tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140117612024-03-14T01:52:35.402+08:00Unam SanctamWe believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic ChurchAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.comBlogger630125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-41971149522319872962012-12-06T17:00:00.000+08:002012-12-06T17:00:29.366+08:00The Foolishness of God and the Wisdom of Men<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was looking through the Twitter page of the Holy Father and although I'm not surprised, I am rather dismayed at the raw hatred and pure ignorance of the many many commenters and twits there. Some of the comments were just pure rage and others belie such lack of knowledge that I still wonder that they dare speak at all to expose the fact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />But it occurs to me, as I speak and deal with people both within and without the Church, that ignorance is not an atheist thing or merely the domain of those who hate the Catholic Church. Ignorance abounds everywhere and there's more than enough for all to share in it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The external attacks I can fathom but it's the internal attacks I find repugnant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many pastors, preachers and those who occupy positions of great authority are also often wrapped in a fog of ignorance of common (okay, maybe not so common) facts and figures, especially about the faith which they are supposed to be preachers of, the faith they are supposed to hand over unstained to the next generation.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whence comes this ignorance? What is taught in the places of formation, when basic Catholic doctrine and practice is unknown by those who are supposed to be it's guardians and teachers?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />There are always those who seem too clever and cocksure in their new fangled ideas and modern opinions, who deride the traditional piety of the simple. They often embrace all sorts of ideas, no matter how outrageous, as long as it's not Tradition, not the old and honoured and venerable belief. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What they say is often very harmful to the faith and piety of simple Churchgoers, the Sheep of Christ. And the worse thing is, there's no particular motive to cast doubts and aspersions on the elements of faith and piety except to appear smart and intellectual before the people. But wait, there's more. The worst part is, most of these doubts are unfounded or based or shoddy scholarship and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">archaeological</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> nonsense that masqueraded as scholarship in the 60s and 70s and were taught to these folks in the 80s and perpetuated by those in power and authority to this day. But modern scholarship has debunked most of these myths and provided explanations that often supports the traditional beliefs. Why don't these people buck up and update their knowledge constantly as is their duty as teachers and pastors?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />How I despise them. Yes, hatred is not a Christian virtue but I can see the immense spiritual harm that this attitude has caused and great anger fills my heart when I ponder the damage done and the damage that continues to be done.<br /><br />I try to ascribe a Christian and good motivation to these but sometimes I just see malice.<br /><br />When, O Lord, will relief come?</span>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-91774284996881847092012-11-30T11:23:00.001+08:002012-11-30T11:23:25.204+08:00Five guys and two fish: The Bucket of Hope<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GojbR1NQKWc/ULgmVuSIuJI/AAAAAAAAJwY/eiNQVz6Untw/s1600/2969004-Teluk_Bahang_Penang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GojbR1NQKWc/ULgmVuSIuJI/AAAAAAAAJwY/eiNQVz6Untw/s640/2969004-Teluk_Bahang_Penang.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oX6ifQ3vom0/ULgmdX6METI/AAAAAAAAJwg/t3pzXRIVdm0/s1600/easy-outdoor-games-for-kids-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oX6ifQ3vom0/ULgmdX6METI/AAAAAAAAJwg/t3pzXRIVdm0/s320/easy-outdoor-games-for-kids-7.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think old age and the 'realities' of the world can tend to make the most bright eyed and optimistic of us jaded and cynical. It was with this mentality that I laughed, rather loudly, when several of my young friends, with not a lot of fishing experience and on their first joint fishing trip together, brought along a bucket. The bucket of course, they said, was for the fish. For the fish!. They actually expected to catch some fish! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My amusement was indeed great and I spoke about young kids being naive and optimistic. I was young too, once, and optimistic with a touch of naivete. I ventured, as an experienced fisherman, to teach one chap how to fish and how to feel a bite and reel it in. To my great amazement and shock, the chap actually caught a fish. It was indeed a small measly thing and they decided to just cut the line and leave the hook in the fish's mouth as it swam in the bucket, but there it was, an actual legitimately caught fish, swimming there. There were others who were fishing there was well, aside from our young company, and most gave up after a while and none caught anything that I saw. Most were just giving the fish a buffet as oftentimes, the hooks came back minus the bait. I was still reeling from amazement from this catch when the same young chap caught ANOTHER fish. It soon joined it's companion in the bucket, swimming there obliviously, with a hook in it's mouth too.