Catholic Cartoon Blog

Obama's Secular Vision for America

2012-01-26T09:24:00.003-05:00

He's doing his level best to tear all of the Christian foundation out from this country. His efforts at "Payback" are in full swing. God help us all if he is somehow re-elected.

The Bishops are making noise about it, but time will tell on how committed they are to fighting this man.

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/index.cfm

Rick Santorum for President 2012

2012-01-19T15:23:00.004-05:00

While it may put my millions and millions of government grants at risk, the Catholic Cartoon Blog hereby endorses Rick Santorum for President.

We need to restore decency and Americanism to the White House. Romney? He might be a decent man, but he's a liberal wolf in conservative sheep clothing. I have no confidence in what his potential Supreme Court picks would be. Gingrich? He's a classless individual and serial philanderer. His unlikability factor is up there with Hillary Clinton. Ron Paul? He needs to be the Federal Reserve Chairman. As many have stated, though, it doesn't matter whom the Republicans nominate - Obama has got to go.

Politically Correct Hymns! (Again)

2012-01-16T15:28:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm at Mass yesterday and we're singing "Holy Holy Holy", when at the 3rd verse I got tripped up. I started singing "Though the eye of sinful man...". Oh, no no no, Mr. Patriarch, that was the wrong verse - you must now go through re-training. Please visit your parish representative of Offensive Hymn Committee to Rehab All Pronouns (also known by it's acronym of Oh Crap).

After that, my mind drifted a bit. Why don't we just re-write everything:

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty"by Reginald Heber, 1783-1826

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
(People who sleep late would be offended by this line)
Holy holy, holy, merciful and mighty!God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
(Did they approval from members of the New Orleans football team – or their fans?)

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
(Throwing things into the sea will upset the little fishies’ habitat!)

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
(Drunks will fall when & where THEY want to, thank you very much)

Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
(People with warts might read this line too quickly and become self-conscious)

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
(Kids who play Hide-&-Seek might be traumatized by this line)

Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
(This is the “new”, “non-offensive” verse, but is this implying that all blind people are that way due to sin?)

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside

Thee,Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.
(What about people aloft in the Space Station? Or Aliens?)

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!

And even without these Offensive Alerts, what about the whole “Holy Holy Holy” part itself? What about those who harbor a phobia of Swiss cheese?

Obama's Anti-Faith Train gets derailed

2012-01-12T10:42:00.003-05:00

Jay Anderson has a good write up on the Supreme Court's 9-0 slap down on the Obama administration's efforts to stomp a mudhole in the Free Exercise clause.

http://proecclesia.blogspot.com/2012/01/victory-for-free-exercise-clause.html

Where do you stand on Tebow?

2012-01-10T07:24:00.005-05:00

Well, the atheists and God-haters suffered another setback this past weekend when Tim Tebow and the Broncos won their football game in stunning fashion over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Add to that group the Society of Women Abusers, of whom Ben Rothlisberger is one of their poster boys.

Most of the time sports are just, well, sports. Other times, as with Tim Tebow, it's a barometer of the culture. Ask a person how they feel about Tim Tebow and it will tell you alot about where they stand on many other issues. Those who like Tebow probably are sympathetic to the Christian faith, even if they're not necessarily church-goers. Additionally, they would probably agree that Hollywood is a cesspool and embrace traditional American values. Those who hate Tebow are more likely to resent traditional American values and probably embrace the creeping socialism of the Obama administration.

Let's have a quick snapshot:

Like Tebow? Abortion stops a beating heart.

Hate Tebow? Pro-choice all the way, baby!

Like Tebow? Wouldn't watch Bravo TV on a bet.

Hate Tebow? Think same-sex relations are ok!

Like Tebow? Proudly fly that American Flag!

Hate Tebow? Burning the flag is awesome!

Like Tebow? Sundays usually involve Church.

Hate Tebow? Sundays are for reading the NY Times.

Like Tebow? Obama is a communist.

Hate Tebow? Obama is wonderful!

Like Tebow? Fox News is where it's at.

Hate Tebow? MSNBC is your cup of de-caf coffee!

Like Tebow? Like the Catholic Cartoon Blog.

Hate Tebow? "Someone should shut down the Catholic Cartoon Blog!"

The list goes on and on...

As a father of two boys, it's refreshing to watch an athlete who loves God, is true to his convictions, isn't a womanizer/abuser (same thing), doesn't have 8 children from 4 different women, isn't out doing drugs after the game, doesn't drive drunk and kill people, and is good to his Momma.

A Merry Christmas to All!

2011-12-20T16:06:00.004-05:00

Well, another season is upon us - where the "War on Christmas" revs up as the secular humanists try to rid the public square of all things Red, Green or Christian.

I was going to add a burning American Flag to this cartoon, since it offends so many, but one day soon, it may be banned like so many other. Ol' Glory isn't quite there yet, but it's enemies are legion and growing. Heck, as holidays go, good old St. Patrick might one day be jettisoned for "Pat Day" so that feminists wouldn't be offended.

Anyway - a Merry Christmas to all who partake in the wonders of the Season - and to those of you who don't, well you just don't know what you're missing!

Penn State Chickens Coming Home to Roost

2011-11-17T18:21:00.003-05:00

Being a transplanted resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you can't go anywhere around here without seeing the Nittany Lion. The horror of what transpired at the hands of Jerry Sandusky is eclipsed only by the further horror of how many people at Penn State knew about it and covered it up, especially the biggest Nittany Lion of them all, Joe Paterno. Pile on top of that all the "JoePa" defenders out there, who see this as all just some inconvenient, minor issue, and you've got yourself one awful stew of rot.

Jerry Sandusky is just another in a long line of those out there who hide behind a veil of "loving kids" - all the while getting winks and nods from those who issued pass after pass for their behavior. Am I the only one who sees in Sandusky a fatter, whiter (though not by much) version of Michael Jackson? Birds of a feather, indeed.

As they say, hangin's too good for 'em. All of them.

Keep an eye on your liberal friends this Advent!

2011-11-15T11:56:00.003-05:00

Well, the time is upon us. The new translation is just a week and a half away. Here's a video of an interview with Fr. McBrien and Sr. Chittister regarding the changes taking place in the Church today to restore reverence and tradition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laxyoaHOP1c&feature=related

The liberals are fighting mad over these (minor, in my opinion) changes coming to the Mass. As Advent begins, please keep an eye on your liberal friends for signs of hives, convulsions, profuse sweating, gout, & thrush as adverse reactions to the new translation.

All Souls Day is Nov. 2

2011-11-01T12:27:00.003-04:00

All Souls Day seems to be the perpetual "little brother" to All Saints Day. It appeals to me a little more than All Saints because I focus on all of my family members who've gone on to their reward. Maybe because it's a little more personal.

New Catholic Cartoonist!

2011-10-29T20:43:00.002-04:00

Check out Jeff Harris' new Catholic cartoon blog - "The Sword of Peter".

Great work Jeff! See them all here ----> http://swordofpeter.blogspot.com/

USCCB & CCHD - at it again!

