Real Catholic Blog

Or are they temporarily disappointed? Hopefully, they’ve awakened, and wouldn’t it be sweetly ironic if it was Madam Speaker Pelosi who stirred the sleeping giant that a unified American Catholic Church can be in injecting morality into public policy. The fear is that the bishops, if health care “reform” with all pro-abortion provisions is defeated, will go back to cozying up to leftists in Congress for so-called “social justice” legislation.

Here’s the story: It appears the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is ready to take massive action, including the mobilizing of every parish in the country, to fight the abortion-on-demand health care legislation in Congress. According to Priests For Life, the bishops are calling for bulletin inserts and other communications in every parish immediately to inform American Catholics of the dangers of the legislation.

Now, if we can get the excellencies to realize that we all agree on social justice, but that social justice does not mean socialism and disregard of established law, we’d really have something.

The HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm, a bawdy comedy by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, had a decidedly anti-Catholic scene in its most recent episode. David, who plays himself, urinated on a painting of Jesus. But it’s not the first time he has incorporated anti-Catholic insults into his show. A few years ago, he mocked people playing Joseph, Mary and others in a live nativity scene.

Bill Donahue of the Catholic League released a statement (read here) in which he asked:

Was Larry David always this crude? Would he think it comedic if someone urinated on a picture of his mother?

Deal Hudson, of InsideCatholic.com, told FoxNews.com:

Why is it that people are allowed to publicly show that level of disrespect for Christian symbols? If the same thing was done to a symbol of any other religions — Jewish or Muslim —there’d be a huge outcry. It’s simply not a level playing field.

More on the controversy can be found here at popeater.com. In fact, there are two poll questions there, including one asking if David should apologize. As of tonight, the responses to both questions are overwhelmingly anti-David. We encourage you to vote and pile on to send HBO — and Hollywood secularists in general — a message.

This is a prayer very similar to one I pray often. I encourage you to pray it. Here is a link to a Google search of Saint Jude prayers. They work, especially the Novenas!

St. Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the person (who betrayed our Lord) has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of. Pray for me, who is so miserable; pray for me, that I may finally receive the consolations and the succour of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly for (state your intention), and that I may bless God with the Elect Throughout Eternity.

* * * * *

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved & Preserved throughout the world, now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Worker of Miracles, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, please pray for me. Amen.

* * * * *

O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, people honor and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Please help to bring me visible and speedy assistance. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly for (state your intention) and that I may praise God with you always.

I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen.

* * * * *

Holy Saint Jude, Apostle and Martyr, Great in virtue and rich in miracles, Near kinsman of Jesus Christ, Faithful intercessor of all Who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart And humbly beg to whom God has given such great power To come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition, In return I promise to make your name known And cause you to be invoked. Saint Jude pray for me and all those who invoke your aid. Amen.

Today is Saint Jude’s feast day. He is one of the 12 Apostles and is the patron of hopeless cases because in his epistle he emphasizes that the faithful “persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them (Catholic Online).”

He also happens to be one of my patron saints. I’m partial, but I have the best name in the world: Stephen Jude. The first martyr and deacon (Stephen) and a relative of Jesus (Jude). Legend has it he taught Jesus Greek. Imagine teaching Jesus! Whether or not it’s true, we know little of Saint Jude except that he does intercede for those in massive trouble. What a hero and role model to help people in such dire straights. (There’s a reason a well known hospital is named for him.) I wish I could live up to such a standard.

But I must confess: I don’t seek his intercession only in dire circumstances. Even when things seemharsh, although you know by comparison to others’ situations they are not, he will help you. Trust me. Seek his intercession.

Here is more about him from Catholic Online:

St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. 

Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. According to Eusebius, he returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem.

He is an author of an epistle (letter) to the Churches of the East, particularly the Jewish converts, directed against the heresies of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics. This Apostle is said to have suffered martyrdom in Armenia, which was then subject to Persia. The final conversion of the Armenian nation to Christianity did not take place until the third century of our era.

Jude was the one who asked Jesus at the Last Supper why He would not manifest Himself to the whole world after His resurrection. Little else is known of his life. Legend claims that he visited Beirut and Edessa; possibly martyred with St. Simon in Persia.

Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, R.I., has called one of his flock “irresponsible and ignorant” — and not just any member: U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, son of the late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (see EWTN).

Bishop Tobin’s comments were in response to the congressman’s allegations that the U.S. Catholic Bishops were fanning “the flames of dissent and discord” because of their principled opposition to the proposed “health care reform” legislation, which will allow the public funding of abortion and strip away conscience protections for medical professionals.

Bishop Tobin issued a statement on the Diocese’s Web site, which read, in part:

Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. But the Congressman is correct in stating that “he can’t understand.” He got that part right.

As I wrote to Congressman Kennedy and other members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation recently, the Bishops of the United States are indeed in favor of comprehensive health care reform and have been for many years. But we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals.

