Message to Catholic Parishes

"First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth." (Benedict XVI)

In his whole address, I didn't hear him mention 'prestige' even once! The appropriate FIRST focus is Christ. The experience of the best Catholic schools, is that , centered on Christ, all needs are fulfilled. Academic accomplishments abound. Vocations are plentiful. This should be the goal of all Catholic schools, but it isn't.

A lot of Catholic schools ride on the 'image' but reject the 'reality' of being a Catholic school. They focus on superficial, one could say secular, goals. They focus on status and money.They ultimately fail to achieve more than mediocrity. Parishes need to 'take back ' their schools and bring them back into the church. The parishes NEED them to be the most Catholic, not the least.

I pray that parish councils take courage from the support that the Holy Father has given us, back up their priests, and 'renew' their school boards to reflect the CHURCH's mandate for their parish schools. We have a lot of work to do.

Our Fearless Leader

As Catholic homeschoolers, we were priviledged to watch the Mass at National's Park, D.C., live on EWTN this morning. We were very excited to see the large turn out, and note the reverent atmosphere of the gathering. The children commented on various liturgical differences (especially the music!) that they noticed, and listened intently to the readings and homily. It was wonderful to be able to participate in this way, and to be part of the large American Catholic community, if not with our physical presence, in spirit.
I have since read the texts of His Holiness' address to the Bishops, and his address to Catholic Educators.

All in all, it has been a great day!

Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha

CWN reports:



The cause for canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha is ready for submission to the Vatican.

Msgr. Paul Lenz, the postulator for the cause, told CNA that his presentation is prepared. Blessed Kateri, the daughter of a Mohawk Indian father and an Algonquin mother, was born in 1656 in what is now New York, near the current site of the Shrine of the North American martyrs. Rejected by her own tribe because of her devotion, she died in Canada at the age of 24.

Devotion to the woman who became known as "the lily of the Mohawk" spread quickly in North America after her death. In 1980 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II, becoming the first Native American ever to receive that honor. Her feast day is April 17.

Cold Persons

"Give me persons in love: they know what I mean. Give me those who yearn; give me those who are hungry; give me those far away in this desert, who are thirsty and sigh for the spring of the eternal country. Give me those kinds of people: they know what I mean.
But if I speak to cold persons, they just do not know what I am talking about."

(St. Augustine)

Conscience Rights

Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon/Wanuskewin), reintroduced his private members bill to protect the conscience rights of health care workers:

Introducing the bill in Parliament this afternoon, Vellacott said: "Mr. Speaker, the bill would prohibit coercion in medical procedures that offend a person's religion or belief that human life is inviolable. The bill seeks to ensure that health care providers will never be forced to participate against their will in procedures such as abortions or acts of euthanasia."

Dogs and Cats

Mark Shea writes a delightful article about dog and cat people.

"..Dog People are those who, like St. Dominic, the original Dog of the Lord, look at God and his gifts and conclude that the divine generosity is an occasion of gratitude for a whole heap of stuff — up to and including the gift of the Trinity himself — that we are ridiculously, preposterously, hilariously unworthy to receive..."

As Shea points out, Pope Benedict may like cats, but he is definitely a German Shepherd!

Benedict - Growing Up in Bavaria

Pope Benedict tells us about his childhood:

"...My parents had married late, and a Bavarian constable of my father's rank — he was a simple commissioner — was modestly paid. We were not poor in the strict sense of the word, because the monthly salary was guaranteed, but we did have to live very frugally and simply, for which I am very grateful. For thereby joys are made possible that one cannot have in wealth. I often think back on how wonderful it was that we could be happy over the smallest things and how we also tried to do things for one another. How this very modest, sometimes financially difficult situation gave rise to an inner solidarity that bound us deeply together..."

http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0281.htm

EWTN with President Bush

Raymond Arroyo of EWTN interviews President Bush:

"A culture of life is in our national interests,” he said. “The politics of abortion isn’t going to change until people’s hearts change, and fully understand the meaning of life, what it means for a society to value life in all forms, whether it be the life of the unborn, or the life of the elderly, the life of the less fortunate among us or the life of the rich guy.”
President Bush said that Pope Benedict’s words provided support for politicians in difficult situations. The president said, “I want to remind his Holy Father how important his voice is in making easier for politicians like me to be able to stand and defend our positions, that are I think, very important positions to take.”http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=87602

Lebanon Must Be Vigilant

(photo: Beirut, Feb./06)

Asianews reports the Maronite Patriarch in Lebanon is concerned for the immediate future of his country:

The nation, in the words of the patriarch during the Mass celebrated in Bkereke, is "fragmented, being without a president, run by an amputated government and with a parliament that doesn't meet". Because of the situation, which "we are not being asked to do the impossible to salvage", the patriarch asked God to "inspire us to what is best for our nation and our salvation". "The Arab leaders", he then said, "are aware of the crisis. Some are seeking to block the solutions. The Lebanese must be vigilant".

http://www.asianews.it/view4print.php?l=en&art=12008

Barry's Bay, Ontario

(photo by Anton Casta at : http://stmaxmedia.com )

It's not spring yet in Barry's Bay! (home of OLSWA, Canada's faithful Catholic college.)

Caricatures of Humans

Andrea Mrozek at 'ProWomen ProLife' delineates for us the two types of abortion supporters, exemplified by the difference between Clinton and Obama :

"One position is utilitarian, the other, ill-informed and evasive. But this would be the dividing line in the pro-abortion camp these days, I think. Those who know when life begins and don’t care, and those who maintain life does not begin at conception but rather at some other magical moment, arbitrarily chosen."

How human are we, if we cannot recognize humanity, and we cannot care for it?

Poetry for Richard

For those of you feeling sentimental about Richard Warman's human-like qualities, TNOYF has created an ode to Richard in 'Dr. Seus' rhyme and rhythm which even Richard himself will be able to understand:

http://www.thenoseonyourface.com/poetry/richard-harman-esquire-a-dr-seuss-from-beyond-the-grave-tale/

Don't forget to vote (at TNOYF) for your favourite 'Richard the bleat' T-shirt design! All proceeds from sales go to the support of the "Free speech for even Richard" society, otherwise known as bloggers sued by Warman:

Kathy Shaidlehttp://www.fivefeetoffury.com/

Kate McMillanhttp://smalldeadanimals.com/

Ezra Levanthttp://ezralevant.com/2008/04/richard-warman-has-sued-me-and.html

AmericanPapist: Not Your Average Catholic!: Photopost: Popes meeting U.S. Presidents

AmericanPapist: Not Your Average Catholic!: Photopost: Popes meeting U.S. Presidents

name change

Yes, I changed the name. Apparantly , when 'island fever' is Googled, it turns up some old porn film. (I was wondering about those hits from Sweden...)

Anyway, the new name is as above.

"Parenting From Inside Out" - Book Review

A review by Heidi Hess Saxton at Mommy Monsters Inc.:

"...In Parenting from the Inside Out, Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Mary Hartzell explore "the extent to which our childhood experiences shape the way we parent .... and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories that will help them raise compassionate and resilient children." The authors help parents to identify the "toxic ruptures" in the relationship between parent and child, and the interactive dialogue that must occur in order to repair the damage. Each chapter includes "inside-out exercises" to help the reader apply the lessons of their own lives in order to strength the parent-child bond..."

For more great articles try Catholic Carnival 166 at :

http://snoringscholar.blogspot.com/2008/04/catholic-carnival-166-rubber-meets-road.html