

"A Catholic who publicly, and after admonition, supports pro-abortion legislation is not to receive Holy Communion and is not to be given Holy Communion."

"Individual bishops and priests simply have to do their duty. They have to confront politicians, Catholic politicians, who are sinning gravely and publicly in this regard. And that's their duty."

~ Archbishop Raymond Burke, Head of the Apostolic Signatura

Faith And Wood-Works Part II
Where lumber meets theology

For the benefit of those who don't normally follow this blog, I've recently discovered the joys of woodworking. And being the novice I am, it's not that unusual for me to be 1/16th or so off.

And because of that, I've come to the conclusion that 30 grit sandpaper is the woodworking version of Charity --- it covers a multitude of sins.

This Is Actually Great News!
Why, you ask?


After decades of Father Limpwrist and Sister Maty Bulldyke trying to scare the crap out of everyone in regards to the "medieval and backwards" Latin Mass, that a majority of those polled aren't openly hostile to the TLM is great news, indeed!

Now it's our job to show the led-astray Faithful exactly what the TLM is all about. And get ready for some of the most outrageous comments from those who've been indoctrinated for the fast 40+ decades.

My personal favorite from a LifeTeen member in regards to the TLM: "I can't imagine me attending a Mass where I'm suppose to look at my feet the entire time."Four times in one sentence concerning the Mass, this guy referred to himself. THAT'S the result of the piss-poor catechises they've been brought up with.

There... I've said what needs to be said. Now go forth and do great things.

As Vir Speluncae Catholicus Asked Rhetorically...
What kind of priest would?

What kind of priest would, indeed.

What kind of a priest would exhort a Catholic Youth Group NOT to pray the Rosary at Adoration?

What kind of priest would allude to the Rosary as idolatry?

What kind of priest would state that the "'Mysteries of Light' are the only mysteries that reflect Christ"?What kind of priest would, indeed. And some still don't understand why I refer to the Cape Fear Deanery as a spiritual wasteland.

And the shame of it all... this isn't the exception in this Deanery, it's the norm. And even if the offending presiders were canned tomorrow, there'd be 10 just like 'em in line to take their places.

Private Fatboy, Reporting as Ordered
When's chow?

Kennedy tried to make Dubya's service in the Texas Air Guard an issue. This coming from the same guy who joined the US Army in 1950, didn't get sent to Korea; got orders to Paris, France instead; the highest rank attained was that of Private First Class.

And that's the only thing in his life he's ever been First Class of... excluding being a scumbag, of course.

Helmet tip to FAB.

I've Been 'Outed'!!!!

...No...Not THAT Type of 'Outed'...

A little over a week ago, I put up a post about recent concerns at my parish.

Here

As with other posts, they sometimes get circulated via E-mail for various reasons, this one being no exception. The site meter has indicated an extraordinary amount of direct hits to this post especially from our parish area. It seems that there are some in my parish who want you to know who I am, REAL BAD and are leaving notes in the E-mail to make sure to check out exactly WHO nypd green is. Yes, I am the father of that big family. Yes, I am active in that parish. And yes, I do occasionally contribute to this Conservative, Traditional Catholic blog. If there is an issue that anyone might have as to what I have written, feel free to converse with me over it. I'm very approachable and I hold no grievance against those who might not agree with me. Like I said, it seems some folks want you to know, REAL BAD who I am, in the zeal to 'out' me-my 13 year old daughter even received a link to this blog.

I'd like to end this post by asking those who might have received one of these E-mails to challenge yourself to a couple of questions. Why did I receive this link? What was the purpose and why did the sender want so badly for you to know who I am? Maybe there is an actual productive reason for it. If you find out what it is, please let me know. In case it eluded some readers, the main point of the post was to point out the abuse to the Eucharist that goes on at our parish. My intent in writing this blog is to bring attention to such abuses in hopes that it will find the right ears that might possibly do something about it. Period.

Oh, and one more thing to my fellow parishioners. We can all recall our experience with our previous pastor. I would not want to go through any of that again. But the bottom line is, the man IS an ordained priest who was stopped from offering the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass. Regardless of what our past feelings of him are, THE EUCHARIST WAS DENIED to an entire parish due to the actions of a mob. This priest needs our prayers, not our gossip. His predicament, whether it was his own doing or not, is a cause for us to pray. It is not for us to circulate multiple articles to 'enjoy the read' with.

Saint Michael the Archangel...
...Defend Us in Battle!!!

