Vatican Newspaper speaks out on NY sex ed push

Vatican Newspaper Responds to New York Sex Education

The Question of Sex Education
Not Just Any Matter

Now it is New York’s turn: Dennis Walcott, Chancellor of the city’s Department of Education, has mandated that with the new school year students between the ages of 11 and 18 will be required to attend a course in sexual education for at least one semester. The new course is part of an initiative launched by Mayor Bloomberg to improve the lives of black and latino teenagers, saving them from a misery to which they seem destined. To avoid religious controversy, chastity will be cited among birth control methods and teachers will have to speak about sex with some caution. But this is not enough according to Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who criticized the initiative, stating that in this way authorities allow “the public school system to substitute its beliefs and values for those of the parents”.

Once again, we see the repetition of a model already tried by many other countries: the State decides to include compulsory sexual education in schools, and the Catholic Church opposes it, earning the image of an obscurantist force, cruel because of it indifference to the consequences its refusal could have among young people, that is, unwanted pregnancies and disease. However, that is not how things stand.

For more visit Plinthos by clicking here.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò expected to be next US nuncio :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-carlo-maria-vigan-expected-to-be-next-us-nuncio/?utm_source=feedburner

Fr Robert Barron: Reflecting on World Youth Day Madrid

No clergy at Ground Zero on 9/11? Help us deliver 50,000 Petitions and Reverse the Ban

Sign our petition to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to allow Pastors and First Responders to take part in the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremonies Help us deliver 50,000 Petitions, Help Reverse 9/11 Clergy Ban August 29, 2011 | | Share with Friends Dear friend, As I alerted you last week, a Ground Zero commemoration for the families of victims of 9/11 will be held without prayer unless New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision is reversed. Pastors are not invited to the event, as Mayor Bloomberg apparently thinks that the invited politicians will be able to offer enough comfort to the families. But Mayor Bloomberg's glaring omissions from the event do not end with clergy. The very people who hallowed the ground, the living embodiment of selfless courage we vowed "never to forget" -- New York's first responders -- won't even be invited. This past weekend, as large areas of New York City were evacuated in preparation for Hurricane Irene, first responders were on vigilant alert, prepared at a moment's notice to place their lives in harm's way for others. If anything, this should have served as a reminder for Mayor Bloomberg of the sacrifices these men and women are prepared to continually make and the recognition they deserve. While the mayor may be blind to those he's leaving aside, the American people and New Yorkers are taking notice. New York City council member Fernando Cabrera has called the mayor's decision "a tragic mistake." Your voice is being heard as well. At this writing, nearly 30,000 have signed our petition to Mayor Bloomberg asking that he reverse his decision to deny first responders and prayer a place at this most solemn remembrance. Help us reach 50,000 signatures when we deliver the petition to the mayor's office on September 9th. If you've already signed, please send to friends and family members, and post it on Facebook and Twitter. Pray with me that Mayor Bloomberg sees that this nation needs prayer more than politics. Sign our petition to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to allow Pastors and First Responders to take part in the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremonies Sincerely, Tony Perkins President P.S. Please forward this to friends, family, and fellow church members to help us reach our goal of 50,000 signatures.

			Family Research Council: 801 G Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 P: 202/393-2100 or 800/225-4008 W: frc.org unsubscribe You are subscribed to Grassroots Alerts as mcitl.blogspot.com@gmail.com

"This is not a retirement appointment": Baltimore's O'Brien to Rome

The Bolletino of the Holy See announced today the appointment of Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore to succeed Cardinal John Patrick Foley as Grand Master of the influential and worldwide Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, text of the release following.

The obvious conclusion of a Roman retirement that some might draw from news of this appointment was quickly forestalled in remarks by the appointee himself as reported in a story on this in Whispers in the Loggia. Someone has pointed out an unusual aspect of this appointment in that, until now, Archbishops of the primatial See city have always retired in place.

Cardinals who retire in Rome under normal circumstances retain the privilege of enviable Roman accommodations, sometimes in the apartments with a bird's-eye-view of Saint Peter's Square that sit atop the buildings lining the Via della Conciliazione.

Best wishes for fair winds and following seas, along with most heart-felt congratulations, to a remarkably humble, kind and gentle man who navigated sometimes difficult waters while faithfully sheperding the flock of God on these shores and around the world.

