Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Bishop Vasa: The New Missal Translation and his Catechism Class

National Catholic Register
Daily News
The New Missal Translation: Renewing Awe and Wonder
Bishop Vasa explains how it will help the Church grow in faith.
BY SUE ELLEN BROWDER
Bishop Robert Vasa is the bishop of Santa Rosa, Calif. Like all bishops throughout the country, he is planning to implement the new English translation of the Mass on the First Sunday of Advent.
Papal Pose? He doesn't even know it.
Liturgy, the prayer of the Church, reveals our faith and our life. Liturgy is that timeless place in time where man encounters God in a communion of love. How we pray forms the foundation for how we believe. Bishop Vasa spoke about what the Church is trying to show us with the new translation of the Roman Missal. What is liturgy? The liturgy is the work of Jesus. It is the work of God in our midst. There has been a great emphasis since the 1960s on what we are doing for God as opposed to what Christ is doing for us. Liturgy lifts up the mind and heart to God; it puts us in contact with Jesus’ saving works and deeds. Liturgy takes us out of where we are and lifts us up into that place where we are not yet. And what do these changes in liturgical language tell us? When we study the language in the new translation, we see that it consistently shifts us into an acknowledgement of the otherness of God, the God who is not us. It emphasizes the centrality of God and his grace, as opposed to the anthropocentric, man-centered approach, where we make it so much about us and what we’re doing. The elevation of language — the increased richness of the language — tells us this is not an ordinary, daily, routine event. There’s a lot of fear about this new translation. I would say this: In terms of the laity, there is precious little cause for any concern or anxiety because everything that affects the laity directly is found on one two-sided, 8½- by-11-inch sheet. Now, the priest has about a thousand pages of text that is absolutely brand-new to him. It will be important for the priest to take a few moments before Mass to sit down and study the texts to make sure that there’s not some twist in the language that’s going to cause him to stumble. Some people say the new Gloria is too complicated. Well, most people have to pick up the Gloria and read it anyway. Most of the Glorias we have sung in the Church in the last 20 years have been some sort of artistic rendition of the Gloria. To have a new standard translation and a mandate that this translation is to be used exclusively in written and in sung versions will actually make the “Glory to God” less complicated, because it’s going to insist on this translation and not something “equivalent to it,” especially when sung. When we study the language in the new translation, what should we be looking for? The new translation affords us an opportunity to look at the words in the Mass and ask, “How and why is this different?” I think if people do this, they will find that the new translation offers a great opportunity for deeper prayer and reflection. Sometimes that new translation will challenge our accustomed thought and behavior patterns and hopefully lead us to a deeper intimacy with Christ. You said the new translation also restores some of the scriptural references, which were lost. One very striking example for me is just after the “Lamb of God,” before we receive Communion, the priest holds up the Host and says, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.” I have always been moderately chagrined by the use here of the word “happy.” Somehow, just being “happy” about being called to the divine banquet of the Lord seems inadequate. For 40 years, we have been told that we should be happy to come to the Lord. Many words such as “overwhelmed,” “blessed,” “honored,” “humbled,” “ecstatic” or even “overjoyed,” in my opinion, get closer to describing the graced beauty of that to which we are called and our interior response, but what we have heard is “happy.” The new translation says “Blessed are those called to the Supper of the Lamb.” Not just to a communal meal, but the supper of the Lamb: It’s the Last Supper, but it’s also this eternal supper, this eternal liturgy, coming into the presence of God. Then, our current response is: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.” Fine. But we lose the Scripture connotation. I’ve asked kids as well as a number of adults, “Where is that found in Scripture?” And they do not know because the words denoting the scriptural context are absent. The Latin clearly states, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.” Now, who said that in Scripture? The Centurion. The full response in the new translation is: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.” As opposed to simply “and I shall be healed.” Yes, it’s a different emphasis on who you are as a person. This is not just for the health of your body. This is not so you can go away from here feeling good. This is for your spiritual enrichment. The changes are small, but little words make a significant difference. That’s just one small example of a richening of the translation and a strengthening of that connection with Scripture. What do you hope the ultimate effect of these liturgical changes will be within the Church? That we re-establish a sense of liturgy as that moment of encounter with God, of coming into the presence of the truly sacred and truly holy. In the liturgy for confirmation, the last phrase of the bishop’s prayer over the candidates is: “Fill them with the Spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.” When was the last time you came to Sunday Mass and came away saying, “I have been filled with the Spirit of wonder and awe”? We literally cannot say that, because it hasn’t been our experience. Somehow our liturgies have to reclaim that. We need to approach liturgy with the sense of reverence that inculcates within us a deep sense of prayerfulness, worship and tranquility, a sense of the presence of God. I believe the new translation moves us a little closer to this needed sense of reverence.
Register correspondent Sue Ellen Browder writes from Ukiah, California.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NB There are some that don't understand or want to understand the changes. Vatican II has been misrepresented to them and by them. We have a wonderful gift to all be on the same page. Here is a solid catechesis opportunity from Bishop Vasa and other outstanding Catholics we can trust. What could be better? Order Catechism Classes from Bishop Vasa......Christmas gifts? Belonging because of simple ignorance can be changed by leaving. To learn and remain is "invincible ignorance." Bishop Robert Vasa

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The New Liturgy is Coming, the New Liturgy is Coming. November 27th.

"Of this much we can be certain: many liturgists will want to make the new liturgical regulations say what they want them to say. Several liturgical publishers are already producing materials to "catechize" Catholics on the liturgy. Few will be free from "interpreter's bias". For this reason, it is important that fidelity to the original texts be carefully maintained."
The new liturgical norms are formally to begin on the first Sunday of Advent this year, November 27th. "Such a density of liturgical directives and action in such a short period of time is both encouraging and remarkable. As such, it brings to mind that in the future, we may not only be speaking of the liturgical reform of Benedict XVI, but also of Benedict XVI, the liturgical Pope." Common Questions on Liturgical Norms - EWTN Document Library Pope Benedict XVI on Sacred Music The Oregon Catholic Press, now known only as OCP has several things out already with the New Liturgy. They are "installing" new or retread responses of their mostly progressive musicians. Some have said that omitting the Catholic means they don't have to obey the church and can have music for Catholics and non-Catholics as well. In 2000 the Liturgy underwent some changes already. Here is a list and website of what changed should have happened. Just reading about them opens our hearts to WHY some things are done. Even in 2011 some of these changes have not yet happened. New Liturgical Norms from 2000 building up to 2011 _______________________________________________
"Larry and Sarah" Debating the new Translation of the Mass

Friday, September 30, 2011

Archiocese of Portland : $14 million Lawsuit filed by a Woman Against Retired Priest

Abuse suit names retired priest. 

