My wife and I were traveling. Which gave us an opportunity to participate in Mass at at a small wood-frame country church typical of a rural parish. It had been recently renovated and expanded. including a fresh coat of some pastel, off-white color on all four walls.

This is a photo of a different church, but it shares the same beige interior.

As I knelt, praying after Communion, contemplating the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle; the crucifix hung above it on a vast expanse of identically bland wall rising up to the high peaked ceiling. Something was missing. Plain monochrome interiors may represent the authentic original style of country churches. Perhaps so. But the simplicity of early American churches was more a reflection of scarce resources at the time than of preference. When Catholics have had the means, they have turned to color. As soon as Americans could afford it, they built beautiful, ornate churches, like St. Alphonsus in Baltimore.

Even those gigantic gray structures of the medieval Gothic cathedrals once burst with colors. 

Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens 

They were drained of their vibrancy during the Protestant revolts and the French Revolution, but researchers and restorations are bringing the colors back.

Eastern and Southern churches never lost their colors.

When Christ Consecrated Marriage, He also Consecrated the Feast

Last weekend, our parish celebrated the 25^th anniversary of our pastor’s ordination. We did it in the most Catholic of ways – with celebration of the Mass and with a party.

During the wedding feast at Cana, Christ consecrated Marriage; instituting the first of the seven Sacraments. He also consecrated the wedding feast as something if not sacramental, at least something good and holy. For His first public miracle, Jesus replenished the wine. He used the same power He would use to raise Lazarus from the dead and to restore sight to the blind – to bring wine to a party. I don’t describe the miracle this way to make light of it, but to illustrate how essential feasting and celebration should be to our Catholic life. Christ’s first miracle was at a party. In an almost literal sense, the Christian religion began with a party. His birth was announced with a song. Many of His parables are set at feasts or celebrations. How many times do the Gospels describe Jesus sitting down to eat and drink for a purpose. A book should be written about Jesus’ uses meals and feasts in the Gospels.

The liturgical calendar provides a balance and rhythm that is tuned to our human nature. Singing, dancing, eating, and drinking in a community of friends and family is as old as humanity. People naturally enjoy getting together and celebrating. The Church calendar has a balance of feasts and fasts that imitates the balance of sacrifice and celebration in the life of Christ. Feasts mark the passage of time and changing of the seasons. We express our identities by celebrating local patron saints, Marian feasts, Eucharistic feasts as well as by wearing ashes, fasting, and abstaining.

G.K. Chesterton put it more poetically, “Because a man prayed and fasted on the Northern snows, flowers could be flung at his festival in the Southern cities; and because fanatics drank water on the sands of Syria, men could still drink cider in the orchards of England.” G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy”

Just as important as giving us reasons to celebrate, the Church gives limits and direction to our celebrations – it helps to keep them in bounds, as it were. Without some sort of restraint, our celebrations would quickly turn into self-indulgent excess. Consider what Mardi Gras becomes when it is separated from Lent. Within the Church, we have a wholesome community with whom to celebrate. God created us to enjoy good things. And celebrations are good things. I think they are even more than just good. They are necessary; because they bring people together – a rather important prerequisite to a healthy community. The Church is where we come together to worship God as a community. And feast days give us wholesome reasons to celebrate as a community. The God Who created us to enjoy food and wine and song also gave us rites, rituals, traditions, and a calendar to bound them and direct them at Him, rather than at our selves; making our feasts a form of worship, in a certain sense. To the best of my knowledge, Catholicism is the only religion with blessings for beer.

This is not just a superficial plea for more parties in the parish hall. I think to not publicly express the exuberance of our faith is a lost opportunity to strengthen the parish community and a missed chance to evangelize to those outside of it.

People outside the Church are turned off by what they perceive to be the dolorous life of the faithful—filled with ashes, abstaining and fasting. But they are attracted to the drinking and dancing of Carnival, Mardi Gras, and Fasching. They don’t understand that the feasts and fasts go together. They celebrate the feast and ignore the fasts. Outside of their proper context, the celebrations have deformed into excesses while the fasts have been forgotten. But, in the end, Mardi Gras leaves revelers empty and aching – despair; and leaves them out of the immense joy of the resurrection at Easter. I think a good St. Patrick’s Day party is worth its weight in green beer if it is the crack in the wall that draws a Mardi Gras reveler in to experience the true joy a Christian feels in both the Lenten fast and the Easter feast and maybe exchange his mardi gras beads for some Rosary beads.