Obama Macht Frei
Barack Über Alles

Interesting article over at NewsBusters.org. Yes, yes... I know the tune was written by an Austrian, and specifically for Austrian Emperor Francis II. And the reality is that when the vast majority of people here the tune to what's commonly known as 'Deutschland Über Alles', the last thing that comes to mind is Franz the Deuce.

Anyhow, here's a bit of the article; (Emphasis mine)
Blogging for U.S. News & World Report, Paul Bedard reported a double standard in how President Obama and President Bush were treated (or ridiculed) when each wished Jews a Happy New Year a little early, or in Obama's case, a month early:

Washington Jewish Week and Politico tell us that Obama today reached out to about 1,000 Jewish leaders in his expanding campaign for health care reform. One of those on the call, Rabbi Jack Moline, tweeted through the call about what the president said. His Twitter page noted: Obama: "shanah tovah to all of you."

That's a reference to the Jewish new year, or Rosh Hashana, which starts at sundown September 18... and spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama was invited by the rabbis to join in on the call "as they get ready for their important holidays."

But in September 2007, when Bush issued a holiday greeting a week early, he was roundly ridiculed for jumping the gun.

A former Bushie who remembered the spat said: "Strange. When GWB sent out Rosh Hashana greetings a few days early, he was mocked. Obama is an entire month too early, and no big whoop."

Over at The Corner, Tevi Troy, a Jewish liaison for President Bush, notes another thing the Bush-loathing media would have never ignored if it occurred in his time: "the hold music on the line, through no apparent fault of the White House or the Religious Action Center [of Reform Judaism], which sponsored the call, was 'Deutschland Über Alles.'

I Wonder Why The MSM Never Picked Up On This?
Disabled Marine blasts Dem Stooge

Helmet tip to The Bad Catholic



The Obama version of the Rockwell classic.

Ireland... IRELAND!!??
THIS is coming from the Cradle of Vocations?

Yes, things have degraded that bad on once Catholic Ireland. Sometimes, to repair a building, you have to tear it down to it's foundation and start all over again.

But the problem in Ireland, they have the same incompetent nincompoops as the architects.

Here's the entire article from CatholicCulture.org; (Emphasis mine)
Famed Irish priest: Halt recruitment to priesthood
August 24, 2009

Faulting the Irish hierarchy’s response to the recent Ryan Report-- which documented systemic abuse in educational institutions-- called upon the Church to cease recruiting men for the priesthood. “The Church must halt recruitment, reform and reorganize, then begin again,” said Father Aidan Troy. “Instead it says ‘this abuse is awful’ but continues its old failed ways. We have a broken, wounded Church and those wounds are self-inflicted.”

Father Troy gained fame in Belfast in 2001 for his defense of Catholic schoolchildren in the face of Loyalist attacks.

A Sign Of The Times
Dontchya just love it?

As The English Say - Spot On!
As The Caveman says - hell, yes!

Yes, I'm breaking one of my own cardinal rules, I'm going to publish a long post... very long. But well worth it. I'm also going to keep my big mouth shut. Form your own opinions of what Damian Thompson of The Telegraph (London, UK) has to say about the possible canonization of the late Pope John Paul II;
Why some conservative Catholics want to stop Pope John Paul II being made a saint
By Damian Thompson

Pope John Paul kisses the Koran, outraging many Catholics
For a long time now, some conservative Catholics – most of them hardline traditionalists – have been discreetly slagging off the late Pope John Paul II. One priest I know grimaces every time his name is mentioned. “Oh, you mean, ‘John Paul the Great’,” he says,” rolling his eyes. He does not want him to be made a saint – not because he thinks he was a bad man, but because he thinks that, despite his heroic witness against Communism, he damaged the Church.

The charge sheet against JPII goes something like this:

1. He allowed truly terrible appointments to be made in Rome and to diocesan sees around the world. England and Wales was bad enough, but some bishops in Germany and France are what you might call “Vatican II protestants”. These bishops are now intent on wrecking the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

2. As a result of bad appointments, especially in America, the scandal of clerical sex abuse gathered pace, and for one reason or another – perhaps because he was so busy travelling – John Paul II failed to act swiftly (or at all, in the early days). He allowed guilty priests to be moved to parishes where they carried on abusing minors.

3. He tried to improve the liturgy, but in practice allowed bishops and priests to do their own thing, turning the sanctuary into a sort of talent show for women “eucharistic ministers”. And the papal MC, Archbishop Piero Marini, set a terrible example by dressing the Pope in Star Trek outfits and adding a touch of Butlins to international jamborees.

