Students Design Altar Pope Will Use in US

Students Design Altar Pope Will Use in US
Catholic University Hosts Contest
WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 29, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Two architecture students at Catholic University designed the altar, ambo and chair Benedict XVI will use to celebrate Mass in the U.S. capitolJohn-Paul Mikolajczyk and Ryan Mullen, both candidates in the master's program at Catholic University's School of Architecture and Planning, were the winners of the contest to design the structures to be used at the April 17 Mass at Nationals Park.The 10-by-4 foot papal altar has a substantial top with a repeating pattern of decorative parabolic arches beneath it and a smaller base.The front of the pulpit where the Gospel will be read is adorned with images of the Bible and the Holy Trinity. The tall chair back is decorated with Benedict XVI's papal coat of arms.At Monday's unveiling of the design, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington said that the design is "a tribute to this school of architecture, Catholic University and the quality of students here. […] All those people are going to be looking at this and you'll be able to say, 'He's standing at my altar.'"Mikolajczyk and Mullen will work with architecture faculty and the Archdiocese of Washington to fine-tune the design and actually construct the altar and the other furnishings.The designers explained that for inspiration, they spent an afternoon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception studying the altar furnishings."We wanted to incorporate elements that would remind us of Christ's active presence and work in the liturgy," said Mikolajczyk.Students, working individually or in teams of up to four people, prepared their models and drawings over a few days of work between Jan. 18 and Jan. 23. The entries were judged Jan. 24.

Did Anti-Christian Flames Come from an ESPN Anchor?

By Randy Sly1/24/2008
Catholic Online (http://www.catholic.org/)

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) – After a night of good-hearted roasting, Mike Golic and Mike Greenburg of “Mike and Mike in the Morning” on ESPN, hung their heads in embarrassment when one of their network co-workers lashed out with a series of expletives. She was booed by the crowd and eventually was pulled off stage. Dana Jacobson, Anchorwoman for ESPN, is the focus of concern by Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League. According to a report from Don Wildmon, of the American Family Association, Jacobson shouted, “F*** Notre Dame… F*** Touchdown Jesus… F*** Jesus.”.
Read the rest at http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26565&wf=rsscol

This is what I found on ESPN's web sight

ESPN's Jacobson disciplined for roast remarks
Dana Jacobson, co-host of ESPN2's "First Take," is currently being disciplined for remarks made at a Jan. 11 celebrity roast for ESPN Radio personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic.
Her characterizations of the Notre Dame football program, which have been criticized by a Catholic organization, were deemed "inappropriate" by the network, which issued the following statement from Jacobson:
"I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I've caused ESPN and Mike and Mike.
"My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won't make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."

I think there will be plenty of people asking for Dana Jacobson's head. Not me. If Dana did say those horrible things about Jesus Christ. She has just as much a right as anyone to apologise and ask for forgiveness. I think she got carried away in the moment to make a joke. In doing so, didn't realize how far she was going.
I think as Catholics we need to pick our battles. This is worth taking note of, and giving a reprimand. But not worth a full attack of blogers and news outlets slamming Dana Jacobson. She happened to be in the public forum while using poor judgment, on top of her inability to be creative and funny.
Talk at ya Later

The Primacy of Peter Part 7

Picking back up in Chapter 21 "So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn." (Jn 21:11) When reading the Gospel or letters by John, take note any time you come across a number. They always have a significant meaning. Jerome's explanation for the exact count of the fish is that at this time there were 153 known species of fish. The fish symbolize that at some time all men of all nations will be gathered together to Jesus. "After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands." (Rev 7:9)
We have Peter and only Peter hauling the net ashore. Even more important is that the net Peter is bringing ashore is not tearing. The Greek word for tear is "schizo". This is where we get the English word "schism". The net symbolises the Church. This is why there is an amazement that the net full of every known species of fish, being brought to Jesus by Peter, is not in schism "torn".

Lets back up a little in John 21. "That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off." (Jn 21:7-8) Peter is not the first to recognise Jesus, but Peter is the first to act. But the million dollar question is why the heck is Peter fishing naked? Take note that no one else is fishing in the nude! This has a Jeff Foxworthy "You might be a Redneck" joke all over it. But since I couldn't find Jeff Foxworthy's commentary on the Gospel of John. I went with Steven K. Ray. Stephen K. Ray in his book St. John's Gospel comments "Why did Peter dress and jump into the water? Some see Peter's nakedness as his spiritual state after denying Jesus; putting on cloths as his conversion, plunging into the water as his purification, and his swimming as a return to Jesus."


