Priesthood, for some the calling is "womb to tomb"

Archbishop Jerome Listecki describes his call to religious life as "womb to tomb."

"People ask me when my first vocational call came," he said Monday. "People smile, but I usually say, according to family stories, it's 2 1/2 or 3, it was outside of church and my neighbors kind of said, 'Now, Jerome, what do you want to be when you grow up?'

"And a priest passed by, and I said, 'That's what I want to be.' And, of course, they laughed and they said, 'Sure, you'll grow out of that one,' but I never did. There has always been this deepening relationship and that desire to be (a) priest."

JSOnline article

Photo

Wis Dems hope to give trial lawyers a boost in these tough economic times

MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A Wisconsin senator says she’ll try again next year to help bring justice to victims of child sex abuse. Stevens Point Democrat Julie Lassa was a main sponsor of the Child Victims Act that died when the legislative session ended last week. It would have removed the statute of limitations for victims of child sex abuse to file civil suits.
Right now, the current age limit is 35 – but Lassa and others say many victims are not able to deal with their attacks until much later in life. This was the second time the measure was introduced, and Lassa said it got further in the process than the first time, because lawmakers held public hearings on it.
Catholic Church leaders, including new Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki, testified against the measure. La Crosse Diocese attorney Jim Birnbaum says everyone agrees that perpetrators must be brought to justice. But if this bill passes, he says the state should also do away with the sovereign immunity law which prohibits or limits damages in cases involving public employees.
Lassa calls that a bogus argument which basically says, “If we can’t catch all pedophiles, then we shouldn’t catch any.” She said the removal of the statute of limitations would apply in all abuse cases, private or public.

The ironic thing is La Crosse Diocese attorney Jim Birnbaum is a large supporter of the Democratic Party, including contributing to the election of now President Obama.   

I know a few people who have brought complaints to the diocese about Birnbaum, but no action has been taken.  I don't know what his position on abortion is. 

Back to Lassa, when the Murphy case was rehashed recently, she was hopeful it would help push this bill through.  Just one problem, Murphy is dead.  Are they going to go after Weakland?  What seems to not be a concern for these Democrats is the healing of the victims or the perpetrators brought to justice.  But they are concerned about the money.  I assume the hope is that the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will have to sell some churches or schools or hospitals to payout to victims and their lawyers.  I highly doubt this law will apply to any other institute but the Church.  Happy Friday Sen. Lassa!

Question of the Seal

It looks like the Archdiocese of Milwaukee isn't going to release any details of this case.  Here's all we know. 

Milwaukee, Wis., Apr 23, 2010 / 03:00 am (CNA).- A Catholic priest in Wisconsin was placed on administrative leave while the Archdiocese of Milwaukee investigates a claim that he violated the seal of confession.
The Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reported on Tuesday that Fr. David Verhasselt was removed from his pastoral duties at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in the town Oconomowoc, Wisconsin by Archbishop Jerome Listecki on Monday. The archdiocese's tribunal is currently conducting a preliminary investigation.
CNA contacted the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for more information on the details of the case and received a general statement from Archbishop Listecki.
“Every priest has a most serious obligation to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding what is confessed to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” wrote the archbishop on April 14. “A sacred trust is established between a priest and a penitent and the integrity of the Sacrament relies upon this trust.”
“This 'seal of confession' is so absolute that any allegation about its violation is taken very seriously and a complete investigation is required by Church law,” he added.  
“During this investigation we support and care for Father Verhasselt, while making sure the teaching and laws of the Church are respected and obeyed. Most importantly, we want to extend our pastoral care to the people of St. Catherine’s Parish during this difficult time,” Archbishop Listecki's statement concluded.
Deacon David Zimprich of St. Catherine’s, who is filling in as much as possible until an interim priest is appointed, said on Tuesday that parishioners are distressed.
“He's their shepherd, they love him,” Deacon Zimprich told the Journal Sentinel. “All we can tell people to do is to keep him in their prayers, and that maybe it didn't happen. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding.”
Fr. Verhasselt, 62, was ordained a priest in 1989 and was named pastor at St. Catherine’s in 2000.

CNA

Well the punishment for violating the Seal is automatic excommunication(CCL 1388.1).  But to falsely accuse a priest of breaking the Seal is also possibly punishable by excommunication.  So its a bid deal.  Pray for all those involved.  All priests from liberal to traditional take the seal very seriously.  And the archdiocese is investigating.  The priest would still be given due process even if the investigation finds some truth to the claim. 

A beautiful story (perhaps embellished with time) which captures the reality of this topic is the life of St. John Nepomucene (1340-93), the vicar general to the Archbishop of Prague. King Wenceslaus IV, described as a vicious, young man who easily succumbed to rage and caprice, was highly suspicious of his wife, the Queen. St. John happened to be the Queen's confessor. Although the king himself was unfaithful, he became increasingly jealous and suspicious of his wife, who was irreproachable in her conduct. Although Wencelaus tortured St. John to force him to reveal the Queen's confessions, he would not. In the end, St. John was thrown into the River Moldau and drowned on March 20, 1393.

For more on the Seal

Fr Michael van der Peet

A chance encounter - and a request for prayer - led to a special chapter in Father Michael van der Peet's life as a Catholic priest.

In 1975, he saw Mother Teresa while waiting for a bus in Rome. His first reaction was to respect her privacy.

"Then the thought struck me, 'I am a sinner. She is a saint. It might be good for a sinner to ask a saint for a prayer,' " he said, telling the story.

"She said, 'Father, I would be happy to do that. You must pray for me, too, because I need your prayers.' "
It was the first conversation in what became a longstanding spiritual relationship and friendship. Early on, Mother Teresa asked him to conduct retreats for her Missionaries of Charity members.

Van der Peet died Wednesday of complications after a stroke in February. He was 85.

Interesting!  Requiescat in pace.

Read the rest at JSOnline

Next bishop of La Crosse

From the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman website.

The Cathedral has sit down interviews several priests who assist at Mass and wrote a short article on each.  They interviewed Msgr Gilles whom is one of the potential replacements for Arch Listecki as bishop of La Crosse.  After looking at this, I'm leaning toward Msgr. Gilles versus someone from outside the diocese.  I thought previously that Msgr Gilles might end up as an auxiliary somewhere, but he seems quite well connected.

