Sunday, December 30, 2007

Digest of Weekend's Posts (30 December 2007)

Sunday, 30 December

Democrat Front Group Posing as Catholic Org Calls for End to "Christmas Culture War"


Saturday, 29 December

  • MUST BUY: A Christmas Recording to Celebrate All 12 Days of Christmas

  • Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket - 29 December



  • Labels:

    Democrat Front Group Posing as Catholic Org Calls for End to "Christmas Culture War"

    Not content with being apologists for the Party of Death, our old "friends" over at Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good are now acting as apologists for the secularist war against Christmas:
    Group calls for end to Christmas Culture wars

    The outrage by some people over department stores using the phrase “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” is a distraction from real moral and social issues, according to a group of concerned Catholics and evangelical Christians.

    The group has called for a “cease-fire in the Christmas culture wars,” and challenged conservative talk-show host Bill O’Reilly and others who have lashed out against a so-called secular “War on Christmas.”

    In an “Open Letter to Christmas Culture Warriors” published as an advertisement in the New York Post, Washington Times and the National Catholic Reporter, the group says the debate about words used in greetings detracts from the Christmas message of love and good will.

    “Christmas marks a season of hope, peace and the light of justice illuminating the dark corners of our world," said Alexia Kelley, Executive Director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. "At a time of a real war in Iraq, and 37 million of our American neighbors living in poverty, we should be focusing on promoting peace and human dignity in our world."

    For more information visit www.catholicsinalliance.org.


    (emphasis added)
    My Comments:
    And just what does the fact that I choose to refrain from patronizing a "Happy Holidays"-wishing Best Buy have to do with poverty and the war in Iraq, anyway?

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    Saturday, December 29, 2007

    MUST BUY: A Christmas Recording to Celebrate All 12 Days of Christmas


    For the second year in a row, I'm going to encourage you to purchase a recording that celebrates all 12 Days of Christmas.

    In case you didn't get the message last year, or in my previous post a few weeks ago about my favorite Christmas music recordings, I cannot recommend highly enough Tydings Trew - Medieval English Carols and Motets by a group called Lionheart. I have been listening to it throughout most of the Christmastide.


    On this CD:
    1. A solis ortus cardine (5:04)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Chant / Hymn / Motet
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    2. Nowell, nowell: Tydings trew (2:45)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    3. Hayl Mary, ful of grace (3:08)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    4. Venter tuus, o puella (2:12)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Motet
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    5. Facta est cum angelo (0:38)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Chant
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003
    Notes Arranged: Sarum rite


    6. Benedicite omnia opera (3:00)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Chant
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    7. As I outrode this endres night (2:05)
    Composer Traditional
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    8. Ecce quod natura (4:25)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    9. Nesciens mater (2:26)
    Composer Byttering (15th Century)
    Genre Rondeau
    Date Written circa 1410
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    10. A my dere sonne (6:34)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Song
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    11. Nowel, nowel, nowel: Owt of your slepe aryse and awake (2:28)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Date Written circa 1430
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    12. Sancte Dei preciose (2:02)
    Composer Anonymous
    Date Written 1100
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Country Canterbury, England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    13. Eya martir Stephane (2:47)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003
    Notes This selection is sung in Latin and English.


    14. Hic est discipulus qui testimonium (2:37)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Responsory
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    15. Worcepe we this holy day (4:22)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    16. Lully, lulla, thow littel tyne child "Coventry Carol" (3:57)
    Composer Traditional
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language English
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    17. Seynt Thomas honour we (3:38)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language English
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    18. Magi videntes stellam (0:54)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Chant
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    19. Ave rex angelorum (3:07)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Carol
    Date Written 15th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Renaissance
    Language Latin
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    20. Gaude virgo mater Christi (5:34)
    Composer Anonymous
    Date Written 14th Century
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Country England
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    21. Omnes de Saba (0:30)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Antiphon / Chant
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003
    Notes Arranged: Sarum rite


    22. Nunc dimittis (1:53)
    Composer Anonymous
    Genre Chant
    Ensemble Lionheart
    Period Medieval
    Language Latin
    Recording Studio
    Venue Church of the Ascension, New York, NY
    Recording Date 3/2003


    Program Description:
    Weary of Messiah? In "Tydings Trew: Feasts of Christmas in Medieval England," the six-man vocal ensemble Lionheart presents carols, chants and motets for the Christmas season as it was celebrated in the cloisters, palaces and streets of England in the 15th and 16th centuries.