"When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there," (Jn 21:9) What do we have here! Peter and a charcoal fire. There is only one other place in the NT that we will find a charcoal fire. "Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire... Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself." (Jn 18:18) Peter then will proceed to deny Jesus 3 times.
Talk at ya Later

The Primacy of Peter Part 6

In the last chapter of John's gospel we see a number of things come together in regards to Peter's Primacy.

The disciples had been fishing all night and have caught nothing.

"Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any fish?' They answered him, 'No.' He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.' So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn." (Jn 21:5-11)

Jesus tells the disciples to cast there nets. "He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish." (Jn 21:6) This is very similar to Luke chapter 5 when Jesus tells Simon to cast his net after a night of fishing with no success. But there is a important difference between these two instances of fishing. In Luke "When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing" (Lk 5:6 NAB) , but here in John "although there were so many, the net was not torn" (Jn 21:11) John's mentioning of the net not tearing gives the impression that it should have.
Talk at ya Later

Fishers of Men Part 2

Fishers of Men Part 1

Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Oh Lord help us!

Well, here we are once again. Time to add another candle to the cake celebrating Roe v. Wade. I wonder when blowing out the candles what they will wish for? I pray they will wish for an end to abortion. I pray those arguing that it's a woman's body... Will realise that the child inside their body is not part of their body. It's not the same as having a kidney removed. I pray those that have had an abortion, or have been involved with an abortion ask for Gods forgiveness.

I love food. I have a spare tire to prove it too. But on this anniversary of Roe v. Wade I'm going to fast. I'm not bragging. I want to encourage others to fast too, or to do something to offer up to Christ. If you don't normally go to daily mass, go. If you don't normally pray, do it. Just please don't sit around ho humming around. Do something!

Talk at ya Later

Picking My Brain

I often wonder why I chose to follow God. I have come to know a number of people who went through situations very close to mine. But yet they have not started to live a life for Christ.

We all receive God's Grace, but only some of us respond to it. Why did I respond to God's Grace, but others do not? I know our free will is a big part of this question. But I'm past that in my thoughts. Why, in full use of my free will choose God, but others don't?

Talk at ya Later

Whats Love Got To Do With It, Got To Do With It.

I like this picture. This picture along with the poem I had posted the other day, (The Hound of Heaven -- by Francis Thompson) explain in a way, how God has set things up. As long as we are breathing, our Lord will not stop in his pursuit for us. And the Church Jesus founded with the guidance of the Holy Spirit will do everything she can to keep us from going astray. When we do wonder off, our good Shepard is right there hunting us down.

I have a very thick scull, so if it wasn't for our Lords endless desire for every one of us to come home to him. My life would still be a wreck, I'd be lost in the dark.

I wish I could say I understand love, but if I did I'd be lying. The only thing I do understand about the love of our Lord is that it makes no sense to me. Think about it. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy" Luke 15:4-5 No one in their right mind would leave ninety-nine sheep for one. That Shepard would be collecting an unemployment check the next week. But in the eyes of God, no one in their right mind would not leave the ninety-nine.

It's out of perfect love God comes after us. The kind of love that one would be willing to sacrifice his first born son. All for a bunch of sinners. I wish I could say I understand love, but if I did I'd be lying.

Talk at ya Later

National Public Radio skit blasphemes Eucharist, apology made

SALT LAKE CITY (CNA) - A January 7 public radio skit that made disparaging remarks about the Eucharist while attacking Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee provoked outrage from Catholics and a speedy apology from its distributor. The offensive segment was part of a show called “Fair Game with Faith Salie,” broadcast on Utah National Public radio station KCPW. In the skit, a woman’s voice announces a “Huckabee family recipe” supposedly leaked by his opponents. A man’s voice then says: “Tired of bland unsatisfying Eucharists? Try this Huckabee family favorite. Deep-Fried Body of Christ--boring holy wafers no more. Take one Eucharist. Preferably post transubstantiation. Deep-fry in fat, not vegetable oil, ladies, until crispy. Serve piping hot. Mike likes to top his Christ with whipped cream and sprinkles. But his wife Janet and the boys like theirs with heavy gravy and cream puffs. It goes great with red wine.”

