Cardinal torchlighting

Torchlight procession, led by His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke, on the Institute's 2013 pilgrimage to Lourdes

Dominican Sisters in FINALE of American Bible Challenge!

I'm going to have to tune in!

via Father Z

Don’t forget to watch the Dominican Sisters of Mary competing for the Grand Prize ($100,000) on the American Bible Challenge this Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM on GSN (Game Show Network, Ch. 71 Direct TV). Their winnings will go to a retirement fund for retired nuns. Let’s pray they win in this grand finale.

Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago, IL

Our Lady of Sorrows is not only a Basilica, but a National Shrine by order of Pius XII.  Not the greatest neighborhood but it's right off of the interstate by only a couple blocks.  They have a parking lot in the back that's kind of fenced off so that wasn't a big worry.   A beautiful church.... with some funny business going on.  If you look at the full set, you see the strange arrangement they have in front of the altar.  They had some St. Peregrine devotion going on there that day I think so it may have been arranged that way just for this day.  The kind maintenance man turned the lights on for us. 

From Wiki: The church was designed in an Italian Renaissance architectural style by Henry Engelbert, John F. Pope, and William J. Brinkmann. It features a barrel-vaulted ceiling that wraps around a high altar made entirely of Carrara marble. It was declared a basilica by the Vatican in 1956.

Fun fact: The Basilica was used for a brief scene in the 1987 film The Untouchables in which Sean Connery's character explains "The Chicago Way" to Kevin Costner's character.

Somehow I doubt this picture to the left is still accurate.....

I really liked this crucifix, but I wasn't able to get a much better picture than this.

Bp Paprocki on the Boston Bombing: The problem is not religion, but radical Islamist jihadism.

Generically blaming "religion" for terrorist bombings misunderstands the true nature of religion. Authentic religion binds people together in peace and harmony with each other and their Creator. The problem is not religion, but radical Islamist jihadism. It is highly unlikely that a "growing interest" in Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity or any other major world religion would have resulted in the Boston Marathon bombings. Blaming "religion" appears to offer a non-offensive euphemism for those who do not want to insult Muslims, but doing so has the effect of defaming all religions and provides an easy but mistaken scapegoat for those seeking to justify their secularist views.

whole article at CatholicTimesSpringfield

Photo

HT Pewsitter

Slacking

I know I know, I need to post some Chicago pictures.  Tomorrow. 

Fr. Rick Heilman in La Crosse this Friday night

St. James the Less in La Crosse will be hosting a Men's Night on Friday, May 17. The night begins at 6:00 pm, with adoration, confession, and evening prayer. At 7:00 pm, a talk will be given by Fr. Rick Heilman, frequent contributor to Relevant Radio and author of the new book "Church Militant Field Manual." A social with light snacks and refreshments provided afterwards. Questions can be directed to matt@badgercatholic.com.

Shamelessly promoting my own event?  Yes we can!

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Video: Benedictine College - Paul Ryan Commencement Address 2013

HT FR

Every song

Catholic Memes

NCReg: Paul Ryan offers clarification on gay adoption

On another issue, Ryan, who is against homosexual “marriage,” recently raised eyebrows with remarks on adoption by same-sex couples.

In reply to a question at an April 29 town-hall meeting in Wisconsin, Ryan acknowledged that he, in 1999, voted in favor of a ban on federal funding of same-sex adoptions in the District of Columbia. But Ryan said that he would not vote for such a ban today.

“I do believe that if there are children who are orphans who do not have a loving person or couple, I think if a person wants to love and raise a child, they ought to be able to do that. Period,” Ryan said. “I would vote that way.”

After the remarks, Ryan’s office issued a statement that read:

“Gay adoption is an issue best handled by the states, and this is primarily an issue of federalism. Years ago, because of Congress’ unique jurisdiction over Washington, D.C., I faced a vote on an amendment that would have prohibited the D.C. government from using federal funds in assisting with the adoption of children by same sex couples. I voted in favor of this amendment, which never became law. Gay adoption has been legal in Washington, D.C. for several years now. As stated last week, I would not vote for such a ban today.