If a Christian wants to observe the feast festively, he has few options outside of the pub. Absent a parish event, people looking to have some wholesome green beer on St. Patrick’ Day or wear a silly mask on Mardi Gras or drink champagne on New Year’s Eve must join the pagan feast or not celebrate publicly at all. I say take the celebrations back. Put them in their proper context. Give folks an alternative to Bacchus and Dionysus at the bar with pasta dinners and step dancing in the school gymnasium.

Does this mean that successful priests must add DJ or MC to their responsibilities? Heaven forbid! Of course, if the parochial vicar can swing dance, or the pastor can sing tura lura, they certainly needn’t keep their lights under a bushel.

No, the most vital thing we need from our priests is sound liturgy and teaching. Pastors have the added burden of leadership and responsibility of overseeing administration. The next most important thing, I think, is presence. I know our priests make every effort to be present to the sick, infirm and dying, and I bless them for it. I think they need to be present for the parish community, particularly if it seems sick or infirm. An old Army saying: “The troops do well what the boss checks.” “Actions speak louder than words.” Leaders express what is important to them through their time and attention. And the most basic action, if our priests want our community to be close-knit is their presence. They probably don’t realize – and the most humble of them realize least of all – that their mere presence at a parish gathering sends a clear message that the event – and the people there – are important. No singing, dancing, or rapping required. It was enough for Christ to be at the wedding at Cana for Him to sanctify marriage. It was His presence that enabled His first public miracle.

But in order for our priest to be there; there must be a place to be. And they cannot be everywhere. That’s where we come in. Christ is the mystical head of the Church. Our pastor is the material head. Heads need hands, arms, legs, and sometimes strong backs to actually put on the feasts. And butts in chairs and on dance floors to actually begin to form a community for our priests to support with their presence. I know I’ve gotten lazy (I would say “busy”) about participating in the parish events that we do have. But I also believe that if I’m going to exhort my fellow parishioners to help our priests form the tight knit community we will need to be to attract others and to weather the coming storms and to help each other in our journey to God, I need to practice what I preach.

See you at the next fish fry!

Catholicism is a joyful faith. “we should thank God

for beer and Burgundy by not drinking too much of them.” - Orthodoxy

Notes on the Schismatic Episcopalians

Recently the Archbishop of Canterbury held a meeting of primates. The outcome surprised me just a little. He seems to have given the African bishops more consideration than the Moderns in North America expected. In typical Anglican style, he managed to water things down to half-measures. I just expected them to go half-way to the Episcopal position, rather than the orthodox position.

http://www.anglican.ink/article/inside-canterbury-primates-gathering

But was unsurprising was the purple prose of the response of the lavender leadership of the American church. In fact, Fr. Longenecker pegged it precisely:

Seven Ways the Episcopalians Will React to Suspension

1. Sentimentalism

2. False Martyrdom

3. Pride

4. Self Righteousness 

5. Propaganda 

6. Counter Attack

7. Schism 

Same playbook as the Nuns on the Bus.

Proud Episcopalians Defiant

Didn’t take long for his predictions to come true. I really think trading ACNA for the Episcopal Church would be a great deal for the Anglican Communion. But if that doesn't work out, the Tiber is fine, folks dive in. We'll keep the Light on for you.

As an aside, if the Episcopal Church separates from Anglicanism and ACNA re-unites, what does that do to property disputes between the EC and breakaway churches in the US?

"Truth, What is truth?

Chop-Shop Pads “their Bottom Line”

Conservatively, Planned Parenthood could be taking in between $5,897,754 and $22,935,710 annually from selling aborted babies’ body parts.

Not quite the half billion dollars they get in taxpayer money, but that'll buy a couple Lamborghini's.

Parts ain't parts when they are babies' hearts.

