Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from May, 2010

Prospective Catholic Priests Face Sexuality Hurdles - NYTimes.com

Will nothing ever please these people? First the Church gets blasted for letting predators run amok and injure untold numbers of innocent victims. Priests are almost universally condemned as being either all gay or perverts. So, the Church begins to implement strict testing procedures to ensure the sexual maturity of candidates who step forward for the priesthood and now she is condemned for creating 'sexuality hurdle' that are discriminatory. Note in the article that one of the questions being proffered as being inappropriate or discriminatory deals with whether or not a candidate is sexually attracted to children. Homosexuality and pedophilia are two entirely different issues. One is not causal to the other either directly or indirectly. This is the accepted wisdom of the times. But how can the Church legitimately protect its faithful and itself from predators if the questions of sexuality, orientation, desires and practices are 'off limits' to questioning? There is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The storm ahead

An enlightening column from the Jerusalem Post on the widening gap between American Jews and Israel. Daniel Gordis points out the essential element of US support for the Jewish national expression of statehood in the Holy Land. I mused on the Christian obligation to the Jewish state ( click here to read it ) in trying to explore whether or not there are religious grounds that should compel the west to support Israel. This column looks at the same relationship between the west and Israel through the lens of the Diaspora. It makes for interesting reading. The storm ahead
Post a Comment
Read more

George Weigel to Youth: Defend Religious Freedom

George Weigel to Youth: Defend Religious Freedom Says Pro-Life Cause Is Successor to Civil Rights Movement MERRIMACK, New Hampshire, MAY 28, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Catholic theologian and author George Weigel is urging college graduates to base themselves firmly in natural law in order to make a good defense of religious freedom in society today.    The author of Pope John Paul II's biography "Witness to Hope" made this appeal at the May 16 graduation ceremony of the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, in which he was awarded an honorary doctorate and gave the commencement address. "One of the great challenges of the younger generation of Catholics will be to rise to the defense of religious freedom in full," Weigel said. "This defense must be both cultural, in the sense of arguments winsomely and persuasively made, and political, in that young Catholics must drive the sharp edge of truth into the sometimes hard soil of public policy," he assert...
5 comments
Read more

Statistics Canada Predicts Seniors Will Soon Outnumber Children

The 'Contraceptive Time Bomb' is about to explode in our economy! Unless we maintain or raise the levels of immigration into Canada we will face the same economic collapse that is facing Western Europe today. All of our social programs are predicated on the continual growth in our population so that there would always be sufficient numbers of wage earners (read tax payers) to fund our pension and medical plans just two areas where we face the almost certain prospect of receiving less from the government than did those who came before us. Add to this the increase in interest rates which will begin to siphon away even more tax dollars (and the return of severe inflation due to the HUGE increase in the money supply) and we are in for a very rough ride here in Canada. Times are going to get tough... for all of us - far sooner than most would expect. 'God keep our land, glorious and free....' It may take some divine intervention to keep us in either! Fr. Tim Statistics Canad...
9 comments
Read more

‘Gay' Ex-Altar Server Drops Human Rights Case against Bishop

‘Gay' Ex-Altar Server Drops Human Rights Case against Bishop : "By John-Henry Westen and Patrick CrainePETERBOROUGH, Ontario, May 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The human rights complaint filed against Bishop Nicola De Angelis of Peterborough, Ontario over his decision to disallow an open homosexual from acting as an altar server in the diocese has been dropped..."
Post a Comment
Read more

There's no fool like and old fool!

Many times my mother would react to one of my father's silly schemes in the house by exclaiming, "There's no fool like an old fool". This line is ringing in my head today as I suffer the effects of being on the golf course for 81 holes of golf yesterday. For the past 15 years I have joined with three others friends for an all day golf marathon. Closer to our athletic prime, we used to golf in excess of 100 holes in one day. The vagaries of age have slowed us down but 81 holes still takes quite a toll on the body. I'll be back to blogging as per usual tomorrow (assuming I survive today - it's even hard to type!) Just do me the kindness of offering a pray on behalf of this old fool today! Fr. Tim
2 comments
Read more

New Blog to Check out

Here is a new blog that deals specifically with the question of faith and economic issues from a Catholic perspective. I have been cross posting to articles that touch on economic issues for a short time ago I suddenly realized that the nexus of these two issues was certainly where the 'rubber hit the road' for all of us. The owner of the blog, is a former Swiss Guard from the Vatican, turned entrepreneur who has successfully turned his talents into helping to build the economy in Africa (through funding of co-op's and other organizations who issue 'micro-loans' and open markets). Add it to your list of favorites. You might find it both inspirational and profitable!  http://faithandprosperity.com/
Post a Comment
Read more