Woman Files $14 million Lawsuit in Oregon stating abuse by a retired priest.

 The Catholic Sentinel confirms the filing of a lawsuit from a woman stating abuse by a retired priest.  I know this priest and I pray the accusations are false.  The reason why I'm sending this at all is for any other women who suffered from abuse from a cleric or otherwise and have remained silent.  She needs our prayers.  He needs prayers.

As a rape survivor (not involving a cleric) of serial rapists at age 18, I finally spoke to my two friends this year, who were also involved.   It has been since 1966 and we never really talked about it, through the trial and line-ups.

It was told to me by a professional that part of you dies after an attack. All three of us have various demons we live with. It lingers forever and no one should ever go through any abuse alone.

Questions regarding woman who believes she has been violated by a priest.

  • What do you think a woman should do in this case? 
  • We need to protect all parties involved, but how? 
  • What is the priests role? 
  • Since he is in most cases a pastor does he need to still be a shepherd. 
  • What about the Archdiocese? 
  • We have Ember Days to pray for those abused, yet does the Archbishop treat even delusional people with respect?  
Just some food for thought.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Getting Ready for 2012 Election: The Big Three - Abortion, Capital Punishment, War (part one)

Here is hopefully a little light in the confusion some have regarding the BIG THREE Abortion, Capital Punishment, and War.  The 2012 election will have a pro-democrat biased Archdiocese/USCCB trying to confuse us.  Time to brush up on the Catechism...even without bias the road to doing what is right can be confusing. 

It could seem that voting for a candidate that is against abortion, but supports capital punishment and going to war is not being consistent.

What about the candidate that supports abortion, but is against capital punishment and going to war? Equally inconsistent, but upheld as the better option.

All life issues are not equal, but all people are. So, what's up?

WE have to think with a different mind. There are things in our Church that would seem silly: unleavened bread and mere wine becoming the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, True God and True Man. Really a stretch for others, but for us it is the Center of our Faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church helps us through this:

ABORTION - Always against Church teaching.

• 2258 "Human life is sacred because from its beginnings it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is it sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: not one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being."

•2322 "From it's conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life"

Observations
• Abortion is big business. Besides the money generated from the largely unregulated procedures. The body parts of the children are sold for large profits. Even the Eggs from baby girls only twelve weeks old are harvested and sold for use in women.
• Women who have had abortions suffer from depression and fall into drug abuse and promiscuity because of their actions.
• Abortion is against nature. The "fruit" of abortion is that women lose their value as persons and become objects; escalating the downward cultural spiral we are experiencing. Abortion hurts more than women, it effect us all and is NOT just between a woman and her doctor.
  
Capital Punishment/Death Penalty - Allowed by the Church


• 2265 "Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsible for another's life, the common good of the family or of the state.

 • 2266 Preserving the common good or society requires rendering the aggressor unable to inflict harm.

Observations
• This penalty is performed only on convicted criminals. They have had their day in court.And there is usually an automatic appeal process to correct errors.
• Many sole anti-Capital punishment folks think it should not be used, since there can be errors and innocent people executed. This creates great anxiety that innocent life would be shed, hopefully they feel as strongly about the shedding of innocent unborn life.

NUMBERS - Since 1973 the total number of criminals executed is 3,000 (thousand).
NUMBERS-  Since 1973 the total number of abortions is 53,000,000 (million), 1.3 million each year.       36 abortions in Oregon each day.


53,000,000 abortions divided by 3,000 executions = 
17,666 times more abortions than executions 

WAR - Is allowed by the Church

• 2309 The Just War theory and ....The evaluations of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.

Observations: Reasons for a strong Military.
• Liberation, self-defense and protection of others.

Below are some posts from years gone by.  With the abortion rate 17,666 times the rate for capital punishment...the abortion issue is not defended 17,666 more times by the US Catholic Church or our archdiocese.



"I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act."
G. K. Chesterton, Generally Speaking, Chapter 20, 1929
to be continued.......

Friday, September 16, 2011

Letters to President Clinton: Roe VS Wade "born" by Eugenics Crowd. Part one

These letters were from the "Roe" co-counsel to President-elect Bill Clinton in 1993 twenty years after the 1973 Roe vs Wade decision was made law of the land.

This is pertinent to Oregon Catholics because most of those in position of religious authority are registered Democrats.  These statistics are public record and are being looked into. The Democrat platform is pro-abortion.  Some are ignorant of this fact. 

This election 2012 is already showing the Democratic/Progressive movement to silence the Truth in churches.  They are taking money from collection plates for thinking they are wiser and better equipped to use Christ's offerings for evil.



Summary
“You can start immediately to eliminate the barely educated, unhealthy and poor segment of our country.  No, I’ m not advocating some sort of mass extermination of these unfortunate people.  Crime, drugs and disease are doing that.  The problems is that their numbers are not only replaced but increased by the birth of millions of babies to people who can’t afford to have babies.
There, I’ve said it. It’s what we all know is true, but we only whisper it, because as liberals who believe in individual rights, we believe any program  which treats the disadvantaged differently as discriminatory, mean-spirited and...well…so Republican.”

 "P.S.I was co-counsel in Roe V Wade, have sired zero children and one fetus, the abortion of which was resented recounted by my ex-wife in her recent book, A Question of Choice  (Grosset/Putnam, 1992).  I had a vasectomy in 1969 and have never one moment of regret.” 
 
Sarah Weddington/Ron Weddington and Linda Coffee were the lawyers for the Defense of Roe V. Wade.  Here is a summary from the book review Sarah Weddington wrote.  It has history of Roe that I was not aware of.