2/3 of Americans Favor Taxpayer Bailout for Abortion Business Selling Murdered Baby Parts. Really?

By: Matthew Clark (Diary)  |  September 29th, 2015 

No. Not really. But the deceit is useful for them, so it is propagated.

As are other lies. And when liars lie, they use statistics.

WaPo: Three Pinocchios for Planned Parenthood’s “3 Percent” Abortion Lie

Planned Parenthood is “misleading,” “using meaningless and incomplete comparisons to make their argument, and the public should wary . . . .”

By: Matthew Clark (Diary)  |  August 12th, 2015 

But the lie continues to circulate where it is useful and the audience is ignorant. Like Congress, for example.

Stand Fast Thou' the Wall is Breached!

From USA Today a few days ago:

Obama: Don't use religion to deny constitutional rights

The Oval

David Jackson, USA TODAY 7:21 a.m. EDT September 28, 2015

President Obama says he respects religious liberty, but it cannot be used to deny marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who are entitled to them.

"We affirm that we cherish our religious freedom and are profoundly respectful of religious traditions," Obama said at a Democratic National Committee LGBT gala Sunday in New York City.

"But," he added, "we also have to say clearly that our religious freedom doesn't grant us the freedom to deny our fellow Americans their constitutional rights."

Obama appeared to reference the case of Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue gay marriage licenses, saying it violated her faith.

A federal judge had Davis jailed for several days because of her actions in defiance of the June decision by the Supreme Court sanctioning same-sex unions.

In his remarks Sunday to donors, Obama said gay marriage supporters should understand that the change "has been a whirlwind" for many Americans, and that there remains some "unease." The president said, "it's important for us to recognize that there are still parts of the country that are getting there, but it's going to take some time."

But that doesn't mean people can use religion to deny people their rights, Obama added -- and political candidates shouldn't encourage them.

"Even as we are respectful and accommodating genuine concerns and interests of religious institutions, we need to reject politicians who are supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes," Obama said. "That's not how we move America forward."

Oh Lord, this makes my head hurt. Do you see? Religious Freedom isn't considered a constitutional right by these people, but gay marriage and abortion are. How do you even relate to someone so disconnected from reality?

And this is rich. Didn't he say, back in 2009, something about unifying the country and not being the president of this part or that part but of the whole country?

Except for those "parts of the country" who aren't with the program yet. And there is no alternative but to get on the Progressive bus. There is no room for deviation from the received truth of the Progressive Gnostics. "there are still parts of the country that are getting there," "there." Obama cannot conceive of valid opposing views.

Tolerance of opposing views to him means shutting down bakeries and bankrupting families simply because their faith conflicts with his vision. "it's going to take some time." he says.

Well, times up for Aaron and Melissa Klein 

The First Amendment, according to Obama, reads: "The Federal bureaucracy shall be respectful and accommodating to the genuine concerns and interests of religious institutions."

A little bit different from James Madison's version, to be sure. And wholly disconnected with the actual life of faith to which a truly religious person attempts to live.

Oh, and by the way, we do need to reject politicians who are supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes. Politicians like him and almost every other Democrat who voted for the Affordable Care Act. The law that empowered the Secretary of HHS to force religious organizations, including the Little Sisters of the Poor, to pay for abortions and contraceptives. The people who supported SSM and are cheering; as religious people, colleges, and other organizations are buffeted with legal challenges for trying to live and work according to their faith.

I'm sure he is hopeful that his party will continue in power until the Catholic Church, the Baptist Convention, faithful Christians, and those other 'parts of the country' 'get there' or are crushed.

Thefederalist.com carried an opinion piece that is worth a read.

Taxing Churches Would Marry Church And State

"Saying government can tax religious organizations affirms the sovereignty of state over church."

Obama said that religious faith shouldn’t trump civil rights. He has it upside down, of course. But I doubt if he could see it any other way. He already assumes, I’m sure – as does Niose and others – that the state is sovereign over everything within its unlimited purview, including churches.

Beginning to feel like the Great Siege of Malta

Which was fought against overwhelming odds, but with faith in God.

But which the Christians ultimately prevailed, by God's grace.

