"Lord, do not stay away; come quickly to help me! I am a worm and no man: men scorn me, people despise me" (Psalm 21:20, 7).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint John at the Latin Gate :

Dedicated to the beloved disciple of Jesus, this church stands as the most ancient and venerable monument of Saint John the Evangelist’s sojourn in Rome. It is perhaps the most picturesque of the old Roman churches. The enormous conifer which shades the antique well standing in the forecourt, plus the classical columns which support the medieval portico, and the superb twelfth-century campanile, add up to an extraordinarily beautiful scene. The church was originally reconstructed by Celestine III in 1191; subsequently, it was restored several times more. The care of the church has changed hands many times as well. It has belonged to the Lateran Chapter, the Augustinians, the Confraternity of San Petronio di Bologna, the Mercedaen Scalzi, and the Minimi di San Francesco da Paola (who were driven out by the French in 1798). The State took over part of the buildings in 1873, and in the same year the Franciscan Tertiaries of Albi took charge until malaria drove them away. Then came the Blue Sisters (the Sisters of Santissima Annunziata) who enclosed themselves in the convent. Meanwhile, the whole area was cleared of swamp, improved, and became a residual quarter. Finally in 1937 the church and the buildings attached to it were entrusted to the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) who have carried out much restoration work. [source]

Today's Readings: Ezekiel 37:21-28; Jer 31 (Ps); John 11:45-56
Liturgy of the Hours: Week I

History: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux preaches his famous sermon calling for a second crusade (1146); Births of Pope Pius IV (1499) and Pope Benedict XIV (1675).

Of Note: Cardinal Somalo, the Camerlengo whose job it is to lead much of what goes on at the Vatican during a papal interregnum, turns 80 years old today, and thus becomes ineligible to vote in the next papal conclave.

Tomorrow is the beginning of Holy Week and also World Youth Day. You can read the message of the Holy Father here.

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress; rescue me from the hands of my enemies. Lord, keep me from shame, for I have called to you" (Ps 30:10, 16, 18).


Today's Stational Church is that of Santo Stefano Rotondo :

Just a short distance from the colleta church or gathering place of Saints John and Paul on the Coelian Hill, this Lenten station takes us back to a sacred area which still preserves its aura of mystery. The site was sacred to the pagans because of the black rock of the Magna Mater on the nearby Palatine, an area upon which “profane” outsiders were forbidden to set foot. Later, the site had a large army barracks with an ancient pagan sanctuary to Mithras, a popular deity among soldiers. Today, the site is sacred to Christians who venerate it as the place which gave martyrdom and glory to saints. The 5th century church of Santo Stefano Celimontana, or Santo Stefano Rotondo, may be the oldest of the round Roman churches with the central altar. Originally it held the relics of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, whose relics had been discovered in the Holy Land in 415, but it was later rededicated to St. Stefan, King of Hungary. Because of its original connection to the Holy Land, the church was modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – their circumferences and diameters are almost identical. [source]

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18; John 10:31-42
Liturgy of the Hours: Week I

History: Thomas Cranmer becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury (1533); Birth of Maimonides (1135).

Quote of the Day: “Trust God and do not worry, for you will be victorious.” - Saint Paul of the Cross

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Christ is the mediator of the new covenant so that since he has died, those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance promised to them" (Hebrews 9:15).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Apollinaris:

Saint Apollinaris was the first bishop of Ravenna and its only known martyr. Tradition says that he was born in Antioch, became a disciple of Saint Peter, and was made bishop of Ravenna by him.

The church was once a collegiate one, but Julius III (1550-1555) dismissed the canons with a pension and gave the church to Saint Ignatius Loyola, with the adjoining buildings, for the use of the German College which Ignatius had recently founded. In 1920 Pius XI (1922-1939) transferred the Deaconry of Santa Maria ad Martyres (the Pantheon) to this church. [source]

Today's Readings: Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105; John 8:51-59
Liturgy of the Hours: Week I

History: Vigilius is consecrated pope (537); The Knights of Columbus are established (1882); Death of Pope Stephen IX (1058).

Vatican Fact: Vatican Radio has only gone off the air once since it began in 1931.

Labels: Daily Almanac

The Anchoress has some Harry Potter coverage tonight, preparing for the movie and book this summer. Included is a look at the next (and last) book's cover.

Some of her ideas:

I argued last year that there may well be reason to believe that, from a storyteller’s perspective in narrative, it would be best to kill off Harry Potter as well. There are ideas pro-and-con. Some insist that Harry must become the final-and-forever Defense against Dark Arts teacher, others who contend that he will be the new headmaster. I doubt that. I think - against everyone’s instincts - Snape will end up being the new Headmaster of Hogwarts, confounding all expectations.

She also has lots of links too!

Labels: entertainment, Harry Potter

From the AP:

Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre is the French nun whose testimony of a mystery cure from Parkinson's disease could prompt the Roman Catholic Church to beatify Pope John Paul II, an official at the Paris maternity hospital where she works said Wednesday.

The identity of the nun has been one of the Catholic Church's most closely guarded secrets. The nun says that she was cured of Parkinson's after she and her community of nuns prayed to John Paul.

The nun, a member of the "Congregation of Little Sisters of Catholic Motherhood" in Aix-en-Provence in southeast France, works at the Sainte-Felicite hospital in Paris, said the official, who declined to be identified because an official announcement is expected Sunday.

The bishop in the woman's diocese will announce details about her case during his Palm Sunday Mass this weekend, said Monsignor Slawomir Oder, the Polish cleric spearheading the pontiff's beatification cause.

French newspaper Le Figaro, in an unsourced report late Wednesday on its Web site, first identified the nun, saying she was 45.

Labels: John Paul II, saints

"Lord, you rescue me from raging enemies, you lift me up above my attackers, you deliver me from violent men" (Psalm 17:48-49).


Old Calendar: Saint John of Capistrano.

