David Ancell / Wednesday, October 12, 2005 / Comments(0)
Every once in a while I hear about protesters wanting the School of the Americas to be closed. Supposedly, it is being used to train terroists in Central and South America. Here is a blog posting questioning whether this is really true.
Granted, Diogenes isn’t the most charitable writer. I’d like to see him spend a little less time trying to dig up dirt. However, I must admit that I have never seen an advocate for closing the School of the Americas present any evidence of what they claim is going on. This doesn’t mean there isn’t any; it’s just that I haven’t been advised of it. One rule that I play by is not to assist in causes in which there is little factual information. If the school is truly trying to help preserve democracy, then I don’t care to advocate closing it.
Further, if some graduates of the school have terrorized the people, does this justify closing the school? We can’t close every school that has graduates that don’t become model citizens. It’s only if this school is either intended to promote terrorism or if the school does this a significant part of the time that I would advocate closing it. If anyone has any information, please write me or comment.
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David Ancell / Tuesday, October 11, 2005 / Comments(0)
As I’ve said before, I’m an RCIA team member. In one of the talks, the catechist brought out how the Isrealites were looking for a military Messiah who would “kick Rome’s butt” and restore Isreal as an independent nation. However, God wanted so much more. He sent his own son to free us from the ultimate slavery – sin.
I think of this as I have recently heard a talk on liberation theology. I’m not about to mention who this was as I have no desire to slam them. Despite knowing that I’m quite different from them, the people sponsoring this have been quite respectful towards me. Anyway, the speaker talked about what he perceived as insensitivities of the hierarchy towards the people of Latin America. He said that the Church needs to start meeting people’s “real needs.” Given his topic, I can’t help but think that he is talking about material aid.
Well, methinks there is a parallel between the liberation theologians and ancient Isreal. They both want freedom from their earthly “bondage.” However, God wants so much more. He wants to free us from sin and bring us to eternal life.
Please don’t get me wrong. I believe that a very important part of showing the love of Christ is to help meet people’s material needs. However, we need not pit this against meeting their eternal needs.
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David Ancell / Tuesday, October 04, 2005 / Comments(0)
Some of you may have heard of a service called Mobi TV. It lets you watch TV on your cell phone through your provider’s Internet connection. I must admit that I find this to be a bit excessive, but the commercial is pretty funny.
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David Ancell / Sunday, October 02, 2005 / Comments(0)
Today, I held a sign on a busy intersection saying “Pray to End Abortion.” I do this every year because I just can’t imagine not doing it. Abortion is truly the greatest evil that we face in our nation. I have no idea how anyone can think it is justifiable.
We had a few people open their window to yell “Pro-choice!” It happens every year. Another yelled out “Jesus aborted babies!” I must admit that I find it hard to laugh at the way they are presenting themselves, but it truly is sad. The latter statement seems blasphemous to me.
Yet the saddest reaction in my mind is the one that I believe that I see most often. That reaction is one of indifference. How can anyone not care that women are being deceived, and their children are being killed in their wombs? Let us pray for these people. Let us pray to end abortion.
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David Ancell / Monday, September 26, 2005 / Comments(0)
Last Thursday, I was the “answerer” for an RCIA program that I work with. This is a seven-minute answer to the question “What is Purgatory?” I have provided it in MP3 format.
Get it here.
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David Ancell / Wednesday, September 07, 2005 / Comments(0)
I was just at a meeting at my church last night, and some of the people told me that Bishop Steib was at a retreat in his order’s seminary when the hurricane hit. The seminary was in Louisiana. During the storm, the Bishop saw his car float away! At least he is okay. What a story!
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David Ancell / Sunday, September 04, 2005 / Comments(0)
Maybe I am just very dense, but can someone please explain this post to me. It’s true that the Vicar General isn’t a small guy. However, Bishop Steib is actually looks quite trim and fit. I haven’t seen him in person in a while, but I don’t think he’s very tall, either.
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David Ancell / Sunday, September 04, 2005 / Comments(0)
Please don’t think that I am telling people not to contribute to relief efforts from Katrina. I plan to do so myself. There is a lot that is needed and will be needed for a long time to come.
However, let’s be careful not to neglect the other needs around us. I say this because I plan to participate in the Birthright Phonathon later this week. It’s no fun, but it’s a worthy cause. Besides, there may be some Katrina refugees who go there for assistance. If we don’t help them, Planned Parenthood will likely try to “help” them. They are already started.
I say this because I know I will call a lot of people who will have nothing left to give because they gave to Katrina relief. I will set aside some money for Birthright. I hope others will consider this as well.
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David Ancell / Sunday, September 04, 2005 / Comments(0)
I’m really glad I bought a new desktop. Granted, it might have been good to offer it up, but I do have some church work that I need a computer for. The desktop allowed me to get a CD together and burn six copies two days after the actual talks. I’ve never done that well before.
However, my real problem is with my laptop. I sent it in for service about two weeks ago because of hard drive problems and a non-working mouse port. I got it back with a record saying the BIOS was upgraded and the operating system was reloaded. Now, a week and a half later, the system won’t even boot. I won’t reveal the name of the manufacturer yet because I am waiting to see if they respond well. If they don’t, I’ll send a big notice saying not to buy their products.
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David Ancell / Sunday, September 04, 2005 / Comments(0)
With the Frassati Society now no longer meeting, I decided to post my article on penance on my web page to preserve it. I wrote it for the May 2004 newsletter, hence the reference to the Easter season.
Perhaps this is the time for that. Even if the sacrifice we make is a small one, we can offer it for the people who are really suffering in New Orleans and southern Mississippi. Incidents like this remind me of how I really don’t know how to sacrifice. Those people have no choice.
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