2011-10-19T16:31:00.003-04:00

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development will be rearing it's ugly head again soon in a parish near you. Don't be fooled by the public relations spin being staged by the USCCB.

Read the full report from the American Life League regarding CCHD. Click on over to http://www.reformcchdnow.com/ to see the whole sordid mess.

What's this new "Contemporary" Catholic teaching?

2011-10-13T10:40:00.003-04:00

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the USCCB, recently posted on the death penalty on the USCCB Media Blog.

Naturally, she's against the death penalty, which is okay. It's her reasoning that catches the attention. Of course, the disparity of minorities on death row is highlighted (without the balancing fact that minorities commit a disproportionate number of crimes). She mentions the many cases where someone on death row has been found to be innocent through DNA testing.

But then she says the following:
"Contemporary Catholic teaching opposes the death penalty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church finds it acceptable only when there is no other way to protect society from a dangerous criminal."

Well, which is it? Does the Church allow for it or does it oppose it completely? It's almost as if she's saying that the Catechism teaches one thing but our "contemporary" teaching is different. I've only been back to the Church for 13 years, but I know that the Church can't teach that something is both right and wrong. When the Church opposes something, She does so officially and completely, as in abortion.

Is Sr. Walsh tipping her non-existant habit to the fact that, for all practical purposes, the liberal wing of the American Church has it's own set of rules, or that their "contemporary" thinking actually improves upon the Catechism?

The liberals like to talk about the pro-lifers not being so gung-ho on eliminating capital punishment. They say that to be truly pro-life, our side should give up our support of capital punishment. Well, I think we should take them up on the offer. In exchange for giving up capital punishment, we also outlaw abortion.

Think they'd accept the offer? I'm not holding my breath.

The Fight is Joined!

2011-10-11T17:37:00.002-04:00

While it took the Bishops 40 years to see that joy-riding along with the popular culture is a death sentence, let's be thankful that we've got some Catholic colleges joining the fight!
(Thankfully, Mount St. Mary's is one of them):
SUNLIT UPLANDS: Catholic Colleges Unite to Defend Religious Liberty

Obama: class warfare clown

2011-10-07T10:37:00.002-04:00

Oh, NOW it's a problem?

2011-10-04T14:32:00.005-04:00

The Bishops are forming an Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty in response to the threats of the federal government.

The cornerstone on this threat has been, and remains, the creeping acceptance of homosexuals. This acceptance by society, and its full-throated endorsement and advocacy on the part of the entertainment industry, is now backed by the jack-boot of government. And NOW the Catholic Bishops of America are taking notice?

Forgive me for being a little cynical here.

For years, polls have indicated that self-identified Catholics are much more liberal on homosexuality than many Protestant sects out there. And why is that? Well, as any student from a 1970's era Catholic High School could tell you, the "leadership" has been very accommodating with regard to homosexuality. Archbishop Dolan himself has been very welcoming, if all the reports out of New York are true.

You can't invite the wolves in, make them feel at home, wink at their same-sex affliction, and then be shocked that they actually want to be treated no differently than straight people. Of course they're going to damn-near riot and threaten violence when they're "denied" the right to marry. Of course they're going to flip their pink-glitter covered lids when someone points out they're not "normal". Of course they're going to toss their Birkenstocks when someone says that "two mommies" might as well be "two wildebeests" raising a child.

What's amazing to me is that the Bishops are "shocked" at what's happening. Really? When the rest of us saw this coming way back when Clinton was in office? Sure, we should continue to fight the increasing secularism out there, and yes, it's good that the Bishops are taking note of it all. But it still seems to me a bit like showing up in Saigon in 1976 and asking where they sign up to fight the Vietnam War.

Christmas Break

2011-08-30T08:59:00.005-04:00

I'll be taking a break from cartooning until about December; the Christmas season is in full swing for me (http://www.tradegreetings.com/) so I barely have a chance to hear what's happening out there in our Catholic world. I highly recommend checking out the Pulp.It ( http://thepulp.it/ ). I'm sure that as the dawning of the New Translation breaks, the liberals will be doing cartwheels trying to gum up the works.

The Emerald Isle turns on her Church

2011-07-20T12:58:00.005-04:00

Coming soon to a country near you. Under the guise of "protecting children" and to ensure reporting of abuse, Blarney Stone Bullies are looking to crack the seal of the confessional.
I'm wondering if these people are considering the ramifications of what they're seeking. Breaking that seal will lead people to NOT confess things, therefore negating it's intent. The other issue, lost in the emotional response of prosecuting the perverts and those who covered for them, is that once this seal is broken, the STATE will not "limit" their intrusion into abuse. As the STATE always does, you can be sure it will expand it's reach. Soon, nobody will confess anything.
Read all about it:
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2011/07/15/ireland-attacks-confessional-secrecy-after-catholic-sex-abuse-scandal/

California : All gay - all the time...

2011-07-15T10:46:00.003-04:00

California is now mandating the teaching of "Gay History" in all of it's public schools. Now all things will be viewed and taught through the "gay prism". How wonderful for them.

At least Archbishop Gomez of California has come out against it. You can bet that his predecessor would have never done such a thing:

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/california-archbishop-gay-textbook-an-attack-on-parental-rights

Andrew Cuomo tempts fate

2011-06-27T15:16:00.002-04:00

Thomas Peters of the American Papist has a good article over on Catholic Vote about Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the gay "marriage" nightmare in New York.

I admit that after hearing about this, I hadn't considered the whole denial-of-communion thing, but with Cuomo's latest move, what do the Bishops do now?

The ball's in the Bishop's court now; will they fumble it out of bounds again?

Read about it at Catholic Vote:

http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=18456

Pope speaks about Music at the Mass

2011-05-31T16:00:00.002-04:00

The Pope releases a letter on the Liturgy, touching on suitable music :

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-dos-and-donts-of-mass-music/

Feminist Whining 101

2011-05-26T15:46:00.004-04:00

Those who agitate for women's ordination will never give up. Even if the Church came out with a statement that couldn't in ANY way be argued against, even down to the teeniest, tiniest detail, the Church-haters would still flop around screaming like flounders on a hot dock in June.

Get a load of the whine over at NCR ( and no, they don't have any cheese to go with that whine, unless you count their opinions ):

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/complex-questions-papal-infallibility

Another one bites the (gay) dust

2011-05-11T11:57:00.005-04:00

Presbyterian Church USA will now accept openly gay & lesbian clergy. They join the Episcopals in their run off the spiritual cliff.

Maybe this is how the Reformation will be reversed - eventually all of the Protestant sects out there "liberalize" themselves to the point that the only thing left for true followers of Christ to do is to join the Catholic Church.

I don't see the Evangelicals or the Southern Baptists caving in to the Modern Tidalwave anytime soon, though. They're hanging tough.

Catholic Eye Candy

2011-05-04T15:32:00.004-04:00

Here's the rear altar at Immaculate Conception - Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD.

