I Think This Is A Great Idea

A Kansas State Representative is pushing for a tax on pornography, citing as reasons the harm that pornography causes, the cost of investigating sex offences and rehabilitation of offenders.

Herington, Kansas, Republican Rep. Shari Weber, said the tax is justifiable because of the increase in sex crimes associated with increased access and viewing of pornography. Attorneys representing state sex shops have taken their case to a legislative assembly. Their claim is that there is no connection between viewing pornography and violent sex-related crime. Many experts, including nationally renowned homicide investigator, retired NYPD Lieutenant Commander Vernon Geberth, disagree.

I'm Back

I  had a lovely time with some friends last weekend.  We spent one day chuch-hopping in Chicago and saw some really beautiful Churches - all of which were having weddings.

One of the most impressive Church's was one that was not in Chicago, but in Huntley IL.  It is only four years old, but was absolutely beautiful.  I celebrated a Latin Mass at the High Altar and it was glorious.  Here is a link to the parish website. There are some pictures in the "Virtual Tour" section, but they do not do justice to the beauty of the real thing.

Out Of Town

I will be in Chicago visiting some friends until Wednesday, so no posts till then...

Papal Shades

Via The Curt Jester.

The Pope As Teacher

I think this is quite beautiful:

My Illness

Well, after seeing a number of doctors who didn't exactly know what to do about my persistant sore throat because all the tests came back normal I finally broke down and went to an ear, nose and throat specialist. 

It was quite an ordeal...after putting all sorts of metal medical paraphernalia down my throat (causing me to gag profusely) and spraying it with nasty anestetic she decided that she needed to use a scope to get a better look.  The scope went through my nose and into my throat.  It wasn't a pretty picture folks.  But at least it yealded a real diagnosis.  Apparently there is some sort of ulcer/irritation on the top of my voice box, so the doctor is medicating me for the two possible causes, but here's the kicker.  No preaching or public speaking, etc...for two weeks unless absolutly necessary.  I can go about my daily talking, but nothing that would put any strain on my voice. 

Maybe this is God's way of telling me to SHUT UP!!!

Thanks for the prayers and keep them going...I would hate to do any sort of serious damage to my voice...you know how I love preaching.

Still Sick...

Pray that it gets better before next weekend.

Lack of Posts

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with posting over the past few days.  I have been a bit under the weather with the mother of all sore throats from which I have yet to recover.  Please pray that my voice (or rather what is left of my voice) will hold out through Sunday Masses.

And for those of you wondering...yes, I am offering it up.

Faith of The Father

I studied with him in the Seminary.  He has one of the most interesting stories out there.

On a Wednesday night in April 1999, Mark says he was on the couch, watching TV, getting ready to go to sleep when David walked through the living room.

"Where are you going?" Mark asked.

"Downstairs to do some laundry," David answered.

The reply left Mark both stunned and pleased. After a few minutes, though, he realized he didn't hear the washer or dryer running.

He went to the top of the stairs and looked down. It was dark but he could see David below, wearing a trench coat. Mark flipped on the light switch. Then he watched as his son raised the sawed-off shotgun he'd been hiding under his coat and pointed it at him...

Click here to read the rest.

The Papal Wave

Only from the Curt Jester.

Is This What It Will Really Say?

According to Reuters, The Vatican will allow gay men into the priesthood if they can show they have been celibate for at least three years, leading Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Friday.

But it said the Vatican will ban men who "publicly manifest their homosexuality" or show an "overwhelming attraction" to homosexual culture "even if it is only intellectually."

The Corriere report said: "Candidates who show a homosexual tendency will not be allowed into the priesthood unless they can demonstrate that they have been able to remain chaste for at least three years."

Media reports last month, primarily in the United States, said the document would bar all gay men from being ordained priests, even those who are celibate.

The Church teaches that homosexuality is not a sin but that homosexual acts are, and it expects all priests, whether homosexual or heterosexual, to remain celibate.

Corriere and the weekly Panorama magazine both reported on Friday that Pope Benedict had approved the document this summer.

Panorama said its release would be accompanied by a written explanation by "an internationally known psychologist."

So much for the "Witch Hunt."

Related Post: Am I A Homophobe?

Latest Draft of the English Roman Missal (erroneously called the Sacramentary) Released to Bishops

A new draft translation of the main Mass prayers in English has been distributed to bishops...The Order of the Mass includes the prayers that are used at every Mass, such as the Gloria, the Nicene Creed and the eucharistic prayers. It does not include all of the prayers that change each week during the liturgical year.

Catholic News Service in Rome was given a copy of the latest draft Oct. 6.

Following the 2002 publication of the third edition of the Roman Missal in Latin and new translation rules contained in the 2001 Vatican instruction, "Liturgiam Authenticam" ("The Authentic Liturgy"), the draft relies on more literal translations of the Latin texts than the English texts currently recited at Mass and uses a more formal version of English.

For example, the third eucharistic prayer currently in use says: "From age to age you gather a people to yourself, so that from East to West a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name."

The 2004 version had said: "... you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure oblation may be offered to your name."

The second eucharistic prayer now begins: "Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness. Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ."

The latest draft suggested: "You are indeed the holy one, O Lord, you are the wellspring of all holiness. Therefore, make holy these gifts, we pray, by the dew of your Spirit, that they may become for us the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ."

The draft also retained the more literal translation of the standard response to the priest's greeting, "The Lord be with you," by having the people answer, "And with your spirit."

The new draft also maintained a literal translation of the Latin text of the prayer the people say before receiving Communion. The current text is: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."

The proposed text is: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

The Sanctus, or Holy, Holy, Holy, underwent further change.

The current prayer begins, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might." The 2004 draft had suggested, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of mighty hosts," but the latest suggestion is: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts."

I don't know about you but I love these changes...hopefully all the beauty of the language will not get lost in myriads and myriads of revisions which surely some liberal bishops and priests will want.

Oh, by the way, apparently one of the drafts sent to the bishops was leaked and sold on Ebay...

Anyone Know the Answer?

I can't seem to find the answer anywhere so I thought I would ask everyone.  Who is the patron saint of custodians/janitors?  Let me know if you have an answer.

Roman Catholic Church Funds Stem-Cell Research

The Roman Catholic Church in South Korea said yesterday it will donate millions of dollars for research into adult stem cells, supported by critics of embryonic stem cell projects as a more humane alternative.

The Archdiocese of Seoul will provide 10 billion won (US$9.6 million) to a committee that will support adult stem-cell research.

Most of the funds will come from church coffers, with the rest raised through donations, said Bishop Yeom Su-jeong, head of the committee.

"We plan to devote ourselves to saving human dignity above everything else ... and raise awareness of respecting lives," Yeom said.

So don't tell me that the Church is against scientific advancement!

Read the story here.

Oh, The Humanity!

At the end of Monday's morning session of a synod of bishops at the Vatican, the secretary-general of the gathering, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, made an announcement about the afternoon session, scheduled to begin at 4.30 p.m. (1430 GMT).

Just before the microphones on the dais were turned off, reporters following the synod on closed circuit television could hear the Pope telling Eterovic in Italian: "Unfortunately at 4 p.m. I have an appointment with the dentist."

I guess even the Pope is human.