March 11, 2009 by Eugene Michael
On March 8, the following question was posed on EWTN’s Canon Law Forum:
In our diocese, a number of parishes have begun to employ the “dialogue homily” during Mass. In this format, the priest begins the homily, and the lay preacher then delivers a speech (that frequently references the Gospel reading) after the priest has finished and returns to the presider chair. Following this, the Creed is recited. This policy is furthermore permitted by our diocese. (more)
The following answer was provided by the Reverend Mark Gantley, JCL:
I do not know of any provision that permits dialogue in homilies, outside of Masses for children as you mention. The purpose of doing it for children is to engage their attention to the message, not so that some insight into the faith might be offered by children.
March 9, 2009 by Eugene Michael
For a glimpse into the mentality of the population control crowd, have a look at this 1969 memo from a Planned Parenthood official.
In order to control population growth, it proposes things like promoting homosexuality, adding fertility control agents to the water supply, and compulsory abortion. All in a day’s work for the anti-life crowd at Planned Parenthood.
These people really are a menace to society. And we subsidize them with millions upon millions of our hard-earned tax dollars. Go figure.
March 6, 2009 by Eugene Michael
My fellow blogger, Mike, over at the dorcatholic.blogspot.com, has just posted the latest numbers for weekend Mass attendance in the DOR. The latest numbers show a continuing and precipitous decline. The DOR’s weekend Mass attendance has now fallen to 80,710. This is down from 84,000 in 2008 and 108,000 in the year 2000. Thus, the DOR has now lost 25.3% of weekend Mass attendees in the last eight years. This is an average loss of 3.58% a year.
(Read more…)
March 5, 2009 by Eugene Michael
The March issue of the Catholic Courier features a misleading letter to the editor regarding voting and conscience. The writer states that it is alright for a Catholic to vote for a pro-abortion candidate as long the voter doesn’t intend to support that aspect of the candidate’s agenda. He goes on to say that when no candidate’s positions completely conform to Catholic teaching, the voter may choose based on the “common good”. The writer uses the somewhat ambiguous document, Faithful Citizenship, to justify his position.
(Read more…)
March 4, 2009 by Eugene Michael
Rochester Students for Life, a student-led pro-life group at the University of Rochester will be hosting a conference entitled Spotlight on Life on March 28th at the U of R. This conference will address a variety of life issues including abortion, the care of the elderly, and genocide. This conference is intended to be an opportunity for pro-life students and community members to network with one another and become better informed on the issues. The cost of attendance will be $6 for community members and is free to students. Lunch will be provided.
Please go to their website for more information.
March 3, 2009 by Eugene Michael
As some of you know, St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Irondequoit underwent a rather tumultuous clustering process from 2005-2006. The end result was a three parish cluster that included St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Salome, and Christ the King. The plan was decidedly opposed by the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Council, when they voted 6-3 against the three parish cluster. The council’s alternative suggestion was for a more manageable two parish cluster with St. Salome.
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