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7b7wzp0Xnec/ULgmmxtEL2I/AAAAAAAAJwo/pDSiHOdg-3w/s1600/MinnowID2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7b7wzp0Xnec/ULgmmxtEL2I/AAAAAAAAJwo/pDSiHOdg-3w/s320/MinnowID2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gained an invaluable lesson from this. The Lord had obviously deigned to teach me. I remember having loudly proclaimed that I'd jump into the sea ( a serious promise indeed for one who cannot swim) if each of the 3 fellas caught a fish. Well, only one of them caught anything and it was 2 fish, but still... The lesson I learned was that sometimes, we should shed our cynicism and just be more optimistic and trustful of Providence and the HOPE that optimism brings with it. We just need to see the world in all it's possibilities through the eyes of those who have not been so disappointed by the realities of the world as to abandon earthly hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Indeed, I'll always remember those 2 fish (which were fed to a stray cat, hooks and all, I was told) because they stand as the symbol of hopes fulfilled and the simple yet great joys that a realized hope brings. As the season of Advent approaches and we hope for the Second Coming of Our Lord, I am now refreshed and filled with great hopes of the boundless joy that His Coming will bring. Maranatha.</span><br />
Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-18546721912902228592012-09-05T16:36:00.001+08:002012-09-05T16:36:12.358+08:00Indeed<br />
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The Word became flesh--and then through theologians it became words again. </div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Karl Barth.</span></div>
Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-40876513259535026272012-06-06T10:32:00.002+08:002012-06-06T11:06:49.202+08:00Duty, honour, service<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some thoughts I'd like to share. I posted this comment on a Facebook thread and I think it sums my thoughts up pretty well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are so many problems and they are all tied together. What do I see as the thread linking all these social issues? I think it's the hedonism and self centeredness which now permeates most of the Western and developed countries. Watching the celebrations of HM Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, I noticed that it was themed on duty, honour and service. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c4f2d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. - Princess Elizabeth, Speech on her 21st birthday in South Africa</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now these themes are not alien to Asian and Confucian culture and was an intrinsic part of many western nations as well. It's embodied in the ideals of the Catholic priesthood and the military services such as the Marines and the SAS. It was seen as an ideal, a good to be strived for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Starting from the 60s and that decadent generation of addle brained drug users, culture changed and the public good, the good of others began to be eclipsed by 'what's in it for me'. JFK's memorable quote of 'ask not what your country can do for you but rather what you can do for your country' seemed to be the ethos of another time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let's look at the impact of this hedonism. First of all, many many developed countries are committing IMHO, cultural suicide. The low birth rates stem from the seeking of self pleasure, a contraceptive mentality and also a desire not to be tied down by children so that one can enjoy one's own resources and spend it on one's own pleasure alone. The contraceptive mentality is one where pleasure has not responsibility. In our own day, abortion is now used as a form of contraception and of social engineering. It's the poor, the black babies and the Hispanics that are most aborted in the US. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood was a eugenicist and her legacy remains to this day.The leaky rubber abortions are the result of the myth of the full proof effectiveness of barrier contraceptives.No one wants to take responsibility for their actions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The result? Migrants from Africa and the Middle East will populate these desolate and declining lands. Singapore, on our doorstep, has seen an influx of immigrants from the Mainland because of the stupid one child policy. And now, efforts to undo it's effects are not very effective because of the hedonistic culture there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's the same with euthanasia. How long before those elderly and sick are gently encouraged to euthanize themselves or are declared by their doctors, starved of resources, as candidates for euthanasia? Abortion is now used to cull humanity of various genetic diseases such as Down's Syndrome or even such things as a cleft palate. We want designer babies. Sigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What of morality, in this new culture of 'me first'. We don't let people do as they wish because people are inherently stupid. Look at our country. We voted the BN to power for 50 plus years and so did the Sarawakians and Sabahans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Abortion is a great evil. An evil that denies the fundamental right to life from which all other rights flow. But, it's an evil manifestation, a symptom of a greater disease that mars all humanity, that of hedonism. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">John said these words "<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">I don't know why some people don't want their baby. Perhaps it's not because of financial problem. </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Let's say, they really don't want any baby, they could just give to adoption. But 'the bond' between mother and father and the child still e</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">xist, perhaps they don't want that. What for the mother doesn't want a baby and hates pregnancy? </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Let's think, do people have sex just because they want a baby, a heir? </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Of course not right? Sometimes, accident might happen. </span><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">So, let's they make their decision and problem solved."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If those words are not the epitome of hedonism and self centeredness, then I don't know what is. Read them closely. Let the words sink in. The sad part is that most of our society thinks that way. It's a step from there to children euthanizing their parents, governments euthanizing their patients in hospitals, babies in orphanages. Think about it, look at the logical flow of the argument. Why should tax payers support those patients, the mentally challenged, the mentally ill, the old, the sick? It's a drain on our limited financial resources. Why should we pay for the 'mistakes' of others? Let's make a decision. Problem solved. They won't be missed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's the logical conclusion of a materialist view of the universe where humans are nothing special, just slightly more evolved animals. No biggie.</span></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-33551542549875133342012-04-13T15:29:00.000+08:002012-04-13T15:30:08.052+08:00Service<span >Such is the nature of service, not do to what you want to do, but to do the things that need to be done.</span>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-43196057223984001612012-04-12T17:02:00.002+08:002012-04-12T17:05:23.009+08:00Participant and spectator in the cosmic liturgyAs MC in my parish where I was running around madly and was almost obsessively attentive to ensure that nothing went wrong and also director of the Latin choir which sang for the Palm Sunday, Good Fri and Easter Sunday morning Masses and services, I feel not only drained but also rather empty and unfulfilled. I remember the blissful time when I was a mere attendee at the Holy Week celebrations. Just being there, in the moment, allowed me to be much more prayerful during each of the celebrations, with my attention focussed completely in the unfolding liturgical action. It also allowed me to do some things which are dear to my heart, such as kneeling throughout the Canon and for Holy Communion, which my current role disqualifies me from doing as it breaks the unity of posture of the liturgical ministers. Other pious gestures such as removing my shoes for the Veneration of the Holy Cross on Good Friday also have to be cast aside as in the role of MC, I am accompanying the priest and this cannot be done. Even my own private prayer time during the Mass seems to have been lost.<br /><br />I remember just observing the most moving of Rites, such as the Washing of the Feet and kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament as the procession made its way to the Altar of Repose, the procession and unveiling of the Holy Cross during Good Fri, the blessing of the Easter Fire and the Paschal Candle, the baptisms of the elect etc. Now, it's a nervous attempt to ensure that everything flows well.<br /><br />A conductor can't really enjoy music. And a proof reader finds it hard to enjoy a good read. There's always the technical side of a certain piece of music that a conductor hears that distracts him, likewise the proof reader casts a critical eye on the use of words, seeing ways of improving the text. I guess it's the same for MC's. The liturgy becomes more of something to get right than a transcendent act to immerse oneself in.<br /><br />Sigh. I wish I could go back to those simple days. Anyone feel the same way?Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-47623560956724172842012-04-10T09:49:00.003+08:002012-04-10T10:00:59.259+08:00Sights from Maundy Thursday<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">Since I lost my camera several years back, which prevented me from taking photos and thus demotivating me from writing, this blog has been rather stagnant. However, some photos were taken from the recent Maundy Thursday celebration and I thought I'd post them here.</span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMifnuI7oqo/T4OTGeCTZoI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/yaX0s995NQQ/s1600/DSC04575.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMifnuI7oqo/T4OTGeCTZoI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/yaX0s995NQQ/s400/DSC04575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729584890296624770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xGaCRV8HmrQ/T4OTF1dN5LI/AAAAAAAAJTE/csoZtJDqhkA/s1600/DSC04574.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xGaCRV8HmrQ/T4OTF1dN5LI/AAAAAAAAJTE/csoZtJDqhkA/s400/DSC04574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729584879403656370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">It was certainly a solemn celebration, with the Gloria making a welcome comeback, to the ringing of bells. 12 men were chosen for the washing of the feet as the photos above depict. Our himility was MC and assisting the priest.