Help out with a survey

This survey is about Mass attendance and church music if you would like to take it.

http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1464364

Poll #22 - Communal Penance Services

Advent is a truly wonderful time of repentance and preparation in anticipation of the coming of our Lord. It is also a time when we begin to see those "Communal Penance Services" springing up at a variety of area parishes. The latest CF poll question will examine our readers' feelings about these services. The question for you to answer is: Will you be attending a Communal Penance Service this Advent? Cast your vote below if you please.

Will you attend a "Communal Penance Service" this Advent?

Yes, but I will also be stopping by the confessional, as this does not take the place of true Confession.

Yes, because who needs private confession when you have these wonderful services?

Not a snowball's chance in Hell. Private confession all the way.

View results

Free web polls

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Results from poll #21: click here to view. In response to a question about Christmas decor, most Cleansing Fire readers, or 58% of the 31 who cast votes, stated that they have a mixture of secular and religious decorations around their house. 32% have mostly religious decorations, while only 10% have mostly secular decorations. Thank you for voting.

An Essay on Theology

What can I say, I'm becoming a huge fan of the recently ordained Fr. Carpenter. Here is an excerpt from his essay on theology posted over at his Working To Beat Hell Web site. Click here to read the entire document. It is very much worth your time.

"In my conversation with my friends, which were very different in subject matter, what became clear is that as they tried to enter into theological discourse, they did not start from a position of faith. Rather, they started from a position that wanted to study the faith to ensure that what the Catholic Church teaches is indeed correct.

The problem with this, is of course, that it subjects the teachings of the Catholic Church to some "higher" (and presumably earthly) authority. For example, it assumed that the Catholic Church could possibly have an "incorrect" teaching. The problem with holding this view is that for a person to declare a teaching of the Church "incorrect" they must do so by subjecting it to some other authoritative standard. For example, a person who claims that the bread and wine do not become the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass might claim that all you need to do is examine a consecrated host and unconsecrated host under a microscope to determine that they are materially the same. The problem (or at least the one I am addressing) with this is that it assumes that science is the ultimate authority, and not Jesus Christ. It does not start from the point of faith that Jesus Christ is the Truth, and the source of all truth. Rather it gives this honor to science.

The same thing holds true with moral truths. Some people feel the need to scour through every Church document to ensure that they agree with every Church teaching before they are willing to accept the Catholic faith. Aside from the impracticality of this solution (there are far too many Church documents to reasonably expect that a person could read them all), there is a fundamental problem with this mentality - it assumes that the individual doing the studying is infallible, while the Church is potentially fallible.

The real question in both of these cases comes down to this: Do I believe the Church to be who She claims to be. If the answer to this is yes, then what this means is that we must accept the Church's claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and free from Moral error. In essence, it means that by definition, the teachings of the Church must be correct. This does not mean that individual members of the Church enjoy this same level of guidance by the Holy Spirit. Individuals (including the pope when he is not speaking ex-cathedra, or from the Chair of Peter) can do and say things that are morally wrong. What it does mean, however, is that the Church itself is free from moral and religious error in its official teachings."

The future of the Diocese of Rochester is looking bright.

e-Priest

The following is from the National Catholic Register:

"A website has been set up in Italy whereby hundreds of priests from all over the country can offer pastoral help and advice on the Internet but not the sacraments.

Called Pretionline.it, users can request to hear the advice of a priest, all of which is given in confidence. Each priest is listed according to his region, and under his listing is a short bio and statement of his area of expertise. There are 825 priests registered to help on the site, and some limit their pastoral skills only to certain groups, such as the lonely and the sick. Others specialize in exorcisms, helping widows or parents who have lost children.

Each priest has a “traffic light” symbol beside his name. Users are advised to avoid a priest whose particular light is red, as he is likely to be busy in his parish. One priest who is busy in three dioceses has a red traffic light that is “always on,” according to an article on the site in today’s Il Giornale.

The venture has the blessing of Italy’s bishops, but they warn the Internet cannot be used to give or receive the sacraments."

Certainly an interesting idea. I wonder if it will catch on in other countries and dioceses.

For your Advent meditation

The Alma Redemptoris is one of four Marian liturgical antiphons sung at the end of Compline. It is sung to the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin. The Alma is the appropriate antiphon during Advent. The other three antiphons are Ave Regina Caelorum, Salve Regina and Regina Coeli.



Latin

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli

Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,

Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem

Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore

Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

English

Loving Mother of our Savior, hear thou thy people's cry

Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!

Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.

Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:

Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,

Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

A little history: This piece was written by Herman Contractus, aka Herman of Reichenau.
Born with a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida to a farm family. His parents cared for him until the age of seven, but in 1020 they gave him over to the abbey of Reichenau Island in Lake Constance in southern Germany; he spent the rest of his life there. He became a Benedictine monk at age twenty. A genius, he studied and wrote on astronomy, theology, math, history, poetry, Arabic,Greek and Latin. He built musical instruments and astronomical equipment. In later life he became blind and had to give up his academic writing. The most famous religious poet of his day, he is the author of the Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater.

Here is a little more about Herman. This was written by the late Rochester priest, Reverend Robert F. McNamara. http://www.irondequoitcatholic.org/index.php/Bl/HermannTheDisabled

12:10 p.m. Mass at OLV today FYI

I attended the 12:10 Mass at OLV and Father A. had the kiss of peace. It turned out to be a "wave of peace". I didn't see any handshakes but then again I don't have eyes in the back of head either.

