Reflections from the pastoral ministry of an Evangelical Catholic Priest.
30 June, 2012
29 June, 2012
28 June, 2012
27 June, 2012
26 June, 2012
Scientists Say The Silliest Things |Blogs | NCRegister.com
Here's a treat for any scientists who visit! :)
Scientists Say The Silliest Things |Blogs | NCRegister.com
Scientists Say The Silliest Things |Blogs | NCRegister.com
Elliot Lake Mall rescuers consider 'extreme measures' in desperate hunt for survivors | News | National Post
Friends: I ask for your prayers for Elliot Lake. Pray for the victims still to be rescued or recovered. Pray for the families and friend. Remember to the men and women who are working is this dangerous environment to find them.
I ask as well that you pray for the clergy of that town, especially my classmate, Fr. Paul Conway. They are now responding to the needs of a growing number of desperate families and are in need of every grace they can get to help to bring some peace and comfort in these terrible days. They will need even more spiritual aid when the begin to bury those who have lost their lives.
I've been in a similar type of situation myself where a great number of families are in distress at one time and I know how hard it is to continue to be a source of hope and comfort in the face of overwhelming pain, upset and sadness. It was the prayers of friends that sustained in through that terrible time. Certainly the clergy of Elliot Lake will benefit from our prayerful support now.
Thank you.
Elliot Lake Mall rescuers consider 'extreme measures' in desperate hunt for survivors | News | National Post
I ask as well that you pray for the clergy of that town, especially my classmate, Fr. Paul Conway. They are now responding to the needs of a growing number of desperate families and are in need of every grace they can get to help to bring some peace and comfort in these terrible days. They will need even more spiritual aid when the begin to bury those who have lost their lives.
I've been in a similar type of situation myself where a great number of families are in distress at one time and I know how hard it is to continue to be a source of hope and comfort in the face of overwhelming pain, upset and sadness. It was the prayers of friends that sustained in through that terrible time. Certainly the clergy of Elliot Lake will benefit from our prayerful support now.
Thank you.
Elliot Lake Mall rescuers consider 'extreme measures' in desperate hunt for survivors | News | National Post
25 June, 2012
24 June, 2012
23 June, 2012
New study maps love and lust in the human brain | CTV News
Wow! I guess I never really loved my parents then since I never had sex with them. Clearly the authors of this study have a VERY limited conception of constitutes 'love'.
New study maps love and lust in the human brain | CTV News
New study maps love and lust in the human brain | CTV News
An unjust conviction that will chill the heart of many a priest
Msgr. William Lynn |
I feel for them. They now face an uncertain future through no fault of their own. After a long and dedicated life as clerics during which they obediently served in a Diocesan Chancery Offices doing what their religious superiors asked of them, they are now becoming the scapegoats for their superior’s failings.
During the Philadelphia trial, it was entered into evidence that Msgr. Lynn had presented a list of accused priests to his Cardinal Archbishop, +Anthony Bevilacqua with the recommendation that they be removed from office. It was evidently not well received. Lynn was ordered to destroy all copies of the list. Given that every priest takes a sacred vow of obedience, promising to comply with the commands of his Bishop, he had no other option available to him other than to do as he was told. Add to this that only a Bishop has the authority to remove or transfer a priest, and Msgr. Lynn’s impossible situation truly comes into focus.
In the case of Rev. Lynn, the prosecutors could not charge or convict the Bishop who died shortly before the start of the case after battling senility in his final years, so the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office shot the messenger instead. Finding him responsible for failing to report predator priests is akin to demanding an executive secretary be held responsible for decisions made by the company’s executives. Tragically, Rev. Lynn, who had no more corporate or religious authority than such an assistant, he has been held criminally responsible for the offenses of his superiors and now faces an imminent term of imprisonment for the crimes of others.
It is an unjust fate for any faithful and obedient employee of any corporation, holy or profane to be held responsible for decisions made by people above his pay grade. The American legal system has demonstrated that it is more concerned with exacting retribution in lieu of justice... of extracting a proverbial pound of flesh without regard for whose blood is spilt in the process.
Convicting Rev. Lynn may have sated this thirst for vengeance for a short while, much to the delight of the many Madame Lafarge’s who chortle with each priest's head that falls from the guillotine’s blade as they knit their list of victims, but it will not satisfy them for long. The blood lust enflamed by this conviction will soon encourage future demands that more heads should soon fall into the basket before them. They will not be satisfied until Diderot’s prediction of “the last king (or in this case, Bishop) is strangled with the entrails of the last priest" is realized.
22 June, 2012
21 June, 2012
20 June, 2012
19 June, 2012
18 June, 2012
Amidst confrontation and debate, the Church continues to strive for unity | Holy Post | National Post
This article contains my favorite quote, at least when it comes to providing a structure for pastoral ministry:
“In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
I first came across it in a biography on the late Cardinal G.E. Carter (Toronto) and it has been my credo for ministry ever since. I'm happy to see it used this way in this article from the Holy Post.