    The medieval carol was originally a dance form with worldly and often lewd associations. Franciscan monks converted the carol into Christian usage as part of their long struggle with native English paganism. Some of the carols included in the program retain the rollicking rhythms of their profane ancestors. "Noel . . .Tydings Trew" recounts the angel's message to Mary with a boisterous chorus. Other carols are gentle and meditative, such as the well-known "Coventry Carol," a lament for the children of Bethlehem who were slaughtered by the raging King Herod.

    Chants from a medieval English monastic book, and an authentic medieval English pronunciation bring to life the music and poetry of a distant age. The program follows the cycles of monastic observance through the twelve days of Christmas, which includes feasts of martyrs such as Saint Thomas of Canterbury. The carol "Saint Thomas honor we" glorifies the murdered Archbishop, who died defending the rights of the Church from the encroaching power of King Henry II.


    Also included are mystical motets from the Old Hall Manuscript, and "Gaude virgo mater christi," by King Henry VIII's court composer William Cornysh.
    (emphasis added)


    Complete "Tydings Trew" program and notes can be found here.

    You can hear samples here.

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    Martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket - 29 December


    From the Medieval Saints Yahoo Group:
    St. Thomas Beckett
    Also known as Thomas a Beckett; Thomas of Canterbury
    Murdered in 1170 in the Cathedral at Canterbury, England


    Canonized: 1173 by Pope Alexander III

    Commemorated: December 29

    Patronage: clergy, Exeter College Oxford, Portsmouth England, secular clergy

    In art, he is shown as an archbishop with a wounded head; archbishop holding an inverted sword; archbishop kneeling before his murderers; archbishop being murdered in church; crosier with a battle-axe head at the top


    St. Thomas of Canterbury (1118-1170)
    "The Murder of Becket" by Alfred Duggan
    "St. Thomas Becket" by Todd Drain
    http://www.cin.org/saints/becket.html

    He was born in the city of London in 1118. His family name of Becket was rarely used by his contemporaries, to whom he was Thomas of London or Archbishop Thomas. His father was a Norman knight, Gilbert, who had become a prosperous merchant in London; his mother was also Norman, and he had at least two sisters, one of whom later became abbess of Barking. To his mother he owed his early piety, a devotion to our Lady, and generosity to the poor. From boyhood upwards he was richly endowed by nature. He was tall, handsome and vigorous, with dark hair, pale complexion and a prominent nose; his sight and hearing were unusually keen, he had a remarkably retentive memory, and he was a master of extemporary speech and debate. As a boy he was devoted to field sports and as a young man his energy, his practical ability and his initiative were more evident than his wisdom or his judgment. After a schooling at Merton priory and Paris he became, at twenty-one, financial clerk to a relative in the city, but after three years he was taken into the household of Theobald, the Norman monk-archbishop of Canterbury. The young Thomas gradually made his way upwards by his charm, his generosity and his adaptability. He was ambitious, and refused no opportunity of advancement or preferment, he enjoyed display and activity, but all are agreed that his life both then and at all times was absolutely pure. The archbishop gave him the post of archdeacon, and he seemed to be following the normal career of an able ecclesiastic when, at the age of thirty-six, he was recommended by Theabald to the young King Henry as chancellor.

    Henry II was a man of very great ability and energy with a genius both for leadership and for organisation; at the same time he was self-willed, imperious, and passionate, wholly unspiritual and bent on gaining control of every power in his kingdom. Thomas the chancellor, who then and always had a personal affection for Henry, devoted all his efforts to serve and please the young king. Accepting all the wealth that came his way, he spent it lavishly on entertainments, on rich clothes and plate and on hunting, hawking, and even on martial exploits but he never failed to work hard and prudently in the king's interest, and there is evidence that he felt a secret dissatisfaction with himself and his worldly life.

