Two Bits of Bad News from Balmy Bishops!

    

Pray for Archbishop Bernard Hebda who has a
mess in his diocese with St. Joan of Arc parish.

From the "Good Grief" file! 

Archbishop Bernard Hebda just threw one of his priests under the bus for stating facts about Islam -- i.e., that its ultimate goal is conquest. 

Fr. Nick VanDenBroeke, in a sensible and charitable homily, preached that allowing unlimited immigration from a religion/political ideology that demands conversion to Islam is a threat to the United States. He is absolutely right -- not, however, politically correct. So he got the call from the chancery and apologized while the myth that Islam is a religion of peace vs. a religion/political system of domination and persecution continues.

ABP. HEBDA THROWS PRIEST UNDER THE BUS OVER MUSLIM REMARKS

Guest Post: Movie Review -- Franz Jaegerstaetter – A Hidden Life

                                                               by James M. Thunder

Released before Christmas, A Hidden Life, is the story of Franz Jaegerstaetter (or Jägerstätter) (1907-1943), an Austrian farmer, who was executed for refusing induction into Hitler’s army. He left behind his wife, Fani, and their three children, one of them with special needs. I use this photo of Franz because it is so jarring to see him in military uniform -- in 1940. The film is written and directed by Terrence Malick who was nominated for Oscars for Tree of Life (2011) and The Thin Red Line (1998). 

We will always need stories like Franz’, stories like the elderly Eleazar in 2 Maccabees 6, the seven sons in 2 Maccabees 7, Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (1966) and Wegemer’s A Portrait of Courage (1995), and so many more. We will need them whenever and wherever, as Isaiah says (5:20), what is good is deemed by the world evil and what is evil is deemed by the world good. Franz’ story is timely when so many of us today seek conscientious objection (not only “religious exemption”) to participation in or funding of abortion, to participation in same-sex “marriages,” to participation in sex-change surgeries, to the teaching on these subjects to our children.

Vatican Detente with China Unleashes Worse Persecution

I'm reading Cardinal Zen's book, For Love of My People I Will Not Be Silent. He puts the spotlight on the Vatican political swamp and its flawed relations with China. Curial decisions about Church policy toward China have focused less on the good of the faithful and those clergy who have suffered incredible persecution for keeping the faith and more on ostpolitik, the normalization and detente with Communism. The results? Tragedy for the faithful and their clergy!

Now Here's Graffiti I Love! We Need Him in the Valley!

We have the worst wall art here in the Valley. Really! Eleanor Roosevelt on an electrical box? What does she have to do with the Shenandoah Valley?

Monday Morning Madness -- Or How to Survive Living in an Insane and Hypocritical Culture!

I'm trying to decide whether my "mad"ness is rage or insanity! Why am I "mad?" Lots of reasons. Here's one, Robert Knight's article describing how Utah has passed a ban on counseling for those who want help to deal with same sex attraction/gender dysphoria in a way that leads them to accept the sex they were born with.

Too bad, kid, NO CHOICE FOR YOU! Go to a the "quacks who insist that no one can ever 'go straight' or even try."

Dems' un-American agenda appeases LGBTQ community

Here's a snippet from the article:

The “ban” tramples client self-determination and parents’ rights and misrepresents reparative therapy, which opponents redubbed “conversion therapy” to make it sound scary. Advocates deploy false scenarios of “shock therapy” while suppressing reparative success stories easily accessed at RestoredHopeNetwork.org and other sites.

Sunday Meditation: Taking the "Day of Rest" seriously

Taking Sunday Seriously — Poland Leads the Way:

The European nation’s new law sharply restricting Sunday shopping provides an opportunity to take a closer look at American habits.

This article is from 2018, but it's still relevant. Do you treat Sunday like just another shopping day? Do you go to the mall, the grocery store, etc.? Isn't it time to treat Sunday like it really is the Lord's day?

Think about it!

