So here’s one from the Sheepcat blog, courtesy of Amy at Open Book. It’s a good story.
It was Chesterton who wrote “the Church is a house with a hundred gates; and no two men enter at exactly the same angle.”. Each convert finds their own door, which is to say their own reasons. And each one is right.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Amy Welborn makes the NYT
New York Times that is. She’s been published in the Op-Ed section. She talks about the upcoming seminary visitations down in the States. She broke the news on her own Blog today.
The whole let’s-root-out-the queers thing has been discussed quite a bit amongst the Catholic Blogs. It broke out most recently with the breaking news story on Catholic World News that the Pope would be issuing a formal ban on ordaining homosexual men. The Editor of CWN promptly broke the news on his Blog Bettnet. Nothing has been seen to date of the actual document but that hasn't stopped the talk.
The more moderate positions are somewhere between “it’s a prudential decision considering 80% of the sexual abuse cases were homosexual” to “it isn’t going to work, real died-in-the-wool queers will dissemble and get through and honest Catholic men with SSA (Same Sex Attraction) will self select themselves out of seminaries”.
And all of this noise over a document from the Vatican that hasn’t actually seen the light of day, though it’s been talked about for months, if not years. If the document is never issued, I will wonder if all this brouhaha was about nothing or if it helped persuade the Pope not to publish it. Indeed, a good deal of the MSM (Main Stream Media) coverage could be seen as precisely a pre-emptive strike to achieve just that. Amy’s article strikes a nice balance from the near hysteria coming from supposedly secular quarters.
Somehow, however, I don’t see this Pope bending to secular (and Catholic homosexual) pressure. The Zeitgeist isn’t Pope Benedict’s big concern.
The whole let’s-root-out-the queers thing has been discussed quite a bit amongst the Catholic Blogs. It broke out most recently with the breaking news story on Catholic World News that the Pope would be issuing a formal ban on ordaining homosexual men. The Editor of CWN promptly broke the news on his Blog Bettnet. Nothing has been seen to date of the actual document but that hasn't stopped the talk.
The more moderate positions are somewhere between “it’s a prudential decision considering 80% of the sexual abuse cases were homosexual” to “it isn’t going to work, real died-in-the-wool queers will dissemble and get through and honest Catholic men with SSA (Same Sex Attraction) will self select themselves out of seminaries”.
And all of this noise over a document from the Vatican that hasn’t actually seen the light of day, though it’s been talked about for months, if not years. If the document is never issued, I will wonder if all this brouhaha was about nothing or if it helped persuade the Pope not to publish it. Indeed, a good deal of the MSM (Main Stream Media) coverage could be seen as precisely a pre-emptive strike to achieve just that. Amy’s article strikes a nice balance from the near hysteria coming from supposedly secular quarters.
Somehow, however, I don’t see this Pope bending to secular (and Catholic homosexual) pressure. The Zeitgeist isn’t Pope Benedict’s big concern.
The Joys of the Internet and Blogging
One of which is the ability to have others cast their nets and then summarize their findings, which you can then investigate as interest dictates. One of my favourite Bloggers has just resumed his summary collection: Lane Core’s Blogworthies.
For one thing I was reminded about the blog The Pertinacious Papist and syndicated it based on this article.
Check them out.
For one thing I was reminded about the blog The Pertinacious Papist and syndicated it based on this article.
Check them out.
Simple Chess
Friday, September 23, 2005
Social Justice Conservatism?
An interesting article in OpinionJournal today that advocates social justice from a (Margaret Thatcher/Ronald Reagan) conservative perspective. Thanks to Oswald Sobrino at Catholic Analysis for the link.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Catholics and Mary and Jews?
Mark Shea thinks he sees an affinity of Jewish converts to Catholicism for profound mystical encounters with Mary. There’s an interesting conversation in the comments section of this article, including a some converts, Jewish and otherwise.
Apropos of Mary, the question of why do Catholics pray to Mary can be somewhat flippantly answered: because no good Jewish boy would ignore his Mother.
Apropos of Mary, the question of why do Catholics pray to Mary can be somewhat flippantly answered: because no good Jewish boy would ignore his Mother.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Bible Reading III
Mark Shea has a nice article at Catholic Exchange here. Give it a read if you’re wondering how to read the Good Book.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Another Podcast Subscription
I’ve added Mark Shea’s Rock Hard to my list. Thanks to Victor Lams at Et Cetera for the notice.
As I keep adding to the subscription list, I need to think about getting an mp3 player. My two treasures (daughters in the vulgar) have hinted at a Christmas present of this nature. Can i wait that long? Christmas is so far away!
As I keep adding to the subscription list, I need to think about getting an mp3 player. My two treasures (daughters in the vulgar) have hinted at a Christmas present of this nature. Can i wait that long? Christmas is so far away!
Isn't Nature Wonderful?
For example John Schultz of Catholic Light shares his experience. Enjoy one of the audio clips he linked to.
In days past when the family used to go out for Sunday drives in the country and the mephitic odour of newly-spread manure would sometimes invade our senses. That’s when Dad (yours truly) would respond enthusiastically: “Ah! Fresh country air.” Suitable, city-bred reactions would ensue from the back-seat.
