Sunday, July 29, 2007

"Hello Mary"
I have been so fed up with liberalism lately that I decided to try to be a little more ecumenical and help my poor left brothers. So here are the following prayers that you can use for the rosary even if you don't believe in the rosary. Heck, wonder if you don't believe in God, these prayers were made with you in mind.
The I Wonder? (Our Father revision)
I wonder are you in Heaven? If you are, I bet your name's cool. Thy metropolis come, my will be done everywhere and up in heaven if your there. Give everybody food and I promise to forgive others when they forgive me. And lead us not back before Vatican II, but deliver us from Latin! Amen....
"Hello Mary" (Hail Mary revision)
Hello Mary full of goodness, If there's a God, I'm sure He's with you. You're a great woman, and your son was really great too. Hello Mary, Mother of Jesus, if you can hear me say a prayer, would you? Amen.
Glory be....
Glory to God (if he exist) Father, Son, and Holy Mother, just like Sister Martha told us now and forever, AMEN. (Optional response~ All you Sisters and Brothers let's hear an AMEN)

Saturday, July 28, 2007



Is the Catholic Church Sexist?


I have recently been confronted with the idea that the Catholic Church is indeed "sexist" because it does not allow the ordination of women to the priesthood. Dictionary.com defines "sexism" as "discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, as in restricted job opportunities; esp., such discrimination directed against women."
It is seen as a very bad thing these days if you deny someone a job based on their sex. Therefore, many would think that it is something bad if the Church is not allowing women to become priests. Why can't a woman be a priest? There are many women that are ministers in Protestant churches, so why doesn't the Catholic Church just lighten up and allow women too? Is it just trying to be super-controlling and anti-women? Is the Church indeed sexist?
Let's look at what the Church says in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination. The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ's return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible."
One might think that Jesus just picked men by coincidence and that He didn't mean to be saying that women couldn't be priests. After all, didn't Jesus have close friends that were women? Yes, the Bible does include women that were close friends to Jesus but they were not the apostles. Let’s talk about the difference between an apostle and a disciple. A disciple of Jesus is simply someone who is a follower of Jesus. An Apostle though is someone who was appointed by Christ as a special leader in the Church. The 12 Apostles appointed the first bishops of the Church. They were the first priests. Notice though that none of the first priests (apostles) are women, and as the Church continued to grow throughout history none of the priests that were ordained from the original 12 are women either. It is true that women would still have some leadership positions in the Church, but never were they ordained as priests or deacons or deaconesses, although the title was used from time to time. Still, one might just think that that was the way the world ran back then (men being overly controlling of women and not allowing them to have authority).
However, let's look at what the priesthood is. Is it simply a career? A job? If it was something as simple as that then I would agree that anyone and everyone could be a priest. But the priesthood is something different then just a job. It is in fact a change of being. Who is a priest? A priest is sometimes called an "Alter Christus" meaning "Another Christ". This doesn't mean we would worship a priest or see him as another god, but rather this means that this priest has been called by God to act in persona Christi capitis or, in the person of Christ, the Head in administering the sacraments that Christ instituted--Christ being the only True High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) The priest is acting in the Person of Christ--as a steward and administrator of Christ's grace. This is not simply a job, but is a calling from God. God has only chosen certain individuals for this calling. He has picked those whom He wished to represent Him. Only a man can represent Christ Himself in the special role of the priesthood because Christ was and is a man. This is not shunning women, just as a God creating women with the ability to give birth to children is not shunning men.
God has created men and women equal in dignity. Men are not better than women, and women are not better then men. However, God has made man and women different. Men and women are different physically and emotionally, but they are equal in dignity. One is not better than the other even though Men can do some things women cannot, and women can do some things that men cannot.
The Church is not prohibiting women becoming priests because it is power hungry and sexist, but because this is what we believe was taught by the personal choice and action of Christ Jesus Himself, and that it is indeed impossible (even if Church leaders wanted to) that the priesthood can include women. Women are important to the Church, and should not be seen as having no role. Women who wish to dedicate their lives to Christ in a special way through the Church may become nuns or consecrated. Married men and women also take certain roles in helping their local parishes, the diocese and missionary work. God has called each and everyone to a certain mission in life and each mission is vital to playing out God's perfect plan.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Meme....


I was searching for people who linked to me when I found an old meme that I had been tagged at and never saw! So here it is!



