"Moment of Purification for Both Sides"

I was reminded of the current controversy taking place in my home diocese in Orange County, CA when I read the Catholic World News story about local bishops welcoming lay movements in the Church.

"If new lay movements have an attitude of "humble service" to the local Church, bishops should welcome them "with paternal cordiality." That was the message of Archbishop Stanislas Rylko, at a May 30 press conference in Rome, before the opening of the 2nd World Congress of Ecclesial Movements.

The Polish archbishop, who is president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, acknowledged that there are often conflicts between the lay movements and the dioceses in which they work. Such conflicts, he revealed, are reported by "more and more bishops from all over the world" when they come to Rome for their ad limina visits.

However, Archbishop Rylko said that the impact of those conflicts should not be exaggerated. "Where there is life, there are also tensions," he observed. Local bishops, he added, are coming to realize that "these realities are a gift, to be welcomed with gratitude and responsibility." The key to resolving those tensions, the archbishop said, is a sense of humility and service.

He expressed the hope that his week's conference could be "a momement of purification for both sides, a moment of education and listing to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church at this historic moment."

I wonder which bishops complain of liberalism creeping into their sees and disrupting the traditions of the Church, versus those bishops who remain hostile to orthodoxy, in my opinion, like Bishop Tod Brown in Orange and Cardinal Mahoney in Los Angeles. I would venture that Bishop Brown would seize upon the phrase "attitude of 'humble service'" to complain that the movements within his diocese lack such, since they fail to show him proper obeisance and only serve to flaunt his authority. I would hope he would take the time to discern that the "attitude of 'humble service'" that the parish members of St. Mary's-by-the-Sea are trying to maintain is one towards Christ.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to the Church at this moment? I daresay He is saying, "Remember Me?"

St. Joan of Arc, Pray for Us

Today is the feast day of St. Joan of Arc, which, coming so soon after Memorial Day, has special meaning for me. Bk in the early 80's when I did a time in Uncle Sam's Army, I wore a small medal of Jeanne d'Arc along with my dog tags, seeing as how she was the patron saint for female soldiers (and any female military).

Yesterday, I attended a Memorial Day service at Santa Ana Cemetery that was hosted by the American Legion and the VFW. One thing that struck me is how speeches now praise both the men and women who are making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Women not in combat roles? You could be in a field hospital, well behind front lines, and still have a suicidal bomber walk in with a knapsack full of explosives.

So, while keeping all service personnel in your prayers, today on the feast day of Joan of Arc, keep in mind the American women who have gone to serve and not returned home, like Army Spec. Lori Piestewa.

St. Joan, you refused to follow any command but God's. Let your perseverance and clear sight be given to those women who serve, let your valor and bravery make them strong, let your faith give sustenance to their souls. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. +

Pope John Paul II . . . Now a Mormon?

There was an aold joke that one day, a cardinl goes rushing into the Pope's office, exclaiming, "I have both great and terrible news, Your Holiness!" The Pope rises, agitated - "What is the great news, my son?" "It's Jesus Christ," the cardinal gasps, "He has returned again and is on the telephone now, asking for you!" "Why, that's wonderful!" says the Pope. "But tell me, what is the bad news?" The cardinal grows pale - "He's calling from Salt Lake City!"

I recently read a book called "Leaving the Saints" by Martha Beck, who is the daughter of a noted Mormon scholar, Hugh Nibley. I find it overblown and its hyperbole makes certain things ring untrue, especially when she discusses her father's alleged ritualistic sexual abuse of her between the ages of 5 and 8, that she only remembered once she was a grown woman.

I have always been fascinated by "Made in the USA" faiths and beliefs and Mormonism is certainly tops among them. Joseph Smith began his church in upstate New York around 1830 and for a young faith system, its growth has been phenomenal. Despite my misgivings about Dr. beck's "memoirs," I decided to visit the Mormon blogosphere and see what they have got to offer.

However, Mormonism remains, in my mind, a false religion, largely because of its insistence that the faithful will become gods in the afterlife, each assigned to his celestial kingdom. While the perfection of our souls await us in heaven - after a good cleansing in Purgatory - we shall remain His servants.