When you shop on Sundays you make others work. If no one went out to shop on Sunday, retailers would have no reason to stay open. 

How will you spend this Sunday? I hope you are surrounded by family and friends making it a real celebration of the Lord's day!

Nick Sandmann was at the March this Year with a Smile on his Face

Nick Sandmann posts photos of his return to the March for Life -- still smirking smiling!

There's one prominent name missing from the list of villains mentioned for lawsuits by Nick Sandmann over last year's debacle at the 2019 March for Life -- Fr. James Martin. He immediately piled on the students last year and, I believe his slanderous comments are still on-line although I'm not sure how to search Twitter to check it out. I tried, but I guess I'm not computer savvy enough and trying to back up a year of tweets was overloading my computer.

Thank God for President Trump!

I'm sending him a thank you note tomorrow. Why don't you join me.

Radical Muslims Terrified by the Brooklyn Bloods

Bloods of Brooklyn fight back against Muslim bullies.

It's a known fact that bullies pick on those weaker than they are. Many times women and children are victims of people seeking to dominate them for whatever reason bullies think they need to in order to meet their narcissistic control over others. Islam is a point in fact. Their maniacal reign of terror over others via beheadings, rape, and other forms of control are currently well known and have been for over 1400 years.

The one thing bullies understand is strength and might therefore the only thing to make them back down is greater strength and might from someone else. When confronted with a stronger entity, bullies backtrack immediately. Keeping that thought in mind, the following story will bring a warm glow to your heart.

More Bad News for the Bishops! A Class Action Lawsuit!

Do our bishops serve God or themselves?

 Sex abuse isn't the only crime (and sin) being enabled by our bishops. Fraud and theft come in close behind. And lawyers will continue to be the beneficiaries.

The USCCB is facing a class action lawsuit over the misuse of money donated to Peter's Pence. Here's what the money has been actually used for:

Catholics should be outraged at Vatican’s Peter’s Pence bait-and-switch

And many are outraged which is why they, like us, haven't donated to a second collection FOR YEARS. I don't trust the bishops any more than the hucksters selling their magical diet pills.

January 22, 1973, A Day That Lives in Infamy!

Jane Roe (Norma McCorvey) was
used by Gloria Allred who fabricated
a massive lie about a non-existent
gang rape to win abortion on
demand! McCorvey later became
a Christian and fought for life.
She died in 2017. RIP, Norma!

Where were you when the Supreme Court's atrocious Roe v. Wade decision unconstitutionally abortion overturning laws in all 50 states of our country? My husband and I were on our way to teach our high school CCD class at St. Louis parish in Alexandria. We ditched the lesson for the night and, instead, focused on the moral evil of abortion.
legislated

The feminists and their allies gloated in 1973 and prophesied that abortion was here to stay and the issue would disappear within a year now that the court had spoken. Little did they know that there was still a God in the United States who would raise up an army to defend the little ones and their mothers.

Today's first reading at Mass is a biblical metaphor for the fight.

David previously refused to wear Saul's armor to face the Goliath. He stands before the king as a shepherd, clad lightly with no helmet or shield and no weapon but his sling. Saul urges him to reconsider facing the giant. How can a "mere youth" stand up to the seasoned, armor-clad, sword-bearing Goliath surrounded by the Philistine army?

David's reply is swift and confident. "The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine." And he faces the taunts of Goliath with the same manly courage, confident in the Lord's help and protection:

With Young Culture Warriors Like These, the Future is in Good Hands!

Thank God for these brave young people who witnessed at the Women's March on Saturday. Will you pray for them today? Not the rage on the faces of so many of the pro-aborts, especially the old man. He is almost demonic responding to their sign. Pray for the poor deluded champions of child-killing.

The Other Side of Francis -- Things for which to be Grateful!

Where are the other nine? Did only this foreigner
return to give thanks?