4. John Paul’s attempts to reach out to other faiths effectively celebrated and validated non-Christian religions. Conservative Catholics still feel outrage at the memory of the Pope praying with the Dalai Lama et al at Assisi, and kissing the Koran on a visit to Syria (see photo above).

Until now, most anti-JPII sentiment has been expressed prviately. But take a look at this post on the website RenewAmerica, from Eric Giunta, a conservative law student.

Once again, the Catholic world has been rocked by yet more allegations of sexual impropriety by Legionnaires of Christ founder, the late Fr. Marcial Maciel. It seems the now-disgraced founder-cum-pervert fathered more children than previously suspected; the latest claimants to his paternity purport to have evidence that the late Pope John Paul II knew of Maciel’s sexual dalliances, and turned a blind eye to them …

The allegations highlight what for all too many Catholics is the elephant-in-the-room when discussing the ills which beset the modern Church: the extent to which the late Pope John Paul II was an enabler of these perversions, from sexual and liturgical abuse to theological dissent and the scandal of Catholic politicians who support the most immoral of social policies with the tacit or express blessings of their Church.

One does not need to deny or disparage the personal sanctity, thoughtful conservatism, or religious orthodoxy of the late Pontiff in order to acknowledge that his Pontificate, by all accounts, was a glorious failure. Yes, he aided in the fall of Eastern European Communism, but the Pope of Rome is not primarily a mover and shaker of state politics, but a Christian pastor whose mission it is to save souls, convert the lost, and govern his church in such a way that it resembles, as best as possible, the city on a hill, the light of the world …
Giunta does not want to see the feast day of Pope St John Paul II added the calendar:

Though Catholics and others are loathe to admit it of an otherwise beloved Pope, John Paul II oversaw a church which deteriorated in both its inner and outer life. His callous indifference toward the victims of priestly sexual abuse in refusing to meet personally with a single one of them, and his stubborn refusal to compel the resignation from office of any of the bishops who aided, abetted, and covered-up the abuse, are testamentary to his utter failure: not as a Catholic or a theologian, but as a Pope.

And this is precisely why he should not be canonized. For in the Catholic (and popular) understanding, canonization is not simply a technical decree indicating one’s everlasting abode in Paradise; it is, in addition, the Church’s solemn endorsement of a Christian’s heroic virtue. The question the Catholic Church must ask herself is: Was John Paul II a model of “heroic” papal virtue?

Contrary to leftist media reportage, the late Pope was not an authoritarian despot, bent on enforcing Catholic orthodoxy on an unwilling church. Quite the contrary: theological liberals and dissenters flourished in all of the Church’s structures, from lay politics and Catholic universities, to the ranks of priests and bishops. Not a single pro-abortion Catholic politician has been excommunicated from the church; only a handful of openly heretical priests were asked to stop teaching theology, but were otherwise permitted to exercise their priestly ministry unhindered. The Church in Austria openly dissents from orthodox Catholicism with papal impunity. Fr. Richard McBrien, Sr. Joan Chittiser, Roger Cardinal Mahoney of Los Angeles, Hans Kung, Charles Curran, Notre Dame University, dissenters galore: the overwhelming majority of prominent far-leftist, theologically modernist Catholic organizations, speakers, and theologians are Catholics in good standing with their church, and are frequently given an official platform at church-sponsored institutions and events. To give just two more examples, several Catholic parishes and universities flaunt themselves as “gay-friendly” in a directory published by the Conference of Catholic Lesbians. These speakers and institutions are in just as good standing with the Church as so-called “orthodox” Catholic pundits and writers.
I don’t endose these views: in fact, it seems perfectly obvious that the reign of John Paul II was one of slowly growing orthodoxy in the Church, nurtured by his Catechism and a series of magnificent encyclicals. And those Catholics who want to draw a sharp distinction between the agendas of John Paul and Benedict are overlooking the fact that the theological direction of the last pontificate owed an enormous amount to the current Holy Father, who would be horrified by Giunta’s article.

Yet this debate is clearly gathering pace. JPII loyalists are also on the warpath. (George Weigel is using the Maciel scandal as a stick with which to beat this administration, not the last one.) So I’d be interested in your views.

Who's The REAL Target...
And who's just collateral damage?