Not Like Everyone Else | Catholic Exchange

I offer the following article for your consideration. It questions the honesty of gay activists who are claiming that same-sex marriage is simply a matter of wanting the same civil rights as heterosexual couples. Here's how Colson starts the article: Same-sex couples just want the right to be married like everyone else, or so the argument goes. They call it a civil right. You could hardly find a more innocuous argument, perfectly designed to appeal to all of us who believe in equal rights and fair play. The only problem is that it's not true Read the rest of this short column by clicking on the title or the link below. Not Like Everyone Else | Catholic Exchange
9 comments
Read more

Why God is still in the building

Here is an interesting response to the likes of Dawkins and Hitchens who argue that God does not exist. I would be interested in your comments for it is an argument that I am unfamiliar with and, while I agree with the premise of the author that God does exist, there is something about the argument that leaves me 'unsatisfied'. What do you think? Fr. Tim Why God is still in the building
6 comments
Read more

Cardinal: synthetic cell requires ethical responsibility - CTV News

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it 'funny' that whenever the media wants to get an opinion of the morality of an act such as this, but then slams the church when they put forward a moral position such as Cardinal Ouellet did in Quebec? (that's 'funny strange', not 'funny humor') Cardinal: synthetic cell requires ethical responsibility - CTV News
1 comment
Read more

Civil rights leaders rally around arrested Malawi homosexuals - International News - Catholic Online

ALL CHRISTIANS should stand in opposition to these arrests. While the Church might hold and teach that homosexual acts are sinful, they should not be criminal. Just as we have the right of religious freedom of belief, so too must every other person be granted the freedom to live their life as they see fit. I will right to the government of Malawi to demand the release of these men. I hope you will too. Fr. Tim Contact Information: Malawi High Comission , Canada 7 Clemow Avenue Postal Code: KlS 2A9 Ottawa Ontario Canada Phone: +1-613-2368931 Fax: +1-613-2361054 Email: malawi.highcommission@sympatico.ca Civil rights leaders rally around arrested Malawi homosexuals - International News - Catholic Online
2 comments
Read more

HELP!!! HELP!!!

Folks:  We here at St. Anne's Parish in Mattawa need HELP!! With the mills closed down and there being almost no forest industry work left, our unemployment rate as SKYROCKETED!!! As a result, while we have not seen a decline in attendance (if anything it's up a bit) our collections have almost collapsed. The parish is on financial life support from the Diocese, but we need to do all that we can to try and raise some revenue or it will be necessary to lay-off the lay staff at the parish. Already they have accepted deep cuts in their hours of work, but even this is becoming unsustainable. If you are able, and are willing to make a donation to help us out, you could do so in two ways: 1. use the donate button in the left hand column, or 2. mail us your donation to:   ST. ANNE'S PARISH, BOX 160, MATTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA P0H1V0 Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.  THANK YOU!
2 comments
Read more

Our Debt to Jerusalem

Our Debt to Jerusalem The late Pope John Paul the Great was acclaimed throughout his pontificate for being the pontiff that finally aligning the barque of Peter with ‘our elder brothers and sisters,’ the first children of Abraham, the Jews. As someone who had resisted anti-Semitism throughout his life, his apology, offered in Jerusalem in the extraordinary Holy Year of the Millennium, carried the credibility of one who experienced the horrors of the Holocaust first hand in Poland . His acknowledgement of the debt of all Christians to the people of the first covenant should have consequences not only in the spiritual realm but in worldly matters too. Recent events in Israel (new construction projects in Jerusalem , slow resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians, etc.) now demand that the nations of the world respond with diplomatic initiatives supporting either Israel or the Palestinian Authority. So the questions becomes: Do Christians have an obligation to take one side ...
23 comments
Read more

What is God's Address?

Ever wonder what God’s address is? When we search for someone in the real or virtual world, we usually start with an address. Just about anyone’s home address or phone number can be found through any number of online and traditional sources. On the Internet, we search for an email address or an IP address. No matter where we search for someone, the first thing that we look for is an address. So what is God’s address? Much ink has been spilt by theologians and mystics over the past few millennia trying to explain where God lives. Sometimes the search begins by scanning the heavens to see if God can be found among the stars. Today, many comb our ecosystem to see if some clue to the Divine address can be discerned through understanding the patterns and designs in nature. Mystics have searched every corner of the ‘dark night’ of the soul and the ecstasies of life, laughter, and love to listen for a whispered voice revealing God’s hiding place.  These efforts have led us to discover...
5 comments
Read more