Today's Stational Church is that of San Marcello:

An ancient tradition links this church with the imprisonment and death of Pope Marcellus I (308-309). It is said that Saint Marcellus opened an oratory in the house of a devout lady, Lucina, widow of Pinianus, and that Maxentius (defeated by Constantine in 312) desecrated this oratory by ordering the horses of public carriers to be stationed here. He then condemned Marcellus to the duties of stable boy (catubulum), but this treatment exhausted the strength of the old Pope, and he died here in 309. Afterwards, he was buried in the cemetery of St. Priscilla. A letter from the Prefect Symmachus to the Emperor Honorius, written in the early part of the fifth century, speaks of the election of St. Boniface I (418-422) at the ecclesia Marcelli. After the death of Pope St. Zosimus (417-418), Eulalius (an antipope) was elected at the Lateran, but the true pope, Boniface I (418-422) was consecrated on December 29, 418 at San Marcello. This church, then, became the assembly point for the solemn papal procession. The oratory was enlarged in the fifth century, and in the ninth century the remains of St. Marcellus were brought from the cemetery of Priscilla and, along with those of Pope Vigilius (538-555), were interred beneath the high altar; they are still there today. San Marcello is one of the original twenty-five parishes of Rome, and it was made today’s station by Gregory the Great. [source]

Today's Readings: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3 (Ps); John 8:31-42
Liturgy of the Hours: Week I

History: Birth of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515); Death of Pope Martin IV (1285).

Quip: You can argue with God, you just can't win.

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Put your hope in the Lord. Take courage and be strong" (Psalm 26:14).


Old Calendar: Saint John Damascene.

Today's Stational Church is that of Santa Maria in Via Lata:

The ancient station of Saint Cyriacum, indicated in the Roman Missal, recalls the very old titular church which was already in use by the fifth century. It is remembered many times in the Liber Pontificalis, but the ancient structure had fallen into ruins by the beginning of the seventeenth century. Its situation is known from an antique room located under the northwest pavilion of the Ministero delle Finanze towards the Via XX Settembre. In 1492 San Ciriaco was registered among the abandoned churches. It ruins, in the proximity of the Baths of Diocletian, rested in the vineyard of the Certosini who inhabited the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Blessed Pius IX (1846-1878) was once a canon of this church, and a bust to his memory has been placed near the altar on the right side. The church is familiar to those who come here for Eucharistic Adoration; the nuns who pray before the Blessed Sacrament here are Le Figlie della Chiesa. Above the altar is a 13th century icon of the Vergine Avvocata, said to have caused many miracles. The tomb of the poet Antonio Tebaldeo (1453-1537) is at the end of the left aisle. It was designed in 1776. Tebaldeo was a friend of Raphael, who painted a portrait of him of which a copy is found here; the original is in the Vatican Pinacoteca. Also found here are the tombs of the families of Joseph and Lucien Bonaparte. [source]

Today's Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102; John 8:21-30
Liturgy of the Hours: Week I

History: Deaths of Pope Clement III (1191) and Pope Gregory XI (1378).

Vatican Fact: The official language of the Vatican City State is a dead one: Latin.

Labels: Daily Almanac

Since I blogged about confession twice yesterday, it only seems appropriate that I get one in today (hey, tis the season, right?). So check out this little gem from Sister Mary Martha. Her wit and wisdom bring much clarity and historical perspective to this important sacrament.

Labels: confession, sacraments

"As Christ came into the world, he said: Behold! I have come to do your will, O God" (Hebrews 10:5, 7).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Chysogonous:

Saint Chrysogonus, a Roman military officer, is one of those martyrs named in the Roman Canon at Mass. Nothing is known about him today, except that he probably suffered at Aquileia in Northern Italy around the year 304. He was much venerated by the Greeks and later also in Rome. According to the Passio of Saint Anastasia, Saint Chrysogonus was a Roman official who became her spiritual father. When he was imprisoned under Diocletian (284-305), he continued to guide her spiritually by letter until he was summoned by the Emperor at Aquileia, condemned, and beheaded. His body was cast into the sea, whence it was recovered and buried by the priest Saint Zoilus, who lived close by in the house of Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene.

In 1907, a subterranean church, twenty feet below the present street level, was discovered; the walls still retain traces of early frescoes. Possibly this was the Roman house of Chrysogonus. The present church was built in such a way that its left aisle corresponds to the left aisle of the old church. The first references to a church here go back to the fifth century and, in the Roman Councils of 499 and 595, the signatures of three priests from the titulus Chrysogoni are found. It is, therefore, one of the original twenty-five parishes of Rome. [source]

Today's Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38
Liturgy of the Hours: Sanctoral Proper

Birthday: Bishop Lennon of Cleveland turns 60 today.

Labels: Daily Almanac

In light of my post earlier tonight...

From tonight's Zenit:

Benedict XVI has invited the youth of Rome to approach the sacrament of reconciliation on the eve of the diocesan-level World Youth Day 2007.

After reciting the Angelus today with the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father invited the young people of the Diocese of Rome to "a penitential liturgy," at which he himself will preside this Thursday.

"Those who wish to may approach the sacrament of confession, a true encounter with God's love, which every man needs to live in joy and in peace," he said to them.

The penitential event will take place in St. Peter's Basilica. World Youth Day 2007 will be observed April 1, Palm Sunday.

According to Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, head of the pastoral office for youth in the Vicariate of Rome, in the course of the penitential celebration the Pope will administer the sacrament of reconciliation to six young people.

Labels: confession, Pope Benedict, youth

Those who know me, know I love Holy Week like nothing else. My whole world stops as I walk that week-long path with Jesus as best as I can. It's hard to impart this feeling of the holiness of time to students, especially high school students who are obsessed by their independence. This year, Holy Week is the first week of spring sports games. Just another hurdle to overcome.

This week, I plan to use some poetry to get them in the mood to commemorate the holiest days of the year. Here are some of my ideas. Please use the comment box or email me with any other ideas and I'll post them here.

• I see his blood upon the rose (Plunkett)
• When I survey the wondrous cross (Watts)
• O God, I love thee (Hopkins, S.J.)
• My loving Savior (Breviary page 411)
• Sonnet written in Holy Week at Genoa (Wilde)
• Good Friday, 1987 (Rosenbaum)

Any other ideas??

