David Ancell / Tuesday, May 18, 2004 / Comments(0)
Previously I had read that the Girl Scouts had used Planned Parenthood to provide sex education, now I see that the Bishop of Austin, TX has had to issue an order stopping the scouts affiliated with the Church from associating with Planned Parenthood. Troops who fail to do so will be banned from using parish or diocesean facilities and from stating that they are associated with the diocese. The bishop has questioned whether the diocese will be able to continue to have a relationship with the Girl Scouts.
This is sad that the bishop has to do this. I do admire his ability to do it. I’m sure he will face a lot of backlash from ignorant, angry parents if he has to drop the Girl Scouts altogether, but I hope that he will have the courage to do it if needed. The bishop clearly recognizes his duty in this case to protect his flock from the poison of Planned Non-Parenthood.
Ironically, Planned Parenthood’s program is called “Nobody’s Fool.” What a crock!! Anyone who buys into their garbage is a darn fool.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Sunday, May 16, 2004 / Comments(0)
I learned last week that Louisiana lawmakers are proposing a ban on low-slung jeans. Specifically, the proposed law states that:
It shall be unlawful for any person to appear in public wearing his pants below his waist and thereby exposing his skin or intimate clothing.
Not surprisingly, an ACLU director was interviewed, and he opposes this law, saying:
It infringes on young people’s freedom of expression and their privacy rights. The zone of privacy they have and the right to be left alone.
Privacy? These people are in a public place. Dude, you can’t do things in public and claim a right to privacy. By the way, which part of the Bill of Rights says that people have the “right to be left alone?”
Furthermore, what about my “right to be left alone?” Why should I be forced to look at this indecent exposure? I hope they pass this law.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Sunday, May 16, 2004 / Comments(0)
In my parish, and I’m guessing many others, there are a number of second collections for various causes throughout the year. They seem to come up with little warning (other than a bulletin announcement) and few specific details on what the money is being used for. I’ve even seen the collection plate passed during one Mass with absolutely no explanation.
Today’s collection was for the Catholic Communications Campaign. I’ve read the information on what the money was used for, but who really gets this money. Can we find out exactly what was sponsored and when? Why are we giving to some campaign and not to a ministry of an individual parish or diocese? These same questions can be applied to any of these collections.
I’d also like to know what merits a second collection in a parish. For example, I’ve never seen a second collection taken for the support of Catholic Answers or EWTN. While I have seen a second collection taken up for Catholic University of America, I’ve never seen one taken up for places like Franciscan University of Steubenville (except for when I was on their campus), Ave Maria University, or Christendom College. I’ve never even seen one taken up for our local Christian Brothers University (which isn’t getting a dime from me until they demonstrate that they have their act straight).
Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind giving money to worthy causes, but they must be just that – worthy. There was once a time in which I assumed that anything that my parish collected money for must be a good cause. Sadly, I can only wish that I could have that kind of trust in my parish or diocese. I want to support causes that help the truly needy with not only their physical needs, but also with their need for the authentic truth of the Catholic Church. Does anyone have any idea what is done with this money?
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Sunday, May 16, 2004 / Comments(0)
We are fortunate in my parish to have our diocese’s most recently-ordained priest serving in our parish. We need to fill our churches with people just like him. Today, he told us the following “shocking” facts in his homily.
There was probably more to this, but this is all I can remember for now. I appreciate a priest willing to tell the truth, which, in this case, consisted of reminding us that there is a such thing as truth.
UPDATE: The good priest also explained that, while such issues as the death penalty and the war complicate things, there is a hierarchy of truths.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Saturday, May 15, 2004 / Comments(0)
Finally, we are seeing some bishops stand up and say that politicians who are pro-abortion must to receive the Holy Eucharist. Bishop Sheridan of Colorado Springs even went so far as to say that the citizens who voted for the politicians must not receive. All of these are applaudable.
