IRS, politics and the Church

Priest For Life National Director Father Frank Pavone fires away at critics who want the tax-exempt status of Catholic dioceses taken away for getting too involved in political issues. This happened here in 2004, when a group disgruntled by Bishop Sheridan's pastoral letter on "The Duties of Catholic Politicians and Voters" unsuccessfully tried to go after the diocese with that argument.

Bush lets down pro-life contingent

President Bush announces his support of selling the emergency contraceptive Plan B over the counter.

That is sure to alienate most or all of whatever support he still has from the pro-life base that voted him to two terms.

Mass at the Catholic Pastoral Center

Many people are unaware that there is a nice little chapel in the Catholic Pastoral Center. Father Ricardo Coronado-Arrascue, the diocesan chancellor, often celebrates Mass there for the staff. A regular Mass schedule has been announced that should be fairly solid, in case you want to stop by and join us:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Noon and Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Sometimes Father Ricardo's schedule forces him to cancel the Mass, so if you're thinking of coming, feel free to e-mail me or call Esperanza Griffith at 719-866-6492 to make sure it is on for that day.

The chapel only holds about 8-9 people, so seating is on a first-come basis.

The King is dead, but he's not forgotten

Today marks 29 years since Elvis Presley died, and he still inspires legions of fans. I like Elvis songs, and I've been to Graceland (tell me the Jungle Room wasn't a tip that he was using drugs), but I'm still amazed by the amount of loyal devotion on the part of his fans.

What's your favorite Elvis Presley song? For some odd reason, mine is "Suspicious Minds."

UPDATE: I forgot today is also the day Babe Ruth died, at the tender age of 53.

One-year marriage prep

In the latest Herald, there are a couple of letters by readers dismayed by the diocese's decision to make marriage preparation a one-year period (for most cases). The letters expressed that this time period is too long and punishes faithful Catholics who are not sleeping together, are well-catechized, and don't need that extra time to catch up on the church's teachings on marriage. Do you support the change or disagree? And why?

Moo vs. Woof

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I have moved this post up to the top for a couple of days because it is highlighted on our letters page.]

As many of you have seen, a Gill Foundation campaign for acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle has been launched throughout Colorado Springs in the form of simple pictures of a dog mooing instead of barking. Banners have been hung downtown and this morning I saw a transit bus covered from bumper to bumper with the "Moo" picture.

Focus on the Family has countered with a "No Moo Lies" campaign that shows the same dog barking. They say dogs are born barking and have to be trained to moo. I have to agree with Focus on the Family on that point. The "moo" campaign hurts itself in the fact that no dog comes out of its mother's womb moo-ing. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, let me know. This is also another sad instance of reducing humans to animals to make a point.

This also puts the City of Colorado Springs in a precarious situation. Will the city give equal access to things like city banners and buses for Focus on the Family? The Gill Foundation is spending nearly $1 million in the Springs because they say the city has a national reputation as being the most unfriendly toward homosexuals. Supporters of the campaign say this is merely to provoke discussion about the hot topic of whether someone is born gay or if homosexuality is conditioned by one's environment (and therefore something that can be changed). Has anyone seen any serious public discussion about this outside of the letters pages of newspapers?

Bail out Fr. Jaeger . . .

. . . for charity, of course.

Father Bob Jaeger, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Monument, is going to be "locked up" on Wednesday at Blue Star Restaurant, 2802 West Colorado Ave., to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Father Bob needs to raise $1,800 to be bailed out. You can send in money ahead of time by calling the parish (719-481-3511) or by visiting Fr. Bob "behind bars" at the restaurant.