</span></span><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">After Mass, the people processed into the Hall where an altar of repose was constructed to enable the people to keep vigil with the Lord on the night before He suffered and died. </span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQgC5qQ9Tg0/T4OTHnkcSiI/AAAAAAAAJT0/hVkzAWqNCdk/s1600/DSC04609.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQgC5qQ9Tg0/T4OTHnkcSiI/AAAAAAAAJT0/hVkzAWqNCdk/s400/DSC04609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729584910035601954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9h-rkQYoYI/T4OTHHfib3I/AAAAAAAAJTo/T6M0cu99Ce8/s1600/DSC04608.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--9h-rkQYoYI/T4OTHHfib3I/AAAAAAAAJTo/T6M0cu99Ce8/s400/DSC04608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729584901425098610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChIK2RntlGw/T4OTG4OnH8I/AAAAAAAAJTY/_JRXK8IDomQ/s1600/DSC04607.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChIK2RntlGw/T4OTG4OnH8I/AAAAAAAAJTY/_JRXK8IDomQ/s400/DSC04607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729584897327570882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px; " /></a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">A good number of people turned up which was a very encouraging sign. There were many visitors as well who performed the traditional 'visita iglesia' and the crowd filled almost all the seats for the final reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at midnight.</div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-35999142795279917742012-04-04T10:41:00.000+08:002012-04-04T10:41:00.048+08:00Logic level: Relativist<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">Recently, in our weekly Catholic paper, the Herald, a very amusing and disturbing letter was published. I myself was pondering writing a reply when suddenly, in this week's edition of the Herald, a rather well thought out and well crafted reply was actually published. I am shocked of course, that a letter, logical as it may be, defending an orthodox Church teaching was published. Here, I wish to share the letter that started it all and the response, from the aptly named 'Trent', which I think sufficiently and succinctly covers all the bases.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MQToOo0St8/T3qfOE9CzjI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/1UYPKKd6frs/s400/JC_True_God.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727064940351770162" /><br /><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />At it's heart, I think, is the summary that if there really is only One God, as we profess in the Creed each Sunday, then there can be no other gods or deities or what have you. I am saddened to see that this simple piece of logic is very unpopular in the local Church. Such is the </span>dictatorship<span style="font-size: 100%;"> of relativism.<br /><br />The letter than began it:</span></span> <a href="http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/True-God-versus-Fake-God-11074-11-1.html">http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/True-God-versus-Fake-God-11074-11-1.html</a><div><blockquote><div class="blacklargemore" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(4, 85, 128); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">True God versus Fake God</div><div class="normalash" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(100, 100, 100); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Published on: <strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(4, 85, 128); ">March 17, 2012 at 13:25 PM</strong></div><div class="taglst" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="tags" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 580px; float: left; "><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 50px; float: left; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); ">Tags:-</div><div class="taglists" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 530px; float: left; color: rgb(37, 186, 56); "><a href="http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/tagshome.php?tags=Letters%20to%20editor" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(37, 186, 56); ">Letters to editor</a></div><div class="taglists" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 530px; float: left; color: rgb(37, 186, 56); "><br /></div></div></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Dear Editor,</strong><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Religious Educators in the Catholic Church especially in Seremban, must be more sensitive that Malaysia is a melting pot of race, religion and creed, hence the theme 1Malaysia.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The problem with the religious education system in the Catholic church today is that people who run the system do not see the world as a boundary-less place where religion is a personal choice and sometimes shared in different ways, especially in a multi-cultural society with more and more mixed marriages.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-trEeZZR1k_8/T3qfb5rXdjI/AAAAAAAAJOc/Ubhm_c2uFl0/s400/2381276537_3212afc18b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727065177843004978" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px; " />Unfortunately, not many coup</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">les are as ‘lucky’ as these educators, where both parents are Catholics.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">These educators must know that in many circumstances, a lot of give and take happens in the household when one partner is a Catholic and the other is not.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It’s time we accept that there is a need for us to ensure the right people are interacting and imparting our children with the right norms and beliefs of our religion. No religion in this world is partial to any other and God is for all. Worship is in many forms manifested by each belief’s practices. Little knowledge can be dangerous and we seem to have these shallow “teachers” guiding some very impressionable minds.