Teaching The Faith

Here is a fun idea for the kids, from Catholic Culture, which also has many resources for the family church and spiritual growth.

Apostle Cookies

Make cookies honoring an individual apostles or all at one time.

Any good gingerbread cookie dough will do, and any good gingerbread-boy cookie cutter will make a gingerbread Apostle (or you may cut them freehand with a knife). The twist is in the decoration. We decorated each one with his own symbols, tied a ribbon through a hole pierced (before baking) in the top of each cookie, served them on a tray, covered, with only the ribbons showing; you got your dessert by choosing a ribbon, finding the cookie, and identifying it. This is an excellent way to learn all the Apostles.

The frosting is a confectioner's sugar recipe tinted with vegetable colors. The symbols may be made with stiff frosting squirted through a squeegee, if you have one, or may be cut from foil, paper, or made of any materials that suggest themselves. Here are suggestions for cookie decorating.

St. Peter (June 29)
Red frosting because he was a martyr. Symbols: two keys, a cock crowing, an upside-down cross, a fish, a sword. The keys remind us that Jesus gave him the Keys of the Kingdom; the cock recalls his denial of Our Lord; the cross tells that he is supposed to have been martyred head down; the fish — he was a fisher of men; the sword tells of his temper on the night he cut off Malchus' ear. Our Peter cut a silver-foil fish for this cookie and stuck it in the frosting. You could do the keys and sword of foil also, with the cross of melted chocolate. The cock can be drawn or cut from a picture, cut out and stuck on. St. Peter is the patron of locksmiths and cobblers.Read more...

Where Do Catholic Kids Go To College?

We have two teens preparing to enter university in the fall. Finding the right college for each of them has been challenging. They would like to go to authentic Catholic colleges, but they would also like to continue their success in sports, and study in specific areas of interest. As we have eight children and a single, modest income, cost is also a concern.

Its not easy to match up all these criteria!

One helpful tool has been The Newman Guide.

It has also been helpful that the two eldest attended Our Lady Seat Of Wisdom and are pleased with their experiences there. (Both found wives, but that's another story!) Shane is now studying law, and Joseph is a fire fighter, finishing a business degree.

The search continues....!

(The OLSWA Winter Pilgrimage to Midland)

NCEA Invites Outspokenly Anti-Catholic 'Humorist'

(via e-mail)

Dear Friends,

We recently discovered that Garrison Keillor is scheduled to be a Keynote Speaker at the National Catholic Education Association Convention in Minneapolis on April 6 - 8, 2010.

Garrison Keillor is well known for his outspoken views on abortion and "same-sex marriage" which are not in line with authentic Catholic teaching.

On the issue of abortion he is quoted as saying:

"Abortion has to be considered case by case. The use of abortion as birth control is one thing, the use of it to end pregnancy caused by incest or rape is another, and then there is the decision to destroy an embryo that shows signs of debilitating disease or severe retardation. In the end, it goes against common sense to require a mother to bear a child she does not want, just as you can't force husband and wife to stay together…"

On the issue of "same sex" marriage he is quoted as saying:

"I believe that if voters actually knew gay couples, they would not vote to ban gay marriage. This particular cruelty is the result of social separation, which breeds contempt."

In another article he states:

"The so-called cultural wars over abortion and prayer in the schools and pornography and gays, most of it instigated by shrieking ninnies and pompous blowhards, did nothing about anything, except elect dullards to office who brought a certain nihilistic approach to governance…"

It is scandalous that Garrison Keillor has been invited to be a keynote speaker for the National Catholic Education Convention. It is only right that Mr. Keillor's invitation be rescinded and that he be removed as a speaker from the Convention this April.

We have already contacted Archbishop John Nienstedt. He was very gracious and responded immediately to our concern. He reported that the decision was made at the national level of the NCEA and he was only informed of it afterwards. The Archbishop told us he has contacted the NCEA with his own criticism of their decision to select Garrison Keillor as keynote speaker.

The Archbishop also encouraged us to contact the NCEA and express our opinion. He included the following address:

Dr. Karen M. Ristau, Ed.D.
President, National Catholic Educational Association
1005 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201

Several days ago I did contact Dr. Ristau and have not heard back from anyone at the NCEA. We want you all to aware of this disgraceful action. The NCEA needs to hear from you and many others.

Please contact the following people to report that Garrison Keillor is well known for his outspoken views on
abortion and "same-sex marriage" which are not in line with authentic Catholic teaching. Please request that Garrison Keillor's invitation be rescinded and that he be removed as keynote speaker at the NCEA Convention this April.