Msgr. Richard Gilles

In this, the “Year of the Priest”, we continue to get to know the priests who serve the Cathedral. Monsignor Richard Gilles officiates at Mass and shares his homilies with Cathedral parishioners and visitors.

As a boy, growing up in rural Boyd, WI, near Chippewa Falls, he attended public schools. When he was in eighth grade, his pastor, during confession, asked him if he had ever considered the priesthood. A few years later, while attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Father Robert Cook, Vocation Director, talked to him about the priesthood. He realized he had a calling and transferred to the University of St. Thomas - St. John Vianney Seminary, St. Paul, MN, where he received a B.A. in Theology. His Masters of Divinity was received from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, IL. One of his teachers was Father Jerome Listecki, who would later become the Bishop of La Crosse.

Msgr. Gilles was ordained at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral by Bishop John Paul in 1994. Some years later, at the direction of now Archbishop Raymond Burke, he received his licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy.

Most of Msgr. Gilles’ service has been in challenging administrative duties, other than Chaplain and instructor at McDonell Central High School, Chippewa Falls for three years and parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish at Eau Claire for nine months.

He is the middle child in his family and has three sisters and one brother. Theirs is a very caring relationship and they enjoy time together. He is a farm boy at heart, having spent time on his grandfather’s farm and many years on an aunt’s farm. He enjoys milking cows, planting and landscaping. Biking and hiking are favorite past times. Archbishop Listecki introduced him to books on tape and he enjoys these during the many hours of driving. Favorite authors are James Patterson, John Grisham and David Baldacci.


The most difficult time in his ministry was the 2002 sexual abuse allegations. The public outrage, where many held all priests in disdain, affected the many good men in the priesthood.

The happiest time in his ministry is celebrating the sacraments. He enjoyed teaching high school students, working with teacher colleagues and the camaraderie of his fellow priests. A favorite scripture narration describes Jesus walking on water, reaching out to Peter and saying “Do not be afraid”. It presumes Christ is with us, we are not alone.

Since Msgr. Gilles does not have a parish, he is drawn to the Cathedral to serve because of the warm hospitality, the beautiful liturgy and as a good example of a Mother Church, which sets a good tone for the Diocese. He feels he is needed. He also needs the Cathedral parishioners to be surrounded by good people. He values the prayers and welcomes the availability of lay members for consultation. He is saddened by the departure of Archbishop Jerome Listecki, his teacher, mentor and friend, but knows that God has called him to serve the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

Msgr. Gilles has been elected Diocesan Administrator to govern the Diocese of La Crosse until a new Bishop is named. This shows the respect for him that is held by the College of Consultors, as well as recognition of his abilities, strong work ethic and reverence for the position.

As a parish, we are blessed by his presence. Please remember him in your prayers, as he fulfills this position, as he did previously, when Archbishop Raymond Burke was called to lead the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri.

Bob Uecker undergoes heart surgery

Bob Uecker, Brewers radio broadcaster for 40 years, will soon be undergoing heart surgery.  Please say a prayer for him.

On Wednesday, baseball legend Bob Uecker, 75, announced that he was going to be sidelined 10-12 weeks due to heart surgery.

Photo: Sports Illustrated 

One story Bob tells often is that one day in batting practice he caught a fly ball in a tuba he borrowed from a band that was setting up.  The team fined him $250 for his antics. 

Aborted fetuses are used in vaccines - FACT

Although the Church has taught that Christians are not necessarily culpable for using the vaccines, the fact remains that aborted fetuses are used in vaccines.  I think we have a right to alternatives. 

All vaccines in question – rubella, MMR and chicken pox – among others, are derived from either the MRC-5 or WI-38 cell lines.

According to the National Network for Immunization Information, among numerous sources (Google "WI-38 aborted" or "MRC-5 aborted" for more validations, such as this Salon article, or footnote 1 on this Merck label or even Wikipedia), "WI-38 came from lung cells from a female fetus of three-months gestation and MRC-5 was developed from lung cells from a 14-week-old male fetus. Both fetuses were intentionally aborted."

Whether or not this has links to autism is another question(and quite frankly beside the point).

WorldNetDaily
H/T Jill Stanek 


Background:
MN waking up to smell the $$ in the abortion industry(Steve Drazkowski)
BadgerCatholic: Which vaccines contain aborted babies - Right to Life MI

Baby blessing

This is boy #2 getting his first bishop blessing from Bishop John Quinn, Winona, after my sisters Confirmation at St. Peter's, Hokah, MN. Grandma holding baby.

Our boy #1 has been blessed by Arch Burke, Arch Listecki, and Bp Harrington.... not that we're counting :)  Seriously, may it please God to give my children the gift of holy priestly vocations after His Most Sacred Heart.

The Homily

Saturday, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the bishop of Tulsa, Oklahoma celebrated a Pontifical Mass for Pope Benedict XVI for the 5th anniversary of his election. 

The Paulus Institute today is pleased to announce His Excellency Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa, Okla., has agreed to celebrate the first traditional Latin Solemn High Pontifical Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in nearly 50 years. The Mass will take place this Saturday, April 24, at 1 p.m.

http://pontificalmass.org/

Bishop Slattery gave the homily.  Not just any homily, but the best I have ever heard.  No mincing or wasting words.  I highly recommend listening or reading the text.  Even better if you watch it being delivered.  Part 1 below:  Update: Sorry, this is just the audio below.

Catholic Liturgy 101

From St Louis Catholic

We must use every means and exert all our energy to bring about the utter disappearance of the enormous and detestable wickedness so characteristic of our time—the substitution of man for God; this done, it remains to restore to their ancient place of honor the most holy laws and counsels of the Gospel…

—POPE ST. PIUS X, E Supremi "On the Restoration of All Things in Christ"

Oct 4th, 1903

Liberal intellectual takes on Tea Party in Madison - video

From a recent Tea Party activity in Madison, WI



What a babe.

Is that Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel next to him?