2nd Sunday in Advent - Reflection

This weekend is the beginning of the second week in Advent, and marks the quarter point of our Advent time of repentance and preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior. As was the case last week, the Mass readings once again speak of the necessity of preparation for the coming reign of God. In the first reading from the book of Baruch, which is part of our Christian Bible though considered apocryphal to the followers of Judaism, we hear the call for God’s people to be ready. Baruch, believed to be a scribe of the prophet Jeremiah, writes, “Arise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east: see your sons reassembled from west and east at the command of the Holy One, jubilant that God has remembered them. Though they left you on foot, with enemies for an escort, now God brings them back to you like royal princes carried back in glory. For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain”

Just like the prophet called for Jerusalem to prepare for the return of people to the holy city by keeping watch towards the east, so too are we called to prepare and keep watch for the coming reign of God. At Mass, we face the symbolic east, and wait joyfully for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those who have heeded the commands of the Lord, it will indeed be a time of great happiness and the beginning of eternal delight when the good are reunited with God. But for those who turn their back on the Lord, it will be the beginning of destruction, when the evil are sent away, never to see God nor His kingdom.

The second reading this week further emphasizes the importance of preparation. In the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, we hear a call for change before the coming of Christ. Paul says, “My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognize what is best. This will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for the Day of Christ, when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God.” To achieve eternal life with Christ, the epistle writer emphasizes the importance of love, knowledge, and abstaining from sin. Beginning to notice a pattern developing? It is no coincidence that there exists a repeated emphasis on preparation throughout the Holy Bible. We will see this theme once again in the Gospel of St. Luke.

Luke the Evangelist, in this weekend’s Gospel reading, introduces us to St. John the Baptist, the one who us Christians hold as the forerunner of Jesus Christ; the last great prophet before the coming of the Messiah. Luke includes a passage from the prophet Isaiah, which reads “A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.” Once more there it is; the call for preparation and repentance. The Lord sent St. John the Baptist to prepare His path, to open the hearts and minds of the people to the message that Jesus Christ was soon to deliver upon them. When the Lord was ready to begin His mission, many of the followers of John the Baptist came over and followed Jesus, having been prepared by the Baptist in advance for the coming of the one among them whom John the Baptist would be unworthy to unfasten His sandals.

In all three of this weekend’s readings, we see the importance of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. This applies not only to the second coming, but also to each and every time we come before the Lord to receive Him in the Holy Eucharist. We need to prepare to receive the Lord in our bodies the same way we need to prepare to receive the Lord when he comes again in glory. This means we must renounce our sinful ways, and embrace a life of loving peace, charity and forgiveness. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ taught us through His example in the Gospels, this is how we are called to live our lives.

To better understand the importance of preparation to receive our Lord, take a look at it from a different perspective. Say that your boss will be stopping over for dinner one night. What do you do? Do you not sweep through your house to make sure that it is clean and spotless? Do you not bring out the best china, and try to make everything as perfect as possible before your boss’ arrival? Why then should it be any different in anticipation of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? To prepare for Christ, we need to make sure that our lives are as perfect as we possibly can make them. For example, we need to cleanse ourselves of sin, just like we would clean our home before the boss comes for a visit. In anticipation of receive the Lord in the Eucharist, we should make a good confession. Confession is the Sacrament by which God cleanses us of the stain of sin.

Remember the words of the centurion, “Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Do we recognize our unworthiness before God? Do we take any actions to make ourselves more worthy to receive Him in the Eucharist and at the Day of Judgment? The Advent season is the perfect time to stop to take a look at ourselves, and to see how well we are preparing for the coming of Christ. God bless, and continue to strive to make yourselves more worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rochester Vocation Stories

Buffalo's Station of the Cross has asked various priests and seminarians to tell their vocation stories for the radio station as part of their fall "Fishers of Men" fund drive. Contributing their time to this drive are some of Rochester's seminarians (and priests) who have offered to tell their personal stories of God's call to the ordained priesthood. Among the Rochester personalities who contributed are: Fr. Brian Carpenter, Peter Mottola, Peter VanLieshout, and even Bishop Clark.

If you are interested, you can listen to their stories over at this link: http://www.wlof.net/community/year-for-priests/ .

More idiocy from the USCCB

Come Chat With Us

We've added a "chat" feature to Cleansing Fire, over in the right hand column of goodies. You'll see it - it's a rectangle, turquoise button.

Hope to chat with some of you soon!

Inside the Mind of a Lay Administrator

It's scary when these administrators reveal their inner thoughts. From Charlotte Bruney's latest ramblings in the St. Vincent DePaul bulletin:

"I have spent 17 of the past 20 years serving in two different Roman Catholic dioceses as the appointed leader of one or more parishes. In my religious tradition, the title 'Pastor' is reserved to priests only; however 'pastor' has been my job description."

Perhaps Ms. Bruney, and several self-described experts in the DoR should reread the Vatican instruction "On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest, which says:

"The exercise of such tasks does not make Pastors of the lay faithful, in fact, a person is not a minister simply in performing a task, but through sacramental ordination. Only the Sacrament of Orders gives the ordained minister a particular participation in the office of Christ, the Shepherd and Head in his Eternal Priesthood. The task exercised in virtue of supply takes its legitimacy formally and immediately from the official deputation given by Pastors, as well as from its concrete exercise under the guidance of ecclesiastical authority.

This doctrine needs to be reaffirmed especially in the light of certain practices which seek to compensate for numerical shortages of ordained ministers [i.e. Rochester] arising in some communities. In some instances, such have given rise to an idea of the common priesthood of the faithful which mistakes its nature and specific meaning. Amongst other things, it can encourage a reduction in vocations to the (ministerial) priesthood and obscure the specific purpose of seminaries as places of formation for the ordained ministry [Which we indeed have seen here. Remember, we will have 3 straight years of no priestly ordinations to close out Bishop Clark's tenure]. These are closely related phenomena. Their interdependence calls for careful reflection so as to arrive at well considered conclusions in their regard."