A Question of Choice by Sarah Weddington   Interesting Book Review. Very Liberal and Sad but clarifies "Roe". 

"..The book starts with Weddington’s account of her own illegal, pre-Roe abortion in Mexico. It’s an anecdote that sets the tone of for the book, even though it admittedly does not seem to be the primary reason behind her drive. I love hearing women tell their stories about abortion. That probably sounds perverse, but I don’t think it is. Basically, I love hearing of women who made their own choices, for their own reasons, came out okay and are unashamed. In our culture, an experience with abortion is one of the ultimate taboos that seems to never be discussed unless on an anonymous basis. Seeing women with the bravery to speak out, despite the social consequences that she has to be fully aware of, warms my heart and makes me proud to be a part of the reproductive rights movement.

..I must embarrassingly admit to my ignorance about the details of Roe. Obviously I know that Roe guaranteed the right to a safe and legal abortion, and that it was won on the grounds of a Constitutional right to privacy. After that my previous set of knowledge dropped off considerably.

One of the biggest potential shocks is that “Jane Roe” actually had very little to do with the case at all. It’s the popular imagination that Roe (as she is referred to throughout the book, though her real name is briefly mentioned) was pregnant, sought an abortion, was denied and then sought out a lawyer. That’s not even remotely true.

...they eventually managed to find a woman who was unable to travel to obtain a safe abortion, and was willing to cooperate in the case. Other than collecting Roe’s basic history and having her sign several official forms, her direct participation in the case all but ended. She didn’t even attend the hearings! The case was also eventually turned into a class action suit, turning it into Roe et al. v Wade...

"I find it interesting because of how things have progressed in recent years. It seems that Weddington and Coffee– completely unintentionally, and perhaps even necessarily– gave anti-choice activists the blueprint to overturn the case. We’ve all heard the stories of laws that seek to grant the fetus legal status as a person, who can be a victim of murder, abuse and even have its mother locked in jail for doing drugs. Everyone knows that this is a direct attempt to undermine abortion laws, but I had no idea that it was a part of Roe itself. Really interesting stuff." 

What’s most shocking, I think, is that Justice Blackmun, one of the most pro-choice Supreme Court justices to ever sit on the bench, wrote the decision. And yet, he still took it upon himself to determine (alongside consultation from experts who had nothing to do with the case) the laws that would and would not be appropriate regarding abortions at different stages of pregnancy."  

 

Fifty-three million lives lost in almost 40 years.  The Catholic Church cannot be part of that.  "Jane Roe" never had an abortion but how many people know that or how they are part of the Eugenics movement.  No matter how much they say they're not racist...just look at how many minorities are encouraged to abort. 

“Excommunication for procured abortion constitutes a gesture of maternal love,” Tettamanzi wrote. “It expresses and puts into action the love of Mother Church, who comes to the defense of the defenseless unborn child, and who recalls and supports the one who has erred so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan, a key adviser to John Paul II on bioethical issues and a front-runner to be the next pope, defended the imposition of excommunication for abortion in his 2000 book Nuova Bioetica Cristiana.

Friday, September 2, 2011

East Meets West, Two Become One: Our Heavenly Catholic Church

It’s interesting to learn about other religions, but what about the different “rites” of our own Catholic Church.  Below is information, taken in part, from Our Lady of Fatima Byzantine Catholic Church in San Francisco.  We have acres of diamonds in our own backyard.

Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. The Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity. 

At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. 

The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. 

The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental (Eastern) Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches. 

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.

"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814). 

Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments.

The Western Rite and Eastern Rites are sometimes referred to as the “two lungs” of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15). 

A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Rite Liturgy and fulfill Sunday obligation.  We have three choices to learn about our other half.  In Portland, St. Sharbel Maronite Rite, 503-231-3853 & St. Irene Byzantine Catholic, 503-543-2188. In Springfield, Nativity of the Mother of God, 541-726-7309.  It can make old things new.


Monday, August 22, 2011

"Too Many Children" aka "Sustainability" taught to Western Oregon Catholics.

"Too Many People" , the April 2011 Newsletter from the Office of  "Life", Justice and Peace, was very disturbing and made the link between "sustainability" and eugenics.  This was the "pro-life" handout from the Archdiocese to those at the Oregon Right to Life Conference and Oregon Catholics.

Look up any link regarding "Sustainability", no where does it mention Trust in the Creator.  Office of Life, Justice and Peace newsletters       Catholic Sustainability Network. Matt Cato mcato@archdpdx.org

FROM THE OFFICE: "TOO MANY PEOPLE"

"Sometime this year the world's population will reach the seven billion mark. Many environmental groups advocate for population control as a solution to climate change. Here in Oregon, The Oregonian printed a front page guest piece on its Opinion section about overpopulation being the root cause of our environmental problems. (Treading on a Taboo, Jack Hart; The Oregonian, June 15, 2008) 

Yes, all things considered, overpopulation is an environmental problem when we consume too much of the world’s resources.

Did you know? While the U.S. represents about five percent of the global population, it consumes about 25% of the world’s energy, and generates five times the world average of CO2 emissions. The U.S. uses more energy than any other country and is the largest carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas emitter among industrialized nations worldwide.
The following formula illustrates the relationship between population and consumption:............"
____________________________________________________________

For the first time, at the Oregon Right to Life Conference this Spring, many of us met Matt Cato, director of the newly expanded name, Office of  "Life", Justice and Peace.  It was also the first time in decades (or ever) that the Archdiocese of Portland in this capacity, had stayed for any complete Oregon Right to Life Conference.  Rev. Timothy Mockaitis the Associate Director was not present.  Kudos to Matt.

(Last year in 2010 the Pro-life community hosted a breakfast for Matt at the Oregon Right to Life Conference.  He refused to let me attend but at least he did.  That's okay there were lots of good folks there.)