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Voluntary services by unqualified people should not be encouraged because they need to learn that there are many situations out there where the Catholic partner sometimes struggles to bring the children up as Catholics.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Making general statements that Jesus is the only true God in the world for a 9 year old child whose father is not a Catholic can be detrimental to the family dynamics.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There are better ways to make these children understand that there are many religions in the world and because we are Catholics, we accept without question the fact that Jesus is God, but there are many other beliefs and it is wrong to label other people’s faith as fake.</span></div><div><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My parents taught me to respect every single religion in the world. There are many members in my family who entered into mixed marriages and we have never had a problem with accepting how the other worshipped God.</span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My deepest wish is for the Catholic Church to have qualified people teaching our children about the faith. </span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Upset God-Mother <br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Via Email</strong></div></blockquote><div><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></strong> </div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">The letter than ended it: </span></span><a href="http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/There-is-only-one-God-and-salvation-comes-through-Christ-11218-11-1.html">http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/There-is-only-one-God-and-salvation-comes-through-Christ-11218-11-1.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="blacklargemore" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(4, 85, 128); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></div><blockquote><div class="blacklargemore" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(4, 85, 128); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There is only one God and salvation comes through Christ</div><div class="normalash" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(100, 100, 100); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Published on: <strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(4, 85, 128); ">March 30, 2012 at 17:11 PM</strong></div><div class="taglst" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="tags" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 580px; float: left; "><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Tags:-</span><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; "><a href="http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/tagshome.php?tags=Letters%20to%20editor" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(37, 186, 56); ">Letters to editor</a></strong></div></div></div><div><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Dear Editor, </strong><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I read with great sadness the letter titled True God versus Fake God. </span><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The Holy Father’s address on the Dictatorship of Relativism immediately came to mind, because the writer sees religion not as revealed, objective truth, but merely ‘a personal choice’. It saddens me that the writer was not properly formed in her faith since simple truths such as the Church’s teaching of Christ as the sole Saviour of mankind and the fact that for Christians, Jesus Christ is indeed the ‘only True God’ can be construed as being ‘detrimental to the family dynamics’. Somehow, it escapes many Catholics that if there is indeed only One God, as we profess in the Creed each Sunday, then there can be no others. </span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNM29ZJOfkg/T3qfvxgFf6I/AAAAAAAAJOo/AwVVLgJd89E/s400/Benedict%2BXVI%2Bwith%2Bmonstrance.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727065519245590434" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px; " /></div>The wisdom of the Church in discouraging mixed marriages is once again shown when the writer speaks of the absence of absolute truth in such marriages, where each parent is free to believe in their own fairy tale as long as it makes them feel good and family peace is preserved. </span></div><div style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; ">The struggles of the Catholic partner in mixed marriages to ‘bring the children up as Catholics’ as they promised in their marriage vows (together with fidelity to their spouse to the moment of death) really should serve as an eye opener to those who are serious about their faith and who are considering a mixed marriage. </span></div><div><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I am sad, that in this same relativistic world, where black can be white and white can be black simultaneously, where there can be only One God and yet other deities too, poor catechists who try to impart the Catholic faith are labelled as ‘insensitive’. </span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In our time, to teach the Catholic faith on the Church’s own understanding is ‘wrong’ because people’s feelings can get hurt. That makes me weep. If the 9-year-old child can understand that Jesus is God, the way, the truth and the life, then all other deities and ways must be false shows