I pay attention to Church politics. I can usually delineate the conservative from the liberal bishops, and I frankly love them all to death. Liberals priests do not bother me. Apostates do. I can spot an apostate priest 15 minutes into any Mass.
Priests are, however, low on the ecclesiastical totem pole. It is true that the higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind; but I insist on holding Bishops to a higher standard!
How frustrating Bishop Hubbard is. What I know of His Excellency, the Bishop of Albany, is not particularly inspiring. He does not have, shall we say, a reputation for orthodoxy. Many people first heard of him in regards to a Roman Catholic Faithful investigation of his diocese. (For the uninitiated: Bishops that attract the attention of the RCF are usually circling the drain).
Now we read this, in the Albany Times Union . Here is the shepherd reminding his sheep to vote their [un-formed] conscience and consider a wide range of issues; not just abortion. Is His Excellency an apostate? Of course not. Is he misleading the People of God?
When our Lord turns to him on Judgment Day and asks him "What have you done? What have you done to my children?" this will be on the list. Pray for our Bishops. They require the armour of prayer.
October 31, 2004
October 29, 2004
Happy Feast of All Saints Day
I have decided to be counter-cultural and NOT celebrate Halloween this year. Not just to have some "Aren't-I-Obnoxiously-Religious" fun, either. The more I think about it, the more I realize that Halloween is a satanic holiday. The Police of the world receive frantic phone calls begging them to investigate the things that are happening in the woods.
This is the devil's shin-dig, and human sacrifice and Black Masses are not something Catholics should be thrilled about, right? Now, don't get me wrong, I don't really mind trick-or-treaters. Although the idea behind it is kind of bad (Give me some candy, punk, or else I'll tee-pee your lawn,) and it does open a door to the occult. (Never a good thing. Ask Linda Blair.)Usually its harmless. But wouldn't it be more fun to have an All Saint's Day party? Candy included. Am I being a square or what? I'm the Halloween Grinch.
This is the devil's shin-dig, and human sacrifice and Black Masses are not something Catholics should be thrilled about, right? Now, don't get me wrong, I don't really mind trick-or-treaters. Although the idea behind it is kind of bad (Give me some candy, punk, or else I'll tee-pee your lawn,) and it does open a door to the occult. (Never a good thing. Ask Linda Blair.)Usually its harmless. But wouldn't it be more fun to have an All Saint's Day party? Candy included. Am I being a square or what? I'm the Halloween Grinch.
October 20, 2004
Yes! First Correspondence from the Morristown Carmelites!
Dear Elizabeth:
Oh what joy to receive your dear letter. You sound like a real nun already. Did you see Mel Gibson's video on the Passion of Jesus. Oh how much Jesus loves us to suffer so much for us. We too, should love Him and give our entire life for Him.
Saint Teresa, Saint Therese, Saint Teresa of the Andes, St. Teresa Benedicta and many others were all Carmelites. They were all great lovers Jesus was their all. I think there are great lovers even now in our enclosures. Would you wish to join them? Unfortunately some Carmels have modernized and given up the enclosure. But several are still traditional. Yes, we are traditional too.
Please write when you wish. Pray to Our Lady. We will pray too. Jesus loves you.
Devotedly In Our Lady,
Sister Mary Michael, O.C.D.
Oh what joy to receive your dear letter. You sound like a real nun already. Did you see Mel Gibson's video on the Passion of Jesus. Oh how much Jesus loves us to suffer so much for us. We too, should love Him and give our entire life for Him.
Saint Teresa, Saint Therese, Saint Teresa of the Andes, St. Teresa Benedicta and many others were all Carmelites. They were all great lovers Jesus was their all. I think there are great lovers even now in our enclosures. Would you wish to join them? Unfortunately some Carmels have modernized and given up the enclosure. But several are still traditional. Yes, we are traditional too.
Please write when you wish. Pray to Our Lady. We will pray too. Jesus loves you.
Devotedly In Our Lady,
Sister Mary Michael, O.C.D.
October 17, 2004
Another letter from The Carmelite Nuns of St. Louis
Peace of Christ!
My dear Elizabeth,
Praised be Jesus Christ! Rev. Mother told me that I had received a Priority package piece of mail. I couldn't think who would send me that - but it was a delightful surprise to find that it was from you. So many things took up my time that I did not get back to you sooner and I thought that for sure you would be gone to school and perhaps I had lost contact. However, your sweet mother was kind enough to send my letter.
