For giggles, here’s a link to a homily I preached at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe/Nuestra Virgén de Guadalupe in Dodge City, KS on July 1, 2012.
Not one of my worst, I reckon..
Yesterday’s will be posted ASAP!
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I think the writer nailed it in this post. His ire, directed at milquetoast sacramental and religious formation, resonated with me because of discussions I’ve had with folks at our pariah over the last couple of years. We’re still searching for a solution.
I am still convinced, though, that of we stopped trying to be a reasonably-priced private school alternative, and focused much more on developing and maintaining the Catholicity of our school, many of our biggest problems would disappear! Something to think about.
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I am finding more and more blog posts popping into my desktop related to TOB. Here’s one by Nic Davidson at Ignitum Today that really caught my eye, entitled “Free Love and Other Redundant Phrases”
I particularly liked this idea:
The other primary enemy of freedom in love can be summed up by saying, “If you can’t say no, your yes means nothing.” Whether you’re being pressured into something or you “just can’t say no” to your hormones in the moment, if you feel (or are) unable to say no in any given circumstance, then freedom is lacking and, therefore, so is true love.
How often do we claim the unencumbered right to do whatever we want with our bodies as long as we don’t hurt anyone else? And how often do we claim the right to do whatever we want with someone else’s body in the name of freedom?
Please take the time to read the whole thing. h/t to The Pulpit
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The God Problem | Crisis Magazine
via The God Problem | Crisis Magazine.
I think Fr. Schall, SJ, gets it exactly right n this article. He even pulls in a little of my favorite topics these days, the Theology of the Body!
I particularly liked this part:
In order for us to justify the way we live, we have to get rid of the notion that an order exists in our human being. We have to maintain that the distinction of the sexes was accidental. We have to deal with the consequences of our acts. The nagging specter of God’s order for our own good becomes a burden on our souls. For our own peace of soul we must boldly affirm that God does not exist. This affirmation, we think, makes us free of God. Those who continue to believe in God’s existence are no longer merely deluded people, they are dangerous. We must deal with them.
Wow. In this paragraph I find so much that echoes the culture’s approach toward religion and the religious. Militant atheism is no longer content to just talk about us “flying purple spaghetti monster worshipers”. It must force us into our hidey-holes and silence us in the public square. Militant homosexuality must make all expression of a belief that homosexual conduct is gravely disordered illegal (a better blogger would link to articles about the troubles in Canada for people of faith, but Mass starts in 45 minutes, and I have to go).
I recommend reading the whole thing.
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Creative Minority Report: Sign of the Apocalypse? Bacon Sundaes at BK.
I have GOT to get me one of these!
Bacon: Meat candy! What could be better?
I know…maybe waffle cone sprinkles? Anybody?
h/t CMR
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Creative Minority Report: Gay Brits Come to U.S. for Sex Selection.
Hm. What’s wrong with this picture? Anyone?
Oh, and don’t go for the obvious “the parents are gay” junk. That isn’t the half of it.
Here’s a question. Homosexuality, according to the experts (add air-quotes), is genetic.
When we finally identify the gene for homosexuality…will there be objections because the parents want to select for sexual orientation through IVF?
Because these guys want a girl. And they had their surrogate mother implanted with three embryonic human beings. What do you suppose will happen to the other two children, folks? Cuz they’re babies too.
See what a Brave New World we’re creating? Interesting, isn’t it?
h/t to CMR for the story.
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Do the Girl Scouts Really Help Girls?.
This is a question that has been asked around our parish lately. I believe the jury is still out at St. Ann, though a few troops have folded in the past couple of years (and the American Heritage Girls are coming on strong in the diocese).
As for me and my house, though…I think Girl Scouting has seen its day. For lots of reasons. Including some that the autor of the post above references. Just sayin’.
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http://www.catholicsistas.com/2012/05/11/why-you-dont-have-to-use-nfp/
I found this post while reading a different one. but how sweet it is! I particularly liked *this* quote:
“But NFP is not a “Church-approved method of birth control.” So many times it is presented as such. Instead of offering NFP as the main alternative to contraception, let’s offer CHILDREN as the alternative. The opposite of being “against conception” is being FOR conception. The Church teaches that having children is the ideal, and NFP is merely a tool we can use in our marriage if necessary, rather than the other way around. NFP should be promoted as a tool for times of serious need, and not as a requirement or a divine directive.”
Imagine: a Church of people who believe that CHILDREN are the main alternative to contraception!
It’s something to think about. And to talk about. And to PRAY about.
More coming in the Fall, when Ann Marie and I teach our Theology of the Body class. Can’t wait!
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I had the pleasure of speaking at the Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally in Memphis, TN today. A wide range of speakers were represented: The Catholic Church of West TN, the Orthodox Patriarchate containing Memphis, the Family Action Council of West TN, and even the American Muslim Intercultural Network all had speakers present. it was IMHO, a very powerful little rally, with about 200-250 attendees.
I had occasion while there to briefly interact with an opponent of our efforts to rid the country of this mandate, and it was enlightening. People, we have GOT to learn how to talk with those with whom we disagree! they are in some part every bit deceived, deluded, ignorant (understood as “without knowledge”), and lost, and we have to learn how to meet them where they are (God bless ’em, I was where they are not too many years ago!) and bring them to the Truth.
My comments are available in print here, and if you’d like a laugh, a video (with great audio but not so great image quality – thanks, iPod Touch!) is available on YouTube here.
The bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States have called for a “Fortnight for Freedom,” a 14-day period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, from June 21-July 4. During this time, the Church will emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty. I ask that all people of good will consider joining with us as we pray for our country and our elected leaders, that religious freedom in this country will be preserved for our children. I hope everyone who’s in town during that two weeks will take advantage of the opportunity to attend one or several events.
The Mandate has to go. Because if it doesn’t, we’re gonna have to ignore it. We cannot, we WILL not comply!
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This is an awesome video by Kalley Yanta (her bio is on the YouTube page) done in response to a call by Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards for women to relate whAt contraception has meant to their lives. I can only *wish* I was this articulate, but her experiences with birth control, a too-fast lifestyle, and abortion says a lot I could never say.
Go ahead and attack her if you will (me too; I enjoy the challenge); but please step to me with facts that directly refute her points (and her experiences). I’ve heard all the talking points, so dare to be original, and come up with something new!
Contraceptives are part of a deliberate effort to ease the objectification of both men and women. The gift of our sexuality isn’t some toy to be used by whomever whenever we want. And there are ALWAYS consequences to its misuse, some of them deadly (think 50,000,000 children killed in the womb in our country alone since 1973, for starters).
WAKE UP!
Tall, Bald, and Called 