I'm quickly coming to the opinion that this isn't just about a certain priest, as it is about a certain bishop. From the Diocese of Raleigh website, dated 06/15/09, I found an article entitled Fourteen Diaconate Candidates Instituted into Ministry of Acolyte. And guess what name I stumbled across? You guessed it --
Juan Alexander Vicent-Martínez.


Is one of the individuals in the above images the same individual in the posting I did just a few hours ago? (seen below with the same news caption that I posted earlier today)

Copyright 2009 Capitol Broadcasting Company
Supporters of Rev. Walter Ospina confront his detractors outside of St. Andrews Catholic Church following Mass on Wednesday evening. Former deacon Alexander Vincent attempts to explain why the congregation locked the church doors in protest on Sunday. (Photo by Will Okun)Same person? I'm not 100% certain. But the chances of these being two different men are now within the realm of incalculable proportions. But if I'm wrong, I'll readily admit it and apologize for such.

But if I'm not... well, keep checking back to The Lair. You'll see.

And in the Oh-By-The-Way file, from the article referenced at the beginning of this post, here's some of what His Excellency made to the Deacon candidates; (snarky comments mine - oh, if the Bishop would just let me pen his sermons.) Extending congratulations to the Deacon candidates and their families, Bishop Burbidge added, “We pray that through the intercession of Mary our Mother, Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint John Vianney (and to some, Martin Luther), you will lose yourselves to the Providence of God; be men of prayer filled with Eucharistic amazement (while some 'explain' why The Eucharist was illegally padlocked away in one of our parishes), and ambassadors of Christ who bring Him to others and assure the most needy in our midst that the Lord is always there to carry us!” (Life goes on. A man becomes preeminent, he's expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms! Enthusiasms... what are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team. Teamwork.... Looks, throws, catches, hustles - part of one big team. Bats himself the live-long day, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and so on. If his team don't field, what is he? You follow me? No one! Sunny day, the stands are full of fans. What does he have to say? "I'm goin' out there for myself. But... I get nowhere unless the team wins.")
Click here to see where the quote is from. And no, I'm not advocating violence in this case... I just dig the creative way that particular piece of athletic equipment is used as a club.Am I the only one who is under the impression that someone in the congregation wasn't paying attention? Either that, or doesn't really give a damn what the Bishop says.

What do you think?

"Former" Deacon Speaks?
The plot sickens

THIS IS GETTING INTERESTING.

If you thought the drama at St. Andrew's parish in Red Springs, NC was over, guess again. If anything, there are even more questions than before. And my gut reaction is that something here stinks.

Here's what's up - I've been doing separate news and general web searches every day since this public act of defiance against Bishop Burbidge came to light almost a week ago.

WRAL (Raleigh, NC) has just ran a slideshow of the yelling and screaming session outside of St. Andrew's after Msgr. Brockman delivered a personal message from His Excellency last Wednesday (the entire slideshow of twenty one images can be found here). Below are two of six images of one certain individual --

Copyright 2009 Capitol Broadcasting Company

Supporters of Rev. Walter Ospina confront his detractors outside of St. Andrews Catholic Church following Mass on Wednesday evening. Former deacon Alexander Vincent attempts to explain why the congregation locked the church doors in protest on Sunday. (Photo by Will Okun)


Copyright 2009 Capitol Broadcasting Company

Alexander Vicent explains why he believes Rev. Ospina should be removed from his role as pastor of St. Andrew's. (Photo by Will Okun)

This individual, Alexander Vincent, is prominent in six of the twenty one images on WRAL's slideshow. WRAL certainly gives a lot of lens time to just one individual. I wonder why? And why is it HIM that's doing all the "explaining"?

But anyhow, WRAL identifies this individual as a "former deacon". Really? So, I decided to take a gander at the Diocesan website for the Permanent Diaconate. I found a listing (dated 09/12/08) of the 16 men who have began their studies, and as now considered "candidates" for the Permanent Diaconate.

And guess what name I came across?

Juan Alexander Vincent-Martínez.Same person? Could be. I'm not 100% certain. But the chances of these being two different men are pretty slim.

So I scrolled down the page a bit more... lo and behold, I see a group picture.

Did you happen to see who's directly behind and at the left hand of the Bishop? Same person? I'm not 100% certain. But the chances of these being two different men are now rapidly approaching astronomical proportions.

And in light that the P.D. is a five-year program, and Bishop Burbidge has been here LESS than five years... if this is the same individual... how could he even be a Deacon already, much less a "former" Deacon?