The Sunday evening masses here employ a guitar - and after attending these numerous times, I can alter my opinion of the use of guitars at mass. Now, there's a big difference between employing a guitar at mass and a "guitar mass". There's also a small choir that joins in, along with a violin and a piano. I think only the most ardent Traditionalist would object to what they hear.

Considering that the University mass is predominately college kids, with a few of us old farts thrown in to mix things up, the reverence they show is quite impressive. Before I went, I was thinking "This is going to be some sort of hootenanny".

It's a testament to the University and to the parents of these kids.

The ol' CCB can be tough on modern life, but I'll give credit where it's due. I'll miss this place over the summer, that's for sure.

Birds of a Feather Fry Together

2011-05-03T15:33:00.003-04:00

I wonder how big the welcoming committee is Down Below?

Patience

2011-04-29T10:55:00.002-04:00

With thanks to St. Therese of the Little Flower for watching over my own Little Flower. Patience is taught one prayer at a time.

http://www.littleflower.org/

The Lenten Struggle

2011-03-24T13:02:00.003-04:00

We all deal with the Lenten Struggles - the fasting, the giving up, the extra little penances we assign ourselves, etc. Sometimes it includes the crazy looks or ridicule you get from someone because you actually DO something for Lent.

Me? Oh, I went all out this year. So much so that my wife asked if I was feeling alright, and my father called me back and said "Okay, now you'll have to explain to me what led you to this decision." My sons wonder if Dad's train has gone around the bend for the last time. A co-worker laughed and then stopped himself and said "Wait - you're serious?"

I gave up - wait for it - watching my beloved Washington Capitals hockey team. Now, some people might say "Big deal", but you have to understand that, in many cases, weekend chores, errands and family dinners out during the week are scheduled around Capitals games.

My thinking went like this - of all the things I like, what would be the hardest thing to go cold turkey on? Yep, watching the Capitals. Especially considering the fact that the playoffs start LOOONG before Lent is over, so I'll be missing quite a few playoff games. When the playoffs are on, nobody in the family better be kicking the bucket, or getting married, or scheduling a funeral, because a man has to have priorities.

So yes, maybe in the grand scale of things, it ain't much, but like the little drummer boy, I do what I can.

Here's to a fulfilling Lenten season!

Have yourself a Liberal Lent!

2011-03-11T11:11:00.003-05:00

Catholic News Service has an article about one of those wack-job environmental (with an emphasis on the "mental" part) outfits and some of their kooky ideas. The unfortunate thing is, this is a "Catholic" environmental group and they're trying to turn Lent into some sort of Kumbaya hug a tree period.

In honor of their lamebrain ideas, I'm going to spend Lent using the incandescent lamps in my office even more than I usually do.

Have a laugh over at CNS:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1100789.htm

Altered Ash Wednesday Prayers - you pick 'em!

2011-03-07T14:33:00.004-05:00

A new set of Ash Wednesday recitations for those who just don't like the tired, old, standard "Remember, man...":
(This doesn't represent a complete list; all those with grievances/complaints/axes to grind can petition their local bishop to allow a recitation in keeping with their own worldview.)

The Guitar has always been incompatible with the Faith

2011-02-24T13:09:00.003-05:00

In the Winter issue of Drawing Magazine, there's an article on the Spanish Masters, of which Francisco de Goya is counted. The drawing above is titled "A Nun Frightened by a Ghost", c. 1812–20 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Now, way back when this was produced, roughly 140 years before Vatican II, de Goya had no way of knowing what was down the road for the Church...or did he?

Either way, it's plainly obvious that the nun is more frightened by the guitar than she is by the musical directo- um, I mean ghost.

Should the Church throw her lot in with popular culture in order to gain "relevance"?

2011-02-21T09:20:00.005-05:00

I've linked to an article by a religion writer for the Huffington Post. As you can imagine with anything from the HuffPo, it's decidedly anti-Church in it's outlook. The writer, a 23 year old who classifies himself as "...grew up Catholic" to avoid the impression that I would ever participate in such silliness...", puts forth the idea that if the Church could just get with the popular culture, his generation would find the Church on the way toward becoming "relevant".

I believe we've seen, since the 1960's, too many instances of the Church trying to be "relevant" to the popular culture. The effort to throw open the windows and let the World in has been a failure. Instead of evangelizing the world, the world and it's secular viewpoint has infected the Church, or more clearly, has infected the thinking of many inside the Church. We don't need a Church to "play down" to the popular culture, we need a Church to stand strong against it and call it out of it's darkness.

Pray that the Church continues on her road of Restoration, and that She resists the temptation to become "relevant" to the popular culture.

Read the article (and get a load of the comments)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tyler-mahoney/the-99-lost-sheep-20-some_b_823611.html#s240996&title=Fr_James_Martin

Missed Kiss

2011-01-21T15:00:00.002-05:00

The March for Life is Monday, January 24.

http://www.marchforlife.org/

Bishop favor gun control? Who knew? (Everyone)

2011-01-19T14:50:00.005-05:00

It's not a surprise that the USCCB would be in favor of banning all private gun ownership, considering that we're in a phase where pacifism is touted as the answer to evil in the world. One would think that they'd consider what's happened in England since private ownership of hanguns has been disallowed.

And of course, with the situation in Tucson, again, it's guns that kill people, not people that kill people.

Read about it (about halfway down) in the news brief from Catholic News Service :
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20110114.htm

And of course, the NCR (reporter, not Register), had an article about the Bishops and gun control:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/catholic-bishops-favor-gun-control-who-knows-it

Go to Mary...

2011-01-14T12:27:00.003-05:00

Let's not jump to conclusions...

2011-01-11T09:52:00.003-05:00

The same talking heads who fell all over themselves urging us to "not jump to conclusions" about the Ft. Hood shootings apparently have no problem doing so when a chance to smear anyone on the right appears.

The strange thing about this is that in straining to see "right wing sins" in Loughner's shooting, they ignore/downplay the fact that he is an atheist and a communist. I'm surprised they haven't come out to tell us not to jump to conclusions about atheists.

National Catholic Reporter picks their "Person of the Year"

2011-01-04T15:36:00.004-05:00

Not much of a surprise here, they've picked Sr. Keehan, the "nun" who carried water for Obama's abortion-supporting "health-care" bill in 2010. I'm sure the Devil himself couldn't have found a more worthy recipient of the "award".

While we may chortle at their idiocy, the fact remains that there are still more of them (dissenting Catholics) than there are of us (Catholics). The Vineyard is still being devastated.

Some interesting comments after their editorial. A few brave souls actually attempt to defend the Faith: http://ncronline.org/news/people/ncrs-person-year-2010

A Merry Christmas To All!

2010-12-22T12:33:00.003-05:00

Luke 7:23
"Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

Coming soon to a school near you...

2010-12-15T14:34:00.003-05:00

Now that Christmas Card season is over for me, I can turn my attention to more pressing issues - like the annual re-running of a "Charlie Brown Christmas". I recently read an article about how the special came about way back in the early 60's. As Charles Schultz and the producers were putting the story line together, one of the producers asked Mr. Schultz if he was certain he wanted to include the part where Linus reads from the Gospel of Luke. Schultz replied "If we don't do it, who will?".