Beginning to feel like the Siege of Malta

thefederalist.com carried an opinion piece that is worth a read.

Taxing Churches Would Marry Church And State

Saying government can tax religious organizations affirms the sovereignty of state over church.

Well, see Obama below, where he says religious faith shouldn’t trump civil rights. He has it upside down, of course, but I doubt he could see it any other way. He already assumes, I’m sure – as does Niose and others – that the state is sovereign over all within its unlimited purview, including churches.

Beginning to feel like the Great Siege of Malta

Which was fought against overwhelming odds, but with faith in God

But which the Christians ultimately prevailed, by God's grace.

Some Animals are More Equal than Others

From USA Today a few days ago:

Obama: Don't use religion to deny constitutional rights

 The Oval 
David Jackson, USA TODAY 7:21 a.m. EDT September 28, 2015

President Obama says he respects religious liberty, but it cannot be used to deny marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who are entitled to them.

"We affirm that we cherish our religious freedom and are profoundly respectful of religious traditions," Obama said at a Democratic National Committee LGBT gala Sunday in New York City.

"But," he added, "we also have to say clearly that our religious freedom doesn't grant us the freedom to deny our fellow Americans their constitutional rights."

Obama appeared to reference the case of Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue gay marriage licenses, saying it violated her faith.

A federal judge had Davis jailed for several days because of her actions in defiance of the June decision by the Supreme Court sanctioning same-sex unions.

In his remarks Sunday to donors, Obama said gay marriage supporters should understand that the change "has been a whirlwind" for many Americans, and that there remains some "unease." The president said, "it's important for us to recognize that there are still parts of the country that are getting there, but it's going to take some time."

But that doesn't mean people can use religion to deny people their rights, Obama added -- and political candidates shouldn't encourage them.

"Even as we are respectful and accommodating genuine concerns and interests of religious institutions, we need to reject politicians who are supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes," Obama said. "That's not how we move America forward."

Oh Lord, this makes my head hurt. Do you see? Religious Freedom isn't considered a constitutional right by these people, but gay marriage and abortion are. How do you even relate to someone so disconnected with objective reality?

And this is rich. Didn't he say, back in 2009, something about unifying the country and not being the president of this part or that part but of the whole country?

Except for those "parts of the country" who aren't with the program yet. And there is no alternative but to get on the Progressive bus. There is no room for deviation from the received truth of the Progressive Gnostics. "there are still parts of the country that are getting there," "there" there is only one place to get to,

Tolerance of opposing views to him means, not shutting down bakeries and bankrupting families simply because their faith conflicts with his vision. "it's going to take some time." he says.
Well, times up for Aaron and Melissa Klein 

The First Amendment, according to Obama reads, "The Federal bureaucracy shall be respectful and accommodating to the genuine concerns and interests of religious institutions."
A little bit different from James Madison's version, to be sure. And wholly disconnected with the actual life of faith to which a truly religious person attempts to live.

Oh, and by the way, we do need to reject politicians who are supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes. Like him and almost every other Democratic politician who voted for the Affordable Care Act, which directed the Secretary of HHS to force religious organizations, including the Little Sisters of the Poor to pay for abortions and contraceptives; who supported SSM and are cheering as religious people, colleges and other organizations are buffeted with legal challenges for trying to live and work according to their faith.

I'm sure he is hopeful that his party will continue in power until the Catholic Church, the Baptist Convention, faithful Christians and those other 'parts of the country' 'get there' or are crushed. 

The Mule

The mule may dream

Of far flung fields of clover 

But he does not quit his furrow

Until the plowing's over. 

More Famous Than the Beatles?

Stephen Colbert to Pope Francis: We can’t fix wealth inequality until we get money out of politics

BETHANIA PALMA MARKUS

Rawstory.com featured an interview with Stephen Colbert on the eve of Pope Francis' visit to the United States. I have a few comments on it.

interviewer Sebastian Gomes called Colbert “the most famous Catholic in America.” Colbert handled it well, replying, “Sure, I’ll tell Timothy Dolan you said so.” 

He probably is with the same demographic who considered John Stewart the most trusted newsman in America. Oy!