One tenet of the Mormon faith is Baptism of the Dead. After a person dies, that person may be baptized into the Mormon faith by proxy. This is one of the reasons why genealogy figures so prominently in Mormon life, because you need not worry that a ancestor will be left behind. I have often joked that I will be quite upset if a great-great-great-grandchild decides to baptize me into Mormon, as I don't wish to leave Catholic heaven, what with a strong cup of coffee in the morning and a cocktail at Happy Hour at the end of the celestial day, both substances eschewed by traditional Mormons (I'm not sure where they stand on bingo, but I don't want to go there).

Unfortunately, while nosing around some Mormon blogs, I discovered that they have gone and baptized our late Holy Father, John Paul II! Of particular interest on the posting I found is that they included the links to the Mormon's on-line Family Search database, that I have used many a time for my own genealogical research, which show that His Holiness is at least listed in the database. It appears that the Family Search database does not include actual dates for Baptism or his "sealing" - for all eternity - to his parents. However, it appears anoterh Mormon has found those "ordinances" and posted when they were done.

Well!

I think it is laughable, of course. JohnPaull II's Baptism into the Catholic Church was the only one he needed and the only one that is true. If Mormons think they are saving his soul by a posthumous proxy Baptism, well, okay, but it is not as if it means anything. What is funny is that I have read that in Mormonism, you will have the ability to reproduce and bring forth spirit children. So, what's a priest who has taken a vow of celibacy to do in Mormon Heaven? Or maybe His Holiness will be in one of the lesser kingdoms since it seems to gain entrance to the celestial kingdom, one must also marry.

The Mormons have gotten into trouble before for baptizing Holocaust victims. I invite you to look at Family Search and see if any of your loved Catholic relatives who have passed away have been "reconstituted" into Latter Day Saints.

In Memoriam

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

With hearfelt thanks for the sacrifices you men and women made for our country.

A Word on "Altar Girls"

I was an altar girl in my youth during the 70's. Not because my parish was progressive, but because I attended Camp Marydell, an all-girl summer camp in the town of Nyack, NY. We had no boys to serve and so we girls took on the job . . . and did a fine job, too. Even during our weekly Sunday Benediction service.

However.

I have been reading with great sadness the story reported about Fr. Martin Tran at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea in Huntington Beach. While I am comfortable with certain changes in the Church - say, those that allow my daughter to be an altar server and myself to act as a lector - others make me uneasy, such as admonishing those Catholics who would kneel after the Agnus Dei. I would like to see more traditions of pre-VII days come back, if only to remind us of the sacred.

I don't like Bishop Tod Brown of the Diocese of Orange and I would welcome his removal and replacement by a more orthodox bishop. I admit to meeting him once, and on that occasion he comported as a petty and vain man. But Fr. Martin was with us for awhile at St. Joseph's in Santa Ana, and the image portrayed in the article is simply out of whack with the man I know.

This story has discouraged me, indeed. I follow the new standard of remaining standing after the Agnus Dei, but once I receive Communion, I remain kneeling until the last of the consecrated Hosts have been placed in the Tabernacle. As do the rest of my parish, at least at the English Masses. I wonder if the same is done at the Spanish Masses since the Hispanic in my parish have really got us Anglos beat for devotion. We have Eucharistic Adoration once a month and I have yet to go - despite trying different times of day and night - and not find a Spanish prayer group keeping vigil with Him.

I now wonder if I should report on this blog at all about what we do in my parish, since it may not fall within Bishop Brown's "norms." Is Big Brother watching?

What Else Can Make a Catholic Mother Proud?

Yesterday, on the Feast of the Ascension, the DigiDaughter assisted at her first Mass as an altar server. I know that some out there are traditionalists who do not like the idea of girls donning the robe, but times have a-changed. My daughter was not nervous and did a great job. She wasn't sure how to tie her cincture, as the other two boys were double knotting theirs, but Fr. Mike showed her the "cool" way to do it, just as he had done as an altar boy, and she was ready. Afterwards, my girl said she liked helping at Mass and wants to keep doing this. Here's a picture of her waiting for the gifts to be brought up for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

I thought she looked darling, what with the other two altar boys being quite tall, and here was this little blond dumpling about three heads below them in height, but I could be biased, what with being her mother and all . . .

I kvelled with pride seeing my daughter as an acolyte, if I may use a Yiddish word learned in my Bronx childhood days . . .