Being thankful is a virtue -- first of all to God, of course, but then to those who deserve our thanks. And so I present this article from Crisis Magazine,  The Politically Incorrect Francis—14 Shocking Statements. Author, historian Paul Kangor begins it writing:

Let’s be honest. Actually, let’s state the obvious. Many orthodox Catholics have had it with Pope Francis, as have non-Catholic conservatives who liked previous popes. It’s no stretch to say that a good number detest him. At the very least, many faithful Catholics are frustrated by the current pope. What with the ongoing confusion from Rome, atop the 2018 abuse report from Pennsylvania (with many more states to follow), plus the Cardinal McCarrick fiasco, and the Viganò letters—their patience is exhausted. 

Pope Francis Papacy Timeline: 2019

For other years documenting Pope Francis' papacy go here.

I continue to work on the papal timeline, but decided to skip from 2015 to 2019 since last year gave us such a bumper crop of scandals! Yes indeed, 2019 was a banner year for Pope Francis undermining the Faith of our Fathers with the help of his confreres!

What an understatement!

The pope follows his own advice to "make a mess" and made a mess big time in 2019! But that may be a blessing because, as evil positions itself center stage with fanfare of trumpets, rainbow banners, pagan symbols, idol worship, etc., more people are "woke"

More Headlines: From Looney Land Virginia -- One from the Church, One from the State

Susan Bunton Haynes

UPDATE: Susan Haynes and the Episcopal diocese had the courtesy to recognize how upset Catholics are and is making other plans for the event. The bishop is sorry. The Catholic faithful are not! It's ironic that a priestess of the Episcopal Church cares more about the sensibilities of the Catholic flock than the shepherd does! Shame on you, Bishop Knestout!

ORDINATION OF EPISCOPAL WOMAN BISHOP IN VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CHURCH

I grieves me to say that, in my own state, a sacrilege is planned in Williamsburg (Diocese of Richmond) February 1st when St. Bede's (which as a matter of fact looks like a Protestant church) will host the ordination of an Episcopal woman bishop, Susan Bunton Haynes. Bishop Barry Knestout, Richmond's ordinary, claims it is an act of charity within the "accepted ecumenical and teaching norms of the Church."

Perhaps in the Francis Church, but this kind of activity is confusing to the faithful and a serious scandal. Not only because of the ordination, but because of what the Episcopal Church stands for. The Episcopal Church with which the Southern Diocese is affiliated allows both abortion (claiming to be opposed while stating  “unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of the national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions [about the termination of pregnancy] and to act upon them.”). The church also advocates same-sex marriage. In fact, a bishop who refused to bend to the ruling, William Love, was brought up on disciplinary charges by the church. So what in God's name and commandments is the Diocese of Richmond doing allowing this sacrilege to take place at St. Bede's?

Look What They Done to My Church, Ma

Jesus sings (Melanie sings in His place here) to his Blessed Mother, "Look what they (have gone and) done to my Church, Ma. Look what they done to my doctrine...it's turning out all wrong, Ma. They turned it upside down, Ma. Look what they done to my Church!"

Headlines about Daily Life in Looney--Tune Land beginning with THE BOOK!

I'm looking forward to reading From the Depths of Our Hearts co-authored by Pope Benedict and Cardinal Robert Sarah. The english translation release is coming out in February from Ignatius Press. I've already put in my order and can't wait to read it! Meanwhile, it's caused a real firestorm in Rome and elsewhere, particularly among "progressive" Catholics.

‘I cannot keep silent’: Benedict XVI and Cdl Sarah defend priestly celibacy in new book

Meet Bernie Sander's Field Worker Kyle Jurek who Wants to Send People Like Me to the "Gulag."

Watching this was a real head-shaking experience. This young man is not only verbally deficient (He doesn't seem able to complete a sentence without the F-bomb.) but he is completely ignorant about history and the reality of what went on in the Soviet Union. He espouses violence against "fascists" which I'm sure includes people like me. I wonder if he could even define fascism? What do you think? Here's the definition of Fascism from Dictionary.com:

Our Lepanto Moment: The Splash Heard Round the World

This is the lead article from the Fall issue of the Les Femmes newsletter which isn't on line yet. You can check out past issues in our archive of articles.