AND...

"Temporary deputation for liturgical purposes — mentioned in Canon 230, § 2 — does not confer any special or permanent title on the non-ordained faithful. [The title of Pastoral Administrator as a permanent title is wrong. How many years has Ms. Bruney been a P.A.? Well over a decade. That's seriously abusing the idea of making temporary use of a layperson during a time of true necessity, unless of course it was the DoR's intention all along to create a permanent need for lay leaders by promoting a shortage of ordained priests. Many worthly priestly candidates have been turned away for being too "rigid" or "conservative" either while in discernment, or as late as 2nd-3rd theologies! Some of these who continued to pursue ordination were indeed ordained in other dioceses. Also, didn't our bishop just write a book about the wonders of lay ministry?]

It is unlawful for the non-ordained faithful to assume titles such as "pastor", "chaplain", "coordinator", " moderator" or other such similar titles which can confuse their role and that of the Pastor, who is always a Bishop or Priest." [And what could be more confusing than calling a person a "Pastor-al Administrator" which implies that this person is the one pastoring a parish. This is even confirmed when these laypeople list their names above the priests in their bulletins]

AND...

"participatio in exercitio curae pastoralis and not directing, coordinating, moderating or governing the Parish; these competencies, according to the canon, are the competencies of a priest alone." [If the layperson may not govern the parish and may not "pastor" a parish, as this document indeed makes clear, what then are our DoR Pastoral Administrators doing? Both of these duties are not permitted, so they should not be doing them]

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To summarize, to 'pastor' is a job reserved for the ordained minister. Sacerdotal orders are required to lead a Catholic parish. I'm sorry, Diocese of Rochester, but the position of "Pastoral Administrator" does not appear to be lawful in the eyes of the Church. Lay people can't run/govern/lead/pastor parishes. Period.

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Ms. Bruney also reveals some (inside?) information about her next assignment in June of 2011. If your parish fits this description, be on the lookout, as she may be on her way there:

"... my next assignment will most likely be either a large suburban parish or a multi-site cluster parish."

Bumper Sticker Philosophy

If plastering one's car with Sunoco bumper stickers can help one get cheap gas...

...will plastering one's car with religious bumper stickers help one get into heaven?

Note: The Sunoco car is actually from Rochester. They were parked in Southtown Plazza. The other one is just from a Google search.

"Respect and Charity"

I received an email regarding my attempted post at the blog which is in the process of canonizing Sr. Sobala. If anyone has noted, the only comment which the person who runs it has permitted is one which sings the praises of schismatic dissent.

The comment I tried to post contained the following:

• quotes from Sr. Joan Sobala and Bishop Clark, all verified
• statistics regarding Mass attendance at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anne, St. Mary's Downtown
• financial woes relating to the St. Anne cluster
• all facts, no opinion

This is the email response I received:

I received your comment on my blog and wanted to respond to you personally. The blog is not a forum for personal attacks nor is it for airing personal grievances. Everyone who comments on the blog is expected to do so with respect and charity.
Sincerely,
Sister Julie

So, in the eyes of Sr. Julie, telling someone "you're wrong" is a "personal attack." In my eyes, it's more charitable to defend the Church, Christ's Bride, than it is to defend a woman who expresses clear contempt for the Church.

2 Corinthians 13-15
13 "...For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve..."

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Update 2:06 PM (by Dr. K):
A Nun's Life has recently closed comments on the Sr. Joan canonization post:

Adam and Steve to Remain "Friends Only"

From the Boston Globe:

N.Y. gay marriage measure defeated

Governor says vote lacked fortitude (Sort of like cheating on your wife, Gov. Paterson?)

By Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times | December 3, 2009

ALBANY, N.Y. - The New York state Senate decisively rejected a bill yesterday that would have allowed gay couples to wed, providing a major victory for those who oppose same-sex marriage and underscoring the deep and emotional divisions surrounding the issue.

The 38-24 margin startled proponents of the bill, and signaled that political momentum, at least right now, has shifted against same-sex marriage, even in heavily Democratic New York. The vote followed more than a year of lobbying by gay rights organizations, who have poured close to $1 million into New York legislative races to boost support for the measure.

Senator Thomas W. Libous, the deputy Republican leader, said the public is gripped by economic anxiety and remains uneasy about changing the state’s definition of marriage.

“Certainly this is an emotional issue and an important issue for many New Yorkers,’’ said Libous, who represents Binghamton. “I just don’t think the majority care too much about it at this time because they’re out of work, they want to see the state reduce spending, and they are having a hard time making ends meet. And I don’t mean to sound callous, but that’s true.’’

The defeat, which followed a stirring and at times deeply personal debate, all but ensures the issue is dead in New York until at least 2011, when a new Legislature will be installed.

Since 2003, seven states, including three that border New York, legalized same-sex marriage. But in two of the seven, including Maine last month, voters have reversed the decisions of lawmakers or judges in referendums, and effectively outlawed gay nuptials.

In Albany yesterday, proponents had believed going into the vote that they could attract up to 35 supporters to the measure; at their most pessimistic, they said they would draw at least 26. They had the support from Governor David A. Paterson, who has publicly championed the bill, along with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the Senate Democratic leadership.

The defeat revealed stark divides: All 30 of the Republican senators opposed the bill, as did most of the members from upstate New York and Long Island. Support was heaviest among members from New York City and Westchester County and among the Senate’s 10 African-Americans. Seven of the Senate’s 10 women voted for it.