I was tagged by Esther for this one.

The rules: You have to share four things that were new to you in the past four years. Four things you learned or experienced or explored for the first time in the past four years. New house, new school, new hobby, new spouse, new baby, whatever. Then you have to say four things you want to try new in the next four years.
Four Things That were new to me in the Past Four Years:
  1. Blogging. This whole blogging thing is relatively new to me. I started almost a year ago now but have had blog related experience for the past couple of years.
  2. Driving---yeah, watch out! I've only been driving for about a year and a half.
  3. Playing piano at Church---- Only about 6 months now I have been helping two parishes out occasionally with piano accompaniment.
  4. Getting an outside job--- I got my first outside job last year and am still currently working at this restaurant. It has been quite an experience!

Four Things That I hope to Try in the Next Four Years.

  1. Going to Seminary---and discerning which one
  2. Learning to swim--pretty overdue for this one
  3. Learning Spanish fluently/going to Mexico---I'm still a beginner but know enough to carry on some fun conversations
  4. Become a better Catholic and learn my Faith much more---this will take my whole life and unfortunately not just 4 years...

Now, I tag everyone who is older than 4...

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

All Roads Lead to Rome.... And Then There was the New World With a Big Pond In Between ...
Remember that Rome trip I was considering? Looks like I should be going! I've sent in my registration and I am looking forward to receiving a phone call and confirmation from the tour place soon. I'll be going in October, so if you happen to be in that part of town you'll have to tell me! God Bless!

Thursday, July 19, 2007


Sacred Music Vs. Goofy Music


I recently watched again the movie "Sister Act", which I thought was very funny, though after seeing it this time I was also turned away by the message of the movie. Pretty much, this seemed to be a post Vatican II movie that was misinterpreting Vatican II and endorsing liberalism. Basically the message was "if we make the Church more like the world, we'll be able to reach out to the world". Pretty stupid. Just another liberal agenda. However, if the movie is viewed as solely fictional it has its humorous aspects.

But what is the difference between appropriate music and inappropriate music for the Holy Mass? Well, I just said it. Did you catch it? I said music for the HOLY Mass. Holiness is what we are seeking to attain and our thoughts drawn into at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is not a party or any worldly celebration, so why should our music sound worldly? We don't want to get distracted by music that has worldly connotations, so we should avoid instruments and musical selections that would have those connotations (e.g. Drums, guitars, and syncopated music).

Sacred Music should be simple beautiful music. There are hundreds of wonderful and beautiful hymns that are just waiting to be sung (and which people have been singing for hundreds of years).

Latin in the music is also a great thing because this is the universal language of the Catholic Church, and the Church has tried to preserve this heritage. There is beauty in the Latin language unmatched by the ordinary language of the faithful. One truly feels that he has already been taken up into Heaven, with the saints praising Jesus Christ, when the music is sung well in Latin.

Below I will list some of my favorite hymns and some songs that should be banned. Feel free to add you own list in the comment box.


Some of my favorite hymns...

Latin Ones....
Ave Maria
O Salutaris Hostia
Salve Regina
English Ones...
Holy God we Praise Thy Name
Be Still my Soul
Jesus Remember Me
I Am the Bread of Life
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded


Some songs that should not even exist...