I'm sure that you are busy with all your studies. Your choice of subjects sounds quite interesting. I'm not sure that I would do very well at statistics either! In recent years we tried to do the statistics for the Carmelites who belong to our St. Teresa Association. It was quite encouraging when we compared ourselves with active religious congregations. It seems that young people want the more traditional lifestyle of consecrated religious.
That was nice that you got to go to the Shrine for the Mass. At one time we had some video tapes of Cardinal Arinze. I believe they were on the New Catechism and yes, he is a good speaker. You know when I was in Washington, I lived not too far from the Shrine. Then after many years, the Lord provided me with an opportunity to go back to DC- when I was the coordinator of our Association for a Carmelite meeting. There was a Mass and concert for St. Edith Stein and so I was able to see it finished. It is indeed very beautiful!
Tonight is the night of the presidential debates. We are praying that President Bush wins the election. So sorry that Sen. Kerry is a Catholic but does not espouse the values of the Church. I'm sure that this is all interesting to you being in Washington and in your studies.
Have you dropped any babies yet? I laughed when I read your concern. That's great that you have the opportunity to do some outside volunteer work. I'm sure that it lightens your day when you have to use your brains so much in listening and studying. Shortly we are having a Dominican priest come and he will be giving us conferences on St. Edith Stein. He has been coming for years and he's quite a learned conference master. He used to edit the Cross and Crown books printed by the Dominicans.
It is turning Fall here quickly and getting colder at the same time. I love to walk in the yard in the evening when it is so peaceful and then hear the leaves crunch under my feet. Some of the trees are starting to turn. Missouri has big tall beautiful trees. Well, I think I will send you a little booklet on Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity. She's a wonderful French Carmelite - known for her love and awareness of the Trinity in her soul. She's your name sake so maybe you should get acquainted. Perhaps you have already heard of her, but she is the one who said her name, Elizabeth, meant House of God. The paper has run out so I will stop. Keep up the good work in your studies and know that you may be the only Bible that your friends may ever read ... By your good example.
Love and Prayers, Sister Mary Joseph
My dear Elizabeth,
Praised be Jesus Christ! Rev. Mother told me that I had received a Priority package piece of mail. I couldn't think who would send me that - but it was a delightful surprise to find that it was from you. So many things took up my time that I did not get back to you sooner and I thought that for sure you would be gone to school and perhaps I had lost contact. However, your sweet mother was kind enough to send my letter.
I'm sure that you are busy with all your studies. Your choice of subjects sounds quite interesting. I'm not sure that I would do very well at statistics either! In recent years we tried to do the statistics for the Carmelites who belong to our St. Teresa Association. It was quite encouraging when we compared ourselves with active religious congregations. It seems that young people want the more traditional lifestyle of consecrated religious.
That was nice that you got to go to the Shrine for the Mass. At one time we had some video tapes of Cardinal Arinze. I believe they were on the New Catechism and yes, he is a good speaker. You know when I was in Washington, I lived not too far from the Shrine. Then after many years, the Lord provided me with an opportunity to go back to DC- when I was the coordinator of our Association for a Carmelite meeting. There was a Mass and concert for St. Edith Stein and so I was able to see it finished. It is indeed very beautiful!
Tonight is the night of the presidential debates. We are praying that President Bush wins the election. So sorry that Sen. Kerry is a Catholic but does not espouse the values of the Church. I'm sure that this is all interesting to you being in Washington and in your studies.
Have you dropped any babies yet? I laughed when I read your concern. That's great that you have the opportunity to do some outside volunteer work. I'm sure that it lightens your day when you have to use your brains so much in listening and studying. Shortly we are having a Dominican priest come and he will be giving us conferences on St. Edith Stein. He has been coming for years and he's quite a learned conference master. He used to edit the Cross and Crown books printed by the Dominicans.
It is turning Fall here quickly and getting colder at the same time. I love to walk in the yard in the evening when it is so peaceful and then hear the leaves crunch under my feet. Some of the trees are starting to turn. Missouri has big tall beautiful trees. Well, I think I will send you a little booklet on Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity. She's a wonderful French Carmelite - known for her love and awareness of the Trinity in her soul. She's your name sake so maybe you should get acquainted. Perhaps you have already heard of her, but she is the one who said her name, Elizabeth, meant House of God. The paper has run out so I will stop. Keep up the good work in your studies and know that you may be the only Bible that your friends may ever read ... By your good example.
Love and Prayers, Sister Mary Joseph
October 12, 2004
Letter from the Carmelites of Loretto
Dear Elizabeth,
Praised be Jesus Christ! Thank you for your letter of September 17th. We have a solemn preached Novena to Saint Therese each year. Many people attend and many more send us their prayer requests, so for a few weeks our work-load becomes quite heavy.