Senators who are considered politically vulnerable also voted almost uniformly against the bill, including four first-term Democrats.

(Emphasis is solely mine.)

Iridescent Italian Month

You voiced your opinion, and it's now officially "Iridescent Italian Month." I'll be putting various Italian musical selections in the window to the right for the next month.

Fr. Brian Carpenter Homily

Bishop Clark's final ordained priest, Fr. Brian Carpenter (Parochial Vicar at Peace of Christ parishes in southeast Irondequoit), occasionally posts his homilies online in audio format at his Working to Beat Hell blog. Below is his homily from November 15th. In this sermon, Fr. Carpenter deals with the topic of the end times, and what we need to do to reach eternal life in God's kingdom. Enjoy.

Click here if the music player does not appear above this text.

Praying for a Happy Death

I was just thinking about a few things today, and I thought you would enjoy hearing my little tidbits on death. Cheery, I know.

First of all, I found a quote from St. John Berchmans, a Jesuit, who said of his impending death, "I should like to die with my crucifix, my rosary, and my book of rules (catechism)."

Then I was browsing various rosaries, and I saw a picture of beads like this:

Note the skull - it's called a "momento mori," and is representative of the temporary victory of death, but the eternal victory we have in Christ's Passion. During the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, the "momento mori" or "momento of death" was a popular gift for young suitors. Nothing quite so romantic as saying to your sweet-heart, "hey, honey, we're both going to die and decompose, but if you look at this skull you'll realize that ain't so bad!" These beads were quite often actually carved from real bones, be they of animals or humans. Again, romantic.

Then I got to thinking about praying for a happy death. So many people are a bit put-off when they see in their missal or prayer-book a section of "Prayers for a Happy Death." Many people, since the 60's and 70's onward, have had some kind of phobia about "death." I guess it has to do with the all-pervasive sense of relativism and idealism. Anyways, there are some very beautiful prayers asking for a happy death:

O Glorious St. Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special patron in life and at the hour of my death. Preserve and increase in me the spirit of prayer and fervor in the service of God. Remove far from me every kind of sin; obtain for me that my death may not come upon me unawares, but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally and to bewail them with a most perfect understanding and a most sincere and perfect contrition, in order that I may breathe forth my soul into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen

O Jesus, while I adore Your dying breath, I beg You to receive mine. Since I do not know whether I shall have command of my senses when I depart from this world, I offer You even now my last agony and all the sorrows of my passing. I give my soul into Your hands for You are my Father and my Savior. Grant that the last beat of my heart may be an act of perfect love for You. Amen.

O Mary, my good Mother, after Jesus you are my hope and consolation. By your protection make me persevere in my firm determination to offend God no more and to prefer a thousand deaths to the deliberate commission of one mortal sin! Obtain for me the grace of final perseverance, and grant that I may remember to ask for it during the time of temptation and at the hour of death. You are the refuge of sinners and our perennial help. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for me.
O Mother of Jesus, I offer you the last day, last hour, and last moment of my life, and everything that shall take place in me at that last moment--in honor of the last moment, hour and day of your life, and of all that occurred in you on that day. If it pleases you, unite me with all the holy and divine dispositions of your maternal heart and your pure soul. Grant that, by your merits and prayers, my last thoughts, words, acts, and breaths may be consecrated to the honor of the last thoughts, words, acts, and breaths both of your Son and of yourself. Grant that I may die loving Him with His holy love; that I may be utterly consumed and sacrificed to His glory; that my life may end with a last act of most pure love of Him. Amen.

So, after reading these, many people think, "okay, sure, but does it really change anything?" I can confidently say yes. Without a doubt. My grandmother used to say the prayer to St. Joseph which I posted above. She died in her sleep on Good Friday. God listens. You'd better believe it.

Veni, Veni, Emmanuel

In the last remaining hours between "Everything English Month" and whatever month you choose, I'll post a transcendent recording of this favorite Advent/Christmas hymn. Enjoy, all!

Some much need humor

Home Remedies

1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY
GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE
TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF
AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON
YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL
PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP
 AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES.
THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE.
IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT
SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

DAILY THOUGHT

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING
BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE
STAIRS.

I'm Here To Help

Taken from the Acts of the Apostasy blog.

This is an offer to all my friends at Voice of the Faithful (VOTF), Call to Action, Pax Christi, the LCWR and the Women's Ordination Conference (WOC) who anticipate attending the American Catholic Council in June 2011.

You know, I've been poking fun at your ideologies and beliefs since I started this blog. And while some of it has been justified...well, actually, all of it has been justified, but that's a whole other issue...I admit that you haven't always accepted my criticism with charity, and perhaps even quite possibly on occasion remotely you were less than Christian in your attitude.

So I want to make it up to you.

I realize that this council, planned for June 2011 in Detroit, is a big deal for you. It's your chance to resurrect the glory days of the Call to Action kick-off event in 1976, as well as a response to the call of the Spirit of Vatican II. I don't agree with any of the provisions of this American council, but that's besides the point. In the spirit of Christian fraternity, I'm here to help.

Eighteen months is a long time from now. A very long time. And given that a sizable percentage of your membership is...how can I say this politely?...really really old, it's quite possible that nature will dash many a dream, and that many may not live to see the dawning of this historic council. It's a cold hard fact of life.