“I support the First Amendment rights of religiously affiliated adoption agencies to set their own terms and conditions for adoption according to their conscience. I support federal provisions to guarantee those basic rights to adoption agencies in D.C. and across the nation. And, finally, I believe that our focus should always be on the well-being of the child.”

Ryan told the Register that homosexual adoption in the District is legal and that such a ban, if proposed again, would not pass. Ryan said he saw no “utility” in revisiting the D.C. ban issue.

“I don’t want to re-litigate this issue,” Ryan said reticently. “The Church teaching is very clear that the ideal home is with a mom and a dad.”

Ryan said that he didn’t regret the D.C. vote, but that he regards homosexual adoption as a state issue and “up to states.”

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/greed-is-not-good-paul-ryan-on-the-morality-of-free-enterprise/#ixzz2TOBM0UGp

TheCompass: 500 participate in ‘Walk to Mary’

Tom Schmit and Pat Deprey, wearing baseball caps,
help carry a platform with a statue of Mary
at the start of Walk to Mary.
(Sam Lucero | The Compass)

CHAMPION — About 500 people participated in the inaugural Walk to Mary pilgrimage May 4. By the end of the 21-mile walk to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, which began at 7 a.m. at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, pilgrims were sore and tired, yet invigorated.

"My legs are starting to tighten up," said Jim Gillis of Seymour while resting on the grass at the shrine with his wife Jeannie. Both joined the pilgrimage at UW-Green Bay, completing the final nine miles. "It was just a perfect day for the first Walk to Mary. With any luck we'll do it again next year." The Walk to Mary was the idea of two local Catholics, Pat Deprey and Tom Schmit, in response to a challenge issued at a Catholic men's conference. They spent 1 1/2 years organizing the event, working with local municipalities and police to assure a convenient walking route and a safe experience for people of all ages.

"The Blessed Mother has been watching over us," Deprey said during a break at Holy Cross School in Bay Settlement, where the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross served lunch to walkers. "I've been praying for a year and a half over this, right up to today. It couldn't be a better day. The weather is perfect for a walk."

Deprey said that between 450 and 500 people signed up for the walk, "but I have also run across some people who showed up and walked with us." While the Walk to Mary was an opportunity to offer prayers and thanks to the Blessed Mother, it was also a way to support Catholic education. Registration for the walk was $30 per person and money raised will benefit Catholic education initiatives, said Deprey.

continue at The Compass

Reaction to Journal Sentinel's new editor shows liberal bias

It's almost as if somebody left the barn door at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel open and the horses have wandered out to the field for everyone to see.

There is an itty-bitty flap brewing that by itself might not seem like much. But if you look closely, it tells us a lot about the biggest source of news in the state of Wisconsin. Not only the biggest, but the slowest, least dynamic and, perhaps, even least relevant to people’s lives.

The Journal Sentinel just hired someone named David Paulsen to be Breaking News Editor. Using breaking news and Journal Sentinel in the same sentence is something that occurs less frequently as each month passes. Paulsen comes to the paper after stints as a reporter in Wausau and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and two years at Fox News.

Well, when the announcement was made the cries from staffers in the newsroom in Downtown Milwaukee could be heard throughout the civilized world.

The first was that here was another case of a white man getting a management job. Staffers complained there were no women in leadership positions. Probably a legitimate gripe, although the publisher of the newspaper is a woman.

But the most revealing complaint came when the staff b**ched about this guy coming from Fox News. Everybody knows about Fox News. Right wing. Ultra-conservative. The home of Bill O’Reilly.

How could a "real" newspaper hire someone like this? That was the refrain. Over and over again. More pandering to the right wing.

continue at OnMilwaukee

CatholicCulture: Cardinal Burke to deliver keynote address at Vatican conference for Gospel of life

As part of the Year of Faith, the Vatican is hosting a “Day Celebrating the Evangelium Vitae [Gospel of life]” on June 15 and 16. The day’s events, which include a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter, Eucharistic adoration and the Sacrament of Penance, and a prayer vigil, will culminate with a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.

Two American prelates will play key roles in the day’s events. Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, will deliver the keynote address at a Vatican conference devoted to “The Gospel of Life and the New Evangelization,” and Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, vice president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, will lead a holy hour for life.