    In 1163 Theobald died, and the king secured the election of his friend, confident that he would serve all his interests. Thomas resisted, and warned the king that he might regret his choice. Then he accepted the office, and with what seemed a sudden change he became an austere and spiritual man, devoted to the interests of the church, the faithful servant of the pope. It was not long before the clash with the king occurred. Henry was resolved to reassert all the rights which had been claimed and exercised fifty years before by the Conqueror and his sons. Since that time, however, the papacy had established the claim of the church to control matters such as the trial of clerics and the excommunication of offenders, and had asserted its right to hear appeals and decide all cases. Again and again the archbishop and his king were in conflict, and affairs reached a crisis when the king demanded assent to the Constitutions of Clarendon (1164), which were an assertion of all the customs of the past that were now contrary to the law of the church and the practice of the papacy. Thomas hesitated, and for a moment gave way, thus breaking the solidarity of the bishops in their resistance. Then, at a council at Northampton in 1164 he reasserted his opposition and in face of threats of death or imprisonment, broke away by night and crossed to France to seek the pope.

    For the next six years the archbishop was in exile in France, while he and the king and Pope Alexander III wrangled and discussed in an endeavor to settle the controversy and restore peace to the church in England. The issue was clouded for contemporaries by the mistakes and even the faults of the archbishop, by the ability and plausibility of the king, who had in some respects a strong case, and by the unwillingness of the pope to go to extremities with a powerful monarch. Meanwhile Thomas, at the abbey of Pontigny and elsewhere, gave himself to penance and devotion in what may be called a 'second conversion' from piety to sanctity. Finally, after a war of denunciations and excommunications, and a series of abortive conferences, an uneasy peace was patched up in the last months of 1169 and Thomas returned in triumph to Canterbury. Almost at once, the king in France, exasperated by the archbishop's refusal to withdraw some censures, let slip words which were taken to be a command, or a permission, to kill the archbishop as a traitor. Four knights crossed the Channel, and on the afternoon of December 29th appeared in the archbishop's hall intent on picking a quarrel. Thomas met them with dignified argument, but refused to budge from what he declared was justice and obedience to the pope. The knights retired in fury and donned their armor, while the archbishop entered the cathedral, refusing to allow the doors to be locked. The four knights rushed upon him in the north aisle and tried to drag him from the church. He resisted, and they cut him down with their swords. His last words were: 'I accept death for the name of Jesus and for the Church.'

    The murder shocked the conscience of all Europe; miracles were announced immediately at the tomb; the archbishop was canonized as a martyr by Alexander III in 1173; the king did public penance at his tomb, and much of what St Thomas had striven for was secured by his death. Canterbury became a place of pilgrimage second only to Rome and perhaps Compostella, and churches were dedicated to St Thomas in all countries, even in the remote Iceland. That Thomas gave his life for the freedom of the church is certain; more than four centuries later, another Henry, another St Thomas, and another archbishop of Canterbury drew the moral in their different ways. That he was a man to whom all would apply the word 'great' is also clear. He was no doubt a son of his age--the age of crusades and of the Norman conquerers--alike in his magnificence, his carriage and his austerities, but those who have seen in him only an ambitious, violent and headstrong prelate have failed to allow for the gentleness and devotion that were always part of his character, and for the real and profound conversion of his later years. Had he died a natural death in 1170 he would not perhaps have been acclaimed as a saint, but in his last years and months he prepared himself by his fortitude and zeal for truth and justice, for the heroic assertion of the rights of the spiritual power which led to his martyrdom.


    Courtesy of Catholic Information Network (CIN)

    ------------------

    More on St. Thomas Beckett at:
    http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j108sdThomasBecket12-29.htm

    Links:
    Becket Resource Site
    Becket Texts
    Patron Saints Index
    Catholic Encyclopedia
    Catholic Online
    Medieval Sourcebook: Edward Grim's "The Murder of Thomas Becket"
    "Becket" Is Back on the Big Screen (and Coming Soon to DVD)

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    Tuesday, December 25, 2007

    The Feast of the Nativity - 25 December



    The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

    Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

    For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Mid'ian.

    For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

    For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."