When you factor in the possibility that the council many be postponed to 2012 (from the ACC website: "We also need to determine the physical details of our national meeting (including availability of space and speakers—and whether there is sufficient time to stage such an important event in the spring of 2011)—or whether we should provide more time for process and schedule a 2012 event"), the chance that many faithful catholics won't be around increases exponentially. I can only imagine the heartbreak and regret, that so many might not live to see this council.

Another possibility is that many will be too frail and infirm to travel to the Motor City, and thus miss out on coming to the table. Tragic. It just doesn't seem fair that the wisest, most venerable and most experienced of progressive catholics might be forced to remain behind while the impotentimportant work of the council gets done.

As you realize the pitiable situation in which you find yourselves, you're probably asking: "How can you help?" In a word, simply. In a few more words, by offering exclusive Council Attendance Insurance.

This is an exclusive offer open only to members of the aforementioned groups. AoftheA is making available to you and your members Council Attendance Insurance, whereby you purchase a non-refundable policy that guarantees your place at the table, even if you die. How, you ask? Because AoftheA will send someone in your place as a proxy in the event you are unable to attend, for any reason. Even if the council gets postponed until 2013 or beyond, you're guaranteed a voice.

For a modest one-time non-refundable fee of $1,500, AoftheA will screen for appropriate proxy candidates using the latest Briggs-Meyer Personality Test Typology methodologies. AoftheA assures you that individuals who most closely reflect your worldview will be on standby in the event you cannot make it to Detroit in 2011. AoftheA promises to not discriminate proxy candidates on the basis of creed, color or gender - just like you (unless the candidate is a straight white male who follows the Magisterium - we will categorically reject them, just like you!). In fact, AoftheA provides a 100% guarantee that our proxy candidates will be significantly less catholic than you could ever hope to be, thus ensuring the council will be be faithful to its mission, even if you can't be there.

Don't delay - you have little time! This is a limited time offer - you aren't going to live forever, you know. If you email AoftheA today, a packet will be sent to you via overnight mail. Complete the forms and send your check payable to "Council Attendance Insurance Policy", and then relax. Be assured that even if you can't attend the council, you'll be there in spirit. And someone just as non-catholic as you will be there to take up the call to...do something or other.

St. Padre Pio Concert

I just received an e-mail stating that there will be a Christmas concert this Sunday, December 6th, at the St. Padre Pio Chapel in Gates. The concert will begin at 2:30 PM. The Fr. Beatini choir will be performing various Christmas selections to tantalize the taste buds. This event is free, and open to all who may be interested.

The chapel is located off of Manitou Rd. in Gates at 141 Frank DiMino Way. It's right next to the Italian American Center.

Bishop Henry's Letter Re: Ban of Latin Mass in Calgary

Below is a copy of the letter announcing the ban of the Latin Mass in the Diocese of Calgary, Canada because of Swine Flu:

If you so desire, you may contact the bishop here: bishopfh@rcdiocese-calgary.ab.ca

I think the CDWDS or Ecclesia Dei will step in and put a stop to this relatively quickly. The bishop has no right to ban the Latin Mass or mandate Communion not be received on the tongue.

Advent Music

One of the great Advent hymns is "Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending". It deals with the second coming of Christ, one of the themes of Advent.

I chose two version of the same hymn. The first is from Lichfield Cathedral (dedicated to St. Chad and St. Mary) in Staffordshire, England. It is the only mediveal cathedral in England with three spires. Just think, at one time this magnificent cathedral was Roman Catholic. England is known as "Our Lady's Dowry".



The second version has the embedding disabled, so I can't put it up on the site. The instrumentation is very different than the first. The first is more choral and the second is more ornamented, especially with trumpets that herald the second coming of Christ. It gives me the shivers listening to it. Here, for your listening pleasure, is a link to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08cGl44SWGM&feature=related

Sr. Joan Sobala: Nun of the Week?

Tmac over at Journey to a New Pentecost informs us that Sr. Joan Sobala has been profiled as the nun of the week over at "A Nun's Life." Below is a story of Sr. Joan written by a parishioner of St. Mary's downtown, one of Sr. Joan's former places of employment. Keep your eyes on the lookout for the blatant liturgical abuse advertised in this passage. To help, it's in bold and underlined:

"Last summer I had the opportunity to re-connect with a very special nun, Joan Sobala, SSJ. Her community is Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, NY.

I met Sister Joan when I was a student at the Eastman School of Music, and attending St. Mary’s parish in downtown Rochester. She was the pastoral associate of the parish at that time. She came into my life at a fragile time for me, spiritually speaking. I had grown dissatisfied with my Catholic faith, and was ready to search for something different. I knew faith was important in my life, but I hadn’t felt connected to the parish my family attended. But, several girls from my dorm hall were going to Mass the first week I spent in Rochester, so I went along.

It was an entirely new experience for me – wonderful music, a community that immediately embraced us newcomers, and a woman (Sister Joan) giving the homily! I felt as though she was speaking directly to me, and with such wisdom. I became involved at St. Mary’s in music, and it really was my home away from home during the 4 years I spent in Rochester."

"A Nun's Life" allows readers to post comments, so if anyone would like to post about your experiences with Sr. Joan, the person who chases away altar servers, bosses around priests, supports the ordination of women (heresy), fights to eliminate orthodoxy, and dominates the liturgy... there's nothing stopping you. Informing people that lay homilies are not allowed is also worthwhile.

Calgary Bishop Bans the Latin Mass Because of Swine Flu

According to Rorate Caeli, the bishop of Calgary, Bishop Frederick Henry, has recently banned the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in his diocese because the TLM community can not accommodate his demand that Communion not be given on the tongue during the Swine Flu situation. The Bishop's letter banning Communion on the tongue can be seen on the diocesan home page here: http://www.rcdiocese-calgary.ab.ca/ .