First of all let me say that Matt is a nice man.  He just doesn't understand about honoring the unborn as the primary life issue.
  •  This kindness can get in the way of having a director that isn't fit for his job.
  •  He was told that it would have been better to hire someone with knowledge of the pro-lifers.
  •  Matt seemed completely out of his element and he was at the closing session with Stephen Mosher, of the Population Research Institute but seemed very uncomfortable.
  • Question to him, unanswered, "Why are most of your articles for the Archdiocese of Portland, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon promotions?"
  • Question to him.  "When does life begin?"  Answer: "At birth".  When I asked him if this was Roman Catholic Church teaching, he corrected himself, "at conception."
There are  dedicated pro-lifers who now attend Matt Cato's Respect Life Core Group.  They're faithful to the Church and Her Teachings.  We are hopeful.

"The world is rapidly being divided into two camps, the comradeship of anti-Christ and the brotherhood of Christ. The lines between these two are being drawn. How long the battle will be we know not; whether swords will have to be unsheathed we know not; whether blood will have to be shed we know not; whether it will be an armed conflict we know not. But in a conflict between truth and darkness, truth cannot lose."
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen



Saturday, August 20, 2011

$40 million dollar line of credit for Archdiocese of Portland...Stop your behavior, it's our money!

Dear Advocates for Life,
  
The "Campaign Confusion" raises its ugly head again.  Just as the Chief Financial Officer for eons, Leonard Vuylsteke, CPA CCM  is leaving before the new Archbishop comes.  Just part of a shake up that assures the progressive movement is alive and well in the Archdpdx.

This happened just a month ago.  From a UK Newspaper.  

"The MoS (manual of standards?) has also discovered that the loans are now being quietly repaid. In a revelation that will prompt further questions about whether the Vatican is behind the international deals, the supposedly-indebted dioceses have begun to pay off the AIB debts with money from other, unnamed, institutions. 


Just last month a $40m line of credit to the Diocese of Portland in Oregon was taken over by an un-named creditor. 


Bob Krebs, a spokesman for the diocese for many years, declined to name the new lender. Asked why AIB had been used to help fund its abuse compensation cases, he said he did not know who 'found Allied Irish for us'."


Read more: $40 million dollar Line of Credit: Whose the un-named creditor?

With the Archdiocese of Portland's curriculum's secular and suggestive focus being taught through our children.  It is reflected in the "indelible ignorance" that is trying, but never will overcome our True Faith with Devotion to Christ Jesus and His servant Pope Benedict XVI.

Friday, August 5, 2011

"Are you a Democrat?" From job interview at the Catholic Sentinel

This statement came from a person who didn't get the job. He was NOT a Democrat. Who knows if he would. The Catholics in Oregon are used to taking a backseat to the Democrats who run the show at the Archdiocese of Portland. Pro-lifers are treated as not very bright or "with it". We are used to this and pray that the Lord Hears out prayers and answers us (in the affirmative please Lord). When the campaign heats up for President just watch the "Faithful Citizenship" booklet as the only one allowed. We only listen to www.emoregon.org . Sad. Cream always rises to the top. We remember that and it give us hope.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Blessed Herman, the Cripple. 40 Days for Life

Blessed Herman the Cripple, monk 1013 - 1054  is living proof why we value each life instead of the seeing it as a burden on our "environment".  Roman Catholics are benefiting from this man, almost one thousand years later. 

Each time we say the Hail Mary we need to know that Blessed Herman was the author of the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen).

This year we start 40 Days for Life one day after his feast day, September 26th and ends on November 4th, two days from the elections.  We believe each life has immeasurable value and we pray for leaders who see that value.  Click on your area of Oregon for a 40 Days for Life near you.  Portand  Salem  Beaverton  Eugene  McMinnville  Klamath Falls  St.Vincent dePaul - Portland  Bend

Blessed Herman was born with a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida to a farm family. His parents cared for him until the age of seven, but in 1020 they gave him over to the abbey of Reichenau Island in Lake Constance in southern Germany; he spent the rest of his life there. He became a Benedictine monk at age twenty. A genius, he studied and wrote on astronomy, theology, math, history, poetry, Arabic, Greek, and Latin. He built musical instruments, and astronomical equipment. In later life he became blind, and had to give up his academic writing. The most famous religious poet of his day, he is the author of Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater. (thanks, Blessed Herman information to inspire Pro-lifers)
Herman The Cripple
by
William Hart Hurlbut, M.D.
I am least among the low,
I am weak and I am slow;
I can neither walk nor stand,
Nor hold a spoon in my own hand.
Like a body bound in chain,
I am on a rack of pain,
But He is God who made me so,
that His mercy I should know.
Brothers do not weep for me!
Christ, the Lord, has set me free.
All my sorrows he will bless;
Pain is not unhappiness.
From my window I look down
To the streets of yonder town,
Where the people come and go,
Reap the harvest that they sow.
Like a field of wheat and tares,
Some are lost in worldly cares;
There are hearts as black as coal,
There are cripples of the soul.
Brothers do not weep for me!
In his mercy I am free.
I can neither sow nor spin,
Yet, I am fed and clothed in Him.
I have been the donkey’s tail,
Slower than a slug or snail;
You my brothers have been kind,
Never let me lag behind.
I have been most rich in friends,
You have been my feet and hands;
All the good that I could do,
I have done because of you.
Oh my brothers, can’t you see?
You have been as Christ for me.
And in my need I know I, too,
Have become as Christ for you!
I have lived for forty years
In this wilderness of tears;
But these trials can’t compare
With the glory we will share.
I have had a voice to sing,
To rejoice in everything;
Now Love’s sweet eternal song
Breaks the darkness with the dawn.
Brother’s do not weep for me!
Christ, the Lord, has set me free.
Oh my friends, remember this:
Pain is not unhappiness.

by Blessed Herman the Cripple

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us O holy Mother of God,
R. that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Thank you Lord for Blessed Herman and showing how Christ blesses each life, even when we feel alone and forgotten.