The DigiSon, however, was quite upset because he thought the robe was da bomb and wanted to be an altar boy, too. It's difficult to reason with a 5-year-old, and almost every Sunday he gets upset over the fact that he cannot receive Communion, despite our explanations that he has to be in "Sr. Michelle's class" (2nd grade) to do so. He asked me yesterday, tearfully, "Mom, when Jesus comes down from heaven and He's not invisble, can you ask Him to make me 8 so I can be an altar server?" I may well be raising the first American Pope . . .

06/06/06

One of the by-products, if you will, of my Catholic faith is the freedom from superstition. I have read that some fear and trepidation abounds because . . . it's coming . . . . it's almost here . . . . it's JUNE 6, 2006!!!!

Get it? 06-06-06? In other words, it appears that people are worrying about the date as it reflects the infamous "666" of the Book of Revelations. Holy Patmos, Batman!

While there were days when the DigiSon was a toddler that I suspected he had the number on his scalp somehwere under that thatch of blond hair, I have never been one to read deeply into numerology. However, when thinking about "666" some background in that can be helpful. In the Jewish tradition (of which St. John was a member), numerology did play a role.

As an example, today Jews will often make monetary pledges to charity or give monetary gifts to, say, a boy making his Bar Mitzvah in multiples of 18 ($18, $36, $180, etc.). In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value, and the letters that make up the Hebrew word chai - life - add up to 18. Thus, there is a positive association linked to that number and the so the tradition that making gifts in an amount associated with the number 18 brings longevity to the charitable cause or the Bar Mitzvah.

The number 7 is another special number in Hebrew numerology, denoting "wholeness" or "perfection". It is a number attributed, thus, to God and we can find vestiges of it even today - as an example, hit a jackpot in Vegas and what you see is a row of sevens. Lucky 7.

But what about 6? 6 is incomplete, 6 is one off from the perfection of God. 6 is what St. John says it is: If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number.

In essence, perhaps 666 refers to . . . us. We, who while made in God's image, is not perfect such as He is. Our "beast", our "anti-Christ" may well be ourselves when we sin, when we fancy ourselves to be on par with God, when we reject His teachings and indulge in the sin of pride. We will be our own downfall, when we reject the gift we have been given, that of Christ's sacrifice.

So, on June 6, 2006, don't go looking for the Beast to come. He's already here. Instead, turn to Christ and remember that even in our imperfection, we are all called "Beloved" by God.

The Bitch is Back

What do you mean, "personal responsibility?"

It is always disheartening to see one of my favorite musicians (at least, in his pre-Caribou days, but everything after that blows) reveal himself to be both a bigot and incapable of simple logic.

It seems Elton John (no, this American will not use the honorific title "Sir"), grieving over the death of his "60 pals" from AIDS, is blaming their deaths on . . . the Catholic Church, because of condoms, or rather, the Church's stance against them.

No, Reggie, it is not the Church's position on birth control that lost you your friends . . . for the majority of them lost their lives to AIDS because of their own position on personal responsibility, or the lack thereof. Consider that with few exceptions (pediatric AIDS, failure to test blood sources), AIDS is 100% preventable . . . by not engaging in the activity that places one at high risk.

I doubt Freddie Mercury, whom is mentioned by the "Off-His-Rocket" Man, thought, "Good Lord, if only the Catholic Church would allow me to use a condom, why, I'd slip one on right now before buggering this fellow before me." In fact, if indeed he was following the Church's prohibition, then he would not have even engaged in such conduct that ultimately cost him his life.

By why bother with such logic? It's far easier to attack the Catholic Church - no disconcerted Muslims to launch a fatwa against you, no accusations of anti-Semitism, no dishonoring indigenous, animistic pagan beliefs - in short, what really is today to be socially acceptable, politically correct bigotry.

SOUL PATROL!

Soul Patrol!
Soul Patrol!
SOUL PATROL!!!!!

THE SILVER FOX WON!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Home, Randall Terry!

Hat tip to Roman Catholic Blog for bringing this to the light.

Randell Terry, founder of the pro-life group Operation Rescue, was received into Mother Church.

Welcome home, brother! Alleluia!

Roll On, BXVI!

I read with satisfaction today the story about the Vatican's censure of Rev. Degollado. While not fully defrocked - which would have returned Degollado to the status of laity - he may no longer celebrate the Sacraments publicly, in short becoming a priest in name only.

Holy Father, please don't stop there - it is time to clean house! I would be delighted if more clergy were held accountable and faced punishment for past crimes, if warranted.