    ~ Isaiah 9:2-6


    And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people;

    For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

    And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

    And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

    "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"


    ~ Luke 2:10-14

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    Monday, December 24, 2007

    A Blessed Christmas from Our House to Yours












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    Saturday, December 22, 2007

    A Christmas Story in Cleveland

    A Christmas Story House, now restored to its movie splendor, is open year round to the public for tours. Directly across the street from the house is the official A Christmas Story House Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as rare behind-the-scenes photos and a gift shop.

    Tickets and Admission
    Adults: $7
    Children 7 to 12: $5
    (Children 6 & under: FREE)
    Seniors: $6



    The house on "Cleveland Street"
    (actually, it's on W. 11th Street in Cleveland)





    "Fra-Gee-Lay. It must be Italian."


    "It's a major award!"


    "It was ... soap ... poisoning."


    "'Be sure to drink your Ovaltine?' A crummy commercial?"


    Ralphie's and Randy's Bedroom


    "Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie."


    The return of "Black Bart" and his gang.


    "Drop your gun, Ralphie, or the kid gets it!"




    "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."

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    Wednesday, December 19, 2007

    Our Sunday Visitor: "Mary -- Crucial to Christmas"


    Lutheran pastor Charles Dickson, author of the book A Protestant Pastor Looks at Mary, writes in Our Sunday Visitor:
    As we approach the Advent and Christmas seasons, we begin to ask ourselves the question as to what role the mother of our Lord should play in our worship and festival observances. How important a place? The answer in a nutshell is: a very important place.

    Protestant observances of the events surrounding the Incarnation all but deny the importance of Mary. A few references to her in sermons, a character in the Christmas play, and a statue in the Nativity scene are about as far as it goes in terms of recognizing the role of Our Lady in the divine transcendent event. However, Catholic observers are quick to point out that their own Church hasn't always properly emphasized her importance.

    The life and ministry of Jesus on earth begins with the Annunciation and the Incarnation. The vehicle or means by which the Incarnation took place is the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Incarnation of the Son of God requires that we discover God's purposes in the Word made flesh. Through the Annunciation, Mary learned that her motherhood would extend to all who stand in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. As Father Romanus Cessario writes: ''If we reflect on the truth that God chose to come among us as a little Child, we will begin to comprehend what Mary's spiritual motherhood means for the Church.''

    Not to emphasize the central role of Mary in history is to dilute the importance of the Incarnation. And when the Incarnation is no longer crucial, the basic tenets of the Christian faith begin to crumble.

    In one of his talks on Our Lady, Pope John Paul II clarifies the basis for emphasizing the role of Mary in the Christmas message: ''The fiat of the Annunciation inaugurates the New Covenant between God and the creature. While it incorporates Jesus into our race according to nature, it incorporates Mary with Him according to grace. The bond between God and humankind that was broken by sin is now happily restored.'' As Christians we realize that this change occurs only because of what God has accomplished in Jesus through Mary.


    [More]

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    Tuesday, December 18, 2007

    Digest of Today's Posts (18 December 2007)

  • Light Blogging

  • Mexico City Policy Left Intact in Budget Bill

  • John Shelby Spong "Rattles Roots of Religion"

  • Divorce Hurts the Planet

  • Thoughts on Religion and Politics
  • Labels:

    Light Blogging

    Blogging here has been, and will continue to be, light over the latter half of December. I'm enjoying some time off with the family.

    However, I do have a few books I need to read and for which I need to write reviews, and I've been tagged for a couple of memes. So, I'll try to get to all of that over the next couple of weeks.

    Labels:

    Mexico City Policy Left Intact in Budget Bill

    From Cybercast News Service:
    (CNSNews.com) - In a victory for the Bush administration, Democrats have ended their fight to reverse the president's ban on aid to family planning groups overseas that provide abortions.

    The Mexico City policy was kept intact in the 2008 foreign aid budget that is now part of the $500 billion-plus omnibus spending bill. While conservatives praised the development, they expressed disapproval with the fact that the budget bill provides an increase in funding to Planned Parenthood.