P.S. Thank you all for your prayers and loving me through this past year.  Having just minimal depressions where I did feel alone, prayers did matter.
In a nutshell:

  • Last Valentine Day, 2010, I fell onto a concrete garage floor while maneuvering some steps.
  • Went to the doctor and found out I had torn ligaments in my knees.
  • Doctor saved my life by ordering an ultrasound on my heart that showed a congenital defect of my aortic valve and how it was almost blocked.
  • Had open heart surgery on May 20th and have a replacement valve.  (Fortunately my other arteries were clean.) Stayed four days in hospital.
  • June 1, 2010 while walking in home for exercise had a small stroke. Called 911. Went back to hospital for four more days.
  • Mini-Stroke took away hearing in my right ear and gave me right brain stem damage.  I'm wobbly and have to use a walker sometimes.  The walker has room for three grandchildren so it can look like a stroller...:-)
  • FELL again in May 2011 thinking I was okay to put socks on with foot on chair.  Lost my balance and went flat on my back, heard a huge crack and 911 was called and I was in the hospital again for four days.  (four is the lucky? number.)
  • While seeing if my back was broken, no thank God.  Two CAT scans showed my left thyroid had grown to the size of two tennis balls.
  • This wasn't seen during open heart surgery as it was behind my collar bone.Had two surgeons remove the culprit. It had moved my windpipe and was cutting off my breathing. Four more days in the hospital, egads.
  • I'm still wobbly, deaf, have scars from three surgeries that form the letter "J" for Jesus?   :-) It's interesting that I had to have the open heart surgery before the thyroid surgery.  Both were life threatening issues.
  • I thank these two doctors who just "happened" to order tests that weren't common to have.  They saved my life.  They are from the same office and interestly Christian.
  • Honestly the Good Lord was watching out for me.  I want to listen to Him more and be thankful for small things.  THEN.
In November of 2011 I had a pacemaker put which happens sometimes after open heart surgery. December 2011 I had rotator cuff surgery because I HAD torn my shoulder muscles off in three places.  I told them it hurt.
On Feb. 3rd.  I was at the hospital when where my daughter was having a baby and was hit by a huge laundry cart that couldn't see me because of a wide turn.  My back has a fracture of the T-11 vertebrae and I had to fake it so my daughter wouldn't know I was hurt.  She was doing such a great job.  I just took more muscle relaxants that I had because my arm was in the sling because of my rotator cuff surgery.  She never knew until a few days later, but I didn't hold my new grandson that day.  Emotionally I was almost gone.

What I continue to have to strive for is to let people help me. 


I am so thankful for having a family that loves life in all it's stages and stands up to this challenge..

Grandchildren and children and husband are loved more dearly. 


Learning how much I am loved by my family and how much they have sacrificed without grumbling.

I trust the Lord more, although I hope there's not another surgery on the horizon.
 

  • This is too long, but I was saved and challenged by Christ and wanted to share this "adventure".  So many people I've met have many more "adventures" than I could ever know.
  •  It shows for me, the Lord's wisdom and saving hand for all His Creation.  

Friday, July 22, 2011

US Bishops Invest in Abortion & Pornography? - What about Us? Part two

The clerical sex scandal of six years ago counted over 13,000 victims strung over a few decades. Its financial cost is well into the billions of dollars.

It is not hard to imagine 13,000 people per day, or even per hour, buying a porn film through their cable television company or in their hotel room. In all, there could easily be tens of millions of people induced to sin through the financial assistance of many dioceses, archdioceses, and multiple Catholic religious groups. Tens of millions of sins would presumably qualify as "significant."

In the clerical sex scandal, what disgusted people the most was not the individual sinner but the fact that these sinners were returned, with the bishops' approval and after consulting with professionals, to unsuspecting parishes where they often sinned again and again. All of us are subject to our passions, but it is the cooperation with and enabling of sin that produces the most outrage. Owning porn-related companies is just another example of the bishops' complicity in this regard.

There are thousands of other companies that would make suitable investments. Only a small percentage of public corporations are involved in porn sales. If choice A is found wanting for any reason, simply go to choice B. For religious groups, one would think that some level of prudence would apply.

Pharmacies that sell morning after pills etc.  Merck, Glaxco Kline etc. Christian Brothers Investment Services Abortions.  Please check and see how this cooperation is a mortal sin.


Investing is not the only arena in which the bishops have bumped up against the porn demon and lost. In a story related to this writer by a senior staff member of the USCCB and confirmed by Msgr. Frank Maniscalso, also of the USCCB, the bishops tried to block porn filters for computers destined for Catholic school libraries and classrooms.

Legislative proposals in 1998 would have mandated porn filters on all computers bought with federal funds or with tax revenue.

The bishops joined the ultra-liberal American Library Association in attempting to defeat the mandatory filters. The bishops argued they would put in policies against porn access in schools, and wanted filters to be optional. The bishops also thought porn filters might cost too much. (Their actual cost is negligible.)

In practice, filters prevent abuse from occurring. A policy is easily broken and difficult to enforce -- e.g., consider the effectiveness of a "No Talking" policy in most school libraries.

Eventually, the legislation passed with mandatory filters, thus saving the bishops from their own poor judgment.

The bishops and other Catholic groups invest in porn-related companies when there is little question about porn's redeeming value.

Speaking of redemption, there is no attempt to avoid companies that may not be pornographic in the classic sense but make light of human sexuality or promote lifestyles inimical to traditional Christian belief.

For example, mainstream television networks bring us situation comedies laden with vulgarities and sexual innuendo. Shock-jock radio announcers, like Howard Stern and Don Imus, belittle people and, according to a recent study by The New York Times (May 6, 2007), specialize in "sexually explicit banter, particularly descriptions of anal and oral sex."

How these things promote the redemptive mission of the crucified Son of God would be most difficult to understand. Yet the companies that bring us these shows are clearly acceptable investments for the bishops.

The Christian Brothers' investments in this area include General Electric, which brought us the aforementioned Don Imus (until he was fired for uttering a racial slur on the air) and a host of questionable movies and television shows.

They also own Clear Channel and Emmis Communications, which collectively own over 1,000 radio stations. Some of the most offensive "humor" legally allowed is served up by these stations every day. So much for CBIS's "disciplined approach to socially responsible investing."

This picture is brought into bold relief when one considers the great art the Catholic Church inspired and helped fund over the centuries. But in America today, the bishops finance culture-destroying "entertainment" of the lowest order.