A couple of blatantly obvious issues here:
1. Communion on the tongue can not be banned, ever. It is the universal norm for the reception of Communion, despite local norms. Additionally, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments recently reminded us that the reception of Commuinion on the tongue is a right for all Catholics that can not be denied.
2. A bishop can not ban the Latin Mass in his diocese. All priests everywhere are free to offer the Mass according to the 1962 Missal without the approval of his local ordinary. Maybe Bishop Henry should actually read Summorum Pontificum?

The blogger at Rorate Caeli reports of correspondence with the bishop concerning this matter. Here are two of his excellency's responses:

From: Bishop F.B. Henry

Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Subject: RE: Calgary's Saint Anthony Parish: forbidden to have Mass if communion in the hand is not offered?

Dear [edited out]

The Fraternity ahs [sic] informed me that they are unable to comply with the directives in my pastoral letter re reception of communion. Therefore, the Latin Mass will be suspended until the temporary sanctions have been lifted as recommended by the Medical Officer of Health.

Peace, Bishop Henry

and

From: Bishop F.B. Henry

Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 12:22 PM

Subject: RE: Calgary's Saint Anthony Parish: forbidden to have Mass if communion in the hand is not offered?

To: [parvenu74]

I am well aware of what the congregation decided but quite frankly, it is not their call. It is mine.

Stay tuned for updates on this situation.

The bishop may be reached here: bishopfh@rcdiocese-calgary.ab.ca

Photo Caption Contest

Sorry all. I completely forgot about our caption contests. I also forgot to send out the prayer cards to the last winner - you know who you are. They will be sent out promptly!

Anyways, the same rules apply: don't be mouthy, don't be stupid. Just put forth a hilarious comment which tickles me pink and I'll send out five Cleansing Fire prayer cards your way, or send them to the parish office of your choice.

Sticks and Stones

"You cannot please both God and the world at the same time, They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions."- St. John Vianney


Well, that's been made perfectly plain in recent days, what with a sudden onslaught of anti-Cleansing Fire, anti-Magisterial, anti-Tradition posts by various people at various locations too diverse and too obscure to mention here. However, I think we should just meditate for a while on the message St. John Vianney has for us there.



If you're clueless as to the comments that were passed, consider yourself blessed.

Well, as they say, "onward and upward."

The RIT Newman Musical Experience

Oh joy... "We are marching in the light of God" in a foreign language.



If this is the kind of worship environment that our leaders think will bring young people to church, then apparently they have not heard that only 21% of people age 18-30 are attending Mass on a weekly basis. Do the empty chairs in this video send any signal at all to the leaders of the RIT Newman community?

Before someone mentions it, yes, the woman doing the sign language translations (behind microphone) is dancing along to the music.

You might remember the RIT Newman center for its use of puppets during Mass, ceramic chalices, tie-dye liturgical vestments, Reiki-Master Native American shaman pastor, and Super Soaker aspereges.

Possible Tax on Wealthy Parishes

According to the Catholic Courier, the Diocese is considering the possibility of applying a tax on the more wealthy parishes of our diocese to help support poorer urban parishes within the city of Rochester. Below are the relevant passages from the Courier, with emphasis:

"Generate funding through new assessments on parishes throughout the diocese's 12 counties, based on their level of income. The assessments would be levied on parishes with assets greater than $200,000 or collections totaling more than $200,000. If this proposal were to be approved, parishes would have until the next fiscal year to determine how to pay for the new fees, Grizard said.

Father Robert Schrader, Peace of Christ's pastor and head of the diocese’s Presbyteral Council, said one of the key points in the recommendations is that the diocese as a whole must work together to maintain a Catholic presence in Rochester.

"Just because we are not having enough money to support a traditionally structured parish or church presence (in the city) doesn't mean no parish or church presence is needed there," said Father Schrader. "We need to find what’s the best way to be church in and for the city ... with support from amongst ourselves or with support from the suburbs.""

There are probably a variety of opinions on this proposal, but I for one am in favor of helping out the struggling city parishes. This is something we should have pursued a long time ago, before the diocese swept through the city closing a number of savable parishes. We have some parishes in our diocese that are bringing in a sizable amount of money each week; far more than is necessary to maintain their parish and services. For example, St. Joseph in Penfield brought in, I kid you not, over $32,000 in the November 15th weekend collections. You can't tell me with a straight face that this parish needs ever dollar of that $32,000+ for St. Joseph church (I do realize that they tithe, though this probably is only 10%). The wealthy parishes in our diocese could, and I think should take up the burden of helping our poorer churches to survive. The message of our Lord Jesus Christ deserves to be heard and felt by all, no matter whether they are rich or poor, and the wealthy parishes should do whatever they can to help in this cause. Hopefully the diocese will consider this proposal.

See also: DoR Catholic.

Where Have All the Altar Boys Gone?

From an article in the latest e-edition of the Catholic Courier:

"Vona, meanwhile, observed another evolution -- the addition of females in a role that was formerly performed by males only.

"We don't have any altar boys (at St. Catherine of Siena)," he said. "They're all altar girls, and they're fairly young.""

To that I would ask: How many priests have come out of St. Catherine of Sienna in Addison?

Note: Above image is not from Rochester.

Orthodox Catholicism Rebounding!

Everything English Month Concludes

Well, it has been a month of absolutely anglophilic joys. (Anglophile = lover of English culture)

However, we must move on to something new. In this transition, though, I thought it would be fitting to share in video form one of my favorite hymns of all time. The piece is "I Vow to Thee My Country," and is absolutely stirring. The actual video below is from Princess Diana's funeral.