Solemn Masses

[EDITOR'S NOTE 8-29-06: Comments have been turned back on but under moderation by the editor. I am allowing all but one of the old comments to stay out of fairness but no new comments on the St. Gabriel situation will be allowed. Comments about the solemn Mass in general are more than welcome. Thank you for your understanding. -Bill]

The solemn Mass at St. Gabriel Parish, which included a Gregorian chant choir and some of the prayers in Latin, appears to be no longer. I hope this is not the case, but I am saddened by this news if it indeed is true. While I do not mean to downplay reverent English-language Masses, there also should be more of a presence in parishes of the solemn Mass on a regular basis (not just on feast days) to keep us in touch with the beautiful tradition of Latin and Gregorian chant in the church. This is especially important for the youth and young adults who grew up after Vatican II (which includes me). Don't get me wrong... I am fine with English-language Masses -- I am also a fan of Life Teen Masses IF they're done right ... I've been to many misguided youth Masses but I believe you can have Mass with reverent praise-and-worship music. But I have grown to greatly appreciate the solemn Mass with its poetry and beauty.

[Editor's Note 2: The following is a statement issued from St. Gabriel the Archangel addressing the future of the Solemn Mass there.]

"The Solemn Mass has not been discontinued or terminated at St. Gabriel as has recently been stated on this site. Recent blogs have been incorrect, nefarious and a misrepresentation of the facts. The parish plans to continue offering a solemn Mass with beautiful sacred music, processional candles, bells and incense starting with Holy Days of Obligation and other special liturgical occasions. A 7 p.m. solemn Mass was celebrated at St. Gabriel on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Aug. 15.

"The parish is seeking individuals or a group who would be interested in cooperating with the pastor as well as engaging in collaborative ministry to further the tradition of sacred music at the parish and throughout our diocese. Please contact the parish office (719-528-8407) directly if you are interested in helping as a constructive and positive addition to this worthwhile endeavor!"

Reuters pulls doctored photos

Looks like photographer Adnan Hajj didn't pass his Photoshop class (if he even took one). Reuters canned the photographer after he added smoke to one of his photographs. A deeper look at his submitted work showed a second photograph had been digitally altered.

A glance at these pictures makes his doctoring (by using the "cloning" tool) ridiculously obvious. Kudos to Reuters to immediately pulling all 920 of the photographer's submitted works to them.

What does this have to do with Catholic news? Well, Catholic News Service uses Reuters for photos of national and world events. A search of CNS showed 12 photos from him on there. I'm sure CNS will pull them soon, as this story was broken just a short while ago.

Broncos license plates

Among the new laws going to effect Monday is this interesting one that has a Catholic angle to it:

-A measure (House Bill 1339) creating a Denver Broncos specialty license plate, with donations going to support Denver Broncos Charities.

Among those Catholic entities that have recently benefited from Denver Broncos Charities are St. Mary's High School (for its Grace Center), the Capuchin Franciscan Friars in Colorado (the Bowlens also host a "Brown Robe" benefit dinner auction each fall) and the St. Joseph Hopsital Foundation in Denver.

We're not telling you to get this plate (I'm content with my "classic" green model), but if you do get it (and many will), you should know where some of that money is going.

Interesting editorial on Gibson

I agree with Dallas Morning News editorial writer Rod Dreher on this one.

Mel's apology pt. 2

Mel Gibson has issued another apology in which he admits making anti-semitic marks while in a drunken fit last weekend.

Mel is no doubt in deep here, but he has done the right thing by admitting everything he did wrong. It is a heartfelt apology. I give Mel credit for coming out ASAP about all of this. He knows that he will pay a heavy price for his actions regardless.

This is also a very teachable moment about the reality of alcoholism and the lifetime struggle it is. Let's thank God that Gibson did not hurt anyone while driving and let us pray for his recovery and strength in his bout with alcoholism. More than ever he needs prayers, not condemnation.

UPDATE: Click here to read Hollywood publicists critiquing Mel's apology. This part particularly stuck out to me:

The approach taken by (Gibson publicist Alan) Nierob, a vice president at stalwart publicity firm Rogers & Cowan, takes the "four principles of celebrity crisis" into account, (veteran publicist Michael) Levine said: speed, humility, contrition and personal responsibility.

"If you go with those four things, you generally do pretty well in America," Levine said.

Dead or alive?

Fidel may be ready to take a dirt nap, but there's no way to know for sure.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-81castrocuba,0,7118653.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Let's just pray that things don't get worse in Cuba, and let's also remember the jailed dissidents who need to return to their families and return to health.

Cubans are wonderful people and deserve much better than the hand they have been dealt the last 50 years.