If there is a bright side for the bishops, it is this: Unlike the clerical sex scandal, no one will sue them because of their investments in porn-related companies.

Unfortunately, it is also the reason that they are likely to do nothing. The fact that millions of souls may be gravely compromised or lost for eternity is not legally actionable -- in this world.

**********************************************************************************************************

"No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at Him..

And He said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God."

Thursday, July 21, 2011

"Holy P*rn" US Bishops Invest in Abortion & P*rnography?

ILLICIT INVESTMENTS Holy Porn! February 2008 By Thomas Strobhar Thomas Strobhar, President of Thomas Strobhar Financial in Dayton, Ohio, has over 25 years of investment experience. He is the founder of Citizen Action Now (www.citizenactionnow.com), an advocacy group that combats the imposition of the homosexual agenda, and Chairman of Life Decisions International (www. fightpp.org), an advocacy group dedicated to challenging the Culture of Death and promoting chastity. He is also the founder of Pro Vita Advisors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and confronting the business aspects of abortion. His shareholder resolutions against contributions to Planned Parenthood have affected corporate policies at AT&T, American Express, General Mills, Target Stores, Berkshire Hathaway, and others. *******************************************************
Five hundred years ago the Catholic Church was laid low for selling indulgences. Six years ago the Church was rocked by news of bishops covering up the sexual misdeeds of their fellow priests. Today hundreds of Catholic groups -- dioceses, archdioceses, and religious orders -- help fund their work through the sale of sex. Not sex per se, but the graphic depiction of sex found in hardcore pornography. Yes, the seamiest and steamiest hardcore porn films are brought into our living rooms and hotel rooms everyday through the investments of a veritable who's who of Catholic religious groups. What do the bishops have to say about this? Not much. Until a few years ago, they had nothing to say. The investment guidelines of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), first formulated in 1991, ran over 15 pages and treated esoteric subjects, like affordable housing, in some detail. But there was not a single word about pornography, one of the most likely precipitators of personal sin. Apparently, the bishops hadn't thought of it or did not think it was important. Maybe they hadn't heard many confessions lately. In 2003 that changed. They altered their guidelines and included the problem of pornography. The result: the bishops gave their blessing to investing in porn-related companies as long as the company's revenues from porn were not "significant." The USCCB's express policy, as stated in its "Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines: Principles for USCCB Investments" (Nov. 12, 2003), is: "The USCCB will not invest in a company that derives a significant portion of its revenues" from pornography. According to one bishop, the original language offered by a committee commissioned to study the problem of porn called only for divestment if a company "has a majority investment or participation" in pornographic material. This was seen as too lenient by some bishops, who managed to have the language changed to "a significant portion of its revenues." The "majority investment or participation" language reflected the then-current practice of the Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS), whose specific policy alluded to a 50 percent or more interest in porn-related material. The Christian Brothers are one of the largest investors of Catholic institutional money in the world. They invest billions of dollars for over 1,000 Catholic "dioceses, religious institutes, educational institutions and health care organizations." Archbishop John Vlazny of Portland, Ore., is a trustee of CBIS, and Archbishop Emeritus James Keleher of Kansas City is a former trustee. CBIS helped formulate the bishops' original investment guidelines in 1991 and boast on their website that "CBIS was honored to be the only investment firm asked to advise the USCCB in the development of the updated guidelines" in 2003. CBIS, which touts its "disciplined approach to socially responsible investing" as a way for "Catholic institutions to invest in a manner that is consistent with their mission and with the teachings of the Catholic Church," is presumably in the best position to know what "significant" means to the bishops in practice. Whether the wording is "primary" or "significant," CBIS apparently has no misgivings about investing Catholic funds in a wide array of companies that distribute pornography, or more politely, "adult content." As long as the company's "primary" business is not porn, CBIS deems it acceptable. As Wilson realizes, this means that "relatively few" companies are avoided. The result is that almost every company responsible for bringing pornography into our lives is fair game for investment purposes. Considering the close relationship the bishops have long had with CBIS, and the fact that many entrust diocesan funds to CBIS to this day, it appears that many bishops, too, have little problem investing in porn. Whereas the bishops consulted the Christian Brothers on how to deal with porn, it appears neither of them looked to see what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about it: Pornography "does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public) since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others" (#2354). The Catechism doesn't talk about "primary" or "significant"; it makes it quite clear that any profit from pornography is "illicit." According to the Catechism, pornography is "a grave offense," and "civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic material" (#2354). Indeed, it is a bizarre situation when the Catechism calls on civil authorities to "prevent the distribution of pornographic material" when the bishops and countless Catholic religious groups knowingly own shares in companies that distribute pornography every day. Investing is sometimes seen as a passive activity, but as a shareholder one is promoting and profiting from whatever that company does. If a company sells porn, the investor is encouraging and profiting from sin. On this point, the Catechism says, "we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them: by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so" (#1868). The bishops clearly aren't doing much to hinder sin when they own companies whose profits are dependent on porn sales. Keep in mind, porn sales, with their low production costs, are exceedingly profitable. To these companies, their profits from porn are most "significant." Actual companies recently owned by the Christian Brothers, as reported on their website, include: Cablevision Systems, Charter Communications, Com­cast, DirecTV Group, Echostar, News Corp, Rogers Communications, Time Warner, and Viacom -- all of which entice the public with pornography via either cable or satellite television. In addition, they own Choice Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Host Hotels & Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and Marriott International -- which all profit by offering in-room porn movies to their guests. The Christian Brothers, on behalf of their Catholic clients, also own Lodgenet, which is one of the largest providers of in-room porn to the hotel industry, serving 1.8 million rooms. Some of the movies offered by Lodgenet include Girls Who Love Girls, Filthy Young Innocents, and AC/DC Sex. A complete list of almost 100 titles can be seen at www.truthaboutlodgenet.com. According to CBS News (Sept. 5, 2004), it is estimated that in-room porn films are purchased by "a whopping 50% of their [big chain hotels'] guests, accounting for nearly 70 percent of their in-room profits." It is arguable, even by the incredibly lax standards of the bishops and the Christian Brothers, that Lodgenet's porn business is its most "significant," if not its "primary," business. While ownership in companies that profit from graphic images of sex provokes little outrage among the USCCB and CBIS, it is interesting to note a shareholder resolution brought last year by the Maryknoll Sisters and the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order. The resolution asked Viacom to divest itself of Paramount Pictures, because a number of its films showed people smoking! The religious groups argued that images of smoking would influence the behavior of younger viewers. Of course, a good number of Paramount movies have shown people in sexual situations, but this was not mentioned in the resolution. Catholic religious orders have offered scores, if not hundreds, of shareholder resolutions dealing with tobacco, but it is difficult to find even one in which the issue of porn is addressed. Smoking is apparently a most serious taboo among Catholic investors. The Christian Brothers do a great job of keeping the bishops' money out of tobacco companies, even though the bishops' guidelines say nothing about the subject. As regards smoking, Catholic groups apparently can't be sensitive enough. Perhaps the bishops and other Catholic groups would be more upset if the porn films they help distribute showed people smoking after sex.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Rerun: Connecting the Dots - Changing the Homosexual "Climate"