Take for example Fr. Michael Jude Fay. The pastor of St. John Catholic Church in Darien, CT since 1991, it was discovered that the good reverend absconded $200,000 in church money to pay for good times with his gay companion.

"Money was spent on limousine rides, dinners at famous restaurants, cruises and gifts, Colucci said. Among expenditures he said were charged to a church credit card were airline tickets for Fay and his companion from New York to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a $2,600 ring bought at Cartier in New York."

At least Fr. Fay (now, I know the Caveman will get a chuckle over a name like that, although I gotta admit a smirk coming from me as well) had the respect to resign admit such allegations, but that still keeps him in the priesthood, living a decidedly non-celibate lifestyle. So, Holy Father, there's another name for your list.

Prenups Are Not Unromantic

I read, with some professional interest about the potential "hit" Paul McCartney will face with his upcoming divorce with Heather Mills. According to the latest report, it may be as high as one-quarter of his estimated $1.56 billion worth. Let me do the math for you - that's $390 million for a four-year marriage. BTW, unless the couple were to have accumulated $780 million in community net assets during those four years, Ms. Mills would not be getting that much under California community property laws, as most of the money would be considered Paul's separate property acquired before marriage. But, this divroce will be governed by UK law of which I know jack squat, so there you go.

However, this case is interesting because unlike many other celebrity marriages, there was no prenuptial agreement. Sir Paul declined (which I am sure caused his children to froth greatly at the mouth), saying that prenupitals are "unromantic," although it appears that Heather offered to sign one before the wedding.

I have had people make the comment to me that signing a prenup is "planning for divorce" and so no one "truly in love" would ever sign one. Well, I don't know about that. I think there are circumstances that can warrant a prenuptial.

Certainly, when there are children from a previous marriage, I would advise a client to consider a prenuptial because the laws of community property in my state come into effect both at dissolution (what we call divorce in California) and at death for estate handling. Thus, a party may want to protect certain assets for the benefit of his or her children from previous marriages or relationships.

Consider too that prenups not only govern the potential assets of a marriage, but can govern liabilities as well. I could see a situation where one spouse who may have horrific debt executes a prenup as a way of actually protecting the other spouse. What says "I love you" more than wee bit of indemnification?

Prenuptial agreements are contracts and their breadth and scope is defined by what the two parties put in it - there is no "standard" prenupital. I think a prenuptial may also force the parties to go through an exercise of looking at each other honestly before making what should be considered a life-long commitment. That may be the biggest benefit of a prenuptial - when each party lays their cards, so to speak, on the table, each one knows a little better who they are going to marry.

I don't like divorce, which seems funny coming from a family law attorney. I dislike bullies and people who try to take advantage of others even more, which is one of the reasons I became an attorney. My job is not to promote divorce or save a marriage - but my job is to try to make it fair and equitable and as easy as possible for my client, for whom this may well be the wrost time of their lives. Prenuptials can help that process.

Good luck, Paul. Good news is there is no shortage of barristers, I'm sure, to take your case. Just watch out for the schlocky ones who may see their new country home in Kent coming from their legal fees from you . . .

Faith in the Church

Good news. And something the USCCB should ponder seriously.

A study that was reported in The Denver Post indicated that "the scandal over sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church has not caused American Catholics to leave the church or to stop attending Mass and donating to their parishes." The study was conducted by Georgetown University.

There was a drop in church participation since 2002, which the study concluded was the height of the scandal. But, while there is still a decrease, the expectation that hordes of Catholics would leave the faith has not been realized.

However - and this is quite telling - "The only significant decline is in the percentage of Catholics who contributed to their diocesan financial appeals - annual campaigns usually run by bishops. " Diocesan appeals have remained low while people are supporting their local parishes.

I would hope the USCCB looks at that and realizes that it is likely indicative that Catholics have lost faith in their leadership. It would be interesting to compare the "success" rate of diocesan appeals among the diocese - I would be willing to bet that the Bishop of Lincoln, NB has an easier time of it than most other bishops.

The End is Near

So GO TAYLOR!

(I know Amy Pawlak over at Modern Commentaries will have her say, as she is unabashed to announce herself as another "American idol" fan!)

Happy Mother's Day

And especially Happy Mother's Day to the DigiMom, who we have the good fortune of still having with us!

<--- Dottie, da Rose of da Bronx, and my muthuh.