Dr. Karen M. Ristau, Ed.D.
president@ncea.org

Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl - Archbishop of Washington, DC and NCEA Board Chair
chancery@adw.org

I also encourage you to Cc: many on this Staff Listing

This is truly an upsetting situation for Catholics, however, please remember to always be charitable in your letters. It's a good practice to always pray to the Holy Spirit before writing.

There is no need to contact Archbishop Neinstedt on this matter. We are grateful he has taken action.

Thank you for your help and please be sure to pass this email to others who should know!

Sincerely yours in Christ,



Mrs. Colleen Perfect,
President
Catholic Parents On-Line

"Campus Abuse of Personal Freedoms"

(island school)

We’re talking about the right to free-speech and freedom of religion. Basic rights.

Washington Times has an article reminding us how much today’s universities are controlled by the ‘PC’ agenda :

…Young America’s Foundation once again compiled the “best of the worst” academic abuses for 2008. These stories are usually not reported in the “drive-by” media, no doubt to shield school officials from explaining their radical curricula. The Yuba incident tops the list, although it had plenty of competition, as you’ll see.

Transgendered Activists In, Pro-life Speakers Out:

Administrators at the University of St. Thomas, a Catholic institution in Minnesota, inexplicably censored the appearance of prominent pro-life speaker Star Parker.

In April, Ms. Parker, the best-selling author of numerous books, was slated to speak on campus about the devastating impact abortion has on minority communities. Yet St. Thomas bureaucrats, under the helm of the Vice President of Student Affairs Jane Canney, forbade the lecture, claiming they felt “uncomfortable” and “disturbed” by previous conservative speakers at the University.

Speakers that passed Ms. Canney’s litmus test in 2008? Al Franken, the liberal U.S. Senate candidate in Minnesota, and Debra Davis, a transgendered activist who believes that God is a black lesbian….

When helping our young homeschoolers choose a university, we should keep in mind whether the school of choice will maintain the same standards of freedom and integrity we’ve been struggling to personally instill in our children. There still are some private colleges that understand what the ‘liberal’ in ‘liberal education’ means, but not that many!

(see also)


And being named 'in honour' of a saint, apparantly means NOTHING!

Why New Orders Flourish

And the 'old' Nuns are well, dying out. Its the difference between Faithful exuberance and bitter self absorbtion.

From the DenverPost Letters:

As Catholics and supporters of Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy, we appreciate Archbishop Charles Chaput’s clarification in Sunday’s Post that he is speaking as a private citizen when he takes issue with Sen. Obama and his supporters.

We had supposed that since the official archdiocesan newspaper last week included a voter guide supporting John McCain from a group calling itself Colorado Family Institute (different from the guide promoted by the U.S. bishops), the archbishop might, perhaps, be attempting to influence the choices of Catholic voters.

We honor the archbishop’s right to support the candidates and issues he believes best represent his deepest values, and applaud his recognition that not all Catholics will make his choices their own.

We also appreciate the respect for primacy of conscience in our decision-making, as enunciated by Josef Ratzinger, now our current pope, Benedict XVI, who wrote: “Over the pope, as the expression of the binding claim of ecclesiastical authority, there still stands one’s own conscience, which must be obeyed before all else — if necessary, even against the requirement of ecclesiastical authority.”

We are making our ballot choices as adults and as faithful citizens who have weighed the issues in light of the gospels and the justice teachings of our church. We encourage all Catholics to do likewise.

Sister Mary A. Coyle, Denver
Sister Mary Ann Cunningham, Denver

(h/t american papist)

Talking out both sides of their mouths, these fine examples of liberal rot have chosen to create their own catecheses. Good for them. Its obviously serving them well.

Thank God for ArchBishop Charles Chaput, standing up for truth and guiding his flock, as he should. Not forcing, but instructing. There aren't two kinds of Catholics. You either believe and love, or you don't. The rest are pretenders. This doesn't mean everybody agrees. It means all Catholics have the same Truth as the centre of their lives, and puts their love of God above all else .

Sorry 'Sisters', there's a good reason the young women aren't flocking to you!!
.

Quaking in the Manse

Some plain talk from Damian Thompson:

Do you know what makes liberal Catholic clergy wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night? It's not the return of the Tridentine Mass. It's not the fact that Ratzinger is Pope. It's not their rapidly dwindling congregations.
What terrifies the old trendies is a new generation of conservative seminarians, who are gradually turning into a new generation of conservative priests - just as the supply of liberals is drying up.

Until very recently, seminaries managed to screen out the more orthodox candidates. "Psychologically immature" was the code for "obedient to the Magisterium", and so effective was the process that dozens of vocations were successfully squashed. In the 1980s and 90s, English seminaries were run by a grey-shirted Magic Circle politburo, assisted (not to say bullied) by frightful middle-aged women whose liturgical preferences were only just the right side of Wicca.