Even as a suburbanite born and bred, I still have that oh-it-must-be-so-wonderful-to-live-in-the-country feelings from time to time. Not sure I’d last very long without a broadband connection, though.
In days past when the family used to go out for Sunday drives in the country and the mephitic odour of newly-spread manure would sometimes invade our senses. That’s when Dad (yours truly) would respond enthusiastically: “Ah! Fresh country air.” Suitable, city-bred reactions would ensue from the back-seat.
Even as a suburbanite born and bred, I still have that oh-it-must-be-so-wonderful-to-live-in-the-country feelings from time to time. Not sure I’d last very long without a broadband connection, though.
Another Very Catholic Thing
This is a semi-annual event (three times a year). Just where does faith leave off and superstition begin?
(Thanks to Father Tucker at Dappled Things).
(Thanks to Father Tucker at Dappled Things).
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Politics and Housekeeping
Politics is a fascinating area of human endeavour; and I’m including Canadian, American and World politics in this. But I’ve avoided commenting on a lot of newsy items. There’s the political issues around the Hurricane and New Orleans (or NOLA as many put it). The Roberts Confirmation hearings are interesting to me as an exercise in representative democracy dealing with the power of judges. There’s plenty to comment on. So why haven’t I brought them up?
In the case of NOLA and the blame-assignment game, I have three reasons for limiting comments:
1. There’s already plenty of comment from many different perspectives, many, if not most, of whom will be better placed to make intelligent and worthwhile observations.
2. Much like Pearl Harbour and 9/11, the full story may never be known, and will only likely be mostly known several years after the event after painstaking sifting and cross-examination of the witnesses and documents. Any comment, even to agree with someone else, would be rushing to judgement (or hasty generalization).
3. My immediate prejudice is to share the blame assignment all around. The idea that some officials and employees at the federal, state and local levels were all guilty of screwing up just suits my view of life. And that all the people in the path of the Hurricane are absolutely blameless seems doubtful to me on general principle. See this for example. Sissies and Yankees indeed!
As for the Confirmation hearings and multiple other items that I do follow but don’t comment on in the blog, I’m not sure but that some variation of the above reasons doesn’t apply. Besides the wealth (not to say surplus) of commentary on politics altogether on the internet, the relative ignorance that we operate in (“I only know what I read in the newspapers” Will Rogers--as rank a confession of indifferentism as one could hope for) should really intimidate we mere mortals from rushing to judgement. (Anyone care to diagram that sentence?)
And politics is the religion of our age. It’s getting to the point that we don’t talk politics unless we’re sure in advance that the people we’re talking to are going to agree with us. This can’t be good for democracy. Vigourous but courteous debate on the many issues of the day are essential to the continued well-being of democracy as a form of government. Since no one can be right all the time, we need each other to continue the search for truth and justice. Otherwise the loudest or cleverest simply take power and we no long govern ourselves.
Which really sounds like an argument to me in favour of talking politics on this blog. Well, I given myself something to think about.
On the minor housekeeping note, I’m now trying to post the blog entries off-line from my computer.
In the case of NOLA and the blame-assignment game, I have three reasons for limiting comments:
1. There’s already plenty of comment from many different perspectives, many, if not most, of whom will be better placed to make intelligent and worthwhile observations.
2. Much like Pearl Harbour and 9/11, the full story may never be known, and will only likely be mostly known several years after the event after painstaking sifting and cross-examination of the witnesses and documents. Any comment, even to agree with someone else, would be rushing to judgement (or hasty generalization).
3. My immediate prejudice is to share the blame assignment all around. The idea that some officials and employees at the federal, state and local levels were all guilty of screwing up just suits my view of life. And that all the people in the path of the Hurricane are absolutely blameless seems doubtful to me on general principle. See this for example. Sissies and Yankees indeed!
As for the Confirmation hearings and multiple other items that I do follow but don’t comment on in the blog, I’m not sure but that some variation of the above reasons doesn’t apply. Besides the wealth (not to say surplus) of commentary on politics altogether on the internet, the relative ignorance that we operate in (“I only know what I read in the newspapers” Will Rogers--as rank a confession of indifferentism as one could hope for) should really intimidate we mere mortals from rushing to judgement. (Anyone care to diagram that sentence?)
And politics is the religion of our age. It’s getting to the point that we don’t talk politics unless we’re sure in advance that the people we’re talking to are going to agree with us. This can’t be good for democracy. Vigourous but courteous debate on the many issues of the day are essential to the continued well-being of democracy as a form of government. Since no one can be right all the time, we need each other to continue the search for truth and justice. Otherwise the loudest or cleverest simply take power and we no long govern ourselves.
Which really sounds like an argument to me in favour of talking politics on this blog. Well, I given myself something to think about.
On the minor housekeeping note, I’m now trying to post the blog entries off-line from my computer.