How soon do you think it will be before Linus' speech gets edited out and replaced with something about "being nice" and "recycling" and "being tolerant"?

No, I'm not dead....

2010-12-01T09:03:00.002-05:00

The CCB is not dead. I'm simply finishing up the Christmas card season. I'll be back with something this month hopefully.

Notre Dame FAILS (again)

2010-11-05T10:21:00.003-04:00

I'm sure most of you have heard of the tragic accident last week at Notre Dame that killed a young man who was up on some scaffolding filming the football team. At Saturday's football game, the public address announcer asked for a "moment of silence". You'd think that a Catholic college would offer a prayer for his soul, especially at a public gathering. Nope - not at Notre Dame.

My daughter is a freshman at Mt. Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD. When we went to the orientation, the President of the University stated that they were "proudly Catholic", and that "The Mount" was a "Catholic University", not simply a University with a Catholic identity. That was reassuring to hear.

Shortly after the start of the school year, a freshman died tragically due to heatstroke. The Chaplain of the school, along with the President, held a public prayer outdoors for her soul, and to beg comfort for her parents, family, & friends. It was attended by a large contingent of the student body, and the local newspaper filmed a portion of it and posted it on their website. There was no "moment of silence", there was no embarrassment for their Catholicism, there no "neutering" of the prayers to avoid offense.

Quite a study in contrasts between a university that has the "veneer" of, and is embarrassed by, Catholicism (Notre Dame), and one that embraces and is proud of Catholicism (Mount Saint Mary's).

Please watch Real Catholic TV's Michael Voris talk about yet another Notre Shame episode:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RealCatholicTV?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/_vSvu-7lAB8

And please remember to offer a prayer for the soul of that young man, even if Notre Dame would rather you didn't.

Hey, thanks for the guidance...

2010-10-29T13:43:00.004-04:00

The Massachusetts Catholic Conference issued their statement to assist voters for 2010. It is good that we have such clear, concise, and eloquent guidance as we make our ways to the polls. In what I like to call our "post-Christian" society, it's comforting to know that we can rely on the guidance of the hierarchy as we sift through the heavy moral issues of our time.

And then I woke up.

You can go here to read the MCC's statement: http://www.macathconf.org/

One statement that stood out for me:
"As shifts in societal challenges are inevitable, it is also vital to determine from election to election which human rights face the greatest threat at the time of voting."
Which "human rights" face the greatest threat? Their statement seems to indicate that the greatest threat changes from year to year. Gee, let's review:

2010 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

2008 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

2004 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

2000 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

1996 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

1992 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

1988 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

1984 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

1980 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

1976 - Abortion is still legal. Seems like the RIGHT TO LIFE is still the paramount issue that is threatened.

Maybe it's just me; maybe there's another issue that trumps the right to life, but I can't think of one.

Another Halloween cartoon, this time starring Obama

2010-10-28T12:14:00.003-04:00

Oh, there's a change a-coming, alright, but it ain't going to be the kind of change that President Obama will welcome. Fortunately, the people are awake to what he's been up to, and they don't like it. This includes "independents" - those who somehow couldn't see through the slogans to see what "hope and change" really meant. Now many of them do, and many are saying "Hey, this ain't the kind of change we were thinking of...".

Tuesday can't get here soon enough.

Semi-Annual CCB Halloween cartoon

2010-10-27T14:55:00.004-04:00

The Spirit of Vatican II doesn't scare us anymore; with the advent of the internet, sunlight and exposure has helped to beat back the damage it's dished out since the 60's.

Of course, such a costume would elicit different reactions depending on where you donned it; in Lincoln, Nebraska, you'd probably be given rocks by good Catholics, a la Charlie Brown. But in places like Los Angeles, you'd be welcomed as an old friend.

Me? I'll be going out on Halloween as a mild-mannered father of 4, escorting the boys on their yearly Candy Shakedown. I'll be the one with gray hair...

Pro-abort politician at the Pearly Gates

2010-10-18T12:22:00.003-04:00

The above cartoon was inspired by, and originated from, the mind of the Curt Jester; it's such a good idea that I'm surprised that one of us Catholic cartoonists hadn't thought of this one before.

Great idea Jeff!
http://splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/

Catholic GPS

2010-10-13T10:26:00.002-04:00

As the Church begins what we hope is a long, albeit slow, return to its' traditions, I have to admit that the idea of a "reform of the reform" comes up a bit short.

In any other type of situation, if you looked back over the last 40 years and saw nothing but devastation, wouldn't you think that the time had come to admit so?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm picking no fight with the "reform of the reform" guys, but why "reform" something that has been a complete failure? Wouldn't you scrap the whole thing?

You're hiking in the woods, on a long and well-traveled path, and the sun is shining, and there's no mosquitos, no wild animals, no threats of any kind. Then you take a turn off of that path and encounter deep, dark valleys, snakes, bears, and every other kind of awful thing, wouldn't you re-trace your steps and get back to where you made the wrong turn to begin with?

Maybe it's all more complicated than that.

For a good article on the architect of the guy who was instrumental in constructing that dark and treacherous path, check out:
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2010/10/bugnini-i-am-liturgical-reform.html

If liberals hate the new translation, it must be good.

2010-09-21T08:51:00.003-04:00

I've read some of the reaction to the updated translation that will be put into effect in 2011. I can't help but laugh at the protesting and ugliness on display by those who are against it. Their argument is that they've had this translation for 40 years - why change it? What's funny is that some of these same aging hippies saw no problem with ditching 1900 years of tradition way back in 1969.

Now they're crying because a few words and phrases are changed? It's almost as if they're saying "Look, we've dumbed this down for 40 years and we're not going to stand for you 'smartening' it up!!!".

You can always judge the efficacy and worthiness of something by the reaction of liberals. If they love it, it can't be good, and if they hate it, it's GOT to be good.

As I see it, the new translation is a good start. They need to keep working.

Just for laughs, read some of the back and forth on the National Catholic Distorter site: http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/pope-receives-english-translation-roman-missal

Don't forget your mantilla!

2010-09-14T15:38:00.004-04:00

One of the great things about being Catholic is that we have all the trappings that go along with it - priests with collars, nuns with habits, and ladies with mantillas. All of these were seemingly cast aside in the uproar after Vatican II, but all seem to be on the comeback trail.

To borrow a phrase, "It's a good thing".

I recently added a couple of mantilla-related blogs over on "Links I Like" section. Step into the world of the mantilla; you'll be glad you did.

Parish musicians getting ready for new Roman Missal

2010-09-08T15:04:00.004-04:00

Uh oh - you knew it was coming. CNS has an article about how liturgical musicians are gearing up for the big changeover coming in 2011. Call me cynical, but giving them time to "implement changes" musically can't be a good thing, can it?