Catholic Culture

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Video: Fr. John Hardon on the Immaculate Conception

This is classic Hardon, like Chesterton, he has a distinct style which it takes a little bit to get used to, but once you do he'll knock your socks off.

Details on EC Regis president "fired for being gay"

Timothy G. Nelson was overjoyed to sign an agreement naming him president of the Regis Catholic Schools system in his hometown of Eau Claire.

Although the job entailed a $27,000 annual salary cut, Nelson, who currently lives in Farmington, N.M., was grateful for the opportunity to return to the school system that educated him. Even more important to him, he said, was the prospect of spending time with his mother, who is terminally ill.

“It’s difficult going back and forth from New Mexico to take care of her needs,” Nelson explained.

But just three weeks after Nelson accepted the position in mid-March, the Diocese of La Crosse suddenly withdrew the offer. Officials claimed that Nelson had not been candid about his former affiliation with the Franciscan Brothers – an allegation he strongly denies. In fact, Nelson says that he not only spoke at length about his time with the Franciscans during interviews, but he also used several Franciscan chaplains as character references.

Nelson contends that the real reason for the diocese’s change of heart came after officials conducted something of a witch-hunt and discovered what they believed was evidence that he’s gay. Nelson acknowledges that he’s gay, but he resents the petty snooping into his personal life conducted by the diocese, as well as what he calls the “ignorance” that led him to lose a job for which he feels uniquely qualified.

Nelson has filed a complaint with the Equal Rights Division of the Department of Workforce Development in Madison. State law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment decisions.

continue at Wisconsin Gazette (a lot of details, worth following the link)

It goes on to say that the La Crosse Diocese, not the school was ultimately responsible for the decision.

Identifying as gay is I don't think what most people care about.  The way the story is laid out, I doubt Nelson is a member of Courage, or has taken a healthy approach to his sexual identity.  But if he adheres to Catholic teaching on the matter, it doesn't bother me at all to have him working as president of the school. 

A while back there was a small Catholic classical school that was starting up, and parents rallied to shut it down because it was taking away from the local diocesan school.... 

Iowa Catholic Bishops: "Health care is a natural human right"

By
Most Rev. Jerome Hanus,
Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless,
Most Rev. Martin Amos, and
Most Rev. Richard Pates

We, the Catholic bishops of Iowa, are grateful that the governor and the Iowa Legislature are debating how to make health care coverage more readily available to low-income Iowans.

The Catholic Church has millennia of experience as providers of health care for all, especially the poor. Among the causes that contribute to poverty are “inadequate measures for guaranteeing basic health care” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 447). It is in this spirit that we reiterate our Catholic tradition that teaches that health care is a natural human right, essential to protecting human life and dignity.

We believe there are several criteria that should be considered when evaluating a health care proposal. It should 1) ensure access to quality, readily accessible, affordable, life-giving health care for all; 2) retain long-standing requirements that federal funds not be used for elective abortions or plans that include them, and effectively protect conscience rights; and 3) protect the access to health care that immigrants currently have and remove current barriers to access.

Ultimately it is the role of our civil leaders to decide what is most practical in achieving the common good. Currently, the Medicaid public health insurance program is limited to very low-income adults who have dependents or a disability. One of the decisions facing the Legislature is whether to extend Medicaid with the assistance of additional federal dollars.

The proposed “Medicaid expansion” passed by the Iowa Senate would:

• Extend coverage to almost all people who earn less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level — projected to include 150,000 persons in Iowa.

• Allow persons whose income is from 138 percent to 400 percent of the federal poverty level to purchase private plans with the assistance of tax credits through a “health insurance exchange.”

• Declare that a person who qualifies for the program by reason of income is entitled to care.

• Declare there are no monthly premiums.

continue at Des Moines Register

Hmm, well, I'm all for everyone having access to healthcare, and at the state level is the right level to run these programs, but I'd have to say I don't think someone that disagrees with "Extend[ing] coverage to almost all people who earn less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level" is wrong either.  Or that "“inadequate measures for guaranteeing basic health care” = "there are no monthly premiums"...  One could say there are no monthly premiums for "basic" health care.... but contraception is probably considered "basic" health care.