Amidst confrontation and debate, the Church continues to strive for unity | Holy Post | National Post
“In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”
I first came across it in a biography on the late Cardinal G.E. Carter (Toronto) and it has been my credo for ministry ever since. I'm happy to see it used this way in this article from the Holy Post.
Amidst confrontation and debate, the Church continues to strive for unity | Holy Post | National Post
17 June, 2012
16 June, 2012
Gin-Cor expanding Mattawa operation - PHOTO GALLERY - The North Bay Nugget - Ontario, CA
Finally, some good economic news for our little town of Mattawa!
Gin-Cor expanding Mattawa operation - PHOTO GALLERY - The North Bay Nugget - Ontario, CA
Gin-Cor expanding Mattawa operation - PHOTO GALLERY - The North Bay Nugget - Ontario, CA
15 June, 2012
10 June, 2012
Gone Fishing!
Dear Reader: It's time for my annual 'Pastors Fishing Trip' where I bring the local Protestant pastors into Dumoine Lake Cottages with me for a week's R&R, some serious fishing, and great conversations. Dumoine Lake is an exclusive rights fishing lake which means that only people who stay in the outfitter's cabins are permitted to fish there. As a result, it is (IMHO) the single best walleye and northern pike lake in all of northwestern Québec.
The picture above is a friend from Pembroke (Leo - not a pastor!!) showing off one of the blue walleye the lake is famous for. The picture on the left is an example of some of the pike pulled from the water.
Please remember to offer a prayer for our safe travel, good fishing and grace-filled conversations.
I'll resume posting here on Friday June 15th.
The picture above is a friend from Pembroke (Leo - not a pastor!!) showing off one of the blue walleye the lake is famous for. The picture on the left is an example of some of the pike pulled from the water.
Please remember to offer a prayer for our safe travel, good fishing and grace-filled conversations.
I'll resume posting here on Friday June 15th.
09 June, 2012
08 June, 2012
07 June, 2012
Canadian Crackdown - Michael Coren - National Review Online
When Same-Sex Marriages (SSM) were legalized by Paul Martin's Liberal government in Canada, Canadians were assured that the rights of religious institutions to refrain from participating in such ceremonies. At that time, I invoke the Neuhaus Principle ('that which is now permitted will soon be obligatory') in saying that this was a dangerous initiative for the Church. I was told that I was being an 'alarmist', 'extremist', 'homophobic' and 'despotic'. It appears that while I dispute these labels, I do claim that I was right... as recent events are beginning to make clear.
I'm not a huge fan of Michael Coren (I don't like his intensely combative and confrontational style) but I think that he is right in this recent article posted on the National Review Online site. He offers a number of examples that demonstrate that Neuhaus' principle is indeed on the way to being realized. Additionally, there is an article published elsewhere today in which it is reported that the Danish government has now passed a law forcing Churches to celebrate SSM ceremonies within their sanctuaries. Individual priests are permitted to refuse to bless such a union in a religious ceremony, but the Bishop of the diocese MUST provide another priest to perform the ceremony.
While I freely admit that the Ontario government was within the rights to mandate the creation of GSA's in all the province's school, when the Minister who's shepherding the legislation can go on record as saying "if the Roman Catholic Church did not approve of homosexuality or gay marriage, it “would have to change its teaching,” it is assuming unto itself the power to tell the Church what it MUST believe. It is a GROSS VIOLATION of the barrier between Church and State that has been a cornerstone of our modern Western democracies. Society suffers EVERY TIME this barrier is breached from either side. It is an harbinger of major troubles ahead if the State believes that it has the power to tell the Church what is 'right' or 'wrong' - even to the degree of forcing it to perform ceremonies for what she believes to be counter to God's will. These latest controversies in Canada and Denmark (two countries who have led the charge for SSM's) add to the evidence that's piling up which points to the lucid analysis of RJN as being accurate and active there.
Canadian Crackdown - Michael Coren - National Review Online
I'm not a huge fan of Michael Coren (I don't like his intensely combative and confrontational style) but I think that he is right in this recent article posted on the National Review Online site. He offers a number of examples that demonstrate that Neuhaus' principle is indeed on the way to being realized. Additionally, there is an article published elsewhere today in which it is reported that the Danish government has now passed a law forcing Churches to celebrate SSM ceremonies within their sanctuaries. Individual priests are permitted to refuse to bless such a union in a religious ceremony, but the Bishop of the diocese MUST provide another priest to perform the ceremony.