Read the article over at CNS:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003398.htm

The Slow Death of the "Spirit of Vatican II"

2010-09-03T10:38:00.003-04:00

Slowly but surely the "Spirit of Vatican II" is plodding toward a slow death. Oh, it's not going quietly; it still has a legion of "followers", but the outcome is inevitable. The Pope is doing his part, but so are the enlistees in the Church Militant. Tom Roeser has a good post, mostly concerning one of those Militants, Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV:

http://blog.tomroeser.com/2010/08/personal-asides-readers-colloquium-on.html

Reiki at a Catholic Hospital?

2010-08-25T11:54:00.005-04:00

For the May issue of the New Oxford Review, I did a cartoon to go along with an article by Hurd Baruch detailing the curious goings on at a Catholic hospital. Apparently some of the nuns there practice Reiki on the patients. To read another example of how the adherents have traded in the Faith for some New Age, hop on over to the NOR site:
http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0510-baruch

This was my first contribution to the NOR; more will be done on an occasional basis.

Thank the Lord for Air Conditioning!

2010-07-26T08:22:00.003-04:00

With all of this heat, I'm sure thankful that we've got air conditioning in my parish!

Senator Byrd's in Heaven?

2010-07-08T09:12:00.004-04:00

According to Bishop Michael Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston, that's exactly where the late Senator Robert Byrd is already. Safe in heaven. Nope, no need for prayers here, people, he's already there. Wow.

Is this how low we've come? That even a Catholic bishop declares a non-Catholic to be in heaven? It would appear that "social promotion", that great equalizer of the publik skools, has now worked it's way into the hierarchy of the American Church.

Puts a new, modern twist on "Whatsoever you bind on earth, is bound in Heaven", because if an authority in the Church says you've made it, then I guess they're duty bound upstairs to let you in, right? Right?

Read about it here:
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6787

UPDATED:
Here's a nice piece on purgatory over at Bedlam or Parnassus:
http://bedlamorparnassus.blogspot.com/2010/07/on-nature-of-purgatory.html

Raid in Belgium

2010-07-06T16:11:00.003-04:00

Belgium was (is) one of the leading "lights" in the Dissenting Catholic movement, beginning in the 1960's (and probably with roots that go farther back). Belgium also is the place where the authorities raided the palace of the archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels for information related to sex abuse and cover-ups.

Coincidence?

Check out the Real Catholic TV's spot on the Dissenting Chickens coming home to roost: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COZdKL5TMSM

Bedtime Stories for Liberals

2010-06-29T11:42:00.002-04:00

Apparently the parishoners at St. Mary's in Platteville, WI don't take too kindly to having priests who might be faithful to the Magisterium... Read about their whining: http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=286980

Now that's dedication!

2010-06-24T07:47:00.002-04:00

Word for word - something my little one said to me Sunday evening.

One disaster visits another

2010-06-09T12:48:00.001-04:00

Just for fun...

Footprints of Vatican II ( a parody )

2010-05-21T15:19:00.003-04:00

What if a heretic had written that famous poem?
(Click to see larger)

Hate the military? He's (Obama) with you!

2010-05-19T15:25:00.004-04:00

So, President Obama sees a vacancy open up on the Supreme Court, and nominates Lou Costello, um, I mean Elena Kagan?!?

Oh, that's right, she hates the military because of their stand on homosexuals. Maybe she's tipped her hand on that one? Well, heck, anyone who hates the military is just fine with the Hater-In-Chief.

Read more about Kagan and her stance at Harvard over at Mommy Life:
http://mommylife.net/archives/2010/05/kagan_harvard_t.html

Progression of a Convert

2010-05-12T11:28:00.003-04:00

Some of you may remember that old poster from the 1970's of some guy on a drug trip (no, this was NOT in my room - it was in a friend's room), where it showed his progression from "normal" to "wasted". For some reason that popped in my head the other day.

Since my return to the Faith in 1998, I've gone through all of the stages shown here, and would guess many others have also. Things are better than they were 12 years ago, to be sure, but sometimes panel # 6 still applies.

Scaling Tradition Mountain

2010-05-04T14:20:00.005-04:00

Five years into Pope Benedict's reign, the restoration has gotten off to a good start.

Matthew over at A Catholic Life has a good look-back:
http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2010/04/5th-anniversary-of-election-of-pope.html

More left-wing wackery from the USCCB

2010-04-29T13:29:00.004-04:00

Not surprisingly, the USCCB has come down on the side of illegality with regards to the new Arizona law.

Part of the news release says:
"The U.S. Catholic bishops stand in solidarity with the bishops of Arizona in opposing this draconian law. We call upon the Administration to review its impact on civil rights and liberties. "

Boo hoo. Not a word about the civil liberties and rights of CITIZENS to not be shot and killed, or robbed or raped by hordes of mongrels prowling our streets. No, that's okay. In fact, I guess in the eyes of the Bishops, we should gladly open our doors to theft and assault.

These jokers can be counted on to come down on the wrong side of practically every issue. And even on the occasional time when they get something right, they're so mealy-mouthed about it that it's embarassing.

Read the news release (try not to laugh too hard):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-080.shtml

**And look for my exclusive cartoons to appear on a recurring basis in the pages of the New Oxford Review beginning in May!

The press loves a good scandal...

2010-04-08T11:06:00.003-04:00

...if for no other reason than to use it to bludgeon the Church. During Holy Week, the press could hardly contain themselves in their efforts to tarnish the Church. Their glee was two-fold; not only could they pounce all over the Pope, but they got to do it during Holy Week. I'm sure they were all high-fiving one another off camera.

Pray for the Holy Father as he carries his cross.

Bart Stupak = The New Judas

2010-03-22T08:47:00.003-04:00

Some "principles". Bart Stupak rolled over and played dead because some Federal money was thrown his way. The first few cartoon ideas that came to mind weren't fit to print, so we'll have to settle on cartoon # 4 or 5.

USCCB still doesn't get it

2010-03-17T16:30:00.004-04:00

Not that I hadn't already given up hope on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), but their support of the healthcare overhaul - so long as it doesn't pay for abortion - is mind-numbing. As if the whole thing is just peachy, save for the abortion issue.

Time and time again, they come down in favor of socialism and, in this case, they've done so again.

They should just change their name to the United Socialist Conference of Communist Bishops, for crying out loud.

Suffering

2010-03-15T12:11:00.003-04:00

I made the unfortunate mistake of going to Mass yesterday. Well, not that going to Mass was a mistake, just that going to my parish on the 2nd Sunday of the Month was a mistake. I forgot that it was Guitar Mass Sunday.
Why our pastor allows this is beyond me. He says the Mass with reverence and class, so the music just doesn't square with it all. That type of music is for those parishes where they promote any of the many pillars of the Hippie Generation (recycling, gay rights, sex education, et al.).

My son asked, when we heard the first "twang" of the guitar, "Dad, can't we just leave and go to St. ???'s". I told him we'd just offer this up this week. But on the next 2nd Sunday, we're going somewhere else.

If anyone has tips on how to convince the pastor to put an end to this, I'd love to hear them.

Annual Ash Wednesday Cartoon

2010-02-17T09:04:00.001-05:00

Where does your money go?

