Non Tasarmi, Fratello!

“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, There’s always laughter and good red wine. At least I’ve always found it so. Benedicamus Domino!” Hillaire Belloc

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Drive Through Confesional

Well, kind of. I like the rose water thing, though.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Feast of St. Valentine, February 14


From History.com:

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." One was a priest in Rome, the second one was a bishop of Interamna (now Terni, Italy) and the third St. Valentine was a martyr in the Roman province of Africa.

Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance. The date of his death may have become mingled with the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love. On these occasions, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius decided to put an end to the Feast of Lupercalia, and he declared that February 14 be celebrated as St Valentine's Day.

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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Twist and Shout" - The Original Version

Did you know that the Beatles started their career singing in Latin? Me neither...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Latin is the Key To Success

No! Really!

Catholics Are HILARIOUS!

A joke about the (supposed) rivalry between the Dominicans and the Jesuits from the blog, The Hermeneutic of Continuity:

"The Dominicans were founded by St Dominic to fight the heresy of Albigensianism. The Jesuits were founded by St Ignatius Loyola to fight Protestantism... So when did you last meet an Albigensian? "

Well I don't know. Fr. Hardon says:

"The Albigenses followed Manichaean dualism in its attempt to solve the problem of evil. They asserted the co-existence of two ultimate principles, a good deity (the God of the New Testament) who created Spirit and Light, and a bad deity (the God of the Old Testament) who created Matter and Darkness. Accordingly, they condemned marriage and the procreation of children as demoniac. Yet concubinage was tolerated as less permanent than matrimony; and desertion of husband or wife was called praiseworthy."

Maybe they are not so scarce on the ground as supposed...

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Which are You?

From this site:

Come Back, Lutherans!

It was all a misunderstanding! Martin Luther thought we were selling indulgences but we weren't! We were selling CONDOLENCES!

Friday, February 04, 2011

Catholic Combox

If you were to leave a comment on a Catholic blog, what kind of combox personality would you be?

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Why Nobody Reads the New York TImes Anymore

The NYT asserts:

"The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is the oldest and largest Islamist movement in the world, with affiliates in nearly every Muslim country and adherents in Europe and the United States. Its size and diversity, and the decades-old legal ban that has kept it from genuine political power in Egypt, make it difficult to sum up simply. As the Roman Catholic Church encompasses leftist liberation theology and conservative anti-abortion advocacy, so the Brotherhood includes both practical reformers and firebrand ideologues."

Think of the Muslim Brotherhood as a kind of Knights of Columbus. I wonder if they do fish frys? Andrew McCarthy thinks differently.

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Super Bowl Fun Fact


The Bishop of Pittsburg, H.E. David Zubick, is the former Bishop of Green Bay.

Feast of St. Blaise, February 3

Per intercessionem Sancti Blasii, episcopi et martyris,
liberet te Deus a malo gutturis, et a quolibet alio malo.
In nomine Patris, et Filii +, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr,
may God free you from illness of the throat and from any other sort of ill.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

I Love This!

At Wednesday's General Audience, a kid decided to just...well, meet the Pope.


Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Feast of St. Brigid, February 1


Fun facts!

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What Is It With Substitute Priests?

The same thing happened a couple of weeks ago at St. Joe's. Luckily, our parishioners knew better than these guys... A letter submitted to Father Z's blog:

"At Mass yesterday morning, the substitute priest forgot to show up. Several members of the congregation took it upon themselves to have a “Communion Service” with all the readings, etc. One of the EMHCs opened the Tabernacle and got the Consecrated Hosts out and proceeded to distribute them, along with another EMHC.

QUESTION: Are EMHCs allowed to open the Tabernacle and distribute
Consecrated Hosts when no priest or deacon is present?"

I loved Father Z's response:

"I think your diocesan bishop would like the chance to answer that question.

Ask him."

The Religion of Peace

WLOS ABC 13 News :: Top Stories - Mountain Church Brawl

Hey, wait a second...they're not Muslims!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Ave Maria University


This is a terrific article about an amazing place.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Things I Learned Today, Part 4

Bishop Fulton Sheen was from Peoria! I had no idea!