((((..))))

Text of the release:

RINUNCIA DEL GRAN MAESTRO DELL'ORDINE EQUESTRE DEL SANTO SEPOLCRO DI GERUSALEMME E NOMINA DEL PRO-GRAN MAESTRO DEL MEDESIMO ORDINE EQUESTRE
Il Santo Padre Benedetto XVI ha accolto la rinunzia presentata dall’Em.mo Signor Cardinale John Patrick Foley all’incarico di Gran Maestro dell'Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme ed ha nominato Pro-Gran Maestro del medesimo Ordine Equestre S.E. Mons. Edwin Frederick O'Brien, finora Arcivescovo di Baltimore.

"RE-EMERGES OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN": Hurricane IRENE Public Advisory

Hurricane IRENE Public Advisory
Home Public Adv Fcst/Adv Discussion Wind Probs Maps/Charts Archive US Watch/Warning Storm Surge Probs Position Estimate
000
WTNT34 KNHC 272253
TCPAT4
BULLETIN
HURRICANE IRENE INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 30A
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092011
700 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2011
...IRENE RE-EMERGES OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN...WATER LEVELS RISING
IN THE VIRGINIA TIDEWATER REGION...
SUMMARY OF 700 PM EDT...2300 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...36.5N 75.8W
ABOUT 35 MI...55 KM SE OF NORFOLK VIRGINIA
ABOUT 315 MI...510 KM SSW OF NEW YORK CITY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...950 MB...28.05 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...
THE HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED SOUTH OF SURF CITY NORTH CAROLINA.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* SURF CITY NORTH CAROLINA NORTHWARD TO SAGAMORE BEACH MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO...ALBEMARLE...AND CURRITUCK SOUNDS...DELAWARE BAY...CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF DRUM POINT...NEW YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...LONG ISLAND SOUND...COASTAL CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND...BLOCK ISLAND...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT NORTHWARD AND THE TIDAL POTOMAC
* NORTH OF SAGAMORE BEACH TO EASTPORT MAINE
* UNITED STATES/CANADA BORDER NORTHEASTWARD TO FORT LAWRENCE
INCLUDING GRAND MANAN
* SOUTH COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA FROM FORT LAWRENCE TO PORTERS LAKE
INTERESTS ELSEWHERE IN EASTERN CANADA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
IRENE.
FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.

Click here to read the rest of the advisory.

Looking for the sun

Today's hurricane weather is reminding me of the Irish "sunshine" I enjoyed so frequently during a trip to Eire in July. In this photo I am looking for the sun near O'Brien tower at the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

"Good night, Irene"

Good Night Irene
Music and lyrics by Huddie Ledbetter and John Lomax, 1950

Sequenced by Harry Todd

The following information was copied from The Biography of Huddie Ledbetter


Huddie Ledbetter ( -- 1949 )

Musician; born near Morringsport, La. A legendary singer and guitarist, he was raised near Shreveport, La., worked on farms in Texas, and began performing in Dallas, Texas, as a protégé of Blind Lemon Jefferson in the 1910s. (Leadbelly got his own nickname because of his deep bass voice.) In 1917 he was sentenced to prison on a murder conviction; eight years later he literally sang a plea of mercy to the Texas governor and was pardoned. A similar episode occurred in 1935: In 1930 he had been sentenced to ten years for wounding a group of men with a knife; in 1934 Leadbelly composed a song for the Louisiana governor, and, with the intervention of the folklorists John and Alan Lomax, won a reprieve. Over the next year, Leadbelly traveled with John Lomax and recorded hundreds of songs that formed a cornerstone of the Library of Congress folklore archives. In 1938 he moved permanently to New York City, where he recorded for Columbia Records and became a celebrated figure in literary and political circles. His best-known songs include "Irene, Good Night," "Rock Island Line," and "Midnight Special."

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife have parted
I'm gonna take a little stroll downtown

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Some times I live in the country
Some times I live in town
Some times I take a great notion
To jump in the river and drown

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Quit your rambling quit your gambling
Stop staying out late at night
Stay home with your wife and family
And stay by the fireside of right

Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Cardinal O'Malley publishes list of guilty, accused priests

by John L. Allen, Jr.