One or two conservatives slipped through the net, by hiding copies of Fortescue under their beds and slipping each other photographs of fiddleback chasubles that they could admire in private. In public, however, they were careful to wear the seminary uniform of jeans and CND T-shirt, and even to swallow the Bitter Pill without gagging.

But times are changing. Dreary Leftist seminary rectors have retired or became Magic Circle bishops, the Wiccan "pastoral advisers" have fallen out of favour, and conservative candidates for the seminary have started presenting themselves faster than they can be turned down. "It's a bit like the Somme - no sooner have you wiped out one wave of infantry than another appears," says my source.

Futurechurch is losing this battle. Some Magic Circle rectors are ready to run up the white flag. I could mention a couple of English seminaries where orthodox doctrine is taught pretty rigorously. That's in sharp contrast to the situation 20 years ago. (As one London priest told me this week, "I came away from seminary knowing only two things - that St Augustine of Hippo and St Augustine of Canterbury were different people, and that Julian of Norwich was a woman.")

The other day, I saw a photograph of seminarians and staff at Allen Hall, Westminster. I reckon you could tell just by looking at them that the students were more conservative than their teachers. The same is true of the Venerable English College in Rome, where - perhaps because it is a breeding ground for bishops - the Magic Circle is clinging on to power. "Students still have to don a false beard if they slip out to attend a Tridentine Mass," I'm told.

Some of the really Left-wing dioceses have adopted a disgraceful tactic: rather than put forward conservative candidates for ordination, they've stopped looking for future priests completely. Hence all this guff about "lay empowerment": the lay people being empowered are all "made men" (if I can use such a sexist term) in the mafia of the mediocre.

But don't despair. Conservative seminarians are getting ordained, and in a few years' time the dioceses will run out of goody-goody Tabletistas on whom to bestow plum parishes. And then, who knows? A conservative bishop? Stranger things have happened.

................................................................................

Things aren't so different in Canada...

.

Heather Mallick In Lipstick *UPDATE*

Heather Mallick is scheduled to speak at St.Mary's Univ. College, in Calgary. St. Mary's is purportedly a Catholic institution, though not really a Catholic College - by obedience and affirmation standards. They have not signed allegiance with the Magisterium, for example, as other faithful Catholic colleges do.

This may seem a narrow scope of qualification, but the Vatican has repeatedly instructed universities and colleges on their faithful representation as 'Catholic' institutions, and there are in fact STANDARDS.

One of these standards involves who is invited to speak . The usual excuse is 'intellectual freedom'.( Can anyone seriously package Heather Mallick as 'intellectual'?.) She is invited for her edgy popularity, hardly intellectual, and definitely not Catholic. Parents paying tuition to a 'Catholic' institution might reasonably expect Catholic perspective - i.e. Christ as the centre, all things in relation to Him. How would Mallick help in the pursuit of a Catholic Liberal Arts education? Truth, for example, is entirely missing from her feminist,'culture of death' perspective'.

Pope Benedict XVI:

The Church’s mission, in fact, involves her in humanity’s struggle to arrive at truth. In articulating revealed truth she serves all members of society by purifying reason, ensuring that it remains open to the consideration of ultimate truths. Drawing upon divine wisdom, she sheds light on the foundation of human morality and ethics, and reminds all groups in society that it is not praxis that creates truth but truth that should serve as the basis of praxis. Far from undermining the tolerance of legitimate diversity, such a contribution illuminates the very truth which makes consensus attainable, and helps to keep public debate rational, honest and accountable. Similarly the Church never tires of upholding the essential moral categories of right and wrong, without which hope could only wither, giving way to cold pragmatic calculations of utility which render the person little more than a pawn on some ideological chess-board.

A Liberal Arts education without TRUTH is no more than indoctrination of the 'liberal' kind. Perhaps Mallick, or maybe even the college itself are unaware that Liberal education has nothing to do with being 'liberal'? Its all about TRUTH.



*UPDATE* OCTOBER 8 - Apparantly She's been disinvited

Canada v. Catholicism

American Papist: Not Your Average Catholic!: Canada v. Catholicism:

"In Quebec, a french speaking province in Canada they have passed a law requiring all schools to teach a mandated course that will force Catholic schools to no longer be able to teach distinct Catholicism outside of social constructivism...This move by the Quebec government is quite literally the most dangerous regression of religious rights in North America. Because it is occurring in a French province in Canada it has not gotten the press it deserves,l it should serve as a canary in a mine..."

...........................................................................