HT Mike Tate Watch

St Gianna relics installed yesterday at Shrine

The relics of St. Gianna Beretta Molla will be displayed next to their paintings in the side aisles of the Shrine Church. This painting by Neilson Carlin(right) features the faces of real children in the La Crosse diocese whose parents prayed to the saint for assistance in conception and birth. St. Gianna is considered a pro-life saint.

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A solemn celebration in honor of St. Gianna Beretta Molla will be April 25 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 5250 Justin Road. Holy Mass will be said  at 1 p.m., followed by a blessing for mothers and married couples; prayer and reflection on St. Gianna at 2 p.m.; veneration and installation of relic at 3 p.m.

La Crosse Tribune

I was hoping to go and get some pictures but due to weather and kids we ended up staying home. I think the only saint with a side altar that does not have relics is St. Peregrin.  The five other saint, Therese of Lisieux, Bl Miguel Pro, Gianna, Faustina, Maria Goretti do have relics on display at the altar.  Also Bl Miguel Pro and Bl Kateri Tekakwitha relics are installed in the main altar of the church. 

Arch Burke's full remarks from IRL meeting at Mundelein

Sadly, the great joy of our gathering in these days to celebrate the life and death of Father John A. Hardon, S.J., an outstanding religious priest, and to honor and encourage so many institutes of the consecrated life which are striving to be faithful are overshadowed by the public and obstinate betrayal of religious life by certain religious. Who would ever imagine that religious congregations of Pontifical Right would openly organize to resist and to frustrate an apostolic visitation, that is, a visit to their congregations carried out under the authority of the Vicar of Christ on earth, to whom all religious are bound by the strongest bonds of loyalty and obedience? Who would ever imagine that consecrated religious would, in defiance of the Bishops as successors of the Apostles, publicly endorse legislation containing provisions which violate the natural moral law in its most fundamental tenet, the safeguarding and promoting of innocent and defenseless human life, and lacking provisions which safeguard the free exercise of the rightly formed consciences of health care workers?

We witness a growing tendency of certain consecrated religious to view themselves outside and above the Body of Christ[FSPA, SSJ-TOSF], as a kind of parallel body which looks upon the Church with an autonomy which contradicts the very nature of their consecration. We have come a long way from the total loyalty to the Roman Pontiff, which was at the heart of the foundation of the Society of Jesus and of every religious congregation. Religious life lived in the heart of the Church and, for that reason, religious congregations are, by their very nature, united in total loyalty to the Roman Pontiff. It is, of course, an absurdity of the most tragic kind to have consecrated religious knowingly and obstinately acting against the moral law.
....
Yes, the opposition to and even persecution of those who witness to the truth are fearsome. We, however, are called to share in the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Even as Christ alone is the salvation of the world, even so we can only serve the world by our total communion with Him, in doing the truth with love “to the end.” In fact, the world which seems so much opposed to the Church and her witness to the truth is hungering, to the point of starvation, for the unfailing witness of Catholics who are, in Father Hardon’s words, “real,” who are ready to be martyrs, if necessary, for what is true and good.

Some interesting remarks about La Crosse, where the FSPA, SSJ-TOSF used to teach faithfully.  Burke actively sought to bring in sisters who were "real" and not actively trying to destroy the Catholic faith.

As Bishop of La Crosse, I was convinced of the need of a convent and house of formation for young women, in which the authentic renewal of religious life would be manifest. Mother M. Ingeborg Rohner, F.S.G.M., of the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Province of the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr Saint George put faith in what I was proposing to do and generously missioned four of her Sisters to the Diocese of La Crosse to undertake what was a new apostolate for her congregation. The Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr Saint George have continued to assist me, over the years, in a host of ways. I am deeply grateful for the witness of their consecrated life and the zeal with which they undertake the apostolate, all in fidelity to their spiritual father, Saint Francis of Assisi, and their foundress, Mother M. Anselma Bopp.

I also owe a deep depth of gratitude to the Nashville Dominicans who, after my eight years of begging, first for the Diocese of La Crosse and then for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, missioned three Sisters to the Archdiocese of Saint Louis for the significant strengthening of the apostolate of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

I kept trying to quote the whole thing, you might as well read the full remarks:

Read the whole thing at Thoughts of a Regular Guy

Question of the Seal

Not going to talk about Milwaukee priest until the details are revealed. 

What I am listening to right now

Gaelic Storm - Bare in the Basin

Well actually I'm listening to the not so distorted album version, but still impressive nonetheless.



Fr Z posted asking about country music, and it got me thinking about secular music which I enjoy from time to time. I posted this:

In non bluegrass(bluegrass really is just a rip off of Irish Gaelic folk music), you really have two main country musics – old country and new country. An easy litmus test is to listen to Hank Williams Sr(old) and Hank Williams Jr(new). To me old country is just boring, but if you are in a group of guys drinking beer that know the words it is enjoyable. Some new country is infected with the rock/drug culture(Hank Jr) but some I like(which probably is best classified as protestant cultural music, ie Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner).
...
If we qualify it as country, my favorite is Johnny Cash(even though he cant really sing). He is the bridge between the old and the new, I think.

Oh, you didn't know?

It's the 4th annual Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards! 

I shamelessly nominated myself for Best New Kid on the Block.

I think they need a category for best local blogs or something.  I try to keep this pretty relevant to us up nort, especially Vee scohn seen.  

I see Dad29 is out there too.  He's got my vote. 

Also have you seen The Lion & The Cardinal? Magnificent!

Bryan Bulaga - nasty as Dad29?

Although I'm personally opposed to talking sports on this blog, I don't think I should push my own morals on others.

Packers GM Ted Thompson's pick was excellent last night.  The Pack took Bryan Bulaga, left offensive tackle from Univ of Iowa.

Iowa's Bulaga is one mean, nasty football prospect

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/iowas-bulaga-is-one-460182.html

The word on the street is he's as nasty, if not nastier, than Dad29.  Bulaga probably cant direct a choir for the Traditional Mass though!   