More Reasons Why I Love the NY Post

How can you not with a story like this:

HARD EVIDENCE
MISSING VIAGRA NIXES WIFE'S DIVORCE

A judge has stiffed a Westchester woman on her bid to divorce her husband for allegedly refusing to sleep with her after the hubby came up with some hard evidence - Viagra pills missing from his stash . . .

I am curious, simply because in California we have "no fault" divorce - you want a divorce, you got it. There is no need to prove fault, or - in this case - "inability." One of the things that some of my clients find frustrating is when I have to tell them that certain facts about the marriage are irrelevant, such as infidelity, cross-dressing, odd religious practices, and the aggravating habit of buying fresh produce only to let it grow moldy in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Oh, as if YOU haven't done that last one . . .

There is a reason why it appears that the majority of family law attorneys actually have good, solid marriages.

Planned Parenthood Honors Mother's Day

Dawn Eden over at The Dawn Patrol has a request for people to submit their own Mother's Day Card designs, in response to Planned Parenthood's own line of pro-choice cards for the occasion. I couldn't resist doing my own - you know my favorite software is Photoshop. Unfortunately, Blogger does not support trackback as Dawn calls for on her blog, but here it is.

Another Reason Why I Won't See Mi:III

Tom Cruise is a whack job. It seems that although his mother and sisters - devout Scientologists - were present at his daughter's birth, Katie Holmes' parents - devout Catholics - were not allowed to come and see their new granddaughter until some two and a half weeks later. They had to wait because Tom was out of town doing promotions for "Mission Impossible: III" and wanted to be there to monitor their visit with their own daughter.

When will membership in Scientology be recognized as a mental disorder?

I read recently that they purchased the old Masonic Temple in Santa Ana. If they have an open house, of course I'll be there to gawk . . .

Slowly Getting Restored

Happily, I have managed to fix my problem with my blog, thanks to some help from a reader known as Dad29. Yes, deleting a few posts seemed to help. Sometimes the best fix is to just whack it a little, you know?

That, and tinfoil on the rabbit ears . . . (anyone here old enough to understand that last one?)

I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!!

How in Sam Hill did Katherine "Attitude Queen" McPhee beat out Chris Daughtry on "America Idol"?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Fixes to Come

Now that it appears my sidebars have come back, I need to set up again my links and whatnot. Fixes to come . . .

Does Anyone Know . . .

why my profile and sidebars to the right (--->) are not showing up?

Rest in Peace, Doug Collier

May I offer a requiem to a favored publican?

Doug Collier (1944-2006) was the long-time proprietor of The Olde Ship restaurants, the original in Fullerton, CA and one in Santa Ana, CA. Doug died on April 30, 2006 from cancer and I just came from the Santa Ana location where a memorial service began this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Drinks and food were free - which would have caused Doug to roll in his grave if they were not donated from his suppliers who knew him well.

Doug set up two sites that offered convivial, traditional British pub/restaurants and many a Saturday night the Digispouse and I would walk (what a concept in Southern California!) down to the Santa Ana locale just to have drink or two and chat with the other locals. That was the atmosphere Doug wanted - local people stopping in at their neighborhood pub to converse and pass the time. And it worked - my husband and I have met many a good soul at Doug's traditional copper-topped British bar and in our family, we began the tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve Mass at 5:00 p.m., followed by traditional fish-n-chips and "crackers" at The Olde Ship, then home to await Santa, given our young children.

God bless you, Doug Collier - an ex-pat Brit in Southern California, you knew that the key to success in yoru two establishments was creating a place where neighbors, friends, and families could gather for a meal, a drink, or just to pass the time. Rest in peace, Doug, and smooth sailing ahead.

If you find yourself in either Fullerton or Santa Ana, do stop by for a pint!

Success in Finding a Song!

For Valentine's Day this year, the Beloved Digispouse purchased me an iPod nano, and my collection of digital music is growing, nearly 500 songs now. I am an avid shopper at iTunes becuae it allows me to fine unusual songs that I have heard over time.

Tonight I was finally, finally able to identify and locate a song that I heard a few months ago while Digispouse was watching an old episode of "The Shield." The epiosde, I know learned, was from the first season and was called "Cupid and Psycho." I was always haunted by the song played at the ending and was at last able to figure out what it was, thanks to iTunes - "All My Little Words" by The Magnetic Fields.

The digital age is amazing! And to think I could remember piling coins on top of a stereo needle head to get longer play out if that needle . . .