This years Novena was wonderful. The Carmelite Father who preached each day made himself very available for Confesions and private conferences. So many people, hungry for spiritual noursihment, came tou our Monastery. we all prayed so fervently for the graces they neded. You are very welcome, Elizabeth, tocome for a visit at Thanksgiving or at Christmas break, which ever you are able to arrange. Just let us know hat you decide. We would be happy to have you spen a few days at our Monastery, praying with us and speaking with the Sisters. That will surely be a help in your discernment. God bless you. we are remembering you in our daily prayers.
Devotedly yours,
Mother Teresa, O.C.D.
Praised be Jesus Christ! Thank you for your letter of September 17th. We have a solemn preached Novena to Saint Therese each year. Many people attend and many more send us their prayer requests, so for a few weeks our work-load becomes quite heavy.
This years Novena was wonderful. The Carmelite Father who preached each day made himself very available for Confesions and private conferences. So many people, hungry for spiritual noursihment, came tou our Monastery. we all prayed so fervently for the graces they neded. You are very welcome, Elizabeth, tocome for a visit at Thanksgiving or at Christmas break, which ever you are able to arrange. Just let us know hat you decide. We would be happy to have you spen a few days at our Monastery, praying with us and speaking with the Sisters. That will surely be a help in your discernment. God bless you. we are remembering you in our daily prayers.
Devotedly yours,
Mother Teresa, O.C.D.
Scarred for Life
Today in my otherwise uneventful Economics class, my dear professor whipped out a pair of underwear. Yes, thats right folks: tighty whities. He fished them out of his pocket with a great deal of zeal.
We, (the assembled student population,) were sitting there, stunned and aghast. Were those truly Hanes His Way briefs lying limp in our dear professor's hands? Indeed they were. They appeared to be fresh, clean, and bright; nevertheless, we recoiled in horror.
Despite the obvious negative effect the mere appearance of his underwear had on his students, our dear professor would not relent. Instead he stretched the waist of the underwear back in sling shot fashion. As the class held its collective breath, he released! After flicking his unmentionables at us repetatedly, dear professor finally explained what the point of this traumatizing demonstration was. "See," he said, stretching the waistband, "this is like the elasticity of demand. See?"
We all could see quite plainly. Afterclass, we wandered out of the room in shock. The principle of the elasticity of demand is now seared into our brains. Students, just because your professor wears a 3-piece suit does not mean he is not an A-1 nut job. Parents, prepare your children well for all the wierdness they will encounter in college, especially in the economics department.
We, (the assembled student population,) were sitting there, stunned and aghast. Were those truly Hanes His Way briefs lying limp in our dear professor's hands? Indeed they were. They appeared to be fresh, clean, and bright; nevertheless, we recoiled in horror.
Despite the obvious negative effect the mere appearance of his underwear had on his students, our dear professor would not relent. Instead he stretched the waist of the underwear back in sling shot fashion. As the class held its collective breath, he released! After flicking his unmentionables at us repetatedly, dear professor finally explained what the point of this traumatizing demonstration was. "See," he said, stretching the waistband, "this is like the elasticity of demand. See?"
We all could see quite plainly. Afterclass, we wandered out of the room in shock. The principle of the elasticity of demand is now seared into our brains. Students, just because your professor wears a 3-piece suit does not mean he is not an A-1 nut job. Parents, prepare your children well for all the wierdness they will encounter in college, especially in the economics department.
October 9, 2004
That Man!
Ugh. I can't stand him. I CAN'T STAND HIM! If I am stricken with a heart attack, who am I going to sue? Who? You, John F. Kerry. The summons will read "Betsy v Senator Kerry and Hair". Here is a transcript of That Man's answer to Question #7, with my witty and insightful commentary in italics.
SCHIEFFER: Sen. Kerry, a new question for you.
The New York Times reports that some Catholic archbishops are telling their church members that it would be a sin to vote for a candidate like you because you support a woman's right to choose an abortion and unlimited stem-cell research.
What is your reaction to that?
Okay, I thought: ohhhhhh good one Schieffer. Maybe CBS isn't biased after all. Now comes the flood
KERRY: I respect their views. I completely respect their views. I am a Catholic. And I grew up learning how to respect those views. But I disagree with them, as do many.
Respect? How about obey?
I believe that I can't legislate or transfer to another American citizen my article of faith. What is an article of faith for me is not something that I can legislate on somebody who doesn't share that article of faith.