And again, for the Jon Stewart generation, they've learned that 'the personal is political, so of course the most important thing to as a public Catholic is about the US politics surrounding the pope's visit.

“Gomes asked Colbert what he thinks the message is that Congress most needs to hear when Pope Francis addresses a joint session.

“The corrupting influence of money in politics because it reinforces not looking out for the poorest or the least of my brothers,” Colbert responded. “I think that’s the one they need to hear the most because until you can control the money you won’t control the message of Congress, and so you won’t get action from Congress that looks out for average people.”

True enough. But overturning Citizens United or trying to create some sort of campaign financing scheme or a limit to what can be spent on politics in order to solve the influence problem is a fool’s errand. That sort of War on Money in Politics has as much chance of success as the War on Drugs has had. Let’s take a quick look at where the big money is in Washington:

From Opensecrets.org:

House

Financial activity for all House candidates, 2013-2014

Democrats: $450,776,626

Republicans: $585,606,851

Senate

Financial activity for all Senate candidates, 2013-2014

Democrats: $285,218,602

Republicans: $315,898,295

That adds up to: $1,637,500,374

In 2013-2014, the Congress spent about $7,000,000,000,000

Which is 4275 times as much as lobbyists spent on Congress.

Get Congress out of the big money and you will get the big money out of Congress.

He also discussed the need to prevent religion from being associated with a political party.

“It’s perceived of in the United States that the right is the more Christian party,” Colbert said. “But in any given election, if the right doesn’t do well, well did Christ not do well? You’ve poured that infection of competition into the eternal world of the Gospel.”

I’ve only watched to the 2:00 mark, but this is another opportunity to wonder if Stephen has a problem with the Episcopal Church or the Church of Christ who seem more concerned with supporting the most popular current cultural fads and Left wing politics than they are about God.

Thinking and speaking clearly

A Kind of, Sort of Eulogy for the Declarative Sentence

Speak, Dammit!

Say what you mean. Clearly and concisely. My personal pet peeve at the moment is using "feel" in lieu of "think"; as in "I feel like that's sky blue."

We are still allowed to think, to admit that we do think, and say what we think. Telling someone what you sort of feel really doesn't provide any particularly useful information. "I sort of feel like that paint is sky blue." How about 'that paint is sky blue.'?

20 cognitive biases that screw up your decisions

Think, Dammit!

And then speak clearly.

Perspective…

Pope wears cross of slain Iraqi priest

Back to the Future with the new Know Nothing Party

A country without churches

By Dominic Bouck September 18

Dominic Bouck, O.P., is a Dominican brother of the Province of St. Joseph.

That the WaPo is even hosting an extended discussion of the question of tax exemption for churches is an indication that the church exemption's days are numbered - at least for denominations that don't toe the line.

"After the Obergefell decision, Time magazine writer Mark Oppenheimer was quick to declare that the state should “abolish, or greatly diminish” property tax exemptions for churches that “dissent from settled public policy on matters of race or sexuality.”

"Punishing “dissent” seems a strange new role for the American government. In the mid-twentieth century, the Catholic church was a leading advocate against anti-miscegenation laws. The church was able to take a stand contrary to the state on marriage and not be penalized for it, a position now almost unquestionably supported by Americans. And despite the confidence of those like Oppenheimer, the dissenters aren’t even a minority in the more recent marriage controversy. Most Americans favor religious liberty, and a plurality oppose Obergefell."

Even that relatively meek and respectful opposition is unacceptable to Oppenheimer and the new Know Nothings who cannot have any power outside of their control.

"By prohibiting faith-based conscientious objection, institutions will be limited in their ability to speak independently without fear of punishment, and some of the largest charities in America will be shuttered."

Again, the loss of the charitable contributions of church-based organizations, like Catholic Charities and Catholic non-profit hospitals and Catholic schools in poor neighborhoods, isn't as important to Oppenheimer and his ilk as silencing any voices of conscientious objection to the Progressive project and the all powerful state that will enforce its diktat.