2010-02-16T08:16:00.004-05:00

Thanks to work by those such as Real Catholic TV, the USCCB is under a little heat for their support of organizations who consistently work against Catholic teaching.

The Church teaches us that, in order to do good, we're not to cooperate with evil. Yet isn't this exactly what the USCCB is doing, when they partner with so many organizations that promote the tenets of the sexual revolution (abortion, homosexuality, birth control, etc.)?

How can I support my local parish, when I know that it has to turn over a particular % to the Diocese, who in turn financially supports the USCCB? Can I give a check with a note that says "Only for local parish support"? If I don't put anything in the basket, I know I'm shortchanging my parish. So I still give. But I ain't happy about it. I know God loves a cheerful giver, and He's not too happy with an "uncheerful" giver, but how does He feel about us middle-of-the-road guys - the "mixed feelings" givers?

Check out Real Catholic TV's latest, and keep an eye out at the :50 mark - they've picked up some art from the good ol' Cartoon Blog to highlight their news.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBeEjJhG0k

Take a snowmobile to Mass!

2010-02-12T12:19:00.003-05:00

Wow, what a snowstorm! Do we get extra dispensation just for making it to Mass?

The Judas League is at it again

2010-02-03T15:54:00.003-05:00

Real Catholic TV has a couple of reports on John Carr, the guy who heads the U.S. bishops' Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development.
He's been there for quite some time, and apparently, through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (that group again), he's directed funding to a number of organizations that undermine Catholic teaching, most notably something called the Center for Community Change.

We have some good and courageous bishops, but time and time again the USCCB seems to be nothing more than an arm of the Democratic party. Seems we need a super-duper pest control company to weed out the liberal bugs at the USCCB. Judas would be proud of this group.

See the reports over at Real Catholic TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKBC8u15sQk

Me thinks they doth protest too much...

2010-01-26T14:22:00.003-05:00

I missed this a couple of weeks ago, but Mary Rose over at the Prodigal Catholic Daughter has a post about more whining at the National Catholic Distorter about the investigation into LCWR communities.

She does a great job of commenting on the whining:

http://catholicprodigaldaughter.blogspot.com/2010/01/national-catholic-reporters-series-on.html

The Hand Never Held

2010-01-19T13:21:00.003-05:00

At Mass this past Sunday, with January 22 coming up, our Priest touched on the abortion issue at Mass. He stated that we should make a special penance on that day, which sounds like a good idea. Right after the homily, we stood for the Creed. As we started, my little one (he's six, but he's still my little one), slipped his fingers into my hand. I turned and looked at him and he gave me the sweetest little smile - the one all of us parents see from time to time, that kind that can make your heart break into a million tiny pieces.

As I turned back to finish the Creed, my mind drifted as I held his little fingers. I thought back to the homily. I thought of all the little hands never held, all the smiles missed, all the joy missed out on over these last 36 years that we've had legalized abortion in this country. As so often happens, I drew a mental picture.

It may not be very original.
It may not even be very good.
Hopefully it conveys what I saw.

Connecting the dots?

2010-01-11T10:43:00.004-05:00

AISH has a good article on our refusal to "connect the dots" on these so- called "isolated" incidents.

Obama's inability to see Islam as the problem can be boiled down to either naivety or a refusal to deal with reality. I don't believe he's naive. Refusing to see the enemy doesn't make the enemy any less real. Obama's problem is this - how does he continue to play the role of President while at the same time allow it's enemies to run wild?

Read the article here:
http://www.aish.com/ci/s/80883537.html
-----------------------------------------------
Also: Red State has a Connect the Dots cartoon with a different twist than mine.
See it here:
http://www.redstate.com/dia0420/2010/01/08/wh-connect-the-dots/

Diversity yes - Catholicism no

2010-01-07T13:01:00.003-05:00

I saw something recently that referenced a "parish diversity council", and naturally I wondered "What the he-"? What does a parish need a "diversity council" (or any council) for? Funny, whenever I found a "diversity council", I never saw any reference to a Latin Mass at those parishes. Just sayin'.

Maybe there should be some Parish Catholic Councils, as a way to ensure that some Catholicism is retained in a given parish. "Sorry Ms. Judy Attitudy, a Pie Throwers Mass doesn't square with the GRIM, so NO, you can't have one."

Acts of the Apostacy has a review of the recently experienced Talk Show Mass.
For.Crying.Out.Loud.

http://actsoftheapostasy.blogspot.com/2010/01/talk-show-mass.html

The Secular Humanist Choir Sings!

2010-01-04T10:07:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, the Feast of the Epiphany, we closed the Mass by singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful. Thankfully, this NOT being the 2nd Sunday of the Month, it was NOT accompanied by a guitar.

I found myself humming it during the day, in between watching as much football as I could. I also found myself thinking of what our pastor said during the homily, about the Epiphany being the "unveiling" of Christ and how the Magi "took a different route" once they'd seen the Lord. (Some of that had to do with the angels, of course).

The Epiphany or our Lord. Probably something the atheists hate even more than Christmas itself. I mean, for crying out loud, it's bad enough we have to celebrate His birth, then a week later we celebrate the "unveiling" for all to see??? Sheesh!!

So while humming Oh Come All Ye Faithful, somehow I was struck with the idea of how the secular humanists would sing it.

It's all a conspiracy!

2009-12-31T13:03:00.004-05:00

I wonder if the Christmas Incident will get any twists in Dan Brown's next book? Surely it was the work of some sinister force. Did anyone check where the people from Commonweal were? Or the National Catholic Distorter? And what IS the connection between the supposed lone rail-jumper and the enemies of Summorum Pontificam...?

Hehehe...Happy New Year everyone!

Fulton Sheen

2009-12-21T14:38:00.002-05:00

With practically nobody else working at my company, I figured I'd get some sketching done...

REAL Hope

2009-12-21T10:07:00.002-05:00

Doug Patton of Canada Free Press has a great article to go along with this cartoon.

Here's a snippet:

There will be plenty of time in the New Year to discuss health care, global warming, the development of nuclear weapons by our enemies, and so many other topics concerning the fight for freedom in 21st Century America. With so many people disillusioned with the “hope and change” proffered recently as a substitute for true faith, this might be the best of times to examine the only true hope of humanity.

Read the entire article:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/18140

A change of pace

2009-12-17T13:00:00.003-05:00

I've always thought that one of these days I might grow up to be a real artist, but as time marches on, I suppose I'll have to be content with what God's given me.

I've always wanted to do something involving the Blessed Mother, but for some reason, the face is a hang up. With all of the beautiful artwork done over the ages, and still today, I can't do her justice. So I won't try.

But - there must be something I can do.

So I visualize who she is to me - comfort.

As a boy, she basically became the source of all motherly comfort for me. A mother always loves you, always understands. She's always calling us to her, and by doing so calling us to Jesus and to His Church.

This sketch is my humble attempt at artistic (using the term loosely) devotion.

Which one of these is not like the others?