They're getting desperate, and the more desperate they get - the more repressive they will be. Its up to the Quebecois, really. Are there any who care that they are being repressively 'managed' into good little state-owned peons? Anyone bristle at being told which holidays are fit, who their heroes are? Anyone feel put out by the IDEA of the gov't dictating that only the state religion should be allowed? The gov't also has a repressive attitude towards homeschoolers, which is consistent with their 'we will tell you what to believe' policy. Anyone feeling rebellious?

Without Life, What?

reminded by Ephemeris:

"..We cannot accept for ourselves a political leadership which does not safeguard the inviolable dignity of human life. Are there other issues? Of course there are, but the primary issue has to be the question of human life."(Vatican's Archbishop Raymond Burke, recently named Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura - roughly the Vatican equivalent of the Supreme Court's Chief Justice)

Catholic Liberal Arts

Friends With Christ :

"..There is a huge tradition of Liberal Arts in a Catholic context going back to the first Christian century and it is something which has continued in many European countries to this day, and it is being rediscovered now in the States and in Australia. The Liberal Arts comprise the a study of Literature, History, Theology, Philosophy and Science.

There is a profound Catholic focus is the studies which seek a synthesis through, and an emphasis on, the interconnectedness of ideas and perspectives from the different subjects, and by allowing one subject to be built upon another. Subjects are approached from both local and global perspectives and the complementarity of Faith and Reason is drawn upon throughout.

A Catholic Liberal Arts Degree can lead into Education, Writing, Government, Adminstration, Publishing, Communications, Media, Cultural and Faith-based work, Academia, Social Services, Tourism. It gives an education for life, and not simply for an occupation. It seeks to foster good and critical thinkers and to give a deep understanding of culture..."
.........................................................................

The Catholic liberal arts college two (so far) of our sons attended in Canada was Our Lady Seat of Wisdom in Barry's Bay Ontario. They are fairly new, begun by young Catholics on a mission to provide authentic Catholic education in an affordable setting. It's also a very picturesque setting. They continue to grow and adjust to their increasing numbers, and the Westin family is grateful for the sacrifices that the founders and early students have made for our benefit.

(Check out 'The Alexandrian', a Catholic culture magazine put out by a recent graduate of OLSWA, Catherine Nolan.)

Heroic Catholic Families

An excellent article on Catholic parenting by Dr. Jeff Mirus :


"The Blueprint for Heroic Family Life"


"..In early third millennium America, heroic Catholic families generally don’t send their kids to public schools if they have any conceivable alternative. Nor do they take advantage of parochial or diocesan schools if their staffs are still riddled with cafeteria Catholics (or worse). If a sound Catholic school is not available, heroic Catholic families pull up roots and move, or they found independent schools, or they home school. Even if outstanding schools are available, they may still home school. I use the word “generally” in the first sentence, because there are exceptions to every parenting rule, and it isn’t anybody’s job but yours to make the best decision for your own children..."


"...Heroic Catholic parents strive to be outstanding spiritual and moral examples to their children. It goes without saying that they never undermine the Church’s authority by making exceptions about which Church teachings they will believe and follow. Nor do they let a spirit of criticism undermine their children’s respect for the Church. They must certainly discuss difficulties and abuses frankly, but they will not constantly complain and find fault..."

Dr. Mirus goes on to remind us that firmness and flexibility are both needed to obtain a good final result - a new generation of faithful, well-formed Catholics:

"...All heroic Catholic parents must combine these two dispositions into one, by following the famous maxim: In essential things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity..."

He backs up his advice by invoking the late Fr. Hardon (well known to Catholic homeschoolers!):

"...When Fr. Hardon warned that only heroic Catholic families will survive, he meant that only families who make deep and continuous sacrifices for God and the Good will be able to raise children who remain close and retain their Faith. He was referring to that same heroic virtue which is required for canonization, that is, the determination to practice virtue and follow God’s will consistently over time even when it is inconvenient or unpopular. That is what heroic virtue is. That is really all it is; it is within reach, and it is quite enough..."

Dr. Mirus concludes by reminding us that it's not all up to us:

"..Even with heroic virtue, however, immediate success is not guaranteed. Children are their own persons. They might, even with the best of upbringing, make bad choices, stray from the Church, reject God. So might their parents. This brings us to the final and most important characteristic of heroic Catholic families: They keep praying for each other until they die, and even after they die. Heroic Catholic parents—and heroic Catholic children—are always deeply committed to prayer. They live lives of prayer. They pray constantly, both now and forever..."

A very encouraging article, and a sound reminder of who and why we are. Parents.

Catholic Advocacy For Life

Pope Benedict expected to hold Catholic Colleges accountable:
http://www.lifenews.com/nat3799.html