We'll say the score after Q1 is:
Dad29: 7
Bulaga: 7

Fr John Hardon and the 30 Day Spiritiual Exercise

April 29, 2010, the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, marks a very special anniversary. Having known Father Hardon for nearly two years back in 1992, I finally worked up the courage to undertake the thirty day retreat with him.  The last day of my retreat was April 29^th. He never pushed me to do it, but one knew what Father Hardon wanted without being told.  It was a retreat that changed my life so dramatically that it seems it was miraculous.  You see, at the age of forty, with a promising career in accounting, I was ready for our young girls to start school so that I could have more time to pursue my profession.  God had other plans that I was unaware of—but that my husband and Father Hardon were aware of.

Knowing that they were hoping my retreat elections would be:  a) to try and have more children, which was not something I wanted with three C-sections in our history, and b) to home educate all our children—something that I knew only wacko, hippie, radical kooks did.  It was illegal after all!  It was not fair that I should have to sacrifice so much for what they wanted!  One night, after a particularly hard day, I let off a lot of steam to both my poor husband and Father Hardon.   Years later, his secretary was talking about people who had persecuted Father or lost their temper with him.  Father’s reaction, she said, was to spend three days in fasting and prayer for the perpetrator. Oh, my! That is really loving your enemy.  It would seem his efforts were most effective.

Within several days, as the retreat continued—amazing in itself with three young children under the age of six—I decided to give home schooling a try and have more children.  Funny how life changes.  Without the love and prayers and guidance of Father Hardon, the choice never would have been made.  Was it hard to change?  Definitely.  Was it hard to home school?  Without a doubt.  Was it worth it?  Well, one thing is for sure, God cannot be outdone in generosity, as Father Hardon frequently said.  Words could never explain the blessings of making those choices, of doing God’s will.

           

As part of the reflection on our role in the new evangelization, let us ask ourselves, “What price am I willing to pay to convert my friend or neighbor?”  Am I willing to fast, pray, or even lay down my very life as Christ did for me?  Father prayed for martyrdom, whether it be a red martyrdom or a white martyrdom.  Martyrdom is not something to be feared, but a precious gift given by Christ to those He loves the most.  Father showed us that the little sacrifices of our will help us not only to prepare for martyrdom but to experience that peace and joy that can only come from doing God’s will instead of our own. He will bless us beyond our expectations, more than we could ever imagine.

Schola.... who me?

I was asked to help sing in the schola at the Cathedral of St Joseph the Workman in La Crosse.  On Friday, May 7th they will have a Latin Novus Ordo Mass at 5:10 pm for the feast of St Joseph the Workman(yes the feast is May 1st).  Cathedral has a Latin Novus Ordo Mass every First Friday by the way.

But little did I know the choir director wanted me to audition!  Well I am no singer, that is for sure.  So I thought what the hay, why not try it.  I know some of the propers from attending TLM.  Well turns out they were just doing Missa de Angelis and Credo III, which I do know.  Buuuuuut, for the audition, Dr. Luckner had me sing a Christmas carol which I guess is easier since we all know them.  I sang O Little Town of Bethlehem (an Episcopal hymn, by the way) and he said I can hold a tune, which is news to me.  

Needless to say, I feel like a real man now. 

Which vaccines contain aborted babies - Right to Life MI

A short while back I posted on a Minnesota congressman, Rep Steve Drazkowski, whom is supporting a legal measure to force big pharma to label which vaccines contain aborted children's parts and which to not. 

Now thanks to Right to Life Michigan, we have a comprehensive list which verifies the claims. This is not just a list of bad vaccines, but also a list of alternative vaccines which do not use aborted babies.

For several years now, information has circulated among prolife groups and individuals regarding the development of very common vaccines through the use of tissue taken from aborted babies. While initially the reports and information were not conclusively documented, further detailed research by several prolife groups has provided direct proof of a connection between aborted fetal tissue and most vaccines. That connection, and its implications for whether prolife citizens should consider using the vaccines, raises some complicated issues. In sorting through those issues, this LifeNotes will address the basic science involved, the documentation of the abortion-vaccine connection, the moral/ethical questions about using abortion-tainted vaccines, and information about available alternative vaccines.

U.S. Produced Vaccines from Aborted Cell Lines

Disease	Vaccine Name	Manufacturer	Cell line (fetal)
Polio	Poliovax	Aventis-Pasteur	MRC-5
Rabies	Imovax	Aventis-Pasteur	MRC-5
Hepatitis A	Havrix	Merck & Co.	MRC-5
Hepatitis A	Vaqta	Glaxo/SmithKline	MRC-5
Hepatitis A-B Combo	Twinrix	Glaxo/SmithKline	MRC-5
Smallpox	Acambis 1000	Acambis	MRC-5
Chickenpox	Varivax	Merck & Co.	MRC-5/WI-38
Measles, Mumps, Rubella	MMR II	Merck & Co	WI-38
Mumps-Rubella	Biavax II	Merck & Co	WI-38
Measles-Rubella	MR-VAX	Merck & Co	WI-38
Rubella only	Meruvax II	Merck & Co	WI-38

 

 U.S. Produced Alternative Vaccines
(There are no U.S. alternatives for Chickenpox, Rubella, Hepatitis-A)

Disease	Vaccine Name	Manufacturer	Cell line
Polio	IPOL	Aventis-Pasteur	Monkey kidney
Mumps	Mumpsvax	Merck & Co.	Chick embryo
Measles	Attenuvax	Merck & Co.	Chick embryo
Rabies	RabAvert	Chiron Therapeutics	Chick embryo
Smallpox Hepatitis B	Acambis 2000 Engerix, Comvax	Acambis-Baxter Glaxo/Smith/Kline, Merck	Monkey kidney Yeast

I plan on donating some money to Right to Life MI or whomever compiled this list.  This is excellent work. H/T Jill Stanek

How many sconnies does it take...

Catholic Presence in Wisconsin

There are 1.6 million Catholics in five dioceses. Total Wisconsin population 5.4 million.   

30% of Sconnies are Catholic.