While I freely admit that the Ontario government was within the rights to mandate the creation of GSA's in all the province's school, when the Minister who's shepherding the legislation can go on record as saying "if the Roman Catholic Church did not approve of homosexuality or gay marriage, it “would have to change its teaching,” it is assuming unto itself the power to tell the Church what it MUST believe. It is a GROSS VIOLATION of the barrier between Church and State that has been a cornerstone of our modern Western democracies. Society suffers EVERY TIME this barrier is breached from either side. It is an harbinger of major troubles ahead if the State believes that it has the power to tell the Church what is 'right' or 'wrong' - even to the degree of forcing it to perform ceremonies for what she believes to be counter to God's will. These latest controversies in Canada and Denmark (two countries who have led the charge for SSM's) add to the evidence that's piling up which points to the lucid analysis of RJN as being accurate and active there.
Canadian Crackdown - Michael Coren - National Review Online
Life With a German Shepherd: The Dictatorship of Relativism
Life With a German Shepherd: The Dictatorship of Relativism: Relativism contains a dogmatism of its own: this position is so sure of itself that it must be imposed even on those who disagree with it…...
06 June, 2012
TheRecord - Nearly half of Ontarians oppose Catholic school funding
I suspect this is the reason that the Ontario Bishops chose 'quiet diplomacy' to make their case. As the leader of the Ontario Green Party states in the article, "the genie is out of the bottle" - at least when it comes to questioning our constitutional right to funding for the Catholic Separate School Boards.
There is one point though that is not being made. The article points out that the CSSB's receive $7 Billion government dollars. But it fails to say that if these boards were shut down, the province would still have to spend the same amount to educate the province's children (or more if the health care amalgamations are indicative of what happens when systems and institutions are merged).
There are legitimate arguments for and against the continued funding of the Separate School system. Economics and savings are not among them.
TheRecord - Nearly half of Ontarians oppose Catholic school...
There is one point though that is not being made. The article points out that the CSSB's receive $7 Billion government dollars. But it fails to say that if these boards were shut down, the province would still have to spend the same amount to educate the province's children (or more if the health care amalgamations are indicative of what happens when systems and institutions are merged).
There are legitimate arguments for and against the continued funding of the Separate School system. Economics and savings are not among them.
TheRecord - Nearly half of Ontarians oppose Catholic school...
05 June, 2012
Witness a transit of Venus! This section guides observers to observe the 2012 Transit of Venus safely.
Witness a transit of Venus! This section guides observers to observe the 2012 Transit of Venus safely. Feature topics include:
Observe (9)
- Where to Be (and When)
- Safe Viewing Techniques
Observe (9)
What’s Going on With the LCWR? | Daily News | NCRegister.com
WASHINGTON — In the 1950s, the Vatican established the Conference of Major Superiors of Women in the United States to provide a forum for women religious to develop educational, spiritual and apostolic resources and discuss their common interests. Its name was changed in 1971 to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). The LCWR would serve as a communications channel between the Vatican and women religious in the United States. Its purpose, responsibilities and statutes were approved by the Vatican.
Since the early years of Christianity, religious women in the Catholic Church have been consecrated to the love of Christ, brides of Christ, whose primary calling was to remind all Christians of the ultimate goal of life on earth: union with God in heaven. Apostolic works are secondary to the sign value of consecration to Christ in the Church and can be fruitful only to the extent that the consecration is lived faithfully within the Church. As Blessed John Paul II noted in 1996, the Church expects its publicly consecrated religious to be distinctive in their “allegiance of mind and heart to the magisterium of the bishops …which must be lived honestly and clearly testified to before the people of God by all consecrated persons” (Vita Consecrata, 46).
What’s Going on With the LCWR? | Daily News | NCRegister.com
Since the early years of Christianity, religious women in the Catholic Church have been consecrated to the love of Christ, brides of Christ, whose primary calling was to remind all Christians of the ultimate goal of life on earth: union with God in heaven. Apostolic works are secondary to the sign value of consecration to Christ in the Church and can be fruitful only to the extent that the consecration is lived faithfully within the Church. As Blessed John Paul II noted in 1996, the Church expects its publicly consecrated religious to be distinctive in their “allegiance of mind and heart to the magisterium of the bishops …which must be lived honestly and clearly testified to before the people of God by all consecrated persons” (Vita Consecrata, 46).
Click link to read complete story:
What’s Going on With the LCWR? | Daily News | NCRegister.com
04 June, 2012
After Spiking Catholic Lawsuit Against Obama, Networks Unleash Avalanche of Stories Hyping Vatican 'Scandal' - WSJ.com
Here's an article from the Wall Street Journal pointing out the reality of the headwinds that the Church faces in today's major media outlets.
After Spiking Catholic Lawsuit Against Obama, Networks Unleash Avalanche of Stories Hyping Vatican 'Scandal' - WSJ.com
After Spiking Catholic Lawsuit Against Obama, Networks Unleash Avalanche of Stories Hyping Vatican 'Scandal' - WSJ.com
03 June, 2012
02 June, 2012
01 June, 2012
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