Okay, Mr. Kerry. Ever hear of the natural law? You don't have to be a theologian to realize that stealing twinkies is wrong. Same thing with murder, Mr. Kerry. Its written on the hearts of men. (Oh no, a masculine pronoun! Now the liberal nuns will be out to get me.
.....
Now, with respect to religion, you know, as I said, I grew up a Catholic. I was an altar boy. I know that throughout my life this has made a difference to me.
Alter boy? Doesn't he know its alter person now?
And as President Kennedy said when he ran for president, he said, "I'm not running to be a Catholic president. I'm running to be a president who happens to be Catholic."
Ah, JFK, that other shining example of fidelity, honesty, and charity
My faith affects everything that I do, in truth. There's a great passage of the Bible that says, "What does it mean, my brother, to say you have faith if there are no deeds? Faith without works is dead."
Hello! Anyone hearing this? He says he believes life begins at conception, but that he refuses to DO anything about it. Hellloooooo?
.....
That's why I fight against poverty. That's why I fight to clean up the environment and protect this earth.That's why I fight for equality and justice. All of those things come out of that fundamental teaching and belief of faith.
and do nothing to stop the slaughter of the innocent unborn ...
Okay. Now I'm going to go calm down. Perhaps a nice smelling candle or something. Or how bout a Rosary. Siggggh. That Man.
SCHIEFFER: Sen. Kerry, a new question for you.
The New York Times reports that some Catholic archbishops are telling their church members that it would be a sin to vote for a candidate like you because you support a woman's right to choose an abortion and unlimited stem-cell research.
What is your reaction to that?
Okay, I thought: ohhhhhh good one Schieffer. Maybe CBS isn't biased after all. Now comes the flood
KERRY: I respect their views. I completely respect their views. I am a Catholic. And I grew up learning how to respect those views. But I disagree with them, as do many.
Respect? How about obey?
I believe that I can't legislate or transfer to another American citizen my article of faith. What is an article of faith for me is not something that I can legislate on somebody who doesn't share that article of faith.
Okay, Mr. Kerry. Ever hear of the natural law? You don't have to be a theologian to realize that stealing twinkies is wrong. Same thing with murder, Mr. Kerry. Its written on the hearts of men. (Oh no, a masculine pronoun! Now the liberal nuns will be out to get me.
.....
Now, with respect to religion, you know, as I said, I grew up a Catholic. I was an altar boy. I know that throughout my life this has made a difference to me.
Alter boy? Doesn't he know its alter person now?
And as President Kennedy said when he ran for president, he said, "I'm not running to be a Catholic president. I'm running to be a president who happens to be Catholic."
Ah, JFK, that other shining example of fidelity, honesty, and charity
My faith affects everything that I do, in truth. There's a great passage of the Bible that says, "What does it mean, my brother, to say you have faith if there are no deeds? Faith without works is dead."
Hello! Anyone hearing this? He says he believes life begins at conception, but that he refuses to DO anything about it. Hellloooooo?
.....
That's why I fight against poverty. That's why I fight to clean up the environment and protect this earth.That's why I fight for equality and justice. All of those things come out of that fundamental teaching and belief of faith.
and do nothing to stop the slaughter of the innocent unborn ...
Okay. Now I'm going to go calm down. Perhaps a nice smelling candle or something. Or how bout a Rosary. Siggggh. That Man.
October 7, 2004
Nuns? As if.
Well, well, well. If one spends a certain amount of time perusing the online news, one may very well need to supress the gag reflex. Look what I found: U.S. nun's group says Cardinal Ratzinger should resign.
Suprise, suprise, the National Coalition of Apostate ( they say 'American') Nuns also wants to elect Popes and marry homosexuals.
So, we've got a bunch of wannabe priestesses criticizing Ratzinger. My Ratzinger??? Oh, no you don't, ladies. You're lucky you're headquartered in Denver, far far away from DC. Otherwise, I'd be ready to deliver a smackdown. And unlike Cardinal Ratzinger, I don't have any ecclesiastical dignity to hold me back.
Suprise, suprise, the National Coalition of Apostate ( they say 'American') Nuns also wants to elect Popes and marry homosexuals.
So, we've got a bunch of wannabe priestesses criticizing Ratzinger. My Ratzinger??? Oh, no you don't, ladies. You're lucky you're headquartered in Denver, far far away from DC. Otherwise, I'd be ready to deliver a smackdown. And unlike Cardinal Ratzinger, I don't have any ecclesiastical dignity to hold me back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)