He's buried in New York, and despite reneging on a promise to send the body back for interment at the cathedral in Peoria, the Bishop has decided to move forward with attempts at beatification.

From Father Z...

Here's the Bishop in action.

Blessed are the Peacemakers....

The Peacemakers. Not the Egregiously Stupid. Big difference.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Right to Life March 2011

The biggest non-event in America took place yesterday, as it has for years. Compare and contrast. First up, Ronald Reagan...




And now the current President...

“Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I am committed to protecting this constitutional right."

Friday, January 21, 2011

A First!

A link to the ESPN website on a PSR blog!

"I hate the New York Jets because they don't practice in New York and they don't play in New York. Fireman Ed? Grew up as a Dolphins fan. And J-E-T-S? Really? You're thrilled with yourselves for spelling a four-letter word? Try cheering for Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception."

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Fistula!


Here's Pope Pius XII using one.

Things I Learned Today, Part 3


This came up during a discussion on Fr. Z's blog about people who are hyper-allergic to gluten. These people do not take the host; and do not want to share the chalice (I guess for fear of traces of gluten on the rim or something). But they can use a FISTULA!

Yeah, that's what I said...what the heck is a fistula? It's like a straw. The photo is of Pope Paul VI using one - apparently, this is the traditional way that the Pope used to drink from the chalice.

Things I Learned Today, Part 2


For the Blood of Christ, priests may substitute mustum for the wine. Mustum is "grape juice in which fermentation has begun, but has been suspended with the result that its alcohol content does not reach the levels found in most table wines."

Things I Learned Today, Part 1


The host MUST be made of wheat, with enough gluten to "effect the confection of the bread".

Holding Hands during the Our Father, Part 2

A lively discussion over at Sr. Mary Martha's blog....

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Blogger's Choice Awards Update

In looking through the nominees for other than Best Religion Blog, I see a pattern that indicates the voting is being "fixed". So don't vote if you don't want to...but check out the blogs I mentioned.

Jesus Was a Refugee

Or so says Pope Benedict. His family was forced to flee to Egypt after the Magi ratted Jesus out (by mistake).

Well, OK. Refugees are different than migrants though. I think refugees are those under direct threat form their government - say, the Christians of the Arab (that is, Muslim) world. If they stay, they will in all likelihood suffer persecution and die. A migrant is someone who leaves for greener grass.

My personal opinion is that they should be treated differently - two lines, with immigrants moving faster.

Just my opinion - and we should be kind and respectful to both...

Reminds me of the time that Hillary Clinton said that Jesus was born in a manger because he was "homeless".

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Shout-Out to Jeanne Brazinski Whacker!

From the blog, Argent by the Tiber.

Ordination for Women


When hordes of protesters raise their voices, how can the Pope ignore them?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Holding Hands during the Our Father


Have you noticed that there are three different ways to pray the Our Father at Mass? Some hold hands. Some raise their arms (reminding me of "Touchdown Jesus"). Others (like me) just say the prayer. Which is correct?

Sister Mary Martha answers the question in her usual non-nonsense way...

"Just the other day, we had a question in the comments section about whether or not it's okay to hold hands during the Our Father during Mass. And no, it's actually not okay. You can't do whatever you want during the Mass. We're not holding hands and we're not doing the wave and we're not breaking into applause during the Consecration of the Host, even if we feel like it. No one is going to come rushing up behind you and hit you with a ruler if you happen to be holding hands with your husband or wife during the Mass. But, we have rules and we'd like you to follow them."

Nuns Just Want to Have Fun

The Dominican Nuns of Summit, New Jersey. I think it's great, but just can NOT imagine Sister Gemma and the others from Our Lady of Sorrows School in Vestal, NY (circa 1965) doing this...

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Friday, January 14, 2011

The Poor Clares Explained

Shocka!