Seamless but faded garment of life

Chicago archdiocese appoints Commonwealeditor as new director of media

By Mary Rezac

"Gallicho is a Chicago native and currently serves as an associate editor of Commonweal, an independent, lay-run Catholic journal. He has also been published in America, the National Catholic Reporter, The Tablet, El Ciervo, Religion Dispatches, Religion News Service, The New York Observer, The New York Times, and elsewhere."

Uh oh. Those aren’t on my go-to list for orthodox Catholic news and commentary.

"Since his appointment to the Chicago archdiocese, Archbishop Cupich has taken steps to distance himself from Cardinal George, and to instead align himself with Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who preceded Cardinal George as leader of the third-largest archdiocese in the nation.

"For example, in an August column on the Planned Parenthood videos released by the Center for Medical Progress, Archbishop Cupich referred to the “consistent ethic of life,” a phrase coined by Cardinal Bernardin and popularly known as the “seamless garment” understanding of faith's role in the public square."

“While commerce in the remains of defenseless children is particularly repulsive, we should be no less appalled by the indifference toward the thousands of people who die daily for lack of decent medical care; who are denied rights by a broken immigration system and by racism; who suffer in hunger, joblessness and want; who pay the price of violence in gun-saturated neighborhoods; or who are executed by the state in the name of justice.”

Hard to accept a ‘but.... monkey’, even from an archbishop.

Flesh Markets

http://www.lifenews.com/2015/09/18/house-votes-to-de-fund-planned-parenthood-after-it-sells-body-parts-from-aborted-babies/

House Votes to De-Fund Planned Parenthood After it Sells Body Parts From Aborted Babies

Steven Ertelt

So, the Democrats are nearly unanimous in their defense of commerce in baby body parts.

Pure Wind

US government says it will now use the term 'sexual rights'

By CARA ANNA

Associated Press

See: George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language”

http://georgeorwellnovels.com/essays/politics-and-the-english-language/

From which I provide excerpts here for your convenience:

A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.

In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible. Things like the continuance of British rule in India, the Russian purges and deportations, the dropping of the atom bombs on Japan, can indeed be defended, but only by arguments which are too brutal for most people to face, and which do not square with the professed aims of political parties. Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness.

But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. A bad usage can spread by tradition and imitation, even among people who should and do know better. The debased language that I have been discussing is in some ways very convenient.

Political language — and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists — is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

I put together these stories and comments before Pope Francis arrived in the US. Unfortunately, I progcrastinated

I put together these stories and comments before Pope Francis arrived in the US. Unfortunately, I progcrastinated, and missed my chance to appear smart to all of my readers (me).

But, here they are anyway, because that's just the way my brain works. And now, with the prescience of hind-sight, I can comment on how the press really screwed this up. But I recommend you read the Get Religion blog, or maybe Media Research Center. They do this for a living and know what they are talking about. I talk to myself over the internet.

Obama's queer guest list. It seems now, after the fact, to have been a tempest in a teacup about nothing. I suppose the fringe groups represented by the radicals who were invited – and the red-meat conservative commentators who decried the invites – go 15 minutes of fame. Other than that, a big fizzle. Did anyone expect a knock-down drag-out between a drag queen and a sister or a pontificating pufter and a bishop? Never going to happen. And it didn't this time.

17 Sep 15

White House Invites Several Opponents of Catholic Teaching to Greet Pope Francis

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/09/16/white-house-invites-trio-catholic-dissenters-greet-pope-francis/

“In a stunning show of political indecorum, Obama has invited a series of individuals who publicly flout Catholic teaching, including a pro-abortion religious sister, a transgender woman and the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, along with at least two Catholic gay activists.”

Gays, Transgenders, 'Nun on the Bus' Invited to White House Pope Francis Reception

By Mark Judge

http://www.cnsnews.com/blog/mark-judge/gays-transgenders-nun-bus-invited-white-house-pope-francis-reception

"A few months ago I received an invitation from the White House to attend the reception for Pope Francis," Taylor told CNS News. "I was told I could bring several friends with me." Taylor chose five additional people to go with him. He would also "rather not say" which White House staffer made the offer. “I’m very happy to meet my brother in Christ, Pope Francis,” he said. “I’m glad we can bring some LGBT representation to the event.”