The Catholic presence in Wisconsin includes:

• 788 Catholic parishes;

• 1,864 priests and deacons;

• 3,973 religious sisters(eek!) and brothers;

• Catholic churches and agencies across the state that spend tens of millions of dollars annually to provide food, clothing, shelter, day care, eldercare, adoption services, and pregnancy, family and personal counseling to people of all races and religions;

• 348 Catholic elementary and high schools annually enrolling nearly 68,000 students;

• Five Catholic newspapers with a combined weekly circulation of over 116,000;

• Officiating at over 6,600 marriage ceremonies, or about 20% of all marriages, performed in Wisconsin every year;

• Nine Catholic colleges and universities(....Ummm, can anyone say Land 'o Lakes), enrolling nearly 32,000 students of all ages, races and religions;

• Over thirty-five Catholic hospitals and numerous clinics and long term care facilities; and

• Over 600 Catholic cemeteries.

From Wisconsin Catholic Bishop's website
(I might add this website has been found wanting, no RSS feed yeiyeiyei)

Not everyone happy about the new Madison UW campus building

On March 14, 2005, I watched with horror and sadness as St. Raphael Cathedral was destroyed by fire. My family had ties to this magnificent edifice for over 100 years.

On June 10, 2007, I participated in the pomp and circumstances of a procession led by Bishop Robert Morlino from St. Patrick Church on East Main Street to the Capitol steps and finally to West Main Street and the parking lot of a gutted St. Raphael Cathedral

There, to applause and tears of joy, Bishop Morlino announced the cathedral would be rebuilt on the existing site, incorporating its iconic steeple.

Now, the bishop says instead of replacing our cathedral, he's embarking on plans to build a 14-story multi-purpose building on the UW campus.

Has Bishop Morlino ever considered a career in politics? Apparently it's not just the Lord who giveth and taketh away.

- John McDermott, Madison

Wisconsin State Journal

Background, New Catholic Center to be built on campus

Diocese of La Crosse without a bishop for 5 months now

#1(Springfield) and #3(Miami) were appointed today.(see AmP App below)  That brings diocese of La Crosse up to #3 on the list...

I posted a while back on the only speculations I have. My thoughts haven't changed much.  I think Msgr. Gilles 50% somebody else 50%.  La Crosse has been without a bishop since November 2009, so about 5 months.  Our last wait for then-bishop Listecki was about 12 months, (to be precise, Dec 2, 2003 to Dec 29, 2004).  That seems a bit lengthy and I think the general expectation is an appointment much sooner than that. 

The AmP Bishop Appointment Watch List

 

Tuesday is the traditional day for new Vatican appointments of bishops to dioceses in the United States. There is a higher-than-usual possibility that we’ll have a new bishop (or two) announced this Tuesday (or Wednesday). In order, these are the dioceses I think are most likely to have a replacement named soon:

1. Diocese of Springfield, IL  - under a diocesan administrator since June of 2009, some buzz
2. Archdiocese of Indianapolis, IN  - Abp. Buechlein is in poor health, may have submitted his resignation
3. Archdiocese of Miami  - I blogged why last week
4. Diocese of Lafayette, IN  - Bp. Higi was to retire in August of 2008, but is still waiting to be relieved
5. Diocese of La Crosse, WI – vacant since Bp. Listecki was appointed to Milwaukee last year

A good place to check-up on the current vacant & overdue dioceses is this page on my father’s website.
Have you heard any speculation about an arch/diocese about to receive a new head? Discuss in the comments or drop me a line!

Diocese of La Crosse creates new vocations website

Well not new website, but new area on their current website.  ....Don't any of you get me going on their website.  I know the technology coordinator and he is going to do some great things with it.  But having only been there for a year or so, it will take a while to make up for so much lost time.

http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/vocations/priesthood.htm

Stevens Point based Sisters of St. Joseph also signed pro-abortion letter

FSPA president Sister Marlene Weisenbeck of La Crosse[FSPA], a signatory of the NETWORK letter, is president of the LCWR, which represents a percentage of U.S. women religious. Other signatories included members of the leadership team of the Stevens Point-based Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order St. Francis (SSJ-TOSF)

NETWORK’s statement flatly contradicted the bishops’ claim that the Senate version of the bill provides taxpayer dollars for abortions, calling it “false,” and asked congressional representatives to “cast a life-affirming ‘yes’ vote” on the legislation. NETWORK joined the Catholic Health Association (CHA), which represents Catholic hospitals, in breaking with the bishops and publicly supporting the legislation.

“Health care at the expense of lives of the unborn is not social justice,” read the Diocese of La Crosse’s response, which was posted to the diocesan Web site March 19. “Statements from individuals and groups such as Network directly undermine the tireless work of the U.S. bishops and the pro-life faithful in America and in the Diocese of La Crosse, and sow confusion about the truth of the matter and about who speaks for the Church.”

The Catholic Times

I went back to look and here is a list of more pro-abortion nuns in the La Crosse diocese.


The Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis 

Sister Jane Blabolil
Sister Michelle Wronkowski
Sister Dorothy Pagosa
Sister Linda Szocik

The sisters email addresses are not listed on their website.  But there are some nice pictures.

Sr. Katherine Wyszynski blessed the Gathering assisted by Rev. Bob Bosse

Gee, that's nice of Fr. Bosse to help...

This got me to thinking, I am going to go through that whole list and find out how many are from Wisconsin...  There seems to be quite a few.

UPDATE 4/24/10
Archbishop Burke's full comments from IRL meeting. 

Bp Morlino celebrated TLM yesterday, plans on more

From the diocesan newspaper.

Pope Benedict XVI also wrote that these two forms of the Roman Rite can be "mutually enriching as there is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal," a twofold use of one and the same rite.

Responding to the call of "Summorum Pontificum" and following on the Holy Father's declaration "to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church's faith and prayer," Bishop Robert C. Morlino twice celebrated a High Pontifical Mass at the Throne at Holy Redeemer Church in downtown Madison.

This year Bishop Morlino will celebrate four Low Tridentine Masses during the year, in addition to celebrating a High Pontifical Mass at the Throne.

The first Low Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Morlino at St. Norbert Church in Roxbury at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 18. All are invited to experience the beauty and solemnity of this Mass.

Some Triduum photos

Photos at the Cathedral of St Joseph the Workman in La Crosse, WI.