Read the rest at http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26435&wf=rsscol

You Ant Nothing But a Hound Dog

The Hound of Heaven -- by Francis Thompson
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat - and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet -
"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

I pleaded, outlaw-wise,
By many a hearted casement, curtained red,
Trellised with intertwining charities;
(For, though I knew His love Who followèd,
Yet I was sore adread
Lest, having Him, I must have naught beside.)
But, if one little casement parted wide,
The gust of His approach would clash it to.
Fear wist not to evade as Love wist to pursue.
Across the margent of the world I fled,
And troubled the gold gateways of the stars,
Smiting for shelter on their clangèd bars;
Fretted to dulcet jars
And silvern chatter the pale ports o' the moon.
I said to Dawn: Be sudden - to Eve: Be soon;
With thy young skiey blossoms heap me over
From this tremendous Lover -
Float thy vague veil about me, lest He see!
I tempted all His servitors, but to find
My own betrayal in their constancy,
In faith to Him their fickleness to me,
Their traitorous trueness, and their loyal deceit.
To all swift things for swiftness did I sue;
Clung to the whistling mane of every wind.
But whether they swept, smoothly fleet,
The long savannahs of the blue;
Or whether, Thunder-driven,
They clanged His chariot 'thwart a heaven,
Plashy with flying lightnings round the spurn o' their feet: -
Fear wist not to evade as Love wist to pursue.
Still with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
Came on the following Feet,
And a Voice above their beat -
"Naught shelters thee, who wilt not shelter Me."
Now of that long pursuit
Comes on at had the bruit;
That Voice is round me like a bursting sea:
"And is thy earth so marred,
Shattered in shard on shard?
Lo, all things fly thee, for thou fliest Me!
Strange, piteous, futile thing!
Wherfore should any set thee love apart?
Seeing none but I make much of naught" (He said),
"And human love needs human meriting:
How hast thou merited -
Of all man's clotted clay, the dingiest clot?
Alack, thou knowest not
How little worthy of any love thou art!
Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,
Save Me, save only Me?
All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms,
But just that thou might'st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child's mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home:
Rise, clasp My hand, and come."

Halts by me that footfall:
Is my gloom, after all,
Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?
"Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me."

Priest Slain in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela, JAN. 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A diocesan priest was murdered Sunday in what investigators believe was a case of robbery turned homicide.
The body of 50-year-old Father Pedro Orellana Hidalgo showed that he had been strangled. Several objects were stolen from the priest's residence, including a television and money.
Pedro Orellana was born in Caracas and carried out his pastoral work for years in the Archdiocese of Cumana.
His most recent ministry was in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Caracas.
In a communiqué, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, archbishop of Caracas, and his auxiliary bishops sent "their condolences to his family and other relatives, reaffirming their faith in the resurrection of the dead and praying for the eternal repose of his soul."
The note added, "This unfortunate loss confirms the need for effective policies of civic security for all Venezuelans."

May Fr. Hidalgo be at peace in heaven with our Lord. And those responsible repent, and come home to God.

Britney Spears Hospitalized

LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - The Associated Press reported Friday morning that Police were called to the home of Britney Spears at 8 p.m. Thursday, January 3. The incident arose out of the declining pop star’s ongoing battle with her former spouse, Kevin Federline, over the custody of their children, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James. This latest tragic event is fodder for a culture obsessed with celebrity and seized with an insatiable interest for all things pertaining to their struggles. The events which unfolded throughout the evening were dramatic, involving six police cars, two ambulances and a fire truck. It is reported that they involved an initial stand off with authorities who had come to enforce a Court order.
Read the reast at: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26353&wf=rsscol

Ok, I'm not one to pay much attention to the Hollywood stars. But if there has been a young woman that needed prayers, here she is. I'm not knocking Britney. I've had my life completely fall apart. I have no room to judge this woman. But what this woman does need is prayers. Not just Britney, but so many of the people out there that are lost. Jesus died for sinners. You, me, and everyone else. So we too must pray for those who don't have anyone to pray for them.
Talk at ya Later