“Additionally there is Sister Simone Campbell, the Executive Director of NETWORK, which describes itself as “a national Catholic social justice lobby.” Sister Campbell is attending two events – the White House reception and Pope Francis’ address to Congress September 24. In 2010 Campbell wrote a letter in support of health care reform, otherwise known as Obamacare. In 2012 she helped organize the “Nuns on the Bus” a tour by Catholic nuns to protest the budget of then-Republican Senator Paul Ryan. When asked her opinion about making abortion illegal at the time, Campbell replied, "That's beyond my pay grade. I don't know." She is the author of the book "A Nun on the Bus: How All of Us Can Create Hope, Change, and Community."

Sister Campbell’s invitation to the events came from Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

GLAAD set to join LGBT Catholic leaders at White House reception for Pope Francis

http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-set-join-lgbt-catholic-leaders-white-house-reception-pope-francis

By Ross Murray

“The White House has extended an invitation for GLAAD and LGBT Catholic leaders to attend the White House reception for Pope Francis. GLAAD's CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis and Director of Programs Ross Murray will be representing the organization at the ceremony which will welcome Pope Francis before he and President Obama meet privately.

“GLAAD used the invitation to invite Nicholas Coppola, who wrote a Change.org petition asking Pope Francis to meet with LGBT Catholics during his upcoming visit to the U.S. GLAAD worked with Nicholas, a devoted Catholic, out gay man, and prolific LGBT advocate’

“Also joining Ross and Nicholas, will be Sister Jeannine Gramick, the co-founder, and Francis DeBernardo, the executive director of New Ways Ministry, a ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics, and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities. Jeannine and Francis were two of 28 leaders of Catholic, Latino, and LGBT organizations that signed and sent a letter to the Pope urging him to meet with LGBT Catholics.”

Pope Francis, I'd like you to meet a pro-choice nun, a gay bishop and a transgender woman - the very eclectic guests at White House reception next week

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3238538/Pope-Francis-d-like-meet-pro-choice-nun-gay-bishop-transgender-woman-eclectic-guests-White-house-reception-week.html#ixzz3m0w82i7W

Obamas to Host Pope Francis at White House Sept. 23

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2015/03/26/obamas-to-host-pope-francis-at-white-house-sept-23/

March 26, 2015 10:46 AM

So, they’ve been planning this for a while. One of the articles noted that about 1000 people were invited to the reception. I can’t wait to see the demographics of the attendees. I’m guessing Fr. Pavone wasn’t invited. Barbara Boxer invited one of the heretical sisters, so maybe some number of invites are provided to congress people. So we’ll see.

https://investmentwatchblog.com/the-white-house-guest-list-for-pope-francis-visit-its-a-doozey-sounds-like-an-invitation-from-herod-and-the-roman-empire/

Or Sodom, perhaps.

Avoid the Spin During Pope’s Visit

Bishop Paprocki, Al Kresta and Teresa Tomeo weigh in.

http://www.pattimaguirearmstrong.com/2015/09/avoid-spin-during-popes-visit.html

We all could have done well by taking this advice. Avoid the spin. The pope spoke several times and his own words are available readily on line. I've read what he said to Congress, and lo, he didn't stick to liberal or conservative talking points. He preached the Gospel and the unchanging Catholic faith.

https://howthehelldidienduphere.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/pope-gop-and-dems-john-cole-the-scranton-times-tribune.jpg

These comments from a non-Catholic, politically liberal blogger give some idea, I think, of what the pope intended in his visit and shed light on his entire pastoral approach.

https://howthehelldidienduphere.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/welcome-pope-francis/

“I am discovering that there are some things I agree with the Pope on (income inequality, immigration, climate change, and poverty issues) and many things I do not (his opposition to same-sex marriage, women priests, married priests, divorce, birth control and abortion in extenuating circumstances).  But I think the reason I’m drawn to him is because of his love for humanity, his humility, his compassion, and his acts of forgiveness.  And I love his kindness.  I like that he is trying to emulate the life of Christ, and even though we don’t agree on some things, at least we can met on the human ground of love, humility, compassion, and forgiveness.  Just think how much better the world would be if we all could start there.  Maybe he will help us. Welcome to America, Pope Francis! “

This is my favorite Pope Francis visit cartoon so far:

https://apprentice2jesus.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/pope-and-jesus.jpg

Beautiful Women

Down teen and bionic model walk at NY fashion week

The commentators on this article point out, cynically but no doubt astutely, that the inclusion of these young women, one with Downs Syndrome and the other with a prosthetic limb, is almost certainly a cynical publicity stunt. I become increasingly unable to underestimate the depths to which the human soul can descend.