St. David, patron of Wales, pray for us!
St. Andrew, patron of Scotland, pray for us!
St. George, patron of England, pray for us!
St. Patrick, patron of Ireland, pray for us!
All holy English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish men and women of God, pray for us!

The conservative alternative to youtube

You can search without having to sort through pages of filth before you find what you are looking for. Try typing in "Christmas" and you'll see nothing but normal, decent results for your search. Bing, Snoopy, Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart. I love it!

Popmodal is pretty new but sure to catch on. You won't see Eucharistic sacrilege. You will see the truth about abortion. Don't forget to comment and rate the videos you watch.

http://www.popmodal.com/videos

Local Church Sold to Moslems?

A very good friend of mine who knows about what's going on in the local diocese said St. Francis Xavier Church on Bay Street has been sold to the Moslems. Any body else hear this? Wasn't Saint Francis a missionary to convert people to Christ.

A Nod of the Miter Goes to . . .

Kelsey Grammer (aka "Frasier") for knowing how to perfectly satirize gay marriage and liberal republicans. This is from a couple years ago, but I thought it would be a nice "back to work" clip for you all.

Mass Attendance by Age Group

The following very interesting graph appears over at Fr. Z's site:

Weren't two of the purposes of the Council to let fresh air into the Church and to adapt the message of our Lord Jesus Christ to the modern man? According to the graph above, this doesn't appear to be working very well. In fact, the aggiornamiento appears to be having a severely negative effect upon the newer generations of Catholics. Of those born after the Second Vatican Council, roughly 21.5% attend Mass every week. Contrast this with those born before the Council, where 52% of respondents said they attend Mass every week. The people born around the time of the Council are in between the two percentages.

Something needs to be done, right? We can't just sit here and twiddle our thumbs telling ourselves there is nothing wrong, or saying the decline is because we didn't go even further with liturgical creativity. I pray that Pope Benedict, and the successors who will come after him, will be inspired to search out and implement the solution to our problems, whatever exactly they may be. 21-22% weekly attendance is pathetic.

Poll #21 - Christmas Decorations

With the Christmas season beginning this week, it is only appropriate that this poll asked a Christmas question. This week many of us will begin to decorate our houses, inside and out, with various Christmas decorations. There will be reindeer, lights, tinsel, wreaths, nativity sets, and so forth. This poll is to gauge how many of us are focusing on more religious holiday decorations, versus the more secular holiday decorations. The question asks you to describe the Christmas decor you will display in your home this year. Answer truthfully, even if you would like to answer the first choice but know you probably can't because of the 25 foot inflatable Santa standing in front of your shrubbery.

Describe the Christmas decor you will display in your home this season

Mostly religious (Nativity sets, ornaments with prayers enscribed on them, religious images)

About half religious, half secular

Mostly secular (Santa, snowmen, wintery)

View results

Free poll

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Results from poll #20 (click here to see) - Wow. When I saw this one I dropped the glass of water I was carrying and spent five minutes dabbing the floor with a towel. In response to the question: Have you though about exploring a Catholic vocation?, the commanding winner with 21 of the 43 votes cast (49%) was "Yes, I've thought about becoming a priest or deacon." Are you listening, Diocese of Rochester? In second place, with 11 votes was "Yes, I've thought about becoming a male or female religious." Only 16% of our readers stated that they are happy being a layperson. If these numbers are indeed true, and I hope people voted honestly, we could be in for a potential vocations boom come 2012. Thanks to all who participated.

The First Week in Advent - Reflection

Tomorrow, Sunday the 29th of November, marks the beginning of Advent. The Advent season helps us to prepare to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, into the world of His creation as a man. It is an especially important time in the Catholic calendar, second only to the Easter season. For if our Lord did not enter into His world as a man, He would not have been crucified, He would not have risen from the dead, and the gates of the heavenly kingdom would not have been opened to us. Our existence on this earth would have been for nothing had Jesus not come to live among His creation and to die at the hands of His creatures. Our Creator was put to death by the very beings He created. It is a shocking and most disgusting thing to think about, but it was planned by God, and He allowed this to happen because He loves us and wanted to redeem humanity which had turned its back on Him in the garden of Eden. This Advent season marks the beginning of that process of redemption, though one could say that the true beginning is when the Blessed Virgin gave her submission to the will of God before the angel Gabriel. Regardless of how one looks at it, this is the time when we remember our Lord's entry into this world.

Although we celebrate the entrance of our Lord into this world during this Advent season, it is also a time to think about the world to come. For just as our Lord's time on this earth was short and temporal, so too will ours be. Our human life is but a grain of sand in an infinite shoreline. The Gospel reading this Sunday reminds us of this very fact. In both the ’62 Missal and the new Missal, we read about the Lord Jesus Christ’s warning of the end times. He tells us that there will be signs, but we should constantly be on guard, preparing ourselves for the time of judgment. The following are the words of God with respect to the coming of the judgment day: “Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares. The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap. The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, so be on the watch. Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man.” (The Gospel according to Luke).

These words of our Lord Jesus are very clear; we must be on guard for we do not know exactly when the end will come. It could be today, it could be in 2012, it could be another 2,000 years from now. Who knows but God. So what are we to do? Some may continue on their sinful paths for as long as they can, unwilling to surrender their joyous lives for the life God wishes for them to live. These people think that they will make a deathbed repentance, or confess their sins shortly after they have finished reveling in their sinful pleasures. This is a most dangerous path to follow, and one we should avoid at all costs. For just as we do not know the day of judgment, we also do not know the hour of our deaths. We could be leaving our house to go to work one day and get hit by a car and die. Were we holding off on confessing our sins because we were too afraid, or were enjoying the high life too much to make the change we knew we would have to make to reach heaven, we would die in a state of sin. The person who does this will never get that chance for the deathbed repentance they were banking on.