My Reading List
I’m currently still reading Oliver Twist. And next on my list is Ten Days to Destiny, the Battle for Crete 1941, by G.C. Kiriakopoulos. It’s a loaner from my nephew. I’m into history and World War II stories still fascinate me.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Bible Reading #2
A follow-up on my previous meditation. This comes from Zenit:
See Zenit for the full story (I don't have a permalink or permission to re-publish their article.ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome
Code: ZE05091608
Date: 2005-09-16
Benedict XVI Promotes Biblical Meditation
Ancient Practice Could Bring Renewal to Church
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 16, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI believes that the recovery of the practice of "lectio divina," prayerful meditation of Scripture, will bring a "new spiritual springtime" for the Church.
Follow-up
Father Dowd of Waiting in Joyful Hope has a good entry about coping with the illnesses and injuries of others (in the context of his hospital ministry). He argues that
the trick is to not live the emotions of the other person, so much as the Truth behind the emotions of the other person...all emotions either reveal or conceal some kind of truth...live empathetically, without losing yourself in the process, and perhaps even to help the person to themselves live the truth of their own situation.Read the whole thing. It's very interesting.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Kidneys and Courage
My soon-to-be-former career is in dialysis. That's an excellent word describing treatment for kidney failure. Today I got a wrist band for the Kidney Foundations live2share campaign. (I don't know why the site is Albertan. Nothing shows on the BC site, but they are available here.) Given time and motivation, there might be a future blog entry on end-of-life and brain-death issues & ethics. But for now let's focus on the living.
The blogger at Such Small Hands is on Dialysis now. She gives you an insight into the world of kidney failure and dialysis from the patient's perspective from time to time. But her blogging is much wider than that.
The people I see almost every day are dealing with kidney failure, one way or another. I think the wrong approach is to feel sorry for people just because of the cruel blows that fate (if you want to describe God's mysterious providence that way) delivers to them. Giving them respect that encourages them to face life and its unfair challenges is what is called for. And doing that in the sure knowledge that you would probably do a lot worse in coping than they. Mind you, I find humour (note the consciously British spelling there, American cousins) the method of choice; not that it always works or is appropriate. But sometimes bringing a smile to someone's face is a very human thing to do.
So, if you're in Canada, think about buying a wristband. And, wherever you are, pray for the courage to face life's challenges, unfair or not.
The blogger at Such Small Hands is on Dialysis now. She gives you an insight into the world of kidney failure and dialysis from the patient's perspective from time to time. But her blogging is much wider than that.
The people I see almost every day are dealing with kidney failure, one way or another. I think the wrong approach is to feel sorry for people just because of the cruel blows that fate (if you want to describe God's mysterious providence that way) delivers to them. Giving them respect that encourages them to face life and its unfair challenges is what is called for. And doing that in the sure knowledge that you would probably do a lot worse in coping than they. Mind you, I find humour (note the consciously British spelling there, American cousins) the method of choice; not that it always works or is appropriate. But sometimes bringing a smile to someone's face is a very human thing to do.
So, if you're in Canada, think about buying a wristband. And, wherever you are, pray for the courage to face life's challenges, unfair or not.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Peculiar Catholic Practices
An example of which, from a non-Catholic perspective, might be tomorrow's feastday, Our Lady of Sorrows. Thanks to Heart, Mind & Strength for the reminder. An explanation from an old source can be found in the on-line Catholic Encyclopedia. A more recent explanation was given by Father Saunders in the Catholic Herald.
In line with the article theme, our home is now being visited by Our Lady of Fatima (well, a statue representing her). She will stay with us a week, during which we should be praying more intently in honour of her presence. We have a particular devotion to her, having been blessed in troubled times in the recent past. But that's another story.
In line with the article theme, our home is now being visited by Our Lady of Fatima (well, a statue representing her). She will stay with us a week, during which we should be praying more intently in honour of her presence. We have a particular devotion to her, having been blessed in troubled times in the recent past. But that's another story.
Jehovah's Witnessses Taking the Fifth?
Saw this on Mere Comments: the JW's are taking a website to court to stop it publishing their own material. Apparently the theme of the website was on failed prophesies, doctrinal contradictions and silly medical advice.
I tried to engage a JW in an email debate a few years ago. Neither of us really scored a knockout blow. I was too busy trying to make my point rather than focus on his reasoning and evidence. The wife (without the head-dress) takes exception to talking to them at the door. I can't say that I blame her, but in my heart of hearts I'm an arguer and would love to invite them in for tea and Bible verses.
Mere Comments credits this story to Amy Welborn's Open Book.
I tried to engage a JW in an email debate a few years ago. Neither of us really scored a knockout blow. I was too busy trying to make my point rather than focus on his reasoning and evidence. The wife (without the head-dress) takes exception to talking to them at the door. I can't say that I blame her, but in my heart of hearts I'm an arguer and would love to invite them in for tea and Bible verses.
Mere Comments credits this story to Amy Welborn's Open Book.
Science and Religion Clash?
Mark Brumley has an interesting post over at Insight Scoop. This looks like more evidence of the short-sighted world-view of those who reject religion and cannot understand what believers (particularly Christians) actually believe and why. There are enough fringe characters to re-inforce their prejudices, but perhaps they can be enlightened by charity and dialogue:
"Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence" 1 Peter 3:15-16 (RSV)
"Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence" 1 Peter 3:15-16 (RSV)
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