But the women themselves, Madeline Stuart and Rebekah Marine are extremely positive about themselves. They see their participation on the runway at NY Fashion Week as a great opportunity for themselves and for others who don't fit the typical mold. Good for them.

And perhaps, the presence of two good souls will do some good for the jaded souls pervading the fashion industry. For instance, can there be any doubt that nearly 100% of the NY fashion show participants would agree with the statement: a woman should obtain an abortion if a pre-natal diagnosis indicated her fetus would be born with Downs or with a deformed limb.

Will they still feel that way after getting to know these two outstanding women?

....and I'm HAPPY!!!!

From the Daily Caller:

Study Finds Happiest Parents Have Four or More Kids

Leah Jessen

Proof that God exists and the Bible is true:

Dr. Bronwyn Harman, of the psychology and social science school at Australia’s Edith Cowan University, spent five years studying what types of families are most content. 

“Her research points out that parental happiness relates to how much effort has been put into growing the family.

 "“What is important for kids are things like consistency, boundaries and [to] know that they are loved, no matter what,” Harman tells ABC Australia.

 "Prior to the study, Harman thought parents with more children would be less happy.

 Though larger families may have more chaos and expenses than a smaller family, Harman’s research shows that these issues are balanced by the amount of joy received from having more children.

 "Her findings show that children who grow up in large families learn independence at a young age and always have someone to play with.”

Completely counter-intuitive. Entirely at odds with the modern, Western way of thinking and behaving. But, empirically true to those of us who have had the blessings of large families.

And completely in line with Scripture and true human nature.

Psalm 127:3 Fatherhood itself is the Lord’s gift, the fruitful womb is a reward that comes from him.4 Crown of thy youth, children are like arrows in a warrior’s hand. 5 Happy, whose quiver is well filled with these; their cause will not be set aside when they plead against their enemies at the gate. 

A Little Consistency? nah!

Australian bar sparks outrage after using naked women as fruit platters

Kim Kardashian could not be reached for comment…

Nor could the owners or patrons of Hooters, Twin Peaks, Tilted Kilt restaurants, or the numerous strip clubs around the country. The state of Nevada also had no comment. The editors of Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Maxim, Esquire, Elle, and Playboy have not returned calls to them.

I don’t think the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal is the right location for that sort of establishment, I don't think any public place is. But I can't seem to put my finger on why the objectification of women at a bar in the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal should spark outrage and the many other instances of objectification of women, from Sex Week at Yale to the red carpet at the Academy Awards receive not a peep.

Maybe it isn't about women...

Reasonable Discussion?

Is a reasonable discussion even possible with people who cannot see what is wrong with Planned Parenthood as an organization, or more broadly, how PP is a concrete example of how dealing in the deaths of innocents coarsens moral sensibilities. How can you explain how wrong all of this is when they have lost any concept of what the word actually means?

It may be piling on references to cite 2 articles about the same event, but the more I see about the trafficking in human body parts, the less I can stomach the arguments thrown up by its abettors.

Organ Buyer: Happiness is ‘Another 

50 Livers a Week’

Stem Express founder keeps autographed Hillary photo on her desk

PlannedParenthood Baby Parts Buyer Laughs About Shipping Severed Heads

Ross Douthat has a regular blog article in the New York Times. Affirmative Action hire, maybe. In any case, he posted an outstanding response to the typical Pro-Abortion questions. The comments to the article were saddening. Few, if any of them,  addressed his arguments directly. Most are tired cliches.

But, again, how can they defend ghouls who find 'happiness is "another 50 livers a week"'? Or who laughs about shipping severed heads? Where is their humanity?