the intelligence of children who are the great hope of the Church and the future. It also speaks volumes about the failure of catechesis in our local Church that such simple truths cannot be grasped by adults, but are now considered insensitive and should be discarded. </span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The courageous catechists who continue to teach the faith should be applauded and encouraged for their thankless task. In God’s time, it is my fondest hope that these children will rekindle the spark of faith in their parents and the wider Catholic Church in Malaysia. </span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Trent <br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Johor</strong></div></blockquote><div><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></strong> </div></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-3222408449153301992012-04-03T14:39:00.002+08:002012-04-04T11:20:17.886+08:00Blast from the past: On the death of JPIIThe following is a re-post of my own recollections of the death of Blessed John Paul II or venerable and fond memory.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1d7u1scI/AAAAAAAACcs/Ncxp4KP7yGU/s1600-h/3435563923232%257Ffp46%253Dot%253E2337%253D6%253A3%253D425%253DXROQDF%253E23237%253B8724664ot1lsi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><blockquote><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1d7u1scI/AAAAAAAACcs/Ncxp4KP7yGU/s1600-h/3435563923232%257Ffp46%253Dot%253E2337%253D6%253A3%253D425%253DXROQDF%253E23237%253B8724664ot1lsi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 183px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1d7u1scI/AAAAAAAACcs/Ncxp4KP7yGU/s400/3435563923232%257Ffp46%253Dot%253E2337%253D6%253A3%253D425%253DXROQDF%253E23237%253B8724664ot1lsi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664339393130946" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">On the morning of April 2nd, 2005, I awoke to the news of Pope John Paul II's passing.</span><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_bu1slI/AAAAAAAACd0/b5ExIoqrdmc/s1600-h/magnificenzo2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 159px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_bu1slI/AAAAAAAACd0/b5ExIoqrdmc/s400/magnificenzo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664914918748754" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB3YLu1s3I/AAAAAAAACgU/Bb6GFPyJ_fM/s1600-h/two_popes_wideweb__430x286.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">In my room, in front of the television, I had kept watch, with the crowd in St. Peter's </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">until the wee hours of the morn, until sleep finally took me. </span> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">When I woke up, it was all over. He was gone. In those moments of grief with the TV showing the crowds making their way into the square, </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">praying the rosary and clapping for their Pope, I </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"> sat down at my computer </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">and penned this</span> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">. </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">I would like to share this with you as we commemorate the 2nd anniversary of his death.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB257u1s1I/AAAAAAAACf4/1m7KoRJ4a5U/s1600-h/ra235471350.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 137px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB257u1s1I/AAAAAAAACf4/1m7KoRJ4a5U/s400/ra235471350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665919941096274" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><blockquote>Early on Sunday morning, humanity awoke to a world that was a little colder and a little darker as a shining beacon of light and warmth was no more. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_bu1skI/AAAAAAAACds/0BkcwWXVeyM/s1600-h/Karol_Wojtyla_008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_bu1skI/AAAAAAAACds/0BkcwWXVeyM/s400/Karol_Wojtyla_008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664914918748738" border="0" /></a>For those who have monitored his health, the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II should not have come as a surprise. Yet, many were shocked for we secretly hoped that this man, who survived an assassination, a broken femur, dislocated shoulder, neural disease, removal of a tumour and parts of his digestive tract and numerous hospitalizations would once again triumph over his current health ailments and once again greet us as he has always done, with a word or a gesture from the window of his Apostolic Apartments. <span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2nbu1sxI/AAAAAAAACfU/WFf7hfvRvIY/s1600-h/r2929745025.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 156px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2nbu1sxI/AAAAAAAACfU/WFf7hfvRvIY/s400/r2929745025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665602113516306" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span>Yet, in the recesses of our our hearts, we knew that this was not to be. The LORD would not test his servant beyond his endurance.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2TLu1soI/AAAAAAAACeM/GUOlVP921HE/s1600-h/Pope.JPII.Time.Man.of.Year.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 293px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2TLu1soI/AAAAAAAACeM/GUOlVP921HE/s400/Pope.JPII.Time.Man.of.Year.