Retired Diocese of Winona, MN bishop, Bp Harrington presiding.  The lighting is dark enough where its difficult to get a still image without a flash.  I have a Canon Rebel XSI, but I think I should have gone with the equivalent Nikon.  Since I bought my camera I've met more and more people who swear by Nikon.   

Holy Thursday



Note well, 12 men having their feet washed. *which reminds me to tell another story later..






Good Friday



Deacon Joseph Richards processing with cross


Msgr Richard Gilles, left,
Friar Joseph Schmitzer, FFI, front left


Great photo if it wasn't blurry... doh!



Easter Vigil


Blur to the left is Msgr Gilles


Probably the best shot I got.


Fr Michael Gorman, Cathedral Rector to the right of Bp Harrington

Friars of the Immaculate in da hizouse

Lance O pointed out to me that when a visiting bishop presides in another diocese that his crosier should be turned backwards which it was.  He said he noticed at one point it wasn't and Msgr. Gilles corrected it.

One awkward moment at the end of the Easter Vigil, Bp. Harrington was thanking everyone.  He seemed somewhat exhausted.  After thanking he said, "In the spirit of Arch Burke, we got this thing done in two hours."  I think he meant to crack a joke, but sadly his own diocese has allowed for so many mal-formations in the liturgy that a two hour Mass(short because there were no baptisms) is something the good bishop perhaps has not experienced at his own butchered cathedral. Don't get me wrong, I like Bp Harrington personally and have found him to be fearlessly pro-life in his preaching.  (also when I was discerning the priesthood it was in his diocese)  But there is a reason my family does not live in his diocese. 

*Also back to the foot washing.  I had to hold in my laughter as a friend recently told me they attended the Newman Center in La Crosse on Holy Thursday and the priest directed everyone to wash each others feet.  So I guess buckets and rags were passed out and whoever was sitting next to you got a shoe shine(minus the shoes).  "Full participation" in the liturgy includes soap and a scrub brush?  One more reason we attend the Traditional Latin Mass(usually).  Can we confuse the priesthood of all believers with the consecrated priesthood any more?  The institution of the priesthood is celebrated during Holy Thursday Mass by acting out as if there is no difference between the laity and the priesthood?    I'm not sure if the GIRM allows for populus ad populum(or however it would be said) foot washing, but I doubt it.

Easter Sunday TLM, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Fr. Louis Maximilian M. Smith presiding.  Fra Joseph M. Schmitzer serving


Easter gospel

Gospel


Screaming kids(my own) at the Shrine so did not get some of the pictures I was hoping for.

Jewish businessman gets it

Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman - NOT Catholic.

Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the Catholic Church?

Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million elementary and high school students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to university studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.
The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church , 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.
Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not just a Catholic problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and your head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental entity in the United States today. Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions.

Full text at THE ORATE FRATRES

Upcoming events...

Dubuque County Right to Life Annual Banquet, April 16, Dubuque, IA Jill Stanek special guest speaker. Dubuque County Right to Life annual fundraising banquet; Dubuque, IA; 563-556-5960 or dcrtl@dcrtl.org

Pro-Life Wisconsin Awards Banquet—April 17^th, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
This year’s featured speaker, Sister Christa Marie Halligan, FSGM, will give a presentation on the Shrine to the Unborn. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear firsthand about the development of this unique devotional area at the Shrine. For information or reservations, contact Pro-Life Wisconsin at 577-God’s Will or www.ProLifeWisconsin.org. The cost is $35.

Midwest Regional Bioethics Conference —Saturday, May 1^st—St. Francis Seminary in St. Francis, WI (near Milwaukee) The topic is The Moral Limits of Autonomy, a concept that has shifted the doctor-patient relationship in a major way in recent years, with significant ramifications for Catholic health care.  The keynote speaker is George Weigel, Pope John Paul II’s biographer and internationally known theologian/commentator on Catholic affairs. For information, contact www.wisconsincma.org, Milwaukee@wisconsincma.org, or 414-758-2214.

Wisconsin Right to Life Annual Banquet, May 18, Oshkosh, WI;
Jill Stanek special guest speaker. WI Right to Life Veritas Society cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception, annual banquet fundraiser; Oshkosh, WI; 877-855-5007 or jvanswol@wrtl.org

Marian Symposium, August 21^st, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Mary: Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m,  Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate
Luis Cardinal Aponte Martinez, Archbishop Emeritus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Prefect, Apostolic Signatura, Rome
Msgr. Arthur B. Calkins, Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei
Dr. Mark I. Miravalle, Franciscan University of Steubenville
MC: Drew Mariani, Relevant Radio
www.mariansymposium.com

Twelve “Evilest Pope Pictures”

From Anna Arco

The Twelve “Evilest Pope Pictures” is the one of the most shared memes on Buzzfeed at the moment, bearing out ED Kain’s theory that the Holy Father “has aged in such a way as to make him look less the cuddly grandpa and more the evil villain; he bears an uncanny resemblance to Emperor Palpatine”.

Pictures can really change the way we read stories. Personally I’ve never thought of B16 as particularly creepy looking–I’ve always had him in the cute, cuddly, but slightly shy and diffident grandpa category, a bit embarrassed by all the attention that has suddenly been lavished on him. In the spirit of light relief, we’ve compiled a few of the sweetest pictures of Pope Benedict for the 12 Sweetest Pope Pictures meme.

 See the pics

H/T AmericanPapist

Pfleger "apologizes" .... well not really

From Curt Jester

The Archdiocese of Chicago acted fairly quickly in posting Fr. Pfleger so-called apology.

“On Sunday, April 11, while preaching a sermon on the power of fear, I was referring to the fear that paralyzed the apostles, locking them in a room, leaving only John and the women at the foot of the cross. I stated that is why I believe women ought to be able to be ordained, as well as priests ought to be able to get married.”
“While this is my personal opinion, I do respect and follow the Catholic Church teachings, and I am sorry I failed to do this.” [Huh?]

No doubt Cardinal George will feel himself off the hook now, though would surely love to be totally wrong on this.

How about an Archdiocesan teaching moment here on Church teaching and the levels of Church teaching?

