Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Cardinal Arinze makes it pretty clear

On kneeling, altar rails...and crawling to Christ. I love this man!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

(Father) Richard McBrien must be humble...why else would he revel in displaying ignorance?

From the National "Catholic" Reporter:

Lest anyone question Benedict's personal preference in this matter, it should be pointed out that, beginning on the feast of Corpus Christi last year, those receiving Communion from the pope must do so only on the tongue. He has also expressed support for restoring the practice of the priest's celebrating Mass "facing the East," which means in plain English with his back to the people.

Uh...no. In plain English it means "facing God." By your logic, Father o' mine, if I sit in the first few pews I'm turning my back to my brothers and sisters in Christ. The Mass, my dear Father, isn't about the celebrant. Although you'd never know it when attending Mass celebrated by your comrades. It's distracting as bleep to be subjected to the showman trying to make eye contact with the audience -- excuse me, congregation -- instead of trying to reach God.

Given the possibility that such reversals (sometimes referred to as a "reform of the reform") will eventually be mandated, one can only imagine the confusion, frustration and anger that many priests and laypeople will experience.

One can indeed only imagine it because the doom you predict is...imaginary.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Father Longenecker's perspective on health care...I missed the point, I think.

Although the comments are interesting.

Reflection on today's Gospel (don't read if you're a Kelly's Catholic Crossword subscriber!)

If you wish the top spot, then head for the end of the line.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Have I mentioned wordXross lately?

Okay, 'course I have. But if you're a friend -- and I know you are! -- you'll visit the site and download the FREE game. In case you missed the link, here it is again:

wordXross

wordXross: not just a client...a paying client that allows me time to go to Mass every day. Please go now.

I'm Kelly Thatcher and I approve o' this blog. ;-)

Monday, September 14, 2009

His name is James Pouillon, Mr. President...

...and indeed, "violence is never the right answer."

I think that's what Mr. Pouillon was protesting. In a non-violent manner.

Jesus: the radical Lover and the New Testament

Certainly no one can dispute that lovers of God were persecuted and still are persecuted throughout history. One need only to read, for example, the words of Jeremiah, or the story of the Maccabees to learn how brutally God's chosen were treated.

What's the difference between the Old and New Testament martyrs?

Jesus. As Saint Peter tells us, He left us an example.

In the Old Testament, brave men died for the love of God...and they, no doubt with solid human reasoning, prayed earnestly to God to rain justice down upon their persecutors.

Jesus changed all that.

The punishment of crucifixion under Roman rule was not just excruciatingly painful...it was humiliating beyond belief. Those crucified were, under these conditions, almost expected to endure their deaths only by mouthing oaths and even terrible blasphemy...so much so that, in many cases, it was customary for their executioners to sever their tongues in order to silence their horrible words.

Nobody had to cut off Jesus' tongue.

"Father, forgive them...they know not what they do."

The first of Jesus' last words introduced love in its most radical form: that of mercy on those who do us wrong.

This is Christianity: a radical sort of love the world had never seen.

Saint Stephen, Christianity's first martyr, echoed Christ's words as he died, stoned by those whom, it might be argued, thought they were doing A Good Thing.

Time after time, we learn of those who were—and still are today—tortured and murdered for the love of Christ, cheerfully and even joyfully accepting their lot with love and tenderness toward their enemies.

This is Christianity: radical love that, sadly, much of the world has still not embraced.

And when we recall that Jesus is God—the Author Life—His example is even more awesome.

Awesome. But not inimitable.

I pray that the next time someone insults you or insults me, we may remember the way of Jesus. That we may be truly radical when it comes to love.

What a great work of charity! Death itself died when Life was slain on the Tree!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Rain in San Antonio, Deo gratias!

Pro-lifer murdered in Owosso, Michigan

An elderly pro-life activist was shot multiple times and killed this morning in front of Owosso High School in Michigan while he was peacefully protesting abortion with a sign depicting a baby and the word "Life," according to local police cited in the Flint Journal newspaper.

More here.

Ora pro nobis.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Obamacare: 1 minute after the speech, the "myth" word comes up

Unbelievable...but maybe not. But just one minute after the president's speech, CBS's Katie Couric wonders if the speech will dispel the "myths" about this plan.

Face it, America. The MSM thinks you're stupid fairy-tale believers.

(If it's any comfort to you, I don't think you are.)

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Two New York Times articles, two presidents, one subject...and there the similarities end

Here's a fun test for you.

In 1991, the first President George Bush gave a speech to school kids. The New York Times covered the criticism of the action, which you can read here.

Now here's Part 1 of the test:

Try to find the following words or phrases:

Parents
Left-winger
Liberal

Hard, huh?

Okay. Here's an easier one.

Today, the same paper covered criticism of current President Obama's plans to deliver a speech to school kids this Tuesday. You can find the article here.

Now here's Part 2 of the test:

Try to find these words or phrases:

Parents
Right-wing
Conservative

Easy, isn't it?

Which only goes to show that it's easy to win the game...when it's fixed.