Friday, August 19, 2005
Connecting the Dots - Part 1 Changing the "Climate"

Western Oregon Catholics are on the verge of possibly losing our churches, schools: properties bought and paid for with hard-working "Catholic" money. The "problem" was a climate that enabled an anti-Culture of Life and Family attitude. Although some priests acted out, the climate is still thriving and has to stop.

When you're a parent it's important to separate your children from bad influences to keep them on the straight and narrow. The same holds true for relationships in adulthood and organizations. They too are affected by peer pressure and lose their way. On Monday, March 7th, I attended the Interfaith Advocacy Day put on by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO). Oregon Catholic Conference represented by Bob Castagna and Anthony Granados were there allegedly representing Oregon Catholics. (The head of EMO, Philip Kennedy-Wong, was at Oregon Catholic Conferences Advocacy Day on Feb 21st. and the latter Interfaith Advocacy Day.)

EMO's Interfaith Advocacy Day reflected the member churches support for same-sex marriage. The listing on EMO's website includes homosexual churches : ie. Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and all member churches seem to encourage same-sex marriage, some affliated with Basic Rights Oregon, with pro-activist homosexual organization. Connect these dots.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon go to EMO Home then EMO Denominations
http://mccchurch.org
http://basicrights.org

Oregon Catholic Conference's legislative agenda has reflected the EMO agenda throughout the years. They have shied away from the Roman Catholic positions of supporting unborn life and monogamous heterosexuality. Even the packets distributed at both advocacy days were similar down to the color, identical font, spacing and same pages of some content. And remember the election? Targeted Catholic Churches had voter registration done by the EMO connected National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice out of Chicago using the name given by the U.S. Bishops: "Faithful Citizenship Program".
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In this climate, Catholic priests are feeling comfortable about speaking up for homosexual activity and use the term the judgmental and inaccurate term "homophobic" for those of us who support Roman Catholic Church teaching. (Catholic Sentinel March 11 Letters to the Editor)

From the Vatican -Cardinal Arinzi, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament states "The question arises; take the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It says it is not condemning a person for having homosexual tendency. We don't condemn anybody for that. But a person stands condemned for acting on it.” Our Holy Father suggested that the world-wide push for same-sex unions is part of an "ideology of evil". “It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man.”

VOCAL was sent this information. It could connect more dots. Please judge for yourselves.

Oregon Churches and organizations calling themselves Catholic have homosexual components that are not in compliance with Roman Catholic Church teaching.

GO TO  Catholic Lesbians - Resources to Lesbian and Gay-Friendly parishes -
Perform same-sex "marriages"(also a member of Basic Rights Oregon)  The Koinonia Catholic Community HAS CHANGED TO JOURNEY/Koinonia Catholic Community 




A distubing note on this group. Click on music. Koinonia former directors include Tom Conry and Patrick Loomis do music for the OREGON CATHOLIC PRESS. Are we singing songs that could be indoctrinating us?

Let's help the Climate of Oregon. We have to be good stewards of our money, time and talents. Over the years the value of the relationship between the Oregon Catholic Conference and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon has been questioned. In light of our bankruptcy, the lack of Roman Catholic teaching being understood and questioned, it is time for a real change. Silence implies consent of the support of anti-Catholic teachings.

Can we afford spiritually and financially to continue as we have? Does this truly help us help others to serve the Living God, Jesus Christ? It is the Springtime of the Laity following Jesus Christ - The Way, the Truth and the Life.

"Facts are stubborn things...our wishes, the dictates of our passions...cannot alter the facts and evidence." John Adams

Monday, June 20, 2011

"Gay Pride Parade": Part Two

Dear Advocates for Life,
This Oregon Live article shows that Catholics are being represented, as usual, in the PDX Homosexual Parade on Father's Day. Oregon Live Article: St. Andrew's and Community of Welcoming Congregations. 6-17-11.. at least they're trying to go "underground" by changing the line-up. Saint Andrew's Bulletin.
Year's ago I received a reprimand from Archbishop Vlazny for Defending the Church bringing up errors of the progressive way the Western Oregon Catholic church was going. Women "priests" or being against the Pope is actually encouraged by the status quo, like the parade. We are called to admonish things that are against our Church's teaching.
The Archbishop is "disappointed" with EMO regarding the Life issues.....etc. Do we need them with their pro-abortion doctrine? Don't we see this as a line we will not cross with an organization that is changing us and we're not making a dent with them?
Here is a letter that I received with concern over our involvement with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and their leading Oregon Catholics away from the Faith.
Father John Reedy on 100th birthday. His love of the Church passed on for generations.
To Whom it may concern, (from anonymous Oregon Catholic priest),
While it would be tough for me to weigh in on an internal Catholic issue, I can have a personal opinion overall. The biggest problem I have is that if you believe what you claim to believe, why would you put time and energy into an Organization that actively works against that belief? EMO, clearly and unequivocally, has the position that gays and lesbians are not engaged in unnatural sexual relations, essentially they hold homosexual behavior to be OK. Last time I looked, the Catholic Church still, and rightly so under the bible, believe homosexual behavior to be unnatural and immoral. While many of their programs for social justice are great, the Catholic Church doesn’t need to belong to advance those noble causes they do promote.
It is one thing to love and tolerate all sinners, it is quite another to say their sin is ok and free of consequences. By belonging to EMO the Catholic Church is compromising their own values, for what benefit? Whatever benefits they believe come from membership can easily be obtained other ways without giving tacit approval to the homosexual lifestyle.It is one thing to love and I am all for having a loving and open dialogue with other Christians about our different interpretations of scripture, but why do I have to join their organization?
Of the five (5) largest denominations in Oregon (by number of members in the State), (Catholic, Mormon, Assemblies of God and Evangelical Lutheran and Foursquare), the Catholic Church is the only one who chooses to be a member. In looking at the statistics, the EMO, absent the Catholic Church, represents a very small minority of Oregon Church goers, about 10%. Here is the link to that info,
The bottom line is, they have an important belief that runs counter to Church doctrine; and without the Catholic Church, they really represent a very small number of Oregon church goers. So why get involved?
In His Name....
Things need to change. We are better than this.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