Fr.  Pfleger seems to have taken the Catholic politician “personally opposed but …” dodge and stood it on its head.  ”I’m personally for, but …”  The lasts sentence make zero sense and is itself opposed to Church teaching.

Whole article from Curt Jester 

The only reason Pfleger-Alinsky maintains his Catholic priesthood is to destroy it. 

Tea time!

Pro-Life Wisconsin Awards Banquet—April 17th

Pro-Life Wisconsin Awards Banquet—April 17^th, Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

This year’s featured speaker, Sister Christa Marie Halligan, FSGM, will give a presentation on the Shrine to the Unborn. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear firsthand about the development of this unique devotional area at the Shrine. For information or reservations, contact Pro-Life Wisconsin at 577-God’s Will or www.ProLifeWisconsin.org. The cost is $35.

Sts Faustina & Gianna relics installed at Shrine in April

The relics of two saints, St. M. Faustina Kowalska and St. Gianna Beretta Molla, will be installed in two separate, solemn celebrations in April at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Both events are open to the public.

Both are first-class relics, meaning the remains of a saint’s body. The relics of St. Faustina, a Polish nun and visionary who died in 1938, are bone fragments that Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, founder of the shrine and prefect the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura at the Vatican, brought back from Rome.

The relics of St. Gianna, who died in 1962 in Italy, are three strands of hair. “We’re very, very honored to have that here. It’s through the graciousness of the family,” said Sister Christa Marie, FSGM, executive director of the shrine.

Sister Christa Marie said she had asked the saint’s son, Pierluigi, whether the family might relinquish a relic after he spoke at the shrine last July.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is home to hundreds of relics, Sister Christa Marie said, but only the first-class relics of the six saints honored in the side aisles of the Shrine Church will be permanently displayed behind glass for public veneration. Already installed are bone fragments of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Maria Goretti.

Read the whole article which is really well done at La Crosse Tribune

Fr Z picked up on this too(and a CNA article)

Pfleger heresy caught on fim days after Card George awards him

Just days after Cardinal George awarded him a lifetime achievement award, the Rev. Michael Pfleger has been caught on tape openly dissenting and teaching heresy from the pulpit during mass!

In this stunning video from a Divine Mercy Sunday homily, Fr. Pfleger openly calls for female ordination and female bishops.



Pfleger says...

"That's why there should be woman priests, that's why there should be married priests, that's why there should be woman Bishops and women Cardinals"

Creative Minority Report
H/T Fr. Z

Pfleger, recipient of a Catholic Lifetime Achievement Award from Cardinal George....  achieving what,  confusion?  damnation??

Retired Superior WI priest just suspended as possible pedophile

A retired Catholic priest has been suspended from any active role in the Diocese of Superior in the wake of allegations that he engaged in sexual activities with a young man, perhaps a minor.

The priest, who served most of his career in Superior, still occasionally helped out at church functions, but Richard Lyons, director of administrative services for the diocese, said that as of April 1, those activities ceased.

“He is not permitted to function as a priest for the Diocese of Superior,” Lyons said, adding that the suspension will remain in effect while authorities investigate.

Lyons said the diocese has been in contact with staff in the Douglas County District Attorney’s office. Earlier Tuesday, District Attorney Dan Blank did not confirm the investigation and told the News Tribune he wasn’t personally aware of any new allegations against a priest within the Catholic Diocese of Superior.
Lyons said the church contacted the district attorney’s office when the allegation came to light March 31, and made a report to Social Services the following day. He said the case was handled in accordance with church policies, which also require an automatic suspension.

“Right now, all we know is that maybe something happened, and maybe it involved a minor,” Lyons said.
“Bishop [Peter] Christensen has made it clear that any time a situation comes to his attention where it’s even possible a minor was involved in abuse, he will take action by removing that person from active duty.”
Verne Wagner, a Duluth resident and victim of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of a priest, praised Christensen for his actions.

“We, victims of abuse, always talk about wanting transparency,” he said. “If the bishop did the right thing here, we need to say thank you.”

Lyons said the current allegations are based on second- and third-hand reports, and he doesn’t even know the full name of the alleged victim.

“Someone told someone who said something may have happened, but we have to take it seriously,” Lyons said, explaining that the diocese will stay out of the way of a formal investigation.
“We don’t want to do anything that would interfere with the authorities doing the investigation they need to do,” he said.

Lyons said that to his knowledge there had never before been allegations of inappropriate contact with a minor leveled against the now-suspended priest.

Wagner said he heard about the allegations from a parishioner who learned of his history in local media reports. He said a parishioner approached him with concerns about the retired priest and allegations that he had paid young men for sex.

Wagner, in turn, shared what he had been told with Bishop Christensen, as did the parishioner.
Wagner called on the bishop to encourage former parishioners in the retired priest’s congregation, as well as members of the diocese, to step forward and share any knowledge of past abuse.
“If he’s the leader of the flock, I think he needs to reach out to other potential victims,” Wagner said. “A lot of victims feel so alone, and they fear they’re not going to be believed.”
People with information about sexual abuse in the Superior Diocese are asked to contact the Superior Police Department’s investigations unit at (715) 395-7530 or 395-7652.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/165777/

The New York Times reports priest confesses "the pope made me do it!"  ....

Earth day approaching soon...

Christians can truly love nature because they will not worship her. - GK Chesterton

Investigation of Milwaukee Planned Parenthood reveals manipulation of women

From Pro-Life Wisconsin

Live Action Films revealed an undercover Planned Parenthood video taken at the 5380 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, Milwaukee, location. In this video, the counselor can be seen and heard telling a woman who is reportedly 6 to 8 weeks pregnant that her developing baby has “no arms, no legs, no heart, no head, no brain.” The counselor encourages abortion for economic reasons and downplays adoption.

“Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is our state’s number one abortion provider, both surgical and chemical. Planned Parenthood has proven they do not know, or they care to ignore, basic facts about human development,” said Virginia Zignego, communications director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. “This is the third video showing Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin affiliates violating state law.”

Wisconsin law requires women to receive medically accurate information before obtaining an abortion.