Labels: education, holy week, poetry

This past week we had our penance service at school. Talking to the pastor, we had decided that we would have each class go over to church individually for a 30 minute time slot. He would start with a short reading then we'd give the students an opportunity for individual confessions.

I had been talking up the penance service with my students for a few weeks. Many expressed an interest in receiving the sacrament which surprised me a bit. It doesn't seem as though confession was emphasized by my predecessor (though I can't say for sure). The day before, I had planned to prepare my students well. Of course, the best laid plans... the other theology teacher had to be out that day and he didn't prepare his students! So we improvised: I taught my students for twenty minutes, then I went down and taught his for twenty minutes (and the sub went up to mine). It was a long day of running around, but it all worked out in the end.

Here are some ideas and images I used with the students (remember that they're in high school so they were adapted based on class).

• I gave them five things to focus on in their examination of conscience: cheating, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sex, and gossip.
• I asked them about how God used Moses to give the people the Ten Commandments and how Jesus expected the disciples to spread the Good News. God still uses people, specifically priests, to extend his forgiveness to us (this helps get beyond some of the awkwardness in their minds of confessing to a priest).
• Can't we ask God to forgive us directly, without the sacrament? Absolutely. However, it's not the same (especially in terms of mortal sin, of course). We know each other through our senses so we need to experience God that way too. Jesus wasn't all talk, he showed us his love: the Eucharist especially... how very sensory! Imagine getting into a fight with your boy/girlfriend and apologizing, expecting forgiveness in return and getting nothing but a silent blank stare. In the sacrament, we don't hear nothing, but we hear God speaking to us through the ministry of the priest. What a blessed guarantee of love! (An extra example are those recent cell phone commercials with the dropped calls).
  
• Is it possible for a high school student to wreck his/her relationship with God? Of course! Do you have to know it's wrecked for it to be so? Not necessarily. Imagine someone who lost all feeling in his hand. If he rests his hand on the hot stove, does it burn? Of course, even though he has no clue. (Think Adam Sandler's foot in Mr. Deeds!). Just so with us and sin and God. Just because we don't know our soul is messed up, doesn't mean it isn't!

So those are my unrefined ideas. You might be wondering... how did it go? More than 2/3 of the students went to confession and loved every minute of it. Many hadn't been since the 3rd grade! God will indeed bless our sincere efforts to bring others to the sacraments if only we are faithful and humble. We won't be waiting for next Lent for confessions again. We'll be offering them in the fall and maybe more often. God is good!

As a sidebar, two other thoughts: one is that I used the occasion to warn the freshmen about role models. This is the time of year when freshmen start to become sophomores. They should be encouraged to examine who they admire in the upper classes and why. Lastly, the pastor did something very important. When he introduced the confessors he mentioned that any non-Catholic students were welcome to speak to a priest if they wished, making clear that they were not receiving a sacrament, but just a chance to talk. Many took the opportunity. If done carefully, it's a nice idea.

Labels: confession, education, sacraments

"The snares of death overtook me, the ropes of hell tightened around me; in my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice" (Psalm 17:5-7).


The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord has been transferred to tomorrow.

The Third Scrutiny of the Elect is celebrated today.

Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Nicholas:

Today used to be called First Passion Sunday, the beginning of the fifteen-day preparation for the solemnity of Easter. As such, today had special significance for the Roman catechumenate. The Passion and Cross of Our Lord should be foremost in our minds and hearts during this season, but especially in those about to be baptized. Considering its importance, it comes as no wonder that San Pietro has been today’s station since the fourth century. [source]

Today's Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11
Liturgy of the Hours: Week I

History: Constantine is consecrated pope (708); Council of Pisa opens (1409); Births of Saint Catherine of Siena (1347), Saint John de Brebeuf (1593), and Flannery O’Connor (1925); Death of Pope Stephen II, who died before taking office (752).

Labels: Daily Almanac

"The snares of death overtook me, the ropes of hell tightened around me; in my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice" (Psalm 17:5-7).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Nicholas:

The area in which the church of Saint Nicholas now stands was occupied in ancient times by three pagan temples dedicated to Ianus, Iuno Sospita, and Spes. The Forum Olitorium (a vegetable market) also stood here, not far from either the Tiber or the Theater of Marcellus. The church itself was built over one of these temples and incorporated within its walls parts of the other two temples. Its exterior is, as Georgina Masson describes it, “one of the most perfect examples of a Roman architectural palimpsest.” It is difficult to date the original structure; some think that it may be sixth century.

San Nicola in Carcere still remains a Deaconry. However, in current times it belonged pro hac vice tituli presbyterialis to Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle, the former Archbishop of Washington, until his death in 1987. The church was intended to belong to Hans Urs Cardinal von Balthasar, who elevation to the College of Cardinals was announced in 1988 but who died before the public consistory of that year and therefore did not take possession of it. [source]

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7; John 7:40-53
Liturgy of the Hours: Week IV

History: Pope Benedict XVI adds 15 new cardinals to the college in the first consistory of his pontificate (2006); Deaths of Saint Catherine of Sweden (1381), Pope Nicholas V (1455), and Archbishop Oscar Romero (1980).

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Save me, O God, by your power, and grant me justice! God, hear my prayer; listen to my plea" (Psalm 53:3-4).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Eusebius:

This church is the dominicum Eusebii, recorded in an epitaph of 474 as the home of the “heroic Roman priest, Eusebius.” Eusebius was condemned to death by starvation by the Arian Emperor Constantinus in 357. His home was converted into a titulus, one of the original twenty-five parishes of Rome, and this oratory is mentioned in the Councils held by Gelasius in 494 and by Symmachus in 499. It was formally erected into a station by Gregory the Great. Restored many times, the church was reconstructed in 1238 by Gregory IX, who dedicated it to Saint Eusebius and Saint Vincent, martyr, who died on January 22, 304.

