Franz Werfel, an Author Worth Celebrating!

Once upon a time there was newspaper of note that published wonderful articles and astounding editorials, book reviews, and human interest stories. Yes, the New York Times used to operate according to the journalistic principal of reporting the news objectively not twisting and perverting it. But that was a long time ago!

I thought about that while I was looking up information on Franz Werfel's novel, The Pascarella Family. I found a fascinating review in the Times written in 1932 describing it as a "fairy tale."

Franz Werfel's Romantic Novel; "The Pascarella Family" Is Old-Fashioned Pure Narrative, With a Distinctly Fairy-Tale Atmosphere THE PASCARELLA FAMILY. Translated from the German of Franz Werfel. 437 pp. New York: Simon & Schuster. $2.50.

How Do You Like Living the Chinese Curse in the Church?

The Chinese curse wishes you to live in "interesting times." Well, we certainly can see that these days in the Catholic Church, interesting in a horrifying way like a Stephen King novel. The pope is getting ready to excommunicate the SSPX and the latest rumor is that all the priests of the Society and the laity will be excommunicated as well. Wow! Can that be true?

About 40 years ago a bishop in Hawaii excommunicated several lay members over the TLM and they appealed to Rome and won. How times have changed, eh? They probably would get the cricket treatment today and the excommunication would be allowed to stand. They likely would be accused of "breaking the unity of the Church." Really, folks, do you want to be in unity with a lot of what goes on in the conciliar, synodal church these days? I sure don't!

Sunday Meditation: Let Us Rest in the Heart of Christ

Happy Fathers Day to all fathers including our spiritual fathers. Let us turn off social media and all our screens today to celebrate our dads. And may we rest in the heart of Jesus praying for all our biological fathers and our spiritual fathers. But above all to "Abba," our Father in heaven, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth for us. His love is beyond words! Why not write a letter today to a father who's gifted you with a blessing your own father first. I might write a letter to my dad that I wish I had written when he was alive. And I can think of several priests who deserve a message of gratitude from me.

Thought for the day: Sheepdog your feelings.

We live in an era where many people crown their feelings as king of their lives. Feelings are everything, the tyrant that rules all. If a man feels like a woman or a woman like a man, they send for the surgeons and the shrinks to affirm and confirm their unreality because it feels so right. For them right and wrong are determined by feelings. As the song says, "It can't be wrong when it feels so right." Feelings justify fornication and adultery, cutting off friends and family, seeking revenge and punishing those who hurt your feelings. 

The Estranged Cat is Out of the Bag Part 2

See Part 1 which began:  

For all you parents and grandparents out there who are dealing with the pain of estrangement or parental discart from one or more of your adult children, I recommend this post:

The Estranged Cat Is Out of the Bag: The Introduction of the Estranged Parental Voice in the Conversation

And now part 2: 

Yes, adult children, your parents were flawed and sinful people who made lots of mistakes like almost every other family on the planet. Most of us are sorry and wish we had done a better job. If truth be told, however, you are doing the same thing to your own children. You aren't a perfect parent either. You can blame your parents for that too, but it won't help you if your children follow your example and imitate your behavior by going no contact with you. I hope it never happens, but I see some of it already in the next generation.

The Estranged Cat is Out of the Bag and the Herd of Elephants in the Room is Being Acknowledged

Before I begin, I want readers to know that I have a lot of trepidation about posting this two-part article. Although I don't get too specific about my husband's and my experience with estrangement, it identifies us as members of the discarded parents club. The post has been sitting in my draft folder for several weeks and Larry and I have been mulling over it and praying. I spoke to my spiritual director as well. 

After serious consideration, I've decided to post it now during the month of the Sacred Heart uniting our sorrow to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate and sorrowful heart of the Blessed Mother.

Cancel Culture from Rome: Pope Leo and Archbishop Vigano

Yesterday I read Archbishop Vigano's letter to the pope. Like he did with the SSPX, Leo  dissed the archbishop first agreeing to a private meeting and then changing his mind and refusing. Hmm...first thing I thought of was "Say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no." 

Part 2 of Traditio: Catholic Missionaries Across the World

For years when I was a child I dreamed of being a missionary. My parents got Maryknoll Magazine every month and I poured over the pages imagining myself going to foreign countries to serve the gospel as a Maryknoll nun. When I was in elementary school I was convinced I had a vocation to religious life. But when I reached the age where it could actually become a reality, I had completely forgotten and never thought about it again.

Part 1 of Traditio, the three part series on the SSPX -- What is a Priest?

How many of our U.S. clergy believe what is presented in this video? Pray for priests! Pray even harder for bishops...and even harder for the pope. Some demons are only driven out by prayer AND FASTING! Does your bishop "accompany you in the spiritual life?" Is your local Church building the faith or undermining it? SSPX priests are well formed and they preach and teach the faith with zeal. No showmanship, no clapping, no novelties — just the pure, unadulterated faith. Let us all keep praying and trust in God.

Sunday Meditation: Did the Bishops Really Consecrate the Nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

On June 11th the bishops ostensibly consecrated the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But did they? What is a consecration? Here's the prayer they offered. As you read it find, if you can, the point where they consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart:

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you. From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst. Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.