    The Family Research Council applauded Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) "for successfully blocking attempts by pro-abortion forces within Congress to overturn the President's Mexico City policy and pour U.S. taxpayer dollars into the coffers of abortion groups."


    [More]

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    John Shelby Spong "Rattles Roots of Religion"

    In this past Sunday's edition of The Toledo Blade, retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong "explains his radical views":
    For a genteel, erudite, and personable cleric, Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong sure has a way of getting under people's skin.

    The 76-year-old retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark is a theologian who believes the Bible is "time-bound and time-warped" by the first-century Jewish culture in which it was written. He is on a mission to change the way people look at the Bible and at Jesus, stating that he wants to "break Jesus out of the boundaries of antiquity and explain it in the 21st century."

    ***
    Among his iconoclastic teachings, Bishop Spong believes that Jesus was not born of a virgin, never performed any miracles, and was not bodily resurrected from the grave. Yet he states that Jesus is "the defining God presence in a human being" and that Jesus "stands not only at the center of my faith, but also at the center of all that I am."

    ***
    Earlier this month, Bishop Spong was in Toledo for a weekend of lectures and preaching at First Unitarian (Universalist) Church in the Old West End.

    Although he realizes his beliefs are controversial, the theologian expressed confidence that he is teaching the truth and that he wants to encourage others to engage in critical discussion of biblical and theological issues.

    ***
    During his Toledo visit, accompanied by his wife, Christine, Bishop Spong took time for an hour-long interview with The Blade to discuss his views on a wide range of theological subjects including the origins of the Bible and the future of the Episcopal Church.


    [More]
    My Comments:
    I'm not sure it's accurate any longer to say that Spong's views are either "controversial" or "radical" within the modern Episcopal Church.

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    Divorce Hurts the Planet

    National Catholic Register reports that "Catholic Teaching on marriage good for environment":
    EAST LANSING, Mich. — Want to save the planet from global warming? Then try saving your marriage.

    That’s the message of Jianguo Liu, a distinguished professor of ecology and the Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability at Michigan State University.

    Liu’s damning analysis of the heavy negative effects divorces have on the environment was published in early December in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    ***
    That’s because a divorce usually results in one household becoming two, Liu explained. Liu said he began the research after learning that the number of households has been increasing globally in recent decades at a far greater rate than population growth.

    “If you have two parents and five children in a room, they’re all getting the same benefit from one light bulb, one TV, the heating system in the house,” Liu said. “When a divorce occurs, at least two of all those things are needed for the same people.”

    Additionally, Liu said, a divorce often results in parents driving children great distances back and forth in order that they can visit both households. He said divorced families are likely to have more cars than when they lived as one.

    ***
    At least one leading Catholic advocate of traditional marriage, however, isn’t impressed by Liu’s findings. Maggie Gallagher, president of the Washington-based Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, agreed that divorce causes disorder and wreaks havoc in society.

    But she’s not “a big fan of that study,” she said.

    “The logic of the study suggests that divorced fathers would help the environment by abandoning their children, rather than driving across town to see them,” she said. “It would suggest that unmarried couples are better to live together rather than to date and maintain separate households. To endorse this study I’d have to endorse the underlying assumption that we should define the problem of global warming as anything that increases the number of people or houses on the planet.”

    Gallagher said an ideological belief that more human activity warms the planet is the reason China wants environmental energy credits as a reward for its one-child-only policy.


    [More]

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    Thoughts on Religion and Politics

    (Hat tip: Custos Fidei)

    Rod Dreher offers his "Thoughts on Religion and Politics".

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    Friday, December 14, 2007

    Diocese of Toledo Addresses The Golden Compass

    The following insert was included in the Norwalk Catholic School newsletter The Mustardseed:
    There have been many e-mails sent recently about a new children’s film called "The Golden Compass" and a series of books by British author Philip Pullman. There was a note in the Friday Flyer recently concerning this and an article in our student newspaper, The Norwalk Catholic Weekly News. Many parents are asking questions. The following communication received from the Diocese of Toledo, Office of Communications provides excellent information and further resources to consult.