While little is known of Saint Eusebius, we know that the early Church honored three martyred deacons from different localities: Stephen (Palestine), Lawrence (Rome), and Vincent (Spain), remembered in this church. Vincent was martyred in Valencia, Spain, during the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian. The Acts of the Martyrs describes his torments in some detail and records Vincent’s speech to Dacian, governor of Spain: “The more I witness your fury, Dacian, the greater is my pleasure. Do not lessen in any way the sufferings you prepare for me so that I can make my victory shine more resplendently.”

The relics of Saint Eusebius are interred beneath the high altar. [source]

Today's Readings: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; Psalm 34; John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Liturgy of the Hours: Week IV

History: Stephen II is elected to the papacy only to die three or four days later. Because he was never consecrated he is not considered a legitimate pope according to the Church law of the time (752); Death of Pope Julius III (1555).

Quote of the Day: "Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers." - Saint Francis de Sales

Labels: Daily Almanac

From Catholic World News:

Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, has been abruptly dismissed as provost of Ave Maria University in Florida.

Father Fessio, the founder of Ignatius Press and publisher of Catholic World Report, was asked to submit his resignation on March 21, and ordered to leave the Florida campus immediately. No public explanation of his dismissal has been offered.

And...

Pope Benedict XVI has declined to accept the resignation of Cardinal Joseph Zen, the Hong Kong diocese has revealed.

Cardinal Zen has reached the canonical retirement age, having celebrated his 75th birthday in January. And the Chinese cardinal has indicated that he would like to be released from his pastoral duties, so that he might devote his full attention to the cause of religious freedom in China. But in response to the cardinal’s formal offer of resignation, the Pope has written to Cardinal Zen, asking him to continue serving as Bishop of Hong Kong.

Labels: international, Pope Benedict, U.S. Church

"Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek always the face of the Lord" (Psalm 104:3-4).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saints Sylvester and Martin:

The full name of this church is Santi Martino e Silvestro ai Monti. At first glance, one would hardly guess that it is ancient in foundation, important in the history of the Church, and endowed with many spiritual treasures. Its origins reach back to the era of the imperial persecutions when it was a domus Dei, a house church, known as titulus Equitii, probably because the house or land belonged to a priest named Equitius. The original church was built by Saint Sylvester (314-335) and restored in the early sixth century when it was dedicated to St. Martin of Tours (317-397) and Pope St. Sylvester. The crypt shows signs of the ancient alternate name of the church as “San Martino in Thermis.” It was the site of the preparatory meetings for the Council of Nicaea in 325 and the site of a diocesan Council over which both Constantine and Sylvester presided. It was here, in fact, that the Nicene Creed was first proclaimed in Rome. Also, the heretical books of Arius, Sabellius, and Victorius were burnt here. [source]

Today's Readings: Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 106; John 5:31-47
Liturgy of the Hours: Week IV

Vatican Fact: there has never been a baby born within the walls of Vatican City.

Labels: Daily Almanac

"I pray to you, O God, for the time of your favor. Lord, in your great love, answer me" (Psalm 68:14).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Paul-Outside-the-Walls:

After his execution, St Paul was buried in a cemetery at this site, about two kilometres from the city walls by the road to Ostia. A shrine, or cella memoriae, was soon erected, and many early Christians came to venerate the Apostle.

The first church here was, according to the Liber Pontificalis, built by Emperor Constantine and consecrated on 18 November 324. It was a small church, built over the grave of St Paul. Between 384 and 386, Emperors Valentinian II, Theodosius and Arcadius demolished the church and built a large basilica. The architect was Cyriades. According to the inscription on the triumphal arch, it was consecrated in 390 by Siricius, and completed in 395 under Emperor Honorius. Although heavily restored, not least after it was damaged by fire, the present basilica looks much the same as it did in the 4th century.[ source]

Today's Readings: Isaiah 49:8-15; Psalm 145; John 5:17-30
Liturgy of the Hours: Week IV

Quip of the Day: What you do with Jesus will determine what he'll do with you.

History: Thomas Cranmer is burned at the stake (1556); Pope Pius VII is crowned pope (1800); the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas was split into two separate dioceses (1995).

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Come to the waters, all who thirst; though you have no money, come and drink with joy" (see Isaiah 55:1).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Lawrence in Damaso:

San Lorenzo in Damaso (Saint Lawrence in the House of Damasus) is a basilica church in Rome, one of several dedicated to the Roman deacon and martyr Saint Lawrence. Known since antiquity (synod of Pope Symmachus, 499) as Titulus Damasi, according to tradition San Lorenzo in Damaso was built by Pope Damasus I in his own house, in the 380s.

Donato Bramante rebuilt the church in the 15th century, by order of Cardinal Raffaele Riario, within the restoration works of the close by Palazzo della Cancelleria. The last restoration was necessary after a fire that damaged the basilica in 1944.

...

The Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Laurentii in Damaso is Antonio Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid. [source]

Today's Readings: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; Psalm 46; John 5:1-16
Liturgy of the Hours: Week IV

Quote of the Day: “Let us endeavor with all ardor of desire and with all thanksgiving to build a temple to the Lord in our souls.” - Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Labels: Daily Almanac

"The Lord has put his faithful servant in charge of his household" (Luke 12:42).


Today's Stational Church is that of the Four Crowned:

Santi Quattro Coronati is an ancient basilica in Rome. The church dates back to the 4th (or 5th) century, and is devoted to four anonymous saints and martyrs. The complex of the basilica with its two courtyards, the fortified Cardinal Palace with the St. Silvester chapel, and the Monastery with its cosmatesque cloister is built in a silent and green part of Rome, between the Colosseum and San Giovanni in Laterano, in an out-of-time setting.

...

Santi Quattro Coronati was the first church in Rome to have a non-Italian titular; Dietrich of Trier was appointed titular in 975 by Pope Benedict VII. The current Cardinal Priest of the Titulus Ss. Quattuor Coronatorum is Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles. Among the previous titulars are: Pope Leo IV (847), King Henry of Portugal, who, in 1580, donated the magnificent wooden ceiling, and Pope Benedict XV (1914). [source]

Today's Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Psalm 89; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a
Liturgy of the Hours: Sanctoral Proper

Papal Trivia: Pope John Paul II's childhood nickname was Lolek.