Looks like the "Religion of Peace" is mad at the POP. What did "Pop" Benedict XVI say that was so offensive? This:

"Among the norms prejudicing the right of persons to religious freedom, particular mention must be made of the law against blasphemy in Pakistan: I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law, all the more so because it is clear that it serves as a pretext for acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities."

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Thursday, January 13, 2011

What Do Pat Robertson and I Have in Common?




The number 700!

It would have been more if I hadn't lost 6 months of posts during the middle of last year...

Feast Day of St. Martin Luther King, Jr?

Um...not so fast. Fr. Z says:

"Holy Church does not permit Masses in honor of a dead person who isn’t a saint or blessed with an cult approved by Holy Catholic Church. It is not permitted to celebrate Mass on honor of a person who has no official cult. As a matter of fact most blesseds can’t even be honored at the altar unless there is permission given for that locale or institute."

"Masses for a dead person mustn’t be reduced to a “celebration of someone’s life”. That is not what Catholics do. During Mass we pray that God will be merciful to them."

At the End of Your Rope?


Time to join the Sisters of St. Benedict! Many times I've thought, "Gee, I am called to the priesthood, but I would have to give up mountain biking so I won't do it." The good Sisters realize there are lots of women who feel the same way about religious orders and their hobbies. Like slacking! I mean slacklining...

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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Naming Names

Pope Benedict XVI says - be careful how you name your children. AMEN. Although it would have been funny if he had said after being elected, "No, it's spelled Benay'Dct".

I work with 18-22 year-olds every day and have for a long time. I can say (anecdotally) that with few exceptions: the dumber the name, the dumber the student. Just saying.

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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

God bless Cardinal Turkson!


Just when I was feeling dumb, he gets interviewed. I suddenly feel smart!

Why I Am Not A Unitarian

At least I think they're Unitarians...

Graffiti


The defacing of St. Boniface; unfortunately, the American Papist doesn't say in what city this occurred. My reactions are mixed:

1) I wish the person had spelled it "Cathlicks".

2) If "Kill the Mooslims" had been sprayed on a mosque, we would have to get a hand-wringing lecture from Barack Obama about hate crimes.

3) We are bigger than the person who did this. Catholics will not riot; we will not complain about our oppression; we will not lash out in anger. We will pray for the person and hope he he sees the errors of his way and come to Christ. "I gave My back to those who strike Me, and my cheeks to those whose pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6)

Feast of Sts. Paldo, Tato, and Taso - January 11


Three brothers who founded the monastery of San Vincenzo. Why do these guys come to mind?

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Saturday, January 08, 2011

The Atheist Hymnal

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Friday, January 07, 2011

Feast of St. Raymond of Pennafort, January 7


No relation.

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Wednesday, January 05, 2011

A New Governor for New York!


So what's wrong with this picture? The new pro-abortion governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo (who is divorced), sat in the front row of a Catholic church during Mass with his live-in girlfriend (who is also divorced) and then received Communion from Bishop Howard Hubble.

Let's assume that both Andrew and his girlfriend got annulments (not likely, but let's assume). How many mortal sins does that leave? Only THREE! Not so bad, right?

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

BLASPHEMY!

Or so says Frannie Boyle of the Student Free Press Association. When I read (on several sites) about this ad, I was outraged, too. But after watching it, I think it's just...well, you watch it.


Monday, January 03, 2011

Feast Day of St. Genevieve, January 3


St. Genevieve is the Patroness of Paris. Although she lived a long and productive life, she is best remembered for saving Paris from Attila the Hun. As Attila approached the city, Genevieve convinced Parisians not to flee, but rather pray and fast for God's intercession. And it worked. It had to be the prayers - it sure wasn't the fighting spirit of the French...

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Who Is Addison Hart?

An Anglican who converted to Catholicism and is now converting back. He wrote about the reasons, and Father Z. goes all "Jesus and the Moneychangers in the Temple" on him.

One thing I learned - I've got a long way to go in understanding our faith.

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Father Barron Says....

Don't be dumb.


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Saturday, January 01, 2011

Happy New Year!

From the "Religion of Peace"!

The Pope says, "Thanks!"

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