While I admire the U.S. bishops for their adamant stand against the monstrosity of a government run and dictated health care system — and Bishop Tobin’s courageous stand against a powerful member of Congress — I have always wondered what, when they advocate for “comprehensive coverage” did they expect, especially from this reckless and leftist crew now running the show in Washington?

I pray this is a wake up call to the bishops. They must now realize that their panacea for each and every social justice cure — exclusive government intervention — only leads to bigger and more grave consequences for society. Unfortunately, the increase in poverty despite the Great Society and its legacy programs, has not opened their eyes. Now, however, maybe they see.

The announcement last week that the Holy See will set into motion a constitution for the acceptance of Anglican and Episcopal laity and clergy into the Church has been the buzz of church goers and secular media alike. There is some confusion, especially regarding the acceptance of marriage Anglican clergy as Catholic priests. Here is a video from the Vatican that offers some guidance into how the Vatican will proceed.

Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, during the Holy See’s Press Conference on Tuesday, October 20. Anglicans approached the Vatican; now the Vatican wants to unify this protestant denomination to the Church, as per Vatican II. 

We are called to constantly pray for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life — and well we should. But we must always keep in our prayers those already serving God and us in the majestic calling of the priesthood.

This Sunday is Priesthood Sunday. Please keep in your prayers all priests, those who serve us now and those who have played such vital and influential roles in our lives throughout our lives.

Here is a novena to pray:

Father,

You sent your Son Jesus Christ To be our High Priest,

And you gave us the gift of the priesthood To continue his saving work.

Bless our priests, and give us more of them.

Make them holy.

Strengthen them to proclaim the Gospel of Life, And to defend the rights of all, Especially the unborn.

Bring us, your priests and people To the life that never ends.

We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For more information on Priesthood Sunday, please visit Priests For Life (here).

When I heard the news, it was like when I heard my uncle decided to enter the seminary. My first reaction to him was, “When I prayed last night for an increase in vocations, I didn’t expect such instant results.”

As I’ve prayed for the unification of the Church and all Christians recently, I certainly didn’t expect the news that came down today. (See AOL News.)

We may have to add another category to this blog: Along with the Eastern Rites, we may now have another Rite — distinct, with its own traditions, and loyal to Rome — but not that altogether than the Western Church. In fact, it would be Western. It would be Anglican! 

The Vatican announced today it is setting up a special canonical structure to accept into the Church disaffected Anglicans and Episcopalians. The Anglican Church has experienced a schism over its acceptance of an openly and cohabitating American bishop and have formed a new church. Now, they may, as parishes, dioceses and/or individual priests and layity enter into Catholic communion more easily. That’s the good news.

The bad news, if that’s what one will call it — perhaps confusing is a better word — is that this new structure is prepared to accept Anglican married priests and their liturgies and prayers. Right now, Anglican priests who become Catholic are accepted into the Catholic priesthod on a case by case basis. Some married Anglican priests are accepted during these reviews.

But if they are to be brought in wholesale? It’s envisioned that it would be a boundary-less rite, such as the Eastern Rites who have populations in the West, and which have set up parishes within Roman Rite dioceses, but have their own bishops. So, could the Episcopal church next door become a Catholic parish? One that you could attend to fulfill your Sunday obligation? Or even get confirmed into? What will this do to further pressure the Roman Rite to allow married priests?

One would think Cardinal Levada and Pope Benedict would not enter into this lightly, or without lots of prayer. But for the layity, there’s lots to consider here — will this water down the Church? — and a lot to pray about.

That’s one of the age old incongruities of practicing the Faith. Everyone wants to go to Holy Communion, but rarely do people go to Reconciliation.

Suffer me not to be separated from you, Lord

as the prayer states. No one wants to forsake the Bread of Life. That is good. People should not want to go without receiving our Lord in the Sacrifice of the Mass. But are we clear for take-off? Or do we go undeservingly because we don’t want the person next to us to think we’ve done something to not merit the Holy Eucharist?

Another priest from the Fathers of Mercy, Father Bill Casey, C.P.M., offers some thoughts on The Link between the Penitential Rite & the Gloria:

Father Casey with some thoughts on the age old conundrum: Why are there lines for Holy Communion but not the Confessional?

As I wrote Thursday night, I attended Mass where Father Tony Stephens of the Fathers of Mercy gave the homily. He is a terrific preacher. No one can listen and not be moved to appreciate the Church and our traditions, teachings and devotions still more. So I googled him. There are, unfortunately, only a few videos of him, but here is one that is outstanding. Please watch and let the message take you deeper into the understanding of the Church’s — the Lord’s — teachings, and understand why the culture doesn’t dictate to the Church and its Truth.

Father Tony Stephens speaks about following Catholic teaching and doctrine. Lessons for all.