The War Against Mother Teresa of Calcutta « Coming Home

This is one facet of the attack on the Church that I truthfully do not understand. So universal has been the acclaim and respect in which she is held that I once here a comedian spin a tail about being afraid to fly, until the day came that he flew on an airliner with Mother Teresa. He realized right away that if ever there's ever a great time to "trust in divine providence" to protect passengers on their voyage, he had hit the "Catholic jackpot!" Even if we crash, who better to stand with before God than that holy woman! She who would carry the lepers in Calcutta would carry anyone into heaven" he concluded, to the great applause of the studio audience. Now this... I sincerely do not understand how anyone could deny the incredible witness to love which was her mission in life. Sad, sad, very sad. The War Against Mother Teresa of Calcutta « Coming Home
1 comment
Read more

BIG BLUE WAVE: Cardinal Ouellet-- and Blogging Hiatus

The abuse that Cardinal Ouellet is suffering for speaking for the pro-life cause at the recent successful Parliament Hill demonstration. As the writer points out in this blog, nary a voice of support has been raised in support of the Cardinal - or at least in the public media. I hope that this cross posting here might inspire you to at least seek out what Cardinal Ouellet actually said and judge the merits of his argument. I did and am now proud to offer what little public support this blog might engender in this cause for the recognition of personhood being apriori present in the womb. I do not expect that this will result in a conversion of heart for those who hold to the pro-choice position. I simply hope that it might help them to understand why it is that pro-lifers believe as they do. At the very least, you'll understand the logic that organizes the thoughts of the good Cardinal... and mine as well. Fr. Tim BIG BLUE WAVE: Cardinal Ouellet-- and Blogging Hiatus
8 comments
Read more

Homosexual Rainbow Sash Movement Threatens to Disrupt Pentecost Mass, Confront Cardinal George - U.S. News - Catholic Online

Such an act is supposed to be illegal, at least in Ontario. I wonder if 'disrupting a religious service' is an offense in the city that gave John Daley to the nation? If there's anyplace in the US that would invest such powers to the police, it is likely that it would be there. Homosexual Rainbow Sash Movement Threatens to Disrupt Pentecost Mass, Confront Cardinal George - U.S. News - Catholic Online
4 comments
Read more

'Guess Whose Coming to Dinner': Finding God in Each Other

'Guess Whose Coming to Dinner': Finding God in Each Other  Ever wonder what God’s address is? Whenever we search for someone in the real or virtual world, we need an address to find them. We can find just about anyone’s civic address or phone number through any number of online and tradition sources. On the Internet, we can search of an email address or a IP address which will lead us to find them. No matter where we search, the first thing that we look for if we want to find someone is their address. So what is God’s address? Barrels of ink have been spilled by theologians and mystics over the millennium trying to explain where God lives. Sometimes the search begins by searching   the heavens to see if God can be found among the stars. Today many search our ecosystem to see if some clue to the Divine address can be discerned through understanding the patterns and designs in nature. Mystics have searched every corner of the ‘dark night’ of the soul and the ecstasie...
Post a Comment
Read more

Editorial - Justice for Child Abuse Victims - NYTimes.com

The NYT continues its ferocious attack against the Church. In this editorial, it blames the Church for single handedly blocking legislation lifting the statute of limitation for childhood sexual abuse, neglecting to mention that the State School Boards, Teachers Unions and various government agencies (not to mention groups like Scouts, Guides and virtually every other church denomination) have also come out in opposition to this proposed legislation. But, why let the facts get in the way of a good smear campaign, eh? Sad, sad, sad. Editorial - Justice for Child Abuse Victims - NYTimes.com
Post a Comment
Read more

New missal a sign of the times - Catholic Church news – The Catholic Register

The new missal (Catholic Book of Prayers for the Eucharist) has been finalized and will be in force in Canada by Advent 2011. It is reported as being a 'radical' change in the liturgy, however the summary of the changes listed at the end of the article hardly qualifies for such a description. There are a few changes in wording that will be simple for the faithful and priests to accept. As someone who lived through the changes that seemed to come in rapid succession in the wake of Vatican II, this new English translation (which has been predicted as coming 'any day now' since my seminary days 20+ years ago!!) hardly raised my blood pressure at all! Now, to come up with the $$$$ to pay for the thing... that's going to take some radical thinking for parishes as strapped for resources as we here in Mattawa and the surrounding parishes. A new missal may help to change the 'quality' of the liturgy - but such Church books are very expensive to purchase!! Any donati...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catholic League president responds to NCR column | National Catholic Reporter

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic Civil Rights League in the USA is most certainly a controversial figure. Here's an article that demonstrates why. I do not always agree with the position he takes, but I do not know of many others who are more effective in defending the faith. Catholic League president responds to NCR column | National Catholic Reporter
Post a Comment
Read more

CBC News - British Columbia - Abortion statistics must be public: B.C. group

If you can find out how many hip replacement or appendix operations take place in a publicly funded hospital, why can we not know how many abortions are performed? It's not as it they are asking for names! Just another piece of evidence that abortion is NOT an normal medical procedure! If it were, it would not require special legislation to keep the numbers quiet. CBC News - British Columbia - Abortion statistics must be public: B.C. group
10 comments
Read more