Something else to consider -- Father Ospina serves three different parishes: St. Andrew's in Red Springs; the missionary station of St. Andrew in St. Pauls; and he celebrates the Spanish Novus Ordo Missae at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Lumberton. So why is there a challenge to the Bishop through Father Ospina only at St. Andrew's?

Like I said at the beginning of this post... something stinks.

Now That's A Real Man
And a great example to set for us all

Helmet tip to my Noo Yawk Goomba-ette, Helen

I've just received a great article about actor Jim Caviezel. And I've posted about some of his rather contreversial comments before.

Here's a bit of an article from CatholicDigest.com;

What are some of the things you find most rewarding about being a dad?

The other day my little girl jumped in my lap, put her hand on my face, and whispered in my ear, "Papa, I love you so much." It pulls on your heartstrings. When you come home and the kids run to you, come up and grab your leg. We have a little thing. They stand on my feet and I walk them into the kitchen and we just laugh.

How did faith play a role in the adoption process for you and your wife?

I was walking out of Mass and Susie McEveety, the wife of Steve McEveety (click here to read Catholic Digest's interview with McEveety), who produced “The Passion of the Christ,” said, 'Will you adopt this child?' And I saw (a picture of) a baby with a tumor on top of its head and in its brain. And I saw his eyes and — this sounds like such sentimental hogwash, but I’m telling you the truth — in my heart I heard this boy calling to me, saying, 'Will you love me?'

So I told my wife, 'I’d like to adopt this little boy. I think we’re supposed to.' I thought she’d certainly say no, and then she just said, 'I’m in shock that you would want to adopt not just any child, but this child. I never thought you were even open to adoption.' I said, 'I wasn’t open to adoption; I wanted my own children.' We’d been close before to having children and it didn’t work out, and that’s all I’ll go into [about] that, but we still hope to have our own children, but I knew in my heart as strong as anything, as strong as meeting my wife, as strong as becoming an actor, [that this is what God wanted].And his wife, Kerri, is a REAL woman.

Two Words I've Been Searching For For Decades
...and they were right in front of me the whole time

A tip o' me helmet to fellow Traddie, Steve Skojec. Two simple but glaringly obvious words can say so much.

Here's just a slice of the post from InsideCatholic.com. (Emphasis mine)
This past Sunday... I noticed the arrival of two women in their sixties who clearly looked like they did not belong. Processing up the aisle in search of a seat, they were dressed very casually, with the short-cropped, boyish, almost intentionally unattractive hairstyles that seem to be de rigeur for the aging members of America's post-feminism movement. They stood out in a sea of suits, ties, dresses, and chapel veils.

As I looked at them (they were partially blocking my view of the altar, so I couldn't help it), I felt not my usual twinge of irritation at the guardians of "Me-Church," but instead a kind of amused pity. They couldn't perform their non-conformist schtick, mad-libbing their way through responses that, in Latin, they couldn't understand. Hindered by the liturgical language barrier and unfamiliar with the posture of the priest, they were also unable to determine when to hold hands inappropriately during the "Our Father" and were ritually deprived of the showy displays of human affection afforded them by the Sign of Peace.

In other words, the liturgical experience in which they found themselves was horizontal-proof. It resists by its very essence all efforts to make it conform to Man. Instead, within its confines, man (or womyn, if you prefer) must conform to God.

The Council Of WHAT!?
Nope... neeeeever heard of it

In a reference to the Council of Trent, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has left the Lavender Mafia is a lisping apoplectic seizure, PonchoLadies in a complete gyno-rage, and the VAST majority of the laity scratching their heads asking, "Trent"?

What is this Trent you speak of? Terence Trent D'Arby? Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail? The Council of WHAT?

Here's the article in it's entiretly from CatholicCulture.org; (Emphasis mine)
Pope Benedict notes link between Council of Trent, Pope John Paul in reforming seminaries
August 20, 2009
In his fifth Wednesday general audience devoted to the priesthood, Pope Benedict reflected on St. John Eudes, the French apostle of devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary who, amid the ravages of the Thirty Years’ War, founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in 1643 to form seminarians. In doing so, the saint helped implement in France the eight-decade-old decrees of the Council of Trent on the establishment of seminaries.

Pope Benedict added that in our own time, Pope John Paul II has issued the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, wherein the late Pontiff “took up and actualized the norms of the Council of Trent. For him, for us, this is a real point of departure for a genuine reform of priestly life and apostolate, and it is also the central point so that the ‘new evangelization’ is not simply an attractive slogan, but rather is translated into reality.”