Today is the nameday of Pope Benedict! Saint Joseph is the patron of the Universal Church, of course, but he's the patron of lots of things, places, and situations. He is the patron of at least eight U.S. dioceses and nine countries. He was the patron of the Second Vatican Council.

Happy Birthday: Bishop Malone of Portland, ME and Bishop Cupich of Rapid City, SD

A couple of Saint Joseph links to Magisterial documents:
Directory on Popular Piety and Liturgy
Devotion to Saint Joseph of Pope Leo XIII
Redemptoris Custos of Pope John Paul II

Labels: Daily Almanac

The second anniversary of the death of John Paul II is in two weeks. Via Gerald, an interesting and do-able venture of prayer:

My friend Deb Raho is promoting a world wide Holy Hour on April 2nd, 2007, from 3-4pm, in memory of and for the canonization of Pope John Paul the Great, on the second anniversary of his death. As many of us priests will be with our local diocesan bishops for the Chrism Mass and a day of recollection and prayer that very day (as April 2 is Monday of Holy Week), we are asking all the lay faithful, if possible, to make a Holy Hour or at least pray a Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3pm on 4/2.

Labels: John Paul II, prayer

Happy Laetare Sunday!

I woke up this morning to watch the Saint Patrick's Day Mass taped last night in my adopted diocese, celebrated by the Ordinary. I started it during the Gospel (a little bit of a late start this morning). Despite the deacon's dalmatic being a totally different shade of purple compared to the bishop's vestment, I noticed a few things out of place. Here are two: there were about half a dozen flags in front of the high altar (was there no other place and were these so essential as to block the view of the reredos?) and they used two tall glass goblets as chalices. How disgusting! It was another "if I were the bishop" moment....

So I went to Mass after watching Mass and the priest did not wear a rose vestment, but the deacon wore a rose stole. For those who are squeamish about "clergy in pink" apparently you're not alone. The Curt Jester has just the cure.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Labels: Lent, liturgy

Condolences go to Bishop McManus of Worcester on the death of his mother last night. I had a great working relationship with him while he was still the Auxiliary Bishop of Providence. Please remember him and his family in your prayers along with the repose of his mother's soul.

Her wake will be Wednesday night and her funeral Mass on Thursday at 10 in the Providence Cathedral. Cards can be sent to Bishop McManus at the Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609.

Labels: U.S. Bishops

"Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts" (See Isaiah 66:10-11).


Today's Stational Church is that of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem:

The Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem) is a very interesting basilica just a short walk from San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome. Too often overlooked by visitors (though pilgrims wouldn't miss it), Santa Croce is well worth a visit for its extraordinary collection of relics from the Holy Land, its full-sized replica of the Shroud of Turin, the shrine of a young girl who is being considered for sainthood, and its connections with Constantine and St. Helen. Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome. [source]

Today's Readings: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Liturgy of the Hours: Week IV

History: Gregory III begins his reign as pope (731); Death of Pope Honorius III (1227)

Quote of the Day:“O Cross, you are God’s mighty love, glory of heaven, perennial salvation of men.” Saint Paulinus of Nola

Happy Birthday: Cardinal Maida of Detroit and Bishop Nienstedt of New Ulm.

Labels: Daily Almanac

Today Cardinal Maida turns 77 years old, the oldest Latin Rite Ordinary in the United States. There's been so much speculation as to when he will retire and why he hasn't already.

Rocco had this to say last month:

The oldest active prelate of the US hierarchy, Detroit's Cardinal Adam Maida turns 77 in March. Despite his passport's provenance, Maida's heritage earned him a place in the late Pope John Paul II's circle of Polish friends and confidants. Amid the final stages of a reconfiguration of Detroit's parishes and institutions and local controversy over his archdiocese's investment in Washington's Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, the cardinal -- who's headed the 1.4 million-member archdiocese since 1990 -- has been permitted to continue in office well past his 75th birthday, and was notably given a new auxiliary bishop toward the end of 2006.

Months of near-silence on the Detroit succession have ended in recent days, with word spreading that an announcement is believed to be "coming quickly," and two separate reports saying that the dossier had reached the pontiff's desk, awaiting Benedict's final sign-off.

Keeping in mind that the sitting Pope has shown a greater independence in deciding episcopal appointments than his predecessor, the most prevalent name linked to the post over recent months has been that of Archbishop John Myers of Newark. Said to enjoy close ties with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Myers, 65, is a member of the executive committee of the John Paul II Center alongside Wuerl, Bishop Bernard Harrington of Winona (a former Detroit auxiliary) and Maida, who serves as the museum/think-tank's president.

Other names proffered have included Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, and a trio of onetime Detroit auxiliaries -- Bishops John Nienstedt of New Ulm, Allen Vigneron of Oakland and Leonard Blair of Toledo -- who would ostensibly enjoy the support of Maida's predecessor, Cardinal Edmund Szoka, who has effectively served as Detroit's advocate on the Congregation for Bishops.

Links:
Catholic Blog Search
Catholic Hierarchy entry
Archdiocese of Detroit


Picture Source: Archdiocese of Detroit

Labels: U.S. Bishops

Even though this is a little over a week early...

Fr. Jose Mercado, a priest I went to school with from the Archdiocese of Hartford, has done one of the USCCB's daily reflection videos. His is just under 3 minutes and it's quite full of beautiful theological reflection on this great feast.

Give it a look.

Thanks to Bill for the heads up from Fr. Harris!

Labels: reflection, Virgin Mary

NLM posted a text from Rorate Caeli which is supposedly from La Stampa saying that the "motu Proprio" will be released between the Annunciation (March 25) and Easter.

That to me is all well and good speculation, speculation I might add, that's been going on for six months. Thus, I refuse to waste a post on it.

What I really wanted to show was an interview with Cardinal Catrillon from Rorate Caeli that was much more interesting. He starts:

Eminence, indiscretions regarding the publication of a Motu Proprio which would liberalize the Latin Mass of Saint Pius V have spread widely for several months...

