Charmingly Irascible, I would say...



Saint Jerome is praying for you! To learn more
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Saint Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com


Which Saint Would You Be?
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Archbishop To Faithful Catholics: Go Away and Shut Up!

As Mark Shea pointed out earlier today on his blog, the Archbishop of St. Paul, Harry Flynn, has recently demonstrated the pastoral solicitude, evidence of conversion, and concern for the integrity of the Faith that so notably characterizes our shepherds in the post-Dallas phase of the Catholic "renaissance" in the U.S.

A group of concerned Catholics wrote a letter to Abp. Flynn to bring to his attention, and ask him to address, a number of serious problems and abuses in the Archdiocese, such as the activities of a group called "Inclusive Catholics" that thumbs it's nose at Catholic moral teaching, and the ongoing depredations of the Flock of Christ at St. Joan of Arc Parish (The Parish Built on Human Pride). The letter is pointed but respectful in asking the bishop why he has not acted concerning these matters.

For their trouble, the Archbishop responded, in effect, by telling them to shut up:

From now on I am sending to you all the letters which assault my office because of communications which you have made...

I would ask further that you not call and ask for an appointment concerning this.

With good wishes, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, D.D.
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

The letter is a masterpiece of peremptory and dismissive arrogance.

Compare the Archbishop's whining ("it's not fair") and self-aggrandizing ("I'm the Archbishop...") response to Catholic Parents Online with the dulcet tones he adopts in dealing with the Apostate-In-Everything-But-Name "progressives" at St. Joan's:

I have received your letter of April 18, 2003 in which you stated that my decision to cancel Dr. Mel White speaking at the Masses at St. Joan of Arc has caused much pain and sadness among your entire community. I would like to say that it has caused me much pain and much sadness but, perhaps, for different reasons.

I would very much like to meet with the Parish Council of St. Joan of Arc. Present at that meeting will be Bishop Pates, Bishop Campbell, Father McDonough and Sister Dominica. There are some other issues, which I would like to discuss.

Now, in fairness to Abp. Flynn, he did do the right thing in cancelling the aforementioned Dr. White. But in doing so, he bent over backwards to treat St. Joan's with kid gloves, and gave them the opportunity to be heard. But, when St. Joan's and other parishes, and the "Inclusive Catholics" continue to thumb their nose at Church teaching and his authority, and Catholic Parents Online point that out, he has no time for them, and literally will not listen.

What accounts for such behavior? The Archbishop says he chooses "to influence in a different manner then you and many of the people who would write to me." How is supine inactivity any influence at all?

When will our shepherds learn their office?

Today Is the Solemnity of The Annunciation



The Annunciation
Fra Angelico, c. 1430
Prado Altarpiece

At this day's Mass, we are to genuflect during the Creed, at the words "he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man." Bending our knee, we pay homage to the Son, who condescended to become one of us for our salvation.

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
Xporta manes, et stella maris, sucurre cadenti,
surgere qui curat populo: tu quae genuisti,
natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem,
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.
You can hear a sample of the ancient Gregorian Chant of this antiphon here ( ".au" file). Or you can listen to a sample of John Dunstable's (c. 1370-1453) polyphonic setting here (RealAudio file).

The Truth About "Goddess" Theology

Words of wisdom today from Kathy the Carmelite at Gospel Minefield. "Goddess Worship" and all the other Mists of Avalon and DaVinci Code nonsense are just "the whole Eve deception all over again", or:

The only hope women have of ever being treated like humans and not objects is in the Kingdom of God...

Women, who will you serve? Will you serve God, or will you serve Man? Because, in reality, those are the only options.

Mark Shea and Me Lead The First St. Blog's Pilgrimage

Mark Shea and I will be leading a Pilgrimage this September to Lourdes and the Shrines of France!

Mark Windsor at Vociferous Yawpings will be our gracious pilgrimage director.

Here is a summary itinerary:

2004 Pilgrimage to Lourdes and the Shrines of France

Hosts:

Fr. Rob Johansen (Thrown Back), Mark Shea (Catholic And Enjoying It)

Trip Coordinator: Mark Windsor (Vociferous Yawpings)


Departs September 21, 2004 and returns to on September 29, 2004. This is a 9 day, 7 night trip to France with scheduled visits at Lourdes, Paris, Chartres, and Lisieux. Each day we will celebrate mass at some of the most significant shrines and cathedrals in Europe.

The trip includes:

* Mass celebrated daily
* Breakfast daily
* Dinners as noted below (no lunches are included)
* Hotel accommodations, tax and VAT
* Small group; minimum 20 passengers, maximum 30
* Baggage transfer (1 bag per person)
* Services of a professional and fully licensed tour manager
* Motorcoach service throughout
* Paris Metro tickets
* All prearranged entry fees (there are some optional tours that travelers may choose to take at additional cost)
* Roundtrip 2nd class TGV rail service between Paris and Lourdes


Tour Costs

* For 20-29 passengers the fare is $2215 per person, based on double occupancy
* For 30 passengers, the fare drops to $1978 per person, based on double occupancy
* Deposit for the land portion of the trip is $200 per person due at the time of booking. This deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days before departure; 50% refundable 89-45 days before departure; nonrefundable within 45 days of departure.

Airline Tickets

* Roundtrip airfare available on American Airlines at additional cost. Air costs vary based on departure city. Space is EXTREMELY limited, so book early!
* Deposit for the air portion of the trip is $100 per person due at the time of booking. This deposit is fully refundable 120 days before departure. Deposit is nonrefundable within 120 days of departure.


Itinerary:

Day 1 - Sept 21 - Tuesday
Depart US

Day 2 - Sept 22 - Wednesday - Paris & Lourdes

Arrive Paris DeGaulle airport
TGV rail service from Paris to Lourdes

Day 3 - Sept 23 - Thursday - Lourdes

Mass at the grotto in Lourdes
Half day guided tour of Lourdes
Visit to the sanctuaries of Lourdes

Day 4 - Sept 24 - Friday - Lourdes & Paris

Half day orientation tour of Paris
Visit to Chapelle de la Medaille Miraculeuse (St. Catherine)

Day 5 - Sept 25 - Saturday - Paris & Chartres

Morning mass at Sacre Coeur or Shrine of the Miraculous Medal
Visit to Chartres Cathedral
N.B. This is also my birthday!

Day 6 - Sept 26 - Sunday - Chartres & Lisieux

Morning Gregorian Mass at Chartres Cathedral, Visit to the Chapelle du Sainte Therese

Transfer to Caen by motorcoach

Visit Normandy D-Day landing beaches and American Cemetery

Day 7 - Sept 27 - Monday - Lisieux & Paris

Day 8 - Sept 28 - Tuesday - Paris

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral - guided tour if no mass scheduled
Farewell dinner at hotel

Day 9 Return air to the US Wednesday Sept 29


For more details go to Mark Windsor's announcement, or e-mail him at yawper1 [at] comcast.net

This is looking like a great trip. I hope you can come!

I Never Thought of Myself As Being "Cool"




Magister Mundi sum!

"I am the Master of the Universe!"
You are full of yourself, but you're so cool you
probably deserve to be. Rock on.


Which Weird Latin Phrase Are You?
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I've never posted my results for one of these things before, but since this one is Latin, I had to make an exception.