2009-12-15T10:35:00.006-05:00

Now that Christmas card season is done, I thought I'd catch up on some of the Catholic news I've been missing.

Apparently the Vatican has a MySpace page? Well, I suppose once you've jumped on YouTube, all the other social media can't be far behind. But I read that one of the songs on the Vatican playlist is by Tupac Shakur? I had to double-check, because that sure sounds like a Curt Jester April Fool's prank.

But sure enough, it's there. And over at Catholic Sensibility, I see that some Paulist Father thinks it's an excellent choice for Advent: "I can’t help but think that Shakur’s song makes a fine Advent anthem. This holiday season is all about change and renewal. That grasshopper-eating prophet of repentance, John the Baptist, takes center stage in the liturgical readings, exhorting his followers to make way for a new day."

Um, yeah. What's next - will they add "Creeping Death" by Metallica, which sings about the Passover (believe it or not)?

Try as they might, too often when the Church tries to "be relevant" it just comes off as a little...lame.

Link: http://catholicsensibility.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/vatican-music-page-includes-tupac/

What the Hell, indeed.

2009-12-04T10:00:00.002-05:00

No cartoon needed. Besides, any cartoon I'd come up with would be too offensive.

One second thought, think I'll skip the second collection

2009-11-20T12:23:00.005-05:00

A Catholic Mom in Hawaii has a good post about the upcoming Second Collection this Sunday for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).

I'll be skipping it, but I'm still a little miffed that my diocese is still collecting for this organization. If I was in Baltimore, or maybe Los Angeles, it wouldn't surprise me. But Harrisburg? Sheesh.

They should change the name to the Catholic Campaign for Human Destruction. A little truth in advertising, maybe?

Read more at :
http://hicatholicmom.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-weekend-cchd-collection-what-you.html

Obama and the American Soldier - 2009

2009-11-17T12:05:00.006-05:00

If he's not going to help, then just get them out of there.

Holy Water Dispenser in the Age of Swine Flu

2009-11-12T09:50:00.000-05:00

The Curt Jester has a post about someone apparently trying to come up with an automatic holy water font, to prevent people from pickup the creeping crud when dipping into the holy water. We could use a misting tent, like they do at summer picnics, or a good ol' water hose. Why not make it fun, and use a soda water dispenser like in those old Warner Brothers cartoons?

http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/2009/11/automatic-holy.php

Christmas hiatus

2009-11-09T12:26:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. Despite the down economy, businesses are still sending out Christmas cards, thanks be to God. Of course, at some places they call them "Holiday Cards", but at Trade Greetings, Inc., it's Company Policy to call them what they are - CHRISTMAS CARDS.

Now, I understand that for some, political correctness is a way of life. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. As for me and my little company, it's Christmas. No other "holiday" even qualifies. I make Christmas Cards for companies to send out Christmas salutations during the Christmas Season.

I'll return in a month or so, and until then, I wish you all an early Happy Thanksgiving!

FAIL

2009-10-23T09:20:00.001-04:00

So the Pope starts working on a large door to allow for truckloads of Anglicans to come on in. Welcome, welcome, welcome. But whenever conversion talk starts going on, Cardinal Kasper always seems to be ashamed that conversions take place.

He says : “We are not fishing in the Anglican lake; proselytism is not the policy of the Catholic Church.

Well, it certainly seemed to be the policy of Our Lord. Something about "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (for the politically sensitive, that includes women)

If Cardinal Kasper is head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, how exactly does he expect "unity" if not by conversion? And why does he seem so ashamed of the Faith of which he's a Authorized Representative?

Source: Catholic News Service
http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/cardinal-kasper-on-special-arrangement-for-former-anglicans/

RCIA in the Age of Obama

2009-10-12T10:33:00.000-04:00

The Nobel Committee has officially sold their own prestige down the river with their preemptive awarding of the Peace prize to President Obama. Sheesh, if they wanted to honor an America-hating Peacenik, there are plenty of them who've done more than Obama, like maybe Tom Hayden, or Cindy Sheehan, or Jane Fonda.

Maybe the Committee is just trying to jump to the front of the line in the Obama Praise Department. Or, maybe they've just been watching too much MSNBC.

The [Catholic] Supreme Court?

2009-10-06T11:41:00.000-04:00

David Gibson over at Politics Daily has a good article exploring the fact that, with the opening of the new term, fully 66% of the Justices are Catholic. (For those of you who went to public schools, that's 6 out of 9).

There are plenty out there who see this as a bad thing. This crowd is made up of the usual suspects - the nominal Catholics, the fallen-away Catholics, more than a few radical protestants, and unbelievers in general. And, as can be expected, their arguments center on the Big Two - abortion and homosexuality.

While the article is even-handed, Mr. Gibson does get one thing wrong. He states that the justices decided a case involving capital punishment, and then claims that the decision clashed with Church teaching on the issue (inferring that the Church doesn't allow for capital punishment).

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/04/a-catholic-court-let-the-arguments-begin/6#c22134352

Bishops & Health Care "reform"

2009-09-29T12:10:00.000-04:00

From Catholic News Service:
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Though Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., concedes there's no political will in Washington to include illegal immigrants in health care reform, he believes it's the country's moral obligation to ensure that everyone in the nation receives proper medical care.

That includes those who enter the country illegally, he told Catholic News Service in mid-September.
-----------------------------------------------

The "big three" in the health care "reform" models are Abortion, Contraception, and Illegals. We don't want abortion funding. Well, tough, it'll be in there. We don't want contraception funding. Well, tough, it will be in there. We don't want illegals included. Well, tough, it will be in there.

The blind spot that the illegal cheerleader lobby has overlooked (willfully, I think), is that you won't be able to pick or choose from among the big three. By pushing for illegals to have access, the Bishops are aiding and abetting the expansion of abortion and contraception; Obama and the Democrats will not have a health care bill that doesn't include illegals, abortion, and contraception. That's the "big 3".

What the Bishops fail to realize is that by advocating a government takeover of health care, they're holding the door open for the very beast that will chew up Catholic healthcare and spit it out.

Read all about it at Catholic News Service:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0904223.htm

Weapons of Mass Destruction

2009-09-17T12:09:00.000-04:00

Not that this is a complete list, but you get the idea. Take the poll and vote on which of these has had the worst effect on the Mass.

You say it like that's a bad thing...

2009-09-10T14:29:00.000-04:00

Well, Fr. McBrien is up to his old (and getting older) tricks. This time, in his dissent-o-pulpit in the National Catholic Reporter, he said the following regarding Eucharistic Adoration:

"Eucharistic adoration, perpetual or not, is a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward, not forward."

Gee, considering where the "forward-thinking" post-Vatican II types have been leading us for 40 years, maybe a step backward isn't such a bad idea.

But consider how, in this case, "reaching back to antiquity" is a bad thing. Yet when the dissenters want to trash the liturgy, they appeal to some old, long outdated practice as justification for their novelties.

So I suppose the only conclusion one can draw is this: that appealing to antiquity, in the dissenters eyes, is only a bad thing when it leads us closer to Christ.