Here at This Table

Jesus, Lamb of God by Bernadette Farell

Bread of Life by Rory Cooney

This Bread That we Share by Dominic MacAller

To be Your Bread by David Haas

Bread for the World by Bernadette Farell

Sing a New Church by Nettleton

All are Welcome by Marty Haugen

Monday, July 16, 2007



Many people wear the Brown Scapular, but few know what it is all about. In the 13th century, our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock who was the leader of the Carmelite order at the time. St. Simon had been asking the Blessed Virgin for help when she appeared to him surrounded by a multitude of angels, and she was holding the brown scapular. Mary told St. Simon: Receive, My beloved son, this habit of thy order: this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire.
The Scapular really is the habit of the Carmelite order, and those who wear it and take place in the devotions really in a way become a part of the Carmelite order. There are 3 sort of conditions that one should do in participating in the devotion of the Brown Scapular. 1. (The most obvious) You need to wear the Brown Scapular. I would see no problem in taking off the scapular if you were taking a shower or swimming etc..., as long as of course you have the intention of putting it back on. 2. Observe Chastity according to your state in life. This would mean that if your married you stay faithful to your spouse, and if your single you stay chaste until marriage. If you are a priest, sister, or religious you stay chaste your whole life as you vowed. So you see, it's not just talking about priests, but the virtue of Chastity can be observed by all people. 3. Pray "The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary", or with the permission of the priest you can say the daily rosary instead or some other good work. (Or together with observing the fasts of the Church, abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays.) Also, to make official your devotion in the scapular, it is necessary that you enroll yourself. This is done by a priest (any Roman Catholic priest may do this now) through a special blessing of your first scapular (You do not need to ever repeat this once it's done even if you get another scapular.) through the following prayer: Receive this blessed habit; praying the most holy Virgin, than by Her merits thou may wear it without stain; and that She may guard thee from all evil and bring thee to life everlasting. R. Amen. By the power granted me, I admit thee to the participation of all the spiritual good works, which through the gracious help of Jesus Christ are performed by the religious of Mount Carmel. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen. May the Creator of Heaven and earth, Almighty God, bless + thee; Who has deigned to unite thee to the confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. We beseech Her, in the hour of thy death, to crush the head of the old serpent; so that thou may in the end win the everlasting palm and crown of the heavenly inheritance. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Finally, I would like to add that the scapular is not a superstition. Namely, that as Catholics, we do NOT put our trust in a piece of cloth for our salvation. No, instead we place our Faith in Jesus Christ Who has given us His Mother. His Mother has promised to help those who acknowledge her in the scapular and follow it. The Scapular is not magic nor a free ticket into Heaven. However, those who observe faithfully this devotion staying close to the Lord can rest assured of Mary's promise: "Whosoever dies clothed in this [scapular] shall not suffer eternal fire."

Monday, July 09, 2007

Caption Contest...

So far the winner is Merri: "You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why. Pope Benedict is coming to town!"

Add your funny captions below. The funniest one will be posted with the picture!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Prayer for an end to Liturgical Abuse
Christ Jesus, You Instituted the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Last Supper which brings the grace You gave to us through the Blood which poured forth from Your veins. Deliver us now Lord from these abuses which are attacking Your Mass, and bring to conversion those lost souls who do not know what they do. Lord grant us true faith, reverence, love, and fidelity towards You. I especially pray for Your priest N., who is the Shepard to many souls and is entrusted to reverently celebrate the Holy Mass.
Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ Have Mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ Pray for us!
St Peter ~ Pray for us!
St. Pius X ~ Pray for us!
St. John Vianney ~ Pray for us!
Pray this prayer every time before Mass and on Thursdays and Sundays

Saturday, July 07, 2007

WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man, I LOVE Our Pope!!!!
MOTU PROPRIO "SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM"

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2007 (VIS) - Given below is a non-official English-language translation of the Apostolic Letter "Motu Proprio data" of Pope Benedict XVI, "Summorum Pontificum," concerning the use of the Roman liturgy prior to the reform of 1970. The original text is written in Latin.

"Up to our own times, it has been the constant concern of supreme pontiffs to ensure that the Church of Christ offers a worthy ritual to the Divine Majesty, 'to the praise and glory of His name,' and 'to the benefit of all His Holy Church.'

"Since time immemorial it has been necessary - as it is also for the future - to maintain the principle according to which 'each particular Church must concur with the universal Church, not only as regards the doctrine of the faith and the sacramental signs, but also as regards the usages universally accepted by uninterrupted apostolic tradition, which must be observed not only to avoid errors but also to transmit the integrity of the faith, because the Church's law of prayer corresponds to her law of faith.' (1)

"Among the pontiffs who showed that requisite concern, particularly outstanding is the name of St. Gregory the Great, who made every effort to ensure that the new peoples of Europe received both the Catholic faith and the treasures of worship and culture that had been accumulated by the Romans in preceding centuries. He commanded that the form of the sacred liturgy as celebrated in Rome (concerning both the Sacrifice of Mass and the Divine Office) be conserved. He took great concern to ensure the dissemination of monks and nuns who, following the Rule of St. Benedict, together with the announcement of the Gospel illustrated with their lives the wise provision of their Rule that 'nothing should be placed before the work of God.' In this way the sacred liturgy, celebrated according to the Roman use, enriched not only the faith and piety but also the culture of many peoples. It is known, in fact, that the Latin liturgy of the Church in its various forms, in each century of the Christian era, has been a spur to the spiritual life of many saints, has reinforced many peoples in the virtue of religion and fecundated their piety.

"Many other Roman pontiffs, in the course of the centuries, showed particular solicitude in ensuring that the sacred liturgy accomplished this task more effectively. Outstanding among them is St. Pius V who, sustained by great pastoral zeal and following the exhortations of the Council of Trent, renewed the entire liturgy of the Church, oversaw the publication of liturgical books amended and 'renewed in accordance with the norms of the Fathers,' and provided them for the use of the Latin Church.

"One of the liturgical books of the Roman rite is the Roman Missal, which developed in the city of Rome and, with the passing of the centuries, little by little took forms very similar to that it has had in recent times.

"'It was towards this same goal that succeeding Roman Pontiffs directed their energies during the subsequent centuries in order to ensure that the rites and liturgical books were brought up to date and when necessary clarified. From the beginning of this century they undertook a more general reform.' (2) Thus our predecessors Clement VIII, Urban VIII, St. Pius X (3), Benedict XV, Pius XII and Blessed John XXIII all played a part.

"In more recent times, Vatican Council II expressed a desire that the respectful reverence due to divine worship should be renewed and adapted to the needs of our time. Moved by this desire our predecessor, the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI, approved, in 1970, reformed and partly renewed liturgical books for the Latin Church. These, translated into the various languages of the world, were willingly accepted by bishops, priests and faithful. John Paul II amended the third typical edition of the Roman Missal. Thus Roman pontiffs have operated to ensure that 'this kind of liturgical edifice ... should again appear resplendent for its dignity and harmony.' (4)

"But in some regions, no small numbers of faithful adhered and continue to adhere with great love and affection to the earlier liturgical forms. These had so deeply marked their culture and their spirit that in 1984 the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, moved by a concern for the pastoral care of these faithful, with the special indult 'Quattuor abhinc anno," issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship, granted permission to use the Roman Missal published by Blessed John XXIII in the year 1962. Later, in the year 1988, John Paul II with the Apostolic Letter given as Motu Proprio, 'Ecclesia Dei,' exhorted bishops to make generous use of this power in favor of all the faithful who so desired.

"Following the insistent prayers of these faithful, long deliberated upon by our predecessor John Paul II, and after having listened to the views of the Cardinal Fathers of the Consistory of 22 March 2006, having reflected deeply upon all aspects of the question, invoked the Holy Spirit and trusting in the help of God, with these Apostolic Letters we establish the following:

"Art 1. The Roman Missal promulgated by Paul VI is the ordinary expression of the 'Lex orandi' (Law of prayer) of the Catholic Church of the Latin rite. Nonetheless, the Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V and reissued by Bl. John XXIII is to be considered as an extraordinary expression of that same 'Lex orandi,' and must be given due honour for its venerable and ancient usage. These two expressions of the Church's Lex orandi will in no any way lead to a division in the Church's 'Lex credendi' (Law of belief). They are, in fact two usages of the one Roman rite.

"It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated, as an extraordinary form of the Liturgy of the Church. The conditions for the use of this Missal as laid down by earlier documents 'Quattuor abhinc annis' and 'Ecclesia Dei,' are substituted as follows:

"Art. 2. In Masses celebrated without the people, each Catholic priest of the Latin rite, whether secular or regular, may use the Roman Missal published by Bl. Pope John XXIII in 1962, or the Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970, and may do so on any day with the exception of the Easter Triduum. For such celebrations, with either one Missal or the other, the priest has no need for permission from the Apostolic See or from his Ordinary.

"Art. 3. Communities of Institutes of consecrated life and of Societies of apostolic life, of either pontifical or diocesan right, wishing to celebrate Mass in accordance with the edition of the Roman Missal promulgated in 1962, for conventual or "community" celebration in their oratories, may do so. If an individual community or an entire Institute or Society wishes to undertake such celebrations often, habitually or permanently, the decision must be taken by the Superiors Major, in accordance with the law and following their own specific decrees and statues.

"Art. 4. Celebrations of Mass as mentioned above in art. 2 may - observing all the norms of law - also be attended by faithful who, of their own free will, ask to be admitted.

"Art. 5. § 1 In parishes, where there is a stable group of faithful who adhere to the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should willingly accept their requests to celebrate the Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962, and ensure that the welfare of these faithful harmonises with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under the guidance of the bishop in accordance with canon 392, avoiding discord and favouring the unity of the whole Church.
§ 2 Celebration in accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII may take place on working days; while on Sundays and feast days one such celebration may also be held.
§ 3 For faithful and priests who request it, the pastor should also allow celebrations in this extraordinary form for special circumstances such as marriages, funerals or occasional celebrations, e.g. pilgrimages.
§ 4 Priests who use the Missal of Bl. John XXIII must be qualified to do so and not juridically impeded.
§ 5 In churches that are not parish or conventual churches, it is the duty of the Rector of the church to grant the above permission.

Art. 6. In Masses celebrated in the presence of the people in accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII, the readings may be given in the vernacular, using editions recognised by the Apostolic See.

"Art. 7. If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned in art. 5 § 1, has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop. The bishop is strongly requested to satisfy their wishes. If he cannot arrange for such celebration to take place, the matter should be referred to the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei".

"Art. 8. A bishop who, desirous of satisfying such requests, but who for various reasons is unable to do so, may refer the problem to the Commission "Ecclesia Dei" to obtain counsel and assistance.

"Art. 9. § 1 The pastor, having attentively examined all aspects, may also grant permission to use the earlier ritual for the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, Penance, and the Anointing of the Sick, if the good of souls would seem to require it.
§ 2 Ordinaries are given the right to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation using the earlier Roman Pontifical, if the good of souls would seem to require it.
§ 2 Clerics ordained "in sacris constitutis" may use the Roman Breviary promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962.

"Art. 10. The ordinary of a particular place, if he feels it appropriate, may erect a personal parish in accordance with can. 518 for celebrations following the ancient form of the Roman rite, or appoint a chaplain, while observing all the norms of law.

"Art. 11. The Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", erected by John Paul II in 1988 (5), continues to exercise its function. Said Commission will have the form, duties and norms that the Roman Pontiff wishes to assign it.

"Art. 12. This Commission, apart from the powers it enjoys, will exercise the authority of the Holy See, supervising the observance and application of these dispositions.

"We order that everything We have established with these Apostolic Letters issued as Motu Proprio be considered as "established and decreed", and to be observed from 14 September of this year, Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, whatever there may be to the contrary.

" From Rome, at St. Peter's, 7 July 2007, third year of Our Pontificate."
(1) General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 3rd ed., 2002, no. 397.
(2) John Paul II, Apostolic Letter "Vicesimus quintus annus," 4 December 1988, 3: AAS 81 (1989), 899.
(3) Ibid.
(4) St. Pius X, Apostolic Letter Motu propio data, "Abhinc duos annos," 23 October 1913: AAS 5 (1913), 449-450; cf John Paul II, Apostolic Letter "Vicesimus quintus annus," no. 3: AAS 81 (1989), 899.
(5) Cf John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Motu proprio data "Ecclesia Dei," 2 July 1988, 6: AAS 80 (1988), 1498.
BXVI-MP/.../SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM VIS 070707 (1900)

Thursday, July 05, 2007

POPE ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO PREPARE FOR WYD
VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2007 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience, the Pope addressed young people who are currently preparing for the next World Youth Day (WYD), due to be held in July 2008 in Sydney, Australia.
Speaking English, the Holy Father encouraged the young people "to prepare well for this marvelous celebration of the faith. ... Enter fully into the life of your parishes and participate enthusiastically in diocesan events! In this way you will be equipped spiritually to experience new depths of understanding of all that we believe when we gather in Sydney next July."
"I know that already the ecclesial and government authorities, together with numerous young Australians, are working very hard to ensure an exceptional experience for us all. I offer them my heartfelt thanks.
"World Youth Day is much more than an event," Pope Benedict added. "It is a time of deep spiritual renewal, the fruits of which benefit the whole of society."
"Some of you have friends with little real purpose in their lives, perhaps caught up in a futile search for endless new experiences. Bring them to World Youth Day too! In fact, I have noticed that against the tide of secularism many young people are rediscovering the satisfying quest for authentic beauty, goodness and truth. Through your witness you help them in their search for the Spirit of God."
The Holy Father concluded: "Be courageous in that witness! Strive to spread Christ's guiding light, which gives purpose to all life, making lasting joy and happiness possible for everyone."AG/WORLD YOUTH DAY/SYDNEY VIS 070704 (270)