On Thursday, O'Malley announced that, after "serious and thoughtful consideration and prayer," he was releasing a list of Boston priests and deacons who have either been found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor, or publicly accused of such abuse. The names have been organized into a searchable format, available on the archdiocesan web site. Each entry includes the cleric's current status (suspended, laicized, etc.) and a link to his assignment history. In tandem with the launch, O'Malley issued a detailed seven-page letter explaining the reasoning underlying his decision.

See the full list here: Publication With Respect to Archdiocesan Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Child.O'Malley also published a separate list of priests who have been publicly accused but later exonerated, either because the archdiocesan review board found the charge to be unsubstantiated, or because the priest was acquitted in a canonical trial.

While most of the information has already been released by the archdiocese in one form or another, it's never been centrally collected or made user-friendly.

Full story in National Catholic Reporter.

Archdiocese of Washington statement: Attending Mass in Inclement Weather

With the approach of hurricane Irene up the East Coast this weekend, I ask you to please remind any parishioners who have concerns, that they are not obliged to physically attend Sunday Mass if dangerous travel or road conditions exist.

Those who cannot safely attend Mass in person are encouraged to watch the Sunday TV Mass, which airs at 10:30 a.m on CW50.

Thank you for sharing this information with your parishioners.

With every good wish I am,

Most Reverend Barry C.Knestout
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
Archdiocese of Washington

"Save your servant"

Listen, Lord, and answer me. Save your servant who trusts in you. I call to you all day long, have mercy on me, O Lord.

-- Psalm 85, 1-3, entrance antiphon, Friday, 21st Week

In photo: Lord of the Seas window, Blessed Sacrament chapel, JEB Little Creek, Virginia

Photos of earthquake damage at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia

David Gardiner, of Gardiner Hall Int'l, has kindly provided these photos to APL of the earthquake damage at the Catholic church of Saint Mary's in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Bricks have fallen through the stained glass skylight over the main altar, damaging it and the crucifix adorning the sanctuary.

Priestly vocations up also for Military Archdiocese

Back on track after years of decline

Archdiocese for Military Services reports surge in vocations for Catholic chaplains

News release from Archdiocese for the Military Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA welcomes a steady increase in the number of young men entering Catholic seminaries who would like to become military chaplains and thanks the many Catholic bishops who have agreed to co-sponsor them.

When the 2011-2012 academic year rolls around later this month, the number of co-sponsored and military-affiliated seminarians will stand at 31, up sharply from just three in 2008-2009; 12 in 2009-2010; and 23 in 2010-2011.

For more on the story, visit California Catholic Daily.

Prayer for young people: "Who do you say that I am?"

Dear young people, today Christ is asking you the same question which he asked the Apostles: "Who do you say that I am?"

Respond to him with generosity and courage, as befits young hearts like your own. Say to him:

"Jesus, I know that you are the Son of God, who have given your life for me. I want to follow you faithfully and to be led by your word. You know me and you love me. I place my trust in you and I put my whole life into your hands. I want you to be the power that strengthens me and the joy which never leaves me".

-- Benedict XVI

Phoenix cathedral returns to noble custom of altar boys

By Joyce Coronel Aug. 23, 2011 The Catholic Sun

When the news broke that Fr. John Lankeit, rector of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, was changing policy on altar servers, secular media outlets were quick to offer their take on the development.

From now on at the Phoenix Diocese's cathedral, only boys will be altar servers. Girls who are currently serving in that capacity will have the opportunity to train as sacristans.

"There were about five or six girls who were still serving and I called their parents to explain there would be a transition," Fr. Lankeit said. "I invited them, told them they are welcome right away to begin training as sacristans."

The news may have come as a bit of a shock to some local Catholics, but Fr. Lankeit attributes that to those who are, unknowingly perhaps, more influenced by society rather than by Church teaching.

For more, click to read Cathedral's policy change on altar servers ignites discussion.

Hurricane Irene approaching East Coast: FEMA Emergency checklist

Are You Ready?

Emergency Planning and Checklists

Now that you’ve learned about what can happen and how your community is prepared to respond to emergencies, prepare your family by creating a family disaster plan. You can begin this process by gathering family members and reviewing the information you obtained in Section 1.1 (hazards, warning systems, evacuation routes and community and other plans). Discuss with them what you would do if family members are not home when a warning is issued. Additionally, your family plan should address the following:

• Escape routes.
  