    DIOCESE OF TOLEDO
    Office of Communications


    TO: Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Leaders, Principals, Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers and Major Superiors
    FROM: Sally Oberski
    RE: Golden Compass Film
    DATE: November 29, 2007


    A new children’s film called The Golden Compass featuring Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards is scheduled to open December 7 and has created a storm of protest and turned new attention to the book on which it is based. There is so much information being faxed and e-mailed around the country about the movie, the books, and the author of the books that it may get confusing.

    The USSCB has not yet reviewed this film
    [ED: This memo obviously predates Mr. Forbes' notorious positive review of The Golden Compass, and the USCCB's subsequent decision to pull the review]. I spoke to Harry Forbes of the USSCB film office and he planned to see the movie this week. He anticipated his review to be embargoed until the December 7 film release date, however he would try to send information to Communication Directors prior to the film open. Here are some basic facts.

    The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which began a campaign against the movie two months before its opening, says its concern is not so much the movie itself as the fact that it may cause parents to buy and children to read the three books of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy.

    These books – The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass – are dark fantasy novels by British author Philip Pullman, set in an alternative universe. According to Catholic News Service (CNS), an angel informs one of the major characters that in this universe “God, the Creator, the Lord, Yahweh, El, Adonai, the King, the Almighty” are all just names that the first angel gave himself to assert divine authority.

    The Church, referred to as the Magisterium, is depicted in the books as “an oppressive institution,” according to CNS. The news service quotes one of the characters as saying that the Church “tried to suppress and control every natural impulse” and that all churches share the same fundamental goals: to “control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling.”

    Perry Glanzer, a Baylor University professor, points out that Pullman told the Washington Post that through his work, “I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.”

    On his own official website (www.philip-pullman.com), Pullman specifically declines to elaborate on the meaning of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. But he does make this clichéd observation about what he calls organized religion (which he differentiates from “the religious impulse”):

    “The trouble is that all too often in human history, churches and priesthoods have set themselves up to rule people’s lives in the name of some invisible god (and they’re all invisible, because they don’t exist) – and done terrible damage. In the name of their god, they have burned, hanged, tortured, maimed, robbed, violated, and enslaved millions of their fellow creatures, and done so with the happy conviction that they were doing the will of God, and they would go to Heaven for it. “This is the religion I hate, and I’m happy to be known as its enemy.”

    As the primary religious educators of their children, parents may find this information helpful. The Golden Compass and its sequels feature a 12-year girl as protagonist and are aimed at children in that age range. Unsuspecting parents may take their children to see the film and then buy the trilogy of books for their children as Christmas presents.

    The Catholic League has published a booklet entitled “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked” self described as “the most authoritative guide to Pullman’s scheme” that is available from their website. Additionally, here are some links that may be helpful.

    ZENIT News Service
    http://www.zenit.org/article-21008?l=english

    Catholic News Service Film Review
    http://www.catholicnh.com/media-1/golden-compass-criticized-as-anti-christian/

    Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights – access to their booklet “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked.”
    http://www.catholicleague.org/

    Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
    Norwalk Catholic School on The Golden Compass

    USCCB Needs a New Film Reviewer

    Caveman Clubs Catholic School Teacher for Promoting Anti-Catholic Works of Phillip Pullman

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    Thursday, December 13, 2007

    Digest of Today's Posts (13 December 2007)

  • Pro-Abortion Group Praises Casey For Votes

  • Pro-Life Candidates in Virginia, Ohio Cruise to Lopsided Victories for Congress

  • Norwalk St. Mary Website

  • National Catholic Register on St. Thérèse and Her Christmas Conversion




  • (Digest of Yesterday's Posts (12 December 2007))


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    Pro-Abortion Group Praises Casey For Votes

    (Hat tip: PewSitter.com)

    From The Bulletin - Philadelphia's Family Newspaper:
    Planned Parenthood's state chapter is sending an e-mail to supporters praising recent votes by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) who defeated pro-life incumbent Rick Santorum (R) last year.

    Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, a pro-abortion organization, began sending the message in response to a newspaper advertisement composed by the traditionalist groups Focus on the Family and the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI) headlined "Prodigal Senator? Bob Casey Please Come Home."