"The Holy Father has this situation under his eyes of universal Shepherd of the Church. Naturally, [the matter] being in his hands, we do not advance any particular note regarding it, out of holy respect. The personal interest of the Holy Father regarding the liturgy is, nonetheless, known to all, [as well as] his profound knowledge of the same, his veneration for tradition and, at the same time, his clear position to put into practice all that the Holy Spirit gave the Church in the Second Vatican Council. These are the parameters through which the historical difficulties regarding [this matter] are examined."

Cardinals Alfons Maria Stickler and Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, have declared that the Mass of Saint Pius V has never been abolished. What do you think of it?

"Cardinals Stickler and Medina are right, and their opinions are followed by the opinions of liturgy experts, other cardinals and bishops. We have ourselves studied the problem and we deem that the ancient Mass has never been forbidden. On the other hand, it is very important, to have a clear mind, to grasp the light which comes from the Successor of Peter. According to the thinking of the Holy Father, clearly expressed, there are two forms of the Roman Rite: the ordinary form, which is the Mass of Paul VI, and the extraordinary form, which is the Mass of Saint Pius V."

On Lefebvre:

"Retracing the complete life story of Archbishop Lefebvre, we are certain of the great esteem and appreciation of the Church for him. He was considered worthy of being an Archbishop, Apostolic Delegate, Superior-General of his religious congregation; by speaking to people who knew him during the exercise of his ministry, the fecundity of his life is discovered.

"Yet, with the same clarity, according to the most genuine tradition of the Church, it cannot be accepted that a bishop may consecrate another bishop without a pontifical mandate, or that the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Councils, and in particular for their importance, in ecumenical Councils, be disputed.

"Archbishop Lefebvre - it is important to stress this - signed the documents of the Second Vatican Council, even though he was critical towards them, either regarding the texts, or regarding their interpretation."

Labels: liturgy, Vatican

Cartoons on the Jesus Tomb

These things are funny... check them out. (h/t Ironic Catholic)

By the way, it's nice to see professional journalists poking fun at this. Funny how these "Lenten Revelations" to discredit Christianity don't even make it to Easter! (Who's reading the Gospel of Judas this year?)

Labels: humor, media

"Bless the Lord, my soul, and remember all his kindnesses, for he pardons all my faults" (Psalm 1o2:2-3).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Susanna:

Santa Susanna is a church on the Quirinal in Rome, with a titulus at its site that dates back to about 280. The modern church, rebuilt in 1585–1603, is the seat of the American Catholic Church in Rome. Since 1958, the Archbishop of Boston has held the post of Cardinal Priest of Santa Susanna. However Bernard Francis Law, who resigned his post as archbishop in 2002, has retained this position.

...

Among the previous Cardinal Priests is Pope Nicholas V (1446).

Entombed in the church are five early church martyrs and Saints: Susanna, her father Gabinus, Felicity of Rome, Pope Eleuterus, and Genesius of Rome.[ source]

Today's Readings: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51; Luke 18:9-14
Liturgy of the Hours: Week III

History: Death of Saint Patrick (493)

Happy Birthday: Bishop Sullivan, Auxiliary Bishop of New York.

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Lord, there is no god to compare with you; you are great and do wonderful things, you are the only God."


Before the reform of the calendar, today was the feast of Saint John de Brebeuf

Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Lawrence in Lucina:

San Lorenzo in Lucina is a basilica of Rome, dating back to the 4th century, and devoted to St Lawrence, Roman diacon and martyr.

The name Lucina comes from the Roman matron owner of the house on which the church was built.

Pope Marcellus I hid here during Maxentius' persecution, while Pope Damasus I was elected here in 366. The church was known as Titulus Lucinae, and thus is mentioned in the acts of the 499 synod of Pope Symmachus.

To the 5th century dates back a tradition that wanted a litany each 25 April, starting from San Lorenzo in Lucina and ending in St Peter's Basilica.

The facade dates back to the 1112 rebuilding by Pope Celestine III, while the interior was completely chaned by Cosimo Fanzago in 1650, with the old lateral naves changed in Baroque chapels.

The high altar is decorated with a Christ on the Cross by Guido Reni. Under the altar there is the gridiron on which St Lawrence was martyred. The relics were put here by Pope Paschal II, according to an inscription on the throne behind the altar.

Nicolas Poussin is buried in the second chapel on the right, with a monument donated by Chateaubriand.

The Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Laurentii in Lucina is Luigi Poggi. [source]

Today's Readings: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81; Mark 12:28-34
Liturgy of the Hours: Week III

History: Death of Saint Jean de Brebeuf (1649)

Labels: Daily Almanac

"I am the Savior of all people, says the Lord. Whatever their troubles, I will answer their cry, and I will always be their Lord."


Before the reform of the calendar, today was the feast of Saint Louise de Marillac.

Today's Stational Church is that of Saints Cosmas and Damian:

The basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano is one of the churches of Rome. The basilica, devoted to the two Greek brothers, doctors, martyrs and saints Cosmas and Damian, is located in the Forum of Vespasian, also known as the Forum of the Peace.

The Cardinal Deacon of the Titulus Ss. Cosmae et Damiani is Giovanni Cheli. [source]

Today's Readings: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95; Luke 11:14-23
Liturgy of the Hours: Week III

History: Death of Pope Lucius II (1145)

Daily Quip: Only pray on the days that end in "y."

Happy Birthday to Bishop Cullen of Allentown.

Labels: Daily Almanac

"Lord, direct my steps as you have promised, and let no evil hold me in its power" (Psalm 118:133).


Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Sisto Vecchio:

San Sisto Vecchio is a church in Rome, devoted to St. Pope Sixtus II. It was built in the 4th century, and is recorded as the Titulus Crescentianae, thus relating the church to some Crescentia, possibly a Roman woman who founded the church. According to tradition, the church was established by Pope Anastasius I (399-401).

The church houses the relics of St. Pope Sixtus II, transferred here from the Catacombs of St. Callixtus in the 6th century.