When Alexander Tschugguel traveled from Austria to Rome to attend a conference prior to the Amazon Synod, he had no notion of making a big splash in the Catholic World. But when he saw the Pachamama idols desecrating the Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina, the 26-year-old felt he had to act. He told his wife he thought he should remove the idols. She advised him to consult a priest. Is it morally licit? They prayed many rosaries and he asked a trusted priest. “May I remove Pachamama from the church?” The priest’s swift reply? “You may not do it; you must do it!” And so he did. Splash!

Liar Liar, Your Communist Hair is On Fire (Part II of What We Can Learn From Bella Dodd)

How can they say one thing today 

and the total opposite tomorrow?

Any sane normal person whose life is based on the truth has a hard time trying to understand a progressive liberal Democrat.  They seem to be one contradiction after another and when called on their flip flops and their conflicting actions and words they seem to not be bothered with the fact “they’ve been caught” in the least. 

I want to start this segment of Bella Dodd’s testimony to the House Committee on Un-American Activities with an exchange between the members of the committee and Dr. Dodd regarding her break with the party and what that was like.  Many of us can’t understand why, when we show them the evidence, they don’t simply switch parties and leave all this crazy stuff behind.  They SEEM like nice people.  They SEEM well educated and generally easy to get along with, so what is it that keeps them so glued to the liberal Democrat party and in some cases the actual Communist Party of the United States.  (Don’t believe there is such a thing?  Click here.) 

Book Buyer Beware: You Can't Judge a Book by It's Orthodox-Looking Cover!

There used to be a palm reader on Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Alexandria. I couldn't avoid passing her place almost every day since she was on the route to Bishop Ireton, my sons' high school. Her window was filled with a miscellaneous assortment including statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Grace. I often wondered if any Catholics availed themselves of her "services."

Using God to dupe the foolish is not unique to spiritualists. Remember how Bill Clinton used to carry around his bible publicly while privately he was groping and sexually exploiting women? And isn't it interesting how Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Tim Kaine, and other morally bankrupt politicians continually remind us how "devout" they are while they vote to murder babies in the womb and even after birth? Nancy must ask the priest for an extra big cross of ashes on Ash Wednesday to advertise what a good Catholic she is. God and religion are just props to these folks to shore up their modern towers of Babel and fool the naive and unwary.

What Can We Learn Today From Bella Dodd?

I have known who Bella Dodd was for a long time.  I read her book, School of Darkness, several years ago and more importantly I had a conversation with Alice von Hildebrand about her.  Alice knew her personally and so did her husband Dietrich.  Alice taught at the same college in New York that Bella had also taught at the beginning of her professional career.  Alice was grounded in philosophy and Bella was absorbed in materialism, communist materialism.  While Bella was indeed, like Alice, a Catholic, her family had never given her any of the benefits of a religious upbringing or the sacraments, nor had they taken her to church.  Bella was baptized as an infant in Italy before her parents came to the USA to work.    That would be the end of her journey as a Catholic until much later in her life. 

Guest Post: Repentance - the Royal Road to Spiritual Regeneration

by Father Tom Collins

When St. John Paul II introduced the new Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, he included, as the Third Mystery, The Proclamation of the Kingdom with the Call to Repentance. Unfortunately, in a society that tends to view repentance in a negative light, this mystery is frequently subject to being abbreviated as merely The Proclamation of the Kingdom. Yet, as the example and teaching of so many saints have so clearly pointed out, ongoing repentance is the key to authentic spiritual regeneration. 

The Dilusion of Disinformation

There is a department in the KGB in Moscow named Dezinformatsiya.  The English translation of that word is Disinformation.  We hear Donald Trump talk all the time about “fake news” and I believe whether he understands it completely or not, that this is exactly what he’s talking about.  Dezinformatsiya is a concerted deliberate effort by our enemies to discredit and destroy individuals as well as our religious bodies and the United States itself as a whole. 