Father Z gives McBrien his good-ol' RED LETTER treatment over at WDTPRS?:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/09/nds-mcbrien-eucharistic-adoration-is-a-doctrinal-theological-and-spiritual-step-backward/

Obama - The New Schoolmarm

2009-09-08T15:59:00.000-04:00

What Obama *didn't* say:
"Hi kids, it's me, your dear leader. I'm here to implore you to stick with school, so that you can become good citizens - plus, with all my entitlement programs, we're going to need many of you to foot the bill! So work hard, kids!"

Catholic Husbandry 101

2009-08-24T10:34:00.000-04:00

Since Sunday's 2nd reading was on the controversial issue of wives submitting to husbands, maybe the USCCB should have this inserted into the missalette. This way, you could listen to the whole version of the reading without offending the feminists in the pews. Although, on second thought, they'd probably still be offended anyway, since there's really no placating them.

I've not heard of any Catholic Husband's group complaining that the shorter version only deals with how husbands should treat their wives, but I've heard that the Catholic Husbands United for Marital Peace (CHUMP) have held symposiums on the issue. ;o)~

Partners in Life and Death???

2009-08-21T12:59:00.000-04:00

As you've probably heard, Obama had the gall to proclaim that "...we are partners with God in matters of life and death".

Wow.

First, I'm wondering who the "we" are. The Government? Obama himself? Who's "we"?

If Heaven were to ever issue an "Oh, B.S.!" memo, this would HAVE to be the time.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/aug/09082014.html

Robert Novak, RIP

2009-08-18T14:17:00.001-04:00

I came of age politically in the 80's watching him hold forth on The McLaughlin Group. My favorite political observer/writer. May God rest his soul.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-08-18-novak-death_N.htm

LCWR celebrates the Year of the Priest (not)

2009-08-13T12:57:00.000-04:00

In this Year of the Priest, many parishes and dioceses make mention of it on their websites and have special emphasis on appreciating everything these men do for the flock. Being the type of guy I am, I wondered "Hey, I wonder what the LCWR has to say about it?". Naturally, there doesn't appear to be any special mention of it on their website (big surprise!).

Then I read the article in the NC Reporter about their big Nag-Fest in New Orleans. Doesn't seem like they're too thrilled with it. It's bad enough that the big, bad ol' Catholic Church keeps women "down", but then to celebrate it with a special Year for Priests? AND actually have the gall to investigate the LCWR???? For heaven's sake, I'm surprised they didn't invite in some Muslims to assist them in burning the Pope in effigy.

The comments following the article are good for comical relief, too. Have a gander:
http://ncronline.org/news/women/under-fire-women-religious-leaders-gather-new-orleans

LazyBoy Liturgy

2009-08-10T16:27:00.000-04:00

Ah, it's good to be back from the beach (not).

But in any event, I stumbled upon a post by The Reverend Father, Daren J. Zehnle, who is Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Illinois.

Apparently, he's recently given a homily whereby he touched upon attire at Mass. He posts a few of the responses in the comment box. It's funny to read some of the reasons for being "laid back" in the attire department. I'm sure we've all seen and heard these reasons before.

Father Zehnle handles it well, it appears, and with good humor, and looks to gently guide his flock in the proper direction. Best of luck to him!

http://dzehnle.blogspot.com/2009/08/writers-block-unblocked.html

And for more, check out Denise Hunnell's column in the DC-Area Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-9452-DC-Catholic-Living-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Catholic-Living-101-What-should-you-wear-to-Mass

If you build it, they will tear it down...

2009-07-21T15:24:00.000-04:00

Inspired by a comment in the ComBox of the last cartoon, here's the Pope doing what he can to rebuild some Tradition into the Church. Of course, every time that he does, you see the uproar and disdain from those committed to a "new Church", which claims a history only as far back as 1968.

Recently we saw the uproar over the whole SSPX/Holocaust issue. As though someone who thinks a certain way on a particular issue can't possibly be allowed in the Church. And, to be clear, I certainly wouldn't deny the Holocaust. But if someone wants to deny it, or take issue with the # of people lost, I figure, hey, it's a free world.

But the uproar that it created, both on the theological Left and Right, was just too over the top, when you consider that we have things like this =====> http://www.stbernadette.org/teenhaven.htm going on in parishes that are considered more "in communion" with Rome than an SSPX parish.

There are parishes like this all over the country, but I don't see anything being done about it. The silence, or in some cases, outright endorsement of this sort of thing by dioceses and Archdioceses (in this case, Baltimore), makes the uproar over Bishop Williamson seem hollow.

Parishes like this St. Bernadette's are "in communion". But an SSPX isn't. Wow.

Thou Shalt Not Kneel...

2009-07-20T08:59:00.000-04:00

I've read in a couple of places (most recently Portugal), that some dioceses or individual parishes are mandating communion in the hand, to combat the spread of the Swine Flu. In some areas, to me, that sounds reasonable, especially if they also suspend the Sign of Peace (Portugal). I know in my own parish, during flu season, the priest will invite us to give one another a "nod" instead of pressing the flesh and back slapping one another.

Maybe it's just the cynical side of me, but doesn't it seem like (yet) another backdoor way to mandate communion in the hand altogether?

This is how the destroyers of the Faith work. They seize on any opportunity to make it work towards their ends.

First, communion in the hand was introduced. Then, after the horses were out of the barn, it was approved.

Then, when Tradition begins to push back, they mandate standing as the "norm" to receive communion. Was there really some need to mandate standing? Other than spite?

Will communion in the hand be mandated soon, based on some backdoor "need"? Naturally, they'd say "Well, we understand those who like to receive on the tongue, but due to (insert excuse here), we need to have everyone receive in the hand.

Here's a link to an article (I don't know anything about the writer, so don't take this as some sort of endorsement. It appears to be just a general Catholic column):

http://catholicism.about.com/b/2009/05/02/swine-flu-and-communion-in-the-hand.htm

Time for some pruning?

2009-07-08T10:18:00.000-04:00

Luke Coppen over at the Catholic Herald (UK) has a good article on the "pruning" that the Pope is getting started in the Church.

He has some interesting points and it's worth taking a look at:
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/editor/index.shtml#e19062009

My own opinion is that rather than prune back the overgrowth from Vatican II, he should cut the whole tree down and start over. Of course, that could never happen, even if the Pope wanted to, because the enemies within the Church walls outnumber the ones outside.

Just for fun

2009-07-06T16:15:00.001-04:00

Here's one from the vault: (1991)

Femi-Nuns on the defensive

2009-07-06T09:23:00.000-04:00

Angel Queen links to a recent NY Times article on the investigation that's underway into women religious orders here in the U.S.

Mother Mary Clare Millea, who is heading up the visitation, looks very much like the good sisters who taught me back in the 70's. They were Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters (the good branch), who wore the habits, kept order, and didn't teach us any mumbo-jumbo.

Naturally, the Femi-Nuns are up in arms about this visitation. Perhaps because they realize the Vatican is on to them.

http://angelqueen.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=313409#313409