San Sisto was rebuilt in the early 13th century, by Pope Innocent III. The current church is the result of the restorations of Pope Benedict XIII (18th century), which left only the belltower and the apse from the medioeval church.

A 13th century fresco cycle depicting the Scenes from the New Testament and the Apocrypha is conserved. [source]

Today's Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147; Matthew 5:17-19
Liturgy of the Hours: Week III

History: Cardinal Barnaba Chiaramonti is elected Pope Pius VII (1800); Death of Pope Zachary (752).

Vatican Fact: The Vatican Secret Archives cover 16 miles of shelves.

Today is Archbishop Pietro Sambi's anniversary of priesthood ordination in 1964.

Labels: Daily Almanac

"I call upon you, God, for you will answer me; bend your ear and hear my prayer. Guard me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shade of your wings" (Psalm 16:6, 8).


Before the reform of the calendar, today was the feast of Saint Benedict (now on July 11).

Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Pudentiana:

The basilica of Santa Pudenziana is a 4th century church in Rome, dedicated to Saint Pudentiana, sister of Saint Praxedis and daughter of Saint Pudens.

Santa Pudenziana was built over a 2nd century house with a thermal facility. In the 4th century, the building was transformed into a three naves church. In the acts of the synod of 499, the church bears the titulus Pudentis, and therefore indicates that here the administration of the sacraments was allowed. The belltower was added in the 13th century, while restorations of 1588 transformed the three naves into a single one.

The Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Pudentianae is Joachim Meisner. Santa Pudenziana is the national church of the Philippines. [source]

Today's Readings: Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Psalm 25; Matthew 18:21-35
Liturgy of the Hours: Week III

History: Felix becomes pope (483); Birth of Pope Innocent XII (1615).

Quote of the Day: “Prayer is not something accessory, it is not "optional," but rather a question of life or death.” Pope Benedict XVI

Today: the release of the post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis of Pope Benedict XVI. In preparation for that, read John Allen's analysis of the Synod Fathers' final propositions that were presented to Pope Benedict after the synod.

Also today: Pope Benedict will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could have some ecumenical influence in terms of Catholic relations with the Russian Orthodox.

Lastly, Happy Birthday, Dad!

Labels: Daily Almanac

I wonder if this will catch on... I laughed when I read the quotes. No doubt they didn't have relatives or friends with a date scheduled for their weddings or else they might not be so quick to jump on the bandwagon! This is happening in Amherst, MA about 30 minutes from where I live now.

From the AP:

An Episcopal minister will stop performing all wedding ceremonies to protest the denomination's prohibition of same-sex unions.

"We are called to join the fast that our homosexual brothers and sisters in Christ have had to observe all their lives," said the Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, rector of Grace Episcopal Church.

Several members of the congregation say they support Hirschfeld's move, which he announced in his Sunday sermon. Others said they were concerned that that the move might add to the polarization of an issue that has already divided Episcopals.

Erica Winter, of Northampton, said working for social justice often involves giving up something.

"I'm so proud to be a part of this," Nina Scott, a congregant from Amherst, said. "It's a step that needs to be taken."

Two priest associates at Grace Church, the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and the Rev. Burton Whiteside, also said they won't perform marriages.

"I am convinced that when gays and lesbians are baptized, they become full members of the body of Christ," said Bullitt-Jonas. "They are not partial members or conditional members or second-class members."

Labels: Episcopalians

This syllogism works out a little too well for comfort. Just kidding... from Agnus Daily:

There’s a new king in town, and he’s changing taking the city by storm. Cardinal Roger Mahoney has recently called for all would be faithful Catholics to follow him in the way of salvation. However, he is not merely calling for everyone to recognize him as a spiritual father, but as the Father.

“I recognize now that, because I have the ability to change the liturgy in any way I desire, and that Jesus is the one who originally gave us the liturgy, then logically speaking I must be Jesus.” Said Cardinal Mahoney in a recent interview. “I don’t ask for much, but that my children love me, dance for me, sing for me, and dance for me some more. My burden is light, if it weren’t, you wouldn’t be able to frolic before me.”

Sometimes the Cardinal has his his spiritual children dance for hours on end.Many of those in the Diocese of Los Angeles are ecstatic about this new revelation. “I had a feeling he was more than a Cardinal, ” said Jennifer Duqane, a parishioner at St. Anthony’s, “He’d make huge liturgical decisions on the spot. One time instead of using our normal glass chalices, he had a single bowl in which he had the Eucharistic Ministers dip their hands and use them as cups to dispense to the congregation. Yes, it was messy, and the ministers had to lick their hands clean afterward out of reverence, but it was so innovative and creative. I could see Jesus doing that, even though he didn’t, ever.”

Labels: U.S. Church

"My soul is longing and pining for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God" (Psalm 83:3).


Before the reform of the calendar, today was the feast of Saint Gregory the Great (now on September 3).

Today's Stational Church is that of Saint Mark's.

The Church of San Marco, together with the Palazzo Venezia with which it is joined, is one of the most interesting early Renaissance buildings in Rome. It dates back to 1336 and was built by Pope Mark in honor of Saint Mark the Evangelist, who is celebrated on the 25th April. The church has a 15th century portico attributed to Leon Battisti Albert. The upper open gallery is also by a famous name, having been designed by Giuliano da Maiano, while the beautiful 16th century portal is by Isaia da Pisa. The church contains numerous medieval remains including an ancient well, and the bell tower. This church belonging to the Venetian community in Rome has a lion on the ceiling to commemorate that of San Marco in Venice. [source]

Today's Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15b; Psalm 42-43; Luke 4:24-30
Liturgy of the Hours: Week III

History: The Church of England ordains its first female priests (1994). Anniversary of the death of Pope Gregory the Great (604).

Vatican Factoid: The State of Vatican City has fewer citizens than the number of representatives in the U.S. Congress.

Today is also the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Fall River (my home diocese):
Catholic Encyclopedia | Catholic Hierarchy | Diocesan Site

Happy Birthday to Bishop Listecki of LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Tomorrow: the release of the post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis of Pope Benedict XVI. In preparation for that, read John Allen's analysis of the Synod Fathers' final propositions that were presented to Pope Benedict after the synod.

