Servo Fidei - Keep the Faith

Cardinal-designate William J. Levada is the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, appointed to replace then Cardinal Ratzinger. He is formerly the Archbishop of San Francisco, and has been critized for weakness in teaching the Church's position on homosexuality. His remarks at a recent installation ceremony lend cause to some cautious optimism in his leadership of this important congregation:

CNS News Story

The sign of the cross is an ancient Christian prayer that was already commonly used in the 2nd century. It's practice is prescribed for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans, and Lutherans. It's use has fallen among many, especially the protestants who tend to associate it with the Catholic Church. The Baptists wrongly consider this venerable prayer to be superstitious.

When in common prayer with non-Catholics, should we avoid the Sign of the Cross to avoid offending our separated brethren?

I don't think so, there's no reason to believe they would be offended by it, nor would we expect them to do it simply to avoid offending us. It seems to me to be a denial by virtue of "lex orandi, lex credendi" of the Blessed Trinity, and the importance of the physical nature of man.

The Catholic Encyclopedia has a great article on The Sign of The Cross.

A great post from Tito on the ongoing battle to end the murder of unborn people which is rampant worldwide CVSTOS FIDEI: Pro-Choice Fear of Engagement.

Every Saturday there is a small group of faithful Christians who witness for the Gospel of Jesus in front of the Planned Parenthood abortuary in Houston. We need more prayer warriors! Meet at UST Chapel at 7:30am.

In an interview today Cardinal Pell the excellent Archbishop of Sydney, Australia was attacked for his support of Church doctrine. His response to opponents is

the point as issue is whether our conscience has primacy or is supreme and whether a Catholic can choose to reject central doctrines, central teachings of Jesus Christ and/or the Church and be regarded as a perfectly good Catholic. Now, there's a whole Alice in Wonderland dimension to this.

Bravo to the Cardinal! Maybe Pope Benedict XVI should reconsider his choice for Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Peace Be To You,

Matt

This is an interesting video about the what we have lost, it's worth watching.

I don't agree with their assessment about much of the reason abuses occurred, but they point out some terrible abuses that we all need to be reminded of.

There is no easily defined distinction between "traditional and modernist" Catholics as is their assertion. There is many different categories, those on the left and right who are in material if not formal schism and/or heresy, those in the center who maintain orthodoxy which includes obedience to the hierarchy of the Church.

I also submit that these abuses do not come from the official instructions of any of the popes or congregations of the Holy See. Virtually all of their judgements are against things which violate the guidelines set forth by Vatican II or subsequent Papal declarations.

I am particularly saddened by the destruction of our sacred spaces and the mass.

An article Here suggests that Pope Benedict XVI is planning to end the SSPX schism in a clever way. SSPX denies they're in schism, the Holy See has declared that they are. The Holy See wants to reverse this position, reinstate the excommunicated bishops, establish an apostolic administration to provide jurisdiction to SSPX, open the indult to all priests, and authorize Catholics to attend SSPX chapels. If this were to occur there is essentially no more schism, unless individuals within SSPX create a new, more definitive one, probably sedevacantist. As long as the Pope exercises his authority judiciously, which clearly he would, then there is no exuse for disobedience and the schism would be over.

I think this would have tremendously positive effect on the rest of the Church as it would pressure the liberal bishops into giving up large portions of their flock, or being more orthodox and respectful to the traditional mass.

From Peter:

You have to listen to this, don't ever, ever, mess with four Texas little
old ladies in a Chevy Impala.

Listen

Interestingly, Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, the head of the Vatican's Council
for Inter-Religious Dialogue has been removed from his cardinal track post,
and assigned as the papal nuncio, or ambassador to Egypt, a much less
prominent post which is not likely to lead to a "red hat". Hopefully his
replacement will be a solid, orthodox cleric, who will move away from the
false ecumenism which has been going on with this council. The news report
suggests it was an issue over his 'lifestyle', no specifics.

Peace Be To You,

Matt

What is Single's Ministry?

I recently attended the National Catholic Singles Conference in Denver, Colorado. I came away with a powerful message from Dave Sloan and Jennifer Kilfin about what singles ministry needs to be in the Catholic Church.

I've been involved with Catholic Young Adults groups for awhile, and what is evident is that most of these groups are social clubs for people that are "culturally Catholic". There is a mix of those who are striving to be truly faithful and those who are not.

A group I recently left has become so much of a social club that their routine activities include Pub Crawls, Party Weekends in Austin, and even attending Mardi Gras in Galveston (no word on when the Catholic Girls Gone Wild video will be available). I'm sure the next big event will be a spring break trip to South Padre to watch the wet t-shirt and bikini contests.

These activities are brazenly and scandalously posted on the parish website, where I was rebuked for posting the Holy See's Instruction on the Respect for Human Life, and a diocesan pro-life activity. Ultimately I was forced from the leadership committee of the group due to my defense of orthodoxy and the unborn.

Is this what Christ is calling us to do under the guise of ministry?

Many of these groups do offer spiritual activities, however they seem to be relegated to a lesser status.

What should be the objective of Singles Ministry? According to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Young Adult & Campus Ministry office and based on the USCCB guidelines we are called to be Sons and Daughters of the Light with these fourfold objectives.


To connect young adults with:

• Jesus Christ


• the Church, by inviting and welcoming their presence in the Christian community


• the mission of the Church in the world


• a peer community in which their faith is nurtured and strengthened

The answer according to Dave and Jen, is to bring singles into the family of the Church, to provide an opportunity to discern for a vocation to religious or married life, to assist them in maintaining their call to celibacy, and to grow in faith. How can this be accomplished? Not in secular social activities or sterile religious discussions, but in the context of a family. Jennifer hosts a weekly study group in her home with prayer, a potluck supper, and discussion of Church teachings. This happens on the Friday night that some feel is a sacrosanct day when all singles are supposed to be out at the bars trying to meet their next serial monogamy partner. In reality most singles are at home with their dog according to Mary Beth Bonacci.

I feel a strong call to bring this type of family group to my life and the young adults around me. I've started talking with a few faithful Catholic friends and we're planning a Lenten series on A Voice from Calvary by Abp. Fulton Sheen. It will be every Saturday starting March 4, 2006. We hope to continue the group after Easter with A Catholic Catechism by Abp. Sheen or The Teachings of Jesus Christ by Fr. John Corapi. If you're interested in joining us please send me an email. More information will be available next week.



Peace Be To You,

Matt

Well I've been posting on message boards and blogs for a long time, so I figured it was time to setup my own blog. I'm not sure what I'm going to do here, so we'll just have to see what happens.