To view the undercover video, go to Live Action’s Web site, http://www.liveaction.org/.

“As a sidewalk counselor at Milwaukee Planned Parenthoods, I have had post-abortion women fall apart in my arms, sobbing, immediately regretting their abortions. Nothing can prepare a woman for an abortion,” said Peggy Hamill, state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. “This new footage reconfirms that Planned Parenthood is not providing women with complete, accurate medical information about their developing baby, much less the after effects of the abortion ‘procedure.’”

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Milwaukee received $1,064,574.28 in 2007 under Wisconsin's Family Planning Waiver Program. Through this federal/state program, minors as young as 15 receive free birth control, without their parents' knowledge or consent. In total, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin received more than $12 million in federal and state taxpayer funding last year.

I saw Jill Stanek has more coverage

Interesting note:

A similar video released in December from an Appleton, WI abortion clinic prompted state senator Glenn Grothman to call for an investigation of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Two leading embryologists also denounced Planned Parenthood's counseling, calling it "absurd and scientifically erroneous." Live Action also released a video last February catching Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin failing to comply with mandatory reporting laws for the sexual abuse of a 14 year old girl.

Oh and by the way, Wisconsin taxpayers generously fund Planned Parenthood in our state. 

MN waking up to smell the $$$ in the abortion industry

Got this forwarded to me by some family. Rep Steve Drazkowski serves SE Minnesota.  I hope Wisconsin wises up and follows suit. 

Hello from St. Paul,

Many of you might be surprised to learn that aborted fetal cells are
being used in certain vaccinations.  More of you might be surprised to
discover that some experts now believe those vaccinations with human DNA
could be linked to autism.

Recently, Theresa Deisher, Ph.D., an internationally renowned expert in
the field of adult stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine, came
to the State Capitol to explain her findings.  She’s discovered that
epidemic regressive autism is associated with the switch from using
animal cells to aborted human fetal cells in vaccination production.

According to Dr. Deisher, studies show that there is an environmental
component, or trigger, that is required for autism and autism spectrum
disorder to occur.  Vaccines are an obvious environmental component, but
while products containing mercury have mostly been ruled out as an
autism trigger, vaccines containing aborted fetal cells cannot be ruled
out because they’ve never been tested for safety.

Dr. Deisher notes that more than 20 vaccines contain aborted fetal
cells, and there is no law requiring that consumers be informed of this,
despite the obvious moral ramifications many Americans would have using
these vaccinations.

Because of this, I am co-authoring legislation with a large bipartisan
group of lawmakers that would require product labeling of stem
cell-based vaccines and patient consent before these human DNA vaccines
are administered to them.

According to the legislation, any vaccines using human DNA must be
clearly labeled as “derived from or manufactured using electively
aborted human fetal or embryonic tissue,” and that they shall not be
administered to a patient without written, informed consent.

Let me be clear: This legislation is not being offered to scare people
from receiving vaccinations.  But it’s unbelievable to me that our
country has ignored what could potentially be a significant health risk
with aborted fetal DNA vaccines.  As the push to use more stem cell
vaccines increases, we can no longer afford to simply hope the
injections aren’t a trigger for autism.

Further, there are many pro-life residents from our area that would be
appalled knowing they’re allowing a vaccine containing aborted fetal
matter to be injected into their toddler – particularly when other
vaccination alternatives may be available. [Damn right!]

With medical studies now suggesting that human DNA vaccines could have
unforeseen consequences, patients should be aware if they’re being
injected with a product containing aborted fetal cells.  Developmental
disorders are no laughing matter, and until we receive definitive
answers regarding these vaccines, the public should be aware of the
potential risks.

Besides, there’s nothing wrong with a patient having access to all
available information before making a medical decision, especially when
it involves a specific vaccine that may have some negative long-term
impacts.

Steve Drazkowski
MN State Representative

Horrified, we found out one of our sons had been given an abortion vaccine(obviously we parents were not notified).  Found additional information on which vaccines used aborted children. 

Arch Burke condemns" obstinate betrayal” of religious sisters, Sr. Keehan of CHA, etc.

I was hoping to attend the Institute on Religious Life at Mundelein Seminary this past weekend but I could not make it.  Sounds like I missed some great remarks from Archbishop Burke. 

Here is an excerpt of his remarks courtesy of AmP

[...Our joy today is] overshadowed by the public and obstinate betrayal of religious life by certain religious. Who ever could have imagined that religious congregations of pontifical right, would openly organize to resist and attempt to frustrate an apostolic visitation, that is, a visit to their congregations carried out under the authority of the vicar of Christ on earth, to whom all religious are bound by the strongest bonds of loyalty and obedience?

Who could imagine that consecrated religious would openly, and in defiance of the bishops as successors of the apostles publicly endorse legislation containing provisions which violated the natural moral law in its most fundamental tenets – the safeguarding and promoting of innocence and defenseless life, and fail to safeguard the demands of the free exercise of conscience for health care workers?

We witness a growing tendency among certain consecrated religious to view themselves outside and above the body of Christ as a parallel institution looking in upon the Church with an autonomy which contradicts their very nature. We have certainly come a long way from the total loyalty to the Roman Pontiff which was at the heart of the foundation of the Society of Jesus and of every religious congregation. Religious life lived in the heart of the Church, and for that reason religious congregations are, by their very nature, bound in strictest loyalty to the Roman Pontiff. It is of course an absurdity of the most tragic kind to have consecrated religious knowingly and obstinately acting against the moral law.

The spiritual harm done to the individual religious who are disobedient and also the grave scandal caused to the faithful and people in general are of incalculable dimensions.

[Do not doubt the influence of consecrated persons] … Was not the Speaker of the House [Nancy Pelosi] glowing to report that so many religious sisters were in support of her proposed health care plan? Was not a religious sister [Sr. Carol Keehan, President of CHA] one of the recipients of a pen used by the President of the United States to sign the health care plan into law?

Now is the time for us all, and in particular for consecrated persons to stand up for the truth and to call upon our fellow Catholics and leadership to do the same, or to cease identifying themselves as Catholics.

 I think we all know what the Visitation will find.  The big question is what will the response be...