    ***
    Planned Parenthood's e-mail praised a politician about which the group had felt much initial discomfort.

    "Sen. Casey is our first junior U.S. senator in 12 years to support family planning programs," the message read. "Don't let this attack go unanswered! Please take a moment now to call one of Sen. Casey's offices just to say THANK YOU for supporting family planning funding and programs."

    [More]

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    Pro-Life Candidates in Virginia, Ohio Cruise to Lopsided Victories for Congress

    From LifeNews.com:
    Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Two pro-life candidates cruised to lopsided victories on Tuesday in their bid for seats in special Congressional elections. Bob Latta will be the next congressman from Ohio and State Delegate Rob Wittman easily won in his race for a Virginia congressional seat.
    Republican state Representative Bob Latta, who enjoyed the endorsement of both National Right to Life and Ohio Right to Life's political action committees, faced Robin Weirauch.

    Latta, who, as the chairman of the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee, Bob helped pass Ohio’s ban on partial birth abortion, defeated Weirauch, the 2004 and 2006 Democratic nominee who had the endorsement of pro-abortion Emily's List, by a vote of 57% to 43%.

    ***
    Latta, will replace the late Congressman Paul Gillmor (R), who died September 5 from injuries sustained during a fall down the stairs in his home.

    Meanwhile, as expected, State Delegate Rob Wittman cruised to a landslide victory over Philip Forgit in Tuesday's special election. Wittman had the backing of 63 percent while Forgit had 35 percent.

    ***
    Wittman will replace the late Congresswoman JoAnn Davis (R), who died of cancer on October 6 and was one of the leading pro-life women in Congress.


    [More]
    My Comments:
    Latta's victory is good news for us here in Ohio's 5th District, after the tragic death of our late Congressman Paul Gillmor - who was a pro-life stalwart. Latta will definitely have some big shoes to fill.

    It should be noted that the national Dems poured big-time money and endorsements (Gov. Strickland, Sen. Obama, John Edwards, etc.) - not to mention the online efforts of Daily Kos, etc. - into this race. The Dem candidate (who goes so far as to favor partial-birth abortion) nevertheless wound up getting a smaller percentage of the vote than she did against Gillmor in 2004 and 2006.

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    Norwalk St. Mary Website

    The multi-talented Alex Fries writes at the St. Mary parish blog that our new parish website ...
    ... is running well now. It is growing by the day. Go ahead, check it out, spread the word if you haven't already!

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    National Catholic Register on St. Thérèse and Her Christmas Conversion

    The December 16-22, 2007 issue of the National Catholic Register has a couple of articles on St. Thérèse and her Christmas Conversion.

    The first is a piece titled "The Christmas Conversion of St. Thérèse" by Fr. Dwight Longenecker:
    ... One of the convincing stories about Thérèse’s life was her childhood “conversion” (as she calls it) at the age of 14. As an evangelical, I was brought up with the idea of the importance of personal conversion, and I myself first “accepted Jesus into my heart” at the age of 5. Thérèse’s childhood conversion was therefore fascinating, and I wanted to know more.

    It happened at Christmastime in 1886...
    The second piece appears in the Travel section of the publication - "Keeper of the ‘Christmas Conversion’" by Kimberly Jansen:
    The Church celebrates the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in October, but two months later many hold her memory close again because of a life-changing conversion experience she underwent interiorly on Christmas Day of 1886. An Advent visit to St. Teresa’s Church in Lincoln, Neb.
    Fr. Longenecker recently sent me a copy of his book, St. Benedict and St. Thérèse - The Little Rule and The Little Way, for me to review. After today, I am off from work for the rest of the year (and probably won't be blogging much, either). I promise to use that time to finally get around to reading Fr. Longenecker's book and writing a review.

    On that same subject, Fr. Longenecker will be leading a St. Benedict and St. Thérèse pilgrimage/retreat in France from March 24 through April 2, 2008. This looks like a real treat, so you should check it out if you're interested.

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    Wednesday, December 12, 2007

    Digest of Today's Posts (12 December 2007)

  • Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrated at Norwalk Catholic School

  • Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe - 12 Deciembre




  • (Digest of Yesterday's Posts (11 December 2007))


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    Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrated at Norwalk Catholic School


















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