"Gay Pride": Hijacks Father's Day and Catholic Values" Part One

Self-professed lesbian Joy Wallace (see Oct. 3, 2002) speaks on behalf of the Catholic Church seven minutes and thirty seconds (7:30) into this video. This panel is promoting the homosexual lifestyle in Oregon churches through The Community of Welcoming Congregations. This is an interfaith organization supported by Catholic Churches openly spreading this heresy leading earnest seekers of the Truth into error. Our Faith is watered down and that is the motive, to change the Church.

This group is so "interfaith" that the name of Jesus is relegated to a list where He is just a name among those of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Joy Wallace, who works at St. Andrews Church in Portland and "woman priestess" Toni Tortorilla are in cahoots by actions totally at odds with Holy Mother Church and our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Father's Day this year the Community of Welcoming Congregations are marching in the Pride NW Parade 2011 in slot number 27. There is also Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence making fun of Catholics openly and freely, and there's no uproar from the Archdiocese of Portland.

Father's Day weekend is when they like to degrade men and make them in their image. It shows their disdain for fatherhood, biological and spiritual. Ecumenical Ministries Oregon (EMO) Churches march in the Gay Pride Parade and gives us a homosexual connection that bankrupted Oregon Catholics. (Now we have a "Capital Campaign" to replace some of those funds). Yet these groups have no qualms about publicly trashing our Faith. Joy Wallace and others with like mind are protected by a wall of silence in this Archdiocese which implies consent.




Mary Jo Tully, our Chancellor freely agrees with EMO, sitting on their Board giving them credibility and actually using them in dictating our Churches direction on many levels. Oregon Catholics are harmed by our affiliation with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. To belong to this organization costs Catholic money without supporting Catholic values. (to be continued)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

"The None Story" Part two - Sisters of Holy Names Support Women's "Ordination"

Toni Tortorilla
The email below was written by Toni Tortorilla, well known in the Archdpdx, and one of four heretical Oregon women who call themselves priests.  It was sent to members of Call to Action and Sophia Christi (name of "woman priests" organization who meet at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Churches.)
Sister Kathleen, by her actions, has besmirched the reputation of The Sisters of the Holy Names. She must feel comfortable that heresy is okay in this Archdiocese.

FYI "The None Story, Part one" 9/24/10 in archives

______________________________________

From: ctaportor@prodigy.net
To: ctaportor@prodigy.net
Subject: Fw: Saturday Liturgy
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:09:17 -0700

Please continue to support them in this ministry. the services will continue to be at the same church 4775 N Lombard St on the second Saturday of the month at 5:00 PM.
Al

Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 9:10 PM
Subject: Saturday Liturgy

Greetings to all of you,

I'm sending a little reminder about our Mass this coming Saturday.  For our lectors (Bob Larroque, first reading; Sandi DeMaster, second reading) we will be using the Lectionary created by Priests for Equality.  My heartfelt gratitude goes to Janet Stevens for providing us with this copy!  The Larroques will also be providing us with refreshments after our liturgy and Kathleen Greene will make sure we have coffee and tea, so I hope you can stay a bit afterwards and visit with everyone.

It would be helpful if someone would like to volunteer to bring forward the gifts before communion.  And we will also need someone to carry the processional cross during our entrance rite and during the recessional.  The cross is a gift to us from Sr. Kathleen and the Sisters of the Holy Names, and we are honored to have it available for our Masses.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Christ's peace be with you,
Toni
 
____________________________________________________________
Sophia Christi Community officiated by Toni Tortorilla, and new "catholic community"  Lumen Christi  officiated by Sandra DeMaster are names of the Women Priests organizations in Oregon.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon churches are used for their "mass"/meetings.
They are supported by the dissident groups  Call to Action NW and One Spirit One Call that meet in Catholic Churches.
One Spirit, One Call is endorsed by some priests and allowed to have life in Oregon by Archbishop Vlazny who states in this article, ( AB Vlazny Active Avenue for Dissidents)

"Organizers wrote to the archbishop of Portland, the Most Rev. John G. Vlazny,  and told him of their plans. He says he is resigned that "One Spirit -- One Call" would go on.

"I'm not happy about it," he says. "Whenever people are disturbed, it's a good idea to get together and pray. But my job is one that tries to promote the unity of the church, to encourage the church in our evangelization."

He says he has good relationships with women in the church. "I've tried my best to treat people with fairness." He understands that the women behind the Portland event have a list of grievances, but he thinks "ordination is at the bottom of it all."


"I have no authority to change that." The Catholic Church does not ordain women to the priesthood. "No other bishop, not even the pope can change that," Vlazny says." 
(VOCAL wonders, would he change it, if he could?)

This mentality in the Archdpdx hierarchy has bankrupted us monetarily and threatens Oregon Catholics spiritually.  There is not a feeling of protection for our souls or our funds.


"Roman Catholic Womenpriests reject the penalty of excommunication issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith on May 29, 2008 stating that the women priests and the bishops who ordain them would be excommunicated latae sententiae.”



Although they know the just decree of God that all who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.   Romans 32