• Family communications.
  


• Utility shut-off and safety.
  


• Insurance and vital records.
  


• Special needs.
  


• Caring for animals.
  


• Safety Skills
  

Click here for FEMA Emergency preparedness checklist.

Earthquake damage at Saint Peter's on Capitol Hill and Saint Patrick's in Baltimore

Churches take hit as quake shakes East Coast
posted by Rob Kerby, Senior Editor | 6:06am Wednesday August 24, 2011

Churches seemed to bear the brunt of Tuesday’s 5.8 earthquake on the East Coast.

Damage was reported to Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral and St. Peter’s Catholic Church, historic St. Patrick’s Church near Baltimore, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Culpepper, Va., close to the Mineral, Va., epicenter.

“The damage is severe and we have three buildings condemned,” said Culpeper County building inspector Bob Orr said. “St. Stephen’s has structural damage inside.”

Also closed to the public, he said, were Culpeper Christian Assembly and an Italian restaurant. At St. Stephen’s, Rector Michael Gray said he had not been allowed into the main sanctuary, which was built in 1821, to see the damage, but early assessments indicated it could be repaired.

“He said a structural engineer would offer his assessment Wednesday,” reported Rhonda Simmons, Steven Butler, Allison B. Champion and Jeff Say for the Culpepper Star-Exponent newspaper.

Gray said it’s not the building that makes the church.

“The people are the church,” Gray said. “We are doing fine – that’s the main thing.”

In the meantime, Gray said, the church’s chimney would be removed down to the boiler.

“The top of it is pretty much fractured,” he said. “If a big wind came, it could blow it down,” Gray said, referring to the possibility of Hurricane Irene reaching the area this weekend.

St. Stephen’s will hold Sunday services in the adjoining parish hall, he said, and the Culpeper Food Closet will open today as planned.

“The town was gracious enough to turn the power back to the food closet, so we don’t lose our food,” Gray said, noting the old church experienced “pretty heavy” damage during the War Between the States — and survived that.

Pastor Andy Knighting of Culpeper Christian Assembly was in the basement of the building when it began to shake, his wife said. The building is too damaged to allow services, said Charlotte Knighting.

“We’re just waiting to see what the next step in the process is … there is major structural damage on the third floor,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, arrived in Culpeper about 10 minutes after the quake for a previously scheduled appearance at the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation.

The building had been emptied of its staff and the approximate 75 people who came to hear Warner so the former governor talked from under a tree atop Mount Pony.

“I was not going to mention the fact that one of the last times I was in Culpeper there was a tornado,” he said. “If you don’t want me to come back, there’s an easier way to do this.”

Library staffer Orysia Bilan was working near old reels of film when the temblor began. She said cans of film began bouncing around like “marbles on a trampoline.”

The Archdiocese of Baltimore closed St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fells Point after its steeple and bell tower were damaged, reported Matthew Hay Brown for the Baltimore Sun.

“Archbishop Edwin O’Brien is scheduled to survey the damage to the113-year-old church on Wednesday morning,” wrote Brown. ”The archdiocese said it expects to determine then whether the parish hall can be used for mass until the church is reopened. If the hall is also deemed unsafe, the archdiocese said, parishioners will be encouraged to attend Mass at nearby Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Highlandtown.

“The church was founded in 1792; the current church was completed in 1898.”

At least two churches in the Washington area felt the force of the earthquake, reporting falling debris and superficial damage.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill was cordoned off with police tape after chunks of concrete and stone were dislodged.

“It seems that a pedestal from the very top part, not the tower of the bell tower, but the pedestal of the church, seems to have fallen forward onto the front stairs,” said St. Peter’s priest Father William Byrne.

The National Cathedral also suffered minor damage during the quake.

“All of the sudden, everything began shaking at once,” said Sam Lloyd, the Cathedral’s dean.

The historic church, which is officially called St. Alban’s Church, lost the top of three of its four pinnacles atop one of its towers.

“There has been some damage, particularly in the central tower for some of the decorative pieces, and there are some cracks around we are going to be checking out.”