Labels: Daily Almanac

From tonight's Zenit:

The closing session of the diocesan investigation of Pope John Paul II's life and virtues will take place on the second anniversary of his death.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Benedict XVI's vicar for Rome, made the announcement Saturday in a letter published in the diocesan weekly RomaSette.

The cardinal extended a public invitation to the ceremony April 2, the Monday of Holy Week, which will take place at midday in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

The solemn opening of the diocesan phase took place June 28, 2005, less than three months after John Paul II's death.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow, and John Paul II's former secretary, said: "Now the word passes to the Curia in Rome."

After the closing of the diocesan investigation, the Roman phase will begin with the elaboration of a report to be prepared by a collaborator of the postulator of the cause, Monsignor Slawomir Oder, under the guidance of a relator of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.

That congregation will also receive the documents relating to the miracles attributed to John Paul II's intercession.

Miracle

Monsignor Oder revealed Saturday that the investigation is concentrating especially on the case of a French nun who was cured inexplicably of Parkinson's disease.

Cardinal Dziwisz, who was John Paul II's assistant for 40 years, said: "Juridically, the beatification allows for only one ... devotion of a local character, namely, in the Diocese of Krakow. In this, perhaps, there is a contradiction, as he has surmounted all the barriers, he belongs to the whole world."

The cardinal continued: "It is certainly possible to 'make the leap' to beatification and begin immediately with the process to make him a saint. However, this depends on the Holy Father.

"For a long time, the process of beatification did not exist; there was only canonization. Beatification is a juridical rule. The Holy Father can decide otherwise."

"Canonization is very different from the theological point of view," added Cardinal Dziwisz. "The declaration of holiness is only a prerogative of the Pope; in this regard, the Holy Father cannot be substituted by any one, as that declaration is connected to infallibility."

Labels: John Paul II

Well, life returns to normal today after a wonderful weekend of performances. I was the musical director for "Fiddler on the Roof" at school and it was a great success. Thanks to all for prayers and support.

Much has happened in the Church this week... read about them in other blogs! For me, I'm having a tough time catching up on what's been happening. So, I'll be returning to normal blogging tonight with whatever's coming up.

Thanks for the patience!

Labels: personal

This gem from dotCommonweal demonstrates why right and left have such a difficult time talking to each other:

I showed my students "Super Size Me" (the McDonald's documentary) Thursday to spark a discussion about, among other things, advertising to children. In one scene, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock shows a series of pictures to five children and asks them to identify them. The only image they consistently recognized was that of Ronald McDonald. The one image none of the kids recogized was Jesus Christ.

This Jesus had light hair and eyes--he looked sort of Danish--and had obviously just had his hair and beard trimmed. He was wearing clean white clothes and was smiling slightly, in a sympathetic way.

One of my Catholic students observed humorously, "That's not our Jesus. Our Jesus isn't that happy."

It was just a side comment, but I started thinking of the images of Christ in my son's Catholic school. Each room had a crucifix. There was a bust of Jesus pointing to his sacred heart with the crown of thorns. There are the stations of the cross in the church. In our church, the Holy Family is depicted, eyes lowered, looking somberly at the boy Jesus holding a little lamb. It is as if they are already contemplating Christ's death. They are not an especially happy looking bunch.

...

However, one of the things I personally have to thank Pope John Paul II for was the establishment of the Luminous Mysteries. I grabbed a couple of the booklets illustrating the mysteries when they were introduced. The pictures show Jesus interacting with people--something much of our Catholic iconography does not do, much as I love it and find beauty in it. Jesus is so often depicted alone, or conferring only with his mother, disciples and sometimes St. John the Baptist. Through the Luminous Mysteries and the pictures, my son could see a different Jesus.

During Lent, when we focus so much on Christ's suffering, his brutal treatment, the suffering of the world and the suffering our own sins cause, we might want to remember that Lent also invites us to think about how it could all be different if there were no sin. There would be no brutal treatment of prisoners, no executions, no hearts with thorns, no suffering because of sins.

Labels: theology

I have to admit that despite the fact that I'm not ordained, as a theology teacher, I experience this every year (and I certainly did yesterday!). From Young Fogeys (h/t to Domini Sumus):

So there I was, walking into my local pizzeria, ready to get myself some lunch, when I realized that people are looking over at me. Then, suddenly, it's a little quieter than it was when I first walked in. People started contorting, twisting as if they were protecting whatever it was on their tables.

That's when it hit me. It's a Friday of Lent, officially a meatless day, it's lunch time, and I've become the freakin' Meat Police!

Labels: Lent

A letter to the editor in yesterday's Globe is short and dead on:

AFTER TWICE reading state education commissioner David Driscoll's Feb. 28 op-ed, "Tough choices in education," I became so irritated I had to respond. Politicians and administrators seem to leave a critical component out of the debate: parents. They are the ones who let their children carry text-messaging phones and iPods to school, who let their children spend hours online when they should be sitting at the dining room table doing their homework, who don't bother to come to parents' nights at schools.

I am tired of educators being the problem. It's the parents who are responsible for self-absorbed, spoiled children who think they are too good to do what is required of them.

AL FLYNN
Hanson

Labels: school

H/T to Gerald.

Now that Tanzania is over:

Appearing on a live webcast, the Episcopal Church's presiding bishop began the painful task Wednesday of persuading members to roll back their support for gays - at least for now - so the denomination can keep its place in the world Anglican fellowship.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, who personally supports ordaining partnered gays, told a studio audience, callers and those who submitted questions by e-mail that they should make concessions that Anglican leaders are seeking to buy time for reconciliation.

"To live together in Christian community means each member takes seriously the concerns and needs of other members,'' Jefferts Schori said. "If we can lower the emotional reactivity in the midst of this current controversy, we just might be able to find a way to live together.''

Asked whether she was abandoning gay and lesbian Christians, Jefferts Schori said, "My view hasn't changed, but I'm called to be pastor to the whole church.''

Labels: ecumenism