Sadly, the bishops are not standing in unison as they should be on this. Cardinal George has, to the best of my knowledge, determined that he would not refuse the Eucharist to pro-aborts who presented themselves. Cardinal McCarrick has chosen to entrust this issue to a task force (WARNING: the file is a 700 K PDF of the newspaper of my home diocese) that will, per page 11 of that newspaper, not be expected to finish its work until after the November elections. Forgive me if I sound cynical, but I really think that 1) this task force will be seriously stacked in favor of the pro-aborts and 2) burying the issue in this task force is a convenient way to avoid confronting an issue to which the resolution should be really, really obvious. As a side note, check out that confusing article in the same link (look to the right of the file) by Fr. Brian Jordan, OFM, who makes the error of assuming all positions and statements by members of the hierarchy are equally binding and are of equal gravity.
While many politicians have thumbed their nose at the statements made by bishops. there has been a report that Gov. McGreevey of New Jersey would refrain from Communion and that Sen. Kenny of the state’s senate would leave the Church entirely. On the one hand, if they refuse to repent of support of moral evils, this is the honest thing to do. You cannot pretend to be Catholic while actively and publicly advocating moral evil. However, there is more to the story than refraining from Communion.
If one is unable to receive the Eucharist, then one is separated, in one way or another, from Christ and his Church. Dying in this state results in eternal damnation. These politicians need to refrain from receiving the Eucharist until they repent, but they really need to repent. Their souls are in danger. No bishop can just say “There! I took care of those derelicts!” He must continue to urge them to repentance, witholding the Eucharist until repentance to avoid desecration of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Thursday, May 13, 2004 / Comments(0)
I don’t know why, but my wireless connection seems a lot faster lately. Maybe the spyware blocker got some of the crud out. I guess it’s another small thing to thank God for.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Thursday, May 13, 2004 / Comments(0)
Add Bishop Wenski of Orlando to the “Bishops with backbone” list. I must admit that his attempt at humor is worse than most of my jokes, and I thought that the title was a creation of the media intended to make fun of him. However, it would be little more than petty snobbery to make a big deal out of this. He has issued a great pro-life statement, and I’m thankful that he’s doing it.
This is better than “Jesus is my homeboy.” If I see this, I don’t know if it is meant to be a sign of love for Jesus or someone making fun of him. I tend to think that, whether intentionally or not, it is the latter.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Thursday, May 13, 2004 / Comments(0)
The building in the previous post is indeed a Catholic Church. I’m not going to name it. It is a place that I have been to many times. I must admit that I am jealous of their daily confession schedule and their great confessors, and I do recommend supporting their ministry. I just wish that they would take up a collection for a better-looking church. I would glady contribute to their ministry. I would also gladly help send their music minister to learn some hymns to sing as an alternative to the OCP garbage that no one was singing.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Wednesday, May 12, 2004 / Comments(0)
Now, just for fun, I’d like to give you a little puzzle. What is this building shown below? You don’t have to know what the name of the building is, but try to tell me what kind of building it is. For the smart alecks in the crowd, the car in the picture doesn’t count, and yes, that is my car.
Feel free to leave your answer in the comments. I will post the answer later.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized
David Ancell / Wednesday, May 12, 2004 / Comments(0)
Here is a sad story in which a woman was fired from her job as an EMT because she wouldn’t transport a woman to an abortion clinic. When she refused, they called another team to do the job. The EMT sued.
I hope this EMT wins. For starters, if what little law I know serves me right, the employer must show an undue hardship in order to not accomodate a person’s beliefs. In this case, the employer called out another team, so it would be difficult to justify this. Of course, this doesn’t mean that some judge with no real regard for the law or anything other than his/her own feelings won’t go ahead and rule in favor of the employee.
Legal stuff aside, though, this is a misuse of an emergency service. The EMT could have been off saving someone’s life but instead was told to go take someone to have an abortion. Abortion is not a life-saving emergency but a life-destroying work of evil.
Category: Posts imported from Danger! Falling Brainwaves, Uncategorized