Pope Benedict concluded the audience “by addressing to all the exhortation of St. John Eudes, who said thus to priests: ‘Give yourselves to Jesus to enter into the immensity of his great Heart, which contains the Heart of his Holy Mother and of all the saints, and to lose yourselves in this abyss of love, of charity, of mercy, of humility, of purity, of patience, of submission, and of holiness.’”Golly, I wonder how this was recieved at the The Vatican II Institute? After all, we all know that there wasn't a Catholic Church until 1962. The years 33 - 1962 are correctly known as Catholicisms Lost Years, right?

Breaking News ~ Obama Bi-Polar
Oh, those crazy cats and kittens over at American Catholic!

Time To Lighten The Mood
Especially in light of the last few posts

Helemt tip to my co-conspirator FAB

Proposed Solution to Padlocks
on Church Doors

Fr. Ospina, in gratitude for your priesthood and in reparation for the sins of your rebellious flock, may we, here at the Lair, humbly recommend:

The ever versatile, and OH, so handy
Taurus Judge®

Deo Gratias
Yeah... that Summorum Pontificum was a total bust

Here's a fascinating article (in it's entirety) from The New York Times; (Emphasis mine) New Nuns and Priests Seen Opting for Tradition
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

A new study of Roman Catholic nuns and priests in the United States shows that an aging, predominantly white generation is being succeeded by a smaller group of more racially and ethnically diverse recruits who are attracted to the religious orders that practice traditional prayer rituals and wear habits. (Personally, I could care less if they come from Mars... just give us solid priests and nuns.)

The study found that the graying of American nuns and priests was even more pronounced than many Catholics had realized. Ninety-one percent of nuns and 75 percent of priests are 60 or older, and most of the rest are at least 50.

They are the generation defined by the Second Vatican Council, of the 1960s, which modernized the church and many of its religious orders. Many nuns gave up their habits, moved out of convents, earned higher educational degrees and went to work in the professions and in community service. The study confirms what has long been suspected: that these more modern religious orders are attracting the fewest new members. (A+B=C. Is it really all that hard to see what an absolute disaster the "Spirit of Vatican II" is?)

The study was already well under way when the Vatican announced this year that it was conducting two investigations of American nuns. One, taking up many of the same questions as the new report, is an “apostolic visitation” of all women’s religious orders in the United States. The other is a doctrinal investigation of the umbrella group that represents a majority of American nuns, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

The new study, being released on Tuesday, was conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, for the National Religious Vocation Conference, which is looking for ways for the church to attract and retain new nuns and priests. It was financed by an anonymous donor.

“We’ve heard anecdotally that the youngest people coming to religious life are distinctive, and they really are,” said Sister Mary Bendyna, executive director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. “They’re more attracted to a traditional style of religious life, where there is community living, common prayer, having Mass together, praying the Liturgy of the Hours together. They are much more likely to say fidelity to the church is important to them. And they really are looking for communities where members wear habits.” (It's amazing there's anyone even remotely interested in a vocation at all... considering the caliber/example of the current crop of -- no, maybe I should just leave it at that.)

Of the new priests and nuns who recently joined religious orders, two-thirds chose orders that wear a habit all the time or regularly during prayer or ministry, the study found.

The study also showed that whites account for 94 percent of current nuns and priests but only 58 percent of those in the process of joining orders. (Totally irrelevant in my eyes. A good priest is a good priest, a good nun is a good nun... period.)

Asians and Pacific Islanders are disproportionately represented among the newcomers, accounting for 14 percent, far above their 3 percent share of the Catholic population in the United States, Sister Bendyna said.

Hispanics are 21 percent of the newcomers, compared with only 3 percent of the current priests and nuns.

Of women who recently entered religious orders, the average age is 32; for men, it is 30. But retaining new recruits is a challenge. About half of those who have entered religious orders since 1990 have not stayed, and almost all who left did so before making their final vows. (But of those that left, how many have come from the more traditional Orders?)

“People come to religious life because they feel they’re being called,” said Brother Paul Bednarczyk, executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference, adding that the purpose of the church’s training process “is to discern that call before a commitment is made.” So “it’s not surprising,” he said, “that you would have people that would leave.” (That, and vocations committees that do everything in their power to discourage anything even resembling tradition.)Tradition is the wave of the future. I just can't help but wonder how many bishops will purposfully ignore the obvious.