CBC waging 'faith-war,' according to the Conservatives

Here's an article taken from the Globe and Mail website , written by Jane Taber  in which she reports that the Conservative Party has taken offense at what it calls a 'faith-war' being waged by the CBC. Notwithstanding the political implications of a political party complaining about the media (as if that's never happened before!), Taber does a decent job of summarizing the 'evidence' that the CBC is indeed antithetical to the voices of faith in the public square.
8 comments
Read more

The Cost of Father Maciel | First Things

This editorial, written by Joseph Bottum at First Things is essential reading for anyone who has an interest in the Legionaries of CHrist, a powerful organization in years past who have been brought to the precipice of collapse by the revelations of the criminal deeds of their founder, Fr. Maciel. In criticizing Cardinal Sodano (Dean of the College of Cardinals) Bottum 'connects the dots' such that they elucidate the role of the Vatican in its response to most if not all of the sex abuse scandals that have erupted this past year. It's well worth the few minutes it takes to read the article. The Cost of Father Maciel | First Things
1 comment
Read more

In-Vitro Fertilization: A Pandora's Box of Problems

John Roberts of CNN has broadcast a theme piece entitled “Misconceptions” which exposed the legal complications that have followed the wide spread use of in-vitro fertilization when something goes awry with the procedure. He interviewed a couple who were accidentally implanted with an embryo left at a fertility clinic by another couple. They were soon embroiled in a legal controversy within which the ‘rights of the parents’ superseded the ‘best interests of the child’. Further commentary offered by lawyers who were interviewed stated that they types of accidents were becoming sufficiently common that the American Bar Association has issued guideline by which the resolution of such legal issues should be adjudicated. This does not come as a surprise to the Catholic Church. From the public advent of this technology with the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first ‘test-tube human baby it has stated that such procedures, while perhaps medically safe was not deemed to be moral as it wou...
Post a Comment
Read more

US Catholics debate defrocking abusive priests - NewsFlash - OregonLive.com

Damned if we do... damned if we don't! Read this article to see that the Church can't seem to win in these cases. Now people are complaining that if a predator is 'defrocked', the Church is no longer 'in control' of the individual and thus he would be free to abuse again. Come on folks. You can't have it both ways. US Catholics debate defrocking abusive priests - NewsFlash - OregonLive.com
2 comments
Read more

The Associated Press: Catholics sent predator priest to remote village

Here's a story that captures the essence of how these scandals played out in a manner that reflects so badly on the Church. It involves a missionary priest who was an abuser. He was convicted and sent for treatment upon which the 'experts' gave him the ecclesial version of the 'good housekeeping seal of approval' and then sent back out into ministry where he abused again. Now the Church is being condemned for simply following the advice of the psychologists etc. as it looks as if they had more concern for the priest than for his victims. I know that this has been case for quite a few of these predators. The Church accepted the wisdom of experts that offending priests could be 'cured' through various forms of cognitive behavior therapy. My question is: why is the Church not suing these mental heath professionals? In many cases (not all for sure, but for many) it was the assessment of these professionals that was the reason that many of these predators were s...
10 comments
Read more

Canadian beavers build world's largest dam - CTV News

I finally gave in and posted this story. I've always marveled at the fact that our neighbors to the south chose as their national symbol, the American Bald Eagle (who I might add nest in the woods around the Ottawa River): a majestic and awesome predator. We Canadians however went a different direction in choosing a rodent (yes a beaver is a large rodent) as the animal in which we invest our national identity. This story will help one understand that the Beaver is a far more accomplished fellow than many of us have given him credit for! Canadian beavers build world's largest dam - CTV News
Post a Comment
Read more

Canadian Euthanasia Information

The May 2010 Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Newsletter can now be found at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/Newsletters/Newsletter108(May2010)(RGB).pdf Bill C-384 was soundly defeated by a vote of 228 to 59. Check how the Members of Parliament voted at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/HowTheyVoted.pdf On June 5, 2010, we are co-hosting the US/Canda Push-Back Seminar at the Radisson Gateway Hotel at the Seattle/Tacoma Airport. The overwhelming defeat of Bill C-384 proved that we can Push-Back the euthanasia lobby in the US and Canada and convince people that euthanasia and assisted suicide are a dangerous public policy. Register for the Seminar at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/2010SeminarFlyer(RGB)(LetterFormat).pdf The Schindler family are being attacked by a Florida television station and Michael Schiavo. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is standing in solidarity with the Schindler family. My blog comments: http://alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2010/05/att...
17 comments
Read more

EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

EXERCISE  FOR PEOPLE  OVER 50 Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.  (I'm at this level.)   After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.
2 comments
Read more