In a few days, I’ll be one of the few … the proud … the married … Roman Catholic !

— God bless & stay holy!

I suspect we will see some changes with new Miami Archbishop Wenski, but not right away.  From discussion from my fellow seminarian friends from Orlando, I get the impression that Bishop Wenski is a very dynamic bishop that challenges and demands a lot from his priests.  Our diocese has challenges, just as all do, so I hope the transition is well received and fruitful without the need to totally “new wine skins.”

“When I was in Orlando, I used to tell the priests that I would not ask them to work harder than I did. To the priests of Miami, I say the same. And priests do work hard – and our people do appreciate that; and, they have every right to expect that: not that we burn ourselves out but that we burn ourselves up with love for them and for the Lord.” — Archbishop Designate Thomas Wenski

Thank you Archbishop Favalora for your loving Fatherhood to us all and welcome home Archbishop Wenski!

God bless & stay holy!

Today’s statement from Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora
Today’s statement from new Miami Archbishop Designate Thomas Wenski
Archbishop Designate Thomas Wenski history (Curriculum Vitae)
Coat of arms for Orlando Bishop Wenski

In this season of Confirmations, here is a great homily by Bishop Wenski at a Confirmation Mass.

Their newer songs seem to be more focused on social justice.  I know Bon Jovi is a big campaigner for Democrats (Gore, Kerry and Obama), but I was wondering if he’s still Catholic, especially since he sang Hallelujah solo for 5 minutes.

I found a quote from Parade magazine in 2007:

On his Catholic upbringing:
“I went to Catholic school in and out. I’m what you call a recovering Catholic. I have many major issues with the church.” — Jon Bon Jovi

I know that was 3 years ago, but I hope and pray that his search for truth brings him back home to a faithful Catholic identity.  I also noticed Richie Sambora was wearing a St Benedict rosary around his neck.  I hope it wasn’t just a fashion statement.  I couldn’t find much about his faith background.

Another favorite Bon Jovi song is Keep the Faith.

My favorite part (usually cut off the radio version) is the part after the guitar solo (about 4 minutes) where he says:

I’ve been walking in the footsteps of society’s lies
I don’t like what I see no more
Sometimes I wish that I was blind
Sometimes I wait forever
To stand out in the rain
So no one sees me cryin’
Trying to wash away the pain

Mother father
There’s things I’ve done I can’t erase
Every night we fall from grace
It’s hard with the world in yours face
Trying to hold on, trying to hold on

I haven’t read much about him, but my favorite quote, so far, is this . . .

“There are not more than 100 people in the world who truly hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they perceive to be the Catholic Church.” — Archbishop Fulton Sheen

I also found another famous quote on Quote Catholic that he made as a preface to radio replies that begins:

If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated. My reason for doing this would be …

Archbishop Fulton Sheen exemplified what it truly means to be a priest; his love for Jesus & deep devotion to the Eucharist is well known.

Check out some links to audio (some free), video and books about and by him at Is Anybody There? blog.

Lots of comments and discussion about the Catholic Church and the world.  Check it out.

NFP vs Contraception #1: “It’s about the relationship“

Contraception, does NOT need to communicate about their fertility

NFP, (1) DOES need to communicate (which builds the relationship),
(2) doesn’t have to worry about fertility altering chemicals (that could hurt your chances of getting pregnant even when you stop taking pills,
(3) doesn’t have to worry (as much) about a “testy” wife from hormone manipulations,
(4) doesn’t have to worry about a decrease in libedo (sexual desire)

NFP vs Contraception #2, “It takes two.“

NFP, (1) builds trust and imtimacy with the greater need for communication,
(2)  experience a full self-giving to each other (not holding back their fertility),
(3)  statistically, couple doing NFP stay together longer, less divorce.

NFP vs Contraception #3, “It’s natural.“

Contraception introduces a couple to chemicals, while NFP is natural (the way God’s designed us), so it’s healthier.

NFP vs Contraception #4, “Know the facts.“

Contraception is potrayed in the media more than NFP. 
NFP is taught in churches around the world.  Even some Protestants practice NFP.
The facts can be lost.  www.onemoresoul.com

NFP vs Contraception #5, “Demand the whole story.“

Contraception may come with divorce, abortion, infertility, and mysogyny.  The media can minimize these possibilities.
NFP may come with life-long marriage, health, love, and respect.  www.onemoresoul.com

NFP vs Contraception #6, “It’s not a tough choice.“

Contraception is the answer of many to poverty in third-world nations.  Sometimes it is a prerequisite before food is sent to those countries.
NFP works when it is taught and practiced (even in third-world nations).  The only agenda is God’s design for human beings.  www.onemoresoul.com

NFP vs Contraception #7, “Know the consequences.“

Contraception is recommended by doctors or ailments not related to fertility.  Just because it help one thing, does not mean it doesn’t have side-effect elsewhere.  Everyone knows it’s real purpose.
Get the facts.  www.onemoresoul.com

Here is a short video about the mission of IPF that is on the IPF website and on YouTube (from 2 years ago):

I also found an article about the Vatican praising The Simpsons show.

Animated US television show, The Simpsons has gathered praise from the Roman Catholic Church for their “realistic” way of dealing with religion and spreading happiness among viewers. An article published in the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano has lauded the long-running show, insisting “many today wouldn’t know how to laugh” if the series hadn’t been aired, reported Contactmusic.

The newspaper story thanked the show’s producers for depicting family patriarch Homer’s struggle with his own faith through its 20 years on the small screen. “Homer finds in God his last refuge, even though he sometimes gets His name sensationally wrong. But these are just minor mistakes, after all; the two know each other well,” the article said. The story also insisted that The Simpsons success is due to its “realistic and intelligent writing”.

The same newspaper had recently paid tribute to ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’, for highlighting the “sacrifice” needed for good to triumph over evil.

WOW! Who would think The Simpsons would be watched at the Vatican?  What next, Family Guy?