How to make serving Mass SO FUN!

Hmmm...at what point does the priest flick
water in the altar boy's face?

USCCB Guidelines for Altar Servers states that "servers must be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence." Being mature, responsible, appropriate and reverent are requirements in order to be an altar server, but what about priests and deacons? Shouldn't they also be mature, responsible, appropriate and reverent?

Apparently not. They continue to not understand what the Mass is or why they are priests and deacons. Where is their priestly dignity? They flirt, play, joke and laugh with altar servers during Mass for Catholics to watch. And so polite too, patting an altar girl on her shoulder. Watching their antics during the holiest part of the Mass one comes to the conclusion that their subliminal message is: Look how much fun it is up here for altar servers! FUN because priests are so friendly on the altar during Mass. So funny and cute!

Abortion and the Satanic Connection

Abortion and the sanctification of self come directly from SATAN! That's why pro-abortion people assault those who confront their evil and destroy any images that reveal the horror of abortion. We live in a satanic age. Pray for these poor deluded souls. Many of them are no doubt possessed. Pray the St. Michael prayer often throughout the day! 

The Parasite That Keeps on Taking

When I read this article today I felt really naïve to have thought a bishop's office is anything other than just another corporate headquarters looking after their bottom line using their "local businesses" to keep them in the red.  This story is about New Orleans but I am sure it isn't any different anywhere else.

Monday Morning Meanderings

Lots of thoughts are bouncing around in my head this morning. Does that ever happen to you? Well, for what their worth I'll share a few.

• A comment from Susan on my post about the Franciscan Christmas letter which included a statement about approaching "God and each other on our tiptoes" set me laughing. Why? Because here's what came to mind and I wondered if the Franciscans really want to go there:

Sunday Meditation: The Epiphany House Blessing

We finished our usual Sunday brunch today with the Epiphany house blessing. 

The Blasphemy Goes On: Pachamama Goes Mainstream, Is She the Intercessor for the New Age Church?

Here's the Christmas greeting from Franciscans International.  Read more at LifeSiteNews. We are now being offered Pachamama as an intercessor, one equal to Mary perhaps?

Did you think the Amazon Synod was an isolated event honoring paganism and its equality with the Catholic faith?

ISLAMSPLAINING: Explaining. Islam. To. You. Once. Again.

The fruit of Islam in the world

Is Jesus the first Islamic Palestinian martyr therefore in heaven with 72 virgins having eternal sex with them? 

Do we realize that the alarming worldwide influx of killing of Jews is due to the spread and globalization of Islam and its vicious deeply rooted hatred of Jews? 

How many know that, with the new interstate from Orlando emptying out into our semi-rural area, there is suddenly a new mosque in our town on the same street as the Catholic Church? 

Currently in a small ramshackle building, Muslims will eventually rent a bigger building, after which they will purchase land and build a large mosque. Next comes demands for sharia law...followed by killing of Jews. How many Christians will rush to the new Islamic Center ("prayer space for women in completely separate prayer hall") wanting to hold interfaith meetings? 

In order that we not become useful idiots please read, examine and research this lesson on Islam 101.

Chinese Woman Gets Slap Down from the Pope and an Ad Limina visit for Bishop Burbidge

Now what could these two events possibly have in common? Read on....



According to a tweet by Msgr. Ferrari, a priest who lives and works in Rome, the Chinese woman was begging the pope to help the Chinese people. Keep in mind that Francis threw faithful Chinese and their underground bishops under the bus in an incredible betrayal. The persecution since then has intensified even for government-appointed churches. You can see Msgr. Ferrari's tweet here. When asked who his source was, he said it was a Chinese priest working in Rome who spoke to the woman.

January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Behold your mother

Early 12th Century Fresco
Bet Maryam, St Mary's Church
Lalibela, Ethiopia