While the cosmetic damage is troubling, Lloyd says that so far, there doesn’t seem to be any structural damage to the cathedral.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 40 miles northwest of Richmond, traveling 3.7 miles beneath the earth’s surface and momentarily jarring as many as 12 million people. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years. There were no reports of deaths, but fire officials in Washington said there were at least some injuries.

The U.S. Park Service evacuated and closed all monuments and memorials along the National Mall. The Pentagon, the White House, the Capitol and federal agencies in and around Washington were evacuated.

Residents of the U.S. West Coast, who are used to the earth moving couldn’t help but take a jab or two.

“Really all this excitement over a 5.8 quake??? Come on East Coast, we have those for breakfast out here!!!!” wrote Dennis Miller, a lifelong California resident whose Pleasanton home sits on a fault line.




Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/08/churches-take-hit-as-5-8-earthquake-hits-east-coast.php#ixzz1Vx36oR6z

Earthquake damage at Saint Peter's on Capitol Hill and Saint Patrick's in Fells Point

Churches take hit as quake shakes East Coast
posted by Rob Kerby, Senior Editor | 6:06am Wednesday August 24, 2011

Churches seemed to bear the brunt of Tuesday’s 5.8 earthquake on the East Coast.

Damage was reported to Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral and St. Peter’s Catholic Church, historic St. Patrick’s Church near Baltimore, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Culpepper, Va., close to the Mineral, Va., epicenter ...

The Archdiocese of Baltimore closed St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fells Point after its steeple and bell tower were damaged, reported Matthew Hay Brown for the Baltimore Sun.

“Archbishop Edwin O’Brien is scheduled to survey the damage to the113-year-old church on Wednesday morning,” wrote Brown. ”The archdiocese said it expects to determine then whether the parish hall can be used for mass until the church is reopened. If the hall is also deemed unsafe, the archdiocese said, parishioners will be encouraged to attend Mass at nearby Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Highlandtown.

“The church was founded in 1792; the current church was completed in 1898.”

At least two churches in the Washington area felt the force of the earthquake, reporting falling debris and superficial damage.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill was cordoned off with police tape after chunks of concrete and stone were dislodged.

“It seems that a pedestal from the very top part, not the tower of the bell tower, but the pedestal of the church, seems to have fallen forward onto the front stairs,” said St. Peter’s priest Father William Byrne.

The National Cathedral also suffered minor damage during the quake.

“All of the sudden, everything began shaking at once,” said Sam Lloyd, the Cathedral’s dean.

The historic church, which is officially called St. Alban’s Church, lost the top of three of its four pinnacles atop one of its towers.

“There has been some damage, particularly in the central tower for some of the decorative pieces, and there are some cracks around we are going to be checking out.”

While the cosmetic damage is troubling, Lloyd says that so far, there doesn’t seem to be any structural damage to the cathedral.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 40 miles northwest of Richmond, traveling 3.7 miles beneath the earth’s surface and momentarily jarring as many as 12 million people. It was the most powerful earthquake to strike the East Coast in 67 years. There were no reports of deaths, but fire officials in Washington said there were at least some injuries.

The U.S. Park Service evacuated and closed all monuments and memorials along the National Mall. The Pentagon, the White House, the Capitol and federal agencies in and around Washington were evacuated.

Residents of the U.S. West Coast, who are used to the earth moving couldn’t help but take a jab or two.

“Really all this excitement over a 5.8 quake??? Come on East Coast, we have those for breakfast out here!!!!” wrote Dennis Miller, a lifelong California resident whose Pleasanton home sits on a fault line.


Read more at Beliefnet: http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/08/churches-take-hit-as-5-8-earthquake-hits-east-coast.php#ixzz1Vx4IJdYF

Washington Monument damaged by earthquake; cracks found near the top

The ca. 150-year-old structure will be closed indefinitely for further inspection and repairs.

The Newest Cusicks!

Connor Michael Cusick (5lbs,12 ounces, 19 inches) and Chloe Louise Cusick (5lbs, 3 ounces, 19 inches) entered the outside world at 5:37 pm and 5:39 pm. respectively, today at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando.  While soon to be registered Republicans, they won't be permitted to vote for our next President.  They were shocked to learn that their share of the National Debt is $46,961.56 each.  Mother, Veronica, and babies are fine. Father, Peter, is soon to be very busy.  Grandparents, Michael and Marianne, can't believe they are old enough to be grandparents and will also be very busy soon.