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665254221165186" border="0" /></a>Hundreds of millions the world over mourned his passing. Many among the multitudes were young people. This has never ceased to amaze. In a world that glorifies youth and beauty, physical perfection and vitality, indifference to the truth and a 'whatever is fine with you is fine with me' attitude, stands this man. He was old and ailing, in declining health and unable to move, his words slurred and difficult to understand, a man clearly in pain.<br /><br />In our culture, he should be hidden away, out of sight in an old folks home, left to die alone lest he should be seen and jar us out of our fantasy of youth and beauty. Yet, millions of the young people knew he loved them. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_bu1smI/AAAAAAAACd8/WwvO8lpBhn0/s1600-h/pjp2_draw354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 193px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_bu1smI/AAAAAAAACd8/WwvO8lpBhn0/s400/pjp2_draw354.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664914918748770" border="0" /></a>He truly did. <span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Ubu1srI/AAAAAAAACek/hPdQZOvqJBY/s1600-h/popeheaven7891.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 216px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Ubu1srI/AAAAAAAACek/hPdQZOvqJBY/s400/popeheaven7891.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665275696001714" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Not just paying lip service, but truly loving them with the love of Christ. And we loved him too. He loved us enough to tell us the truth, the whole truth even though he knew that it was hard for us to understand and accept it for it requires of us a radical conversion, a change of lifestyle to truly conform to Christ. Yet, he told us nonetheless and showed by his shining example how to live out this truth in our lives.<span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB3YLu1s3I/AAAAAAAACgU/Bb6GFPyJ_fM/s1600-h/two_popes_wideweb__430x286.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 172px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB3YLu1s3I/AAAAAAAACgU/Bb6GFPyJ_fM/s400/two_popes_wideweb__430x286.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048666439632139122" border="0" /></a></div> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"> </span></span>In the Church there are many bishops, priests, nuns and catechists who are watering down the Faith to make it more 'hip' and more acceptable, fearing to proclaim it in its fullness with many not knowing it themselves, and then wondering why so many do not believe, tinkling with the liturgy to 'update' it, and then wondering where the reverence for God has gone, never speaking of vocations, living out the fullness of their vocations or inviting the young to live a life of total commitment in imitation of Christ and wondering at the falling number of priests and religious.<span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_Lu1sjI/AAAAAAAACdk/VIKtViTWGY0/s1600-h/jpii_pastorale.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 251px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1_Lu1sjI/AAAAAAAACdk/VIKtViTWGY0/s400/jpii_pastorale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664910623781426" border="0" /></a></span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1dru1saI/AAAAAAAACcc/Vl1uK4064BY/s1600-h/250px-Cardinal_Ratzinger_and_Pope_John_Paul_II.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 146px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1dru1saI/AAAAAAAACcc/Vl1uK4064BY/s400/250px-Cardinal_Ratzinger_and_Pope_John_Paul_II.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664335098163618" border="0" /></a>Yet, in Rome, despite the infidelity of the many priests and bishops, stands this man who 'holds and teaches the Faith that comes down to us from the Apostles' in its entirety. Yes, even the hard parts about sexuality, morality and the salvation that is in Christ alone that Holy Mother Church has ever proclaimed. In a world of relativism, he speaks of objective Truth and the inherent dignity of man, derived from being made in God's image and likeness, apart from his wealth and status, his health, beauty or the quality of his life, from the moment of conception to natural death.<br /><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1dru1sZI/AAAAAAAACcU/mk_iGA2jouI/s1600-h/200px-John_Paul_II_and_Benedict_XVI.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1dru1sZI/AAAAAAAACcU/mk_iGA2jouI/s400/200px-John_Paul_II_and_Benedict_XVI.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664335098163602" border="0" /></a></span></span><br />In a rapidly changing world where the only constant is change, he plants his Faith in that immovable Rock of Salvation, Jesus the Christ, Son of God and God the Son who is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He assures us that in God's Kingdom, even if the whole world rejects the Truth, it would still be true. Our elders may never grasp this perhaps because for them, he is just <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">a</span> Pope, one among the many who have steered the Barque of Peter. But for us young people, he is <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">the</span> Pope, the only one we have ever known. And more than that, he is <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">OUR</span> Pope, who loves us and we respond to that love by loving him. He is our Father and Teacher and above all, a dear friend. By his life and teaching, he has taught us how to live, by his suffering, he has taught us how to carry our cross and walk in the footsteps of our Saviour, Christ Jesus and by his death, he has taught us how to surrender ourselves to the Will of our God and how to die.<span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1d7u1sbI/AAAAAAAACck/RYwxMTOOFkw/s1600-h/050