So what’s the moral of the story? During this Advent season, not only is it good to celebrate the coming of our Lord by spending time with our loves ones and doing good works, but we should also pray for our souls, pray to God that He will help us improve our lives, and actually make the changes we know in our heart of hearts we must make to reach the kingdom of God. We do not know when the end of time will come and we do not know when the end of our lives will come. Maybe the two will fall on the same day, maybe not. Regardless, we need to be prepared, and we need to change now. We need to do this now, and should not put it off. We are weak human beings, but our God became one of us. He suffered temptation, He suffered humiliation, and He suffered pain and a gruesome death. Remember that our Lord lived a human life too. We need to follow his example that He taught us when He was man, and one day, God willing, we will enjoy the splendors of the heavenly kingdom with Him for eternity.


Advent "to do list":
-Spend quality time with family and friends.
-Increase our acts of charity towards our neighbor.
-Spend time with God in the Blessed Sacrament, praying for strength and guidance.
-Confess our sins before God now, and not roll the dice that we will be able to repent later.
-Make changes in our lives as soon as possible.

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For those who like to read and contemplate the Mass readings in advance, we have now begun the "Year C" rotation. Weekday Masses are now from the "Year II" cycle.

Anglicans - What Silly Folks

Q. Why can't Anglicans play chess?





A. Because they can't tell a Bishop from a Queen.

______________________________

On a side note: Everything English Month hasn't yet mentioned English comedy. The following clip is thoroughly secular and thoroughly hilarious. Disclaimer - the "s" word is used, but aside from that, 100% squeaky clean.

1st Sunday of Advent in 1969

Forty years ago on 30 Nov 1969 the Novus Ordo went into force. It was the 1st Sunday of Advent.

I was in my late teens and found my way home from the Woodstock Festival in August. The whole revolutionary force of the 60s was at Woodstock. Revolution was in the air: sex/moral/authority/political/economic/educational/music revolution. I only went because a few friends and I had tickets ($5, I think). I had a horrible time. We were not even close to the stage. It rained all weekend. Everything was sloppy. We walked forever. By way of example: let's say Our Lady of Victory is where Woodstock was. We parked and walked from Chili Center.

I remember one ripped-up looking hippie was on the side of the road selling orange sunshine. He held it up and hawked it with the words "this will guarantee you to see Jesus". Because I came from a very ultra conservative, very orthodox Catholic background, I was absolutely shocked. Woodstock was where I heard colors and saw sounds.

But where was the bigger revolution: Woodstock or in the Vatican? Everything that I loved about the Mass was now changing. We changed the Mass and Western Civilization has not been the same since. As another side point, the day President Kennedy was shot in 1963 in Dallas, Texas was also the day the Second Vatican Council passed the constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Which of those two events had the most impact on society?

Even though I was only 19 when the Mass changed in 1969, I was suspicious, very suspicious about the change. It flew in the face of what the sisters, priests and my parents taught me about the Catholic faith. But, nevertheless, I believe what they told me and still do to this day. Their major point was this: "in the Church things change and grow organically, never suddenly or overnight'. But now things were starting to change overnight and very fast.

I smelled a rat. A big rat. It seems after all these years since 1969, the truth about what the Council Fathers really had in mind for the Mass was nothing even close to what the Novus Ordo Mass is today. This whole rupture of tradition is a concept very foreign to the Catholic faith. All documents should be interpreted in light of tradition, but all around me I saw darkness. Imagine if we had the internet back then. I even went to Westbury, Long Island to attend Mass by Father Gommar dePauw at the Ave Maria Chapel. Today, praise God for Pope Benedict. He realizes that "you save the liturgy; you save the world".

Instead of becoming a radical hippie like most of my friends, I totally rebelled and became more conservative and orthodox. This first Sunday of Advent in 1969, the altar was turned around so the priest had his back to the tabernacle and honestly, it looked like he was bartending.

Why am I writing all this dribble? There are two podcasts from Father Zulsdorf's blog that I think would be worth listening to. They are about the changes in the Mass. Please take a listen to them, if you have the time. I believe Father Z sets the stage perfectly with what was happening in society at the time of the changes.

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/11/podcazt-93-40-years-ago-paul-vi-on-the-eve-of-the-novus-ordo/

Swine Flu No Excuse to Ban Communion on the Tongue

The Catholic blog, Rorate Caeli, published today a response from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments regarding a question posed about denying Communion on the tongue during the Swine Flu epidemic. The response from the CDWDS was that Communion on the tongue may never be denied per Redemptionis Sacramentum 92. Below is a scan of the CDWDS response:

This is a strong caution to any progressive priests in the Diocese of Rochester who might be thinking about banning Communion on the tongue in his parish. If you don't want the CDWDS contacting Bishop Clark about you because a parishioner complains that you banned this valid method of reception, then you better not even think of doing it. People have a right to receive our Lord on the tongue.

A Hymn of Joyous Thanksgiving

First off, a happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

I think it's appropriate to share with you the following setting of the "Te Deum," what with it still being "Everything English Month." It was written by Handel after a stunning English victory over the French forces in Bavaria, at a town called "Dettingen." The king of England, George II, commissioned the piece to capture the true majesty of England and to render thanksgiving where it was due - God. This setting is in English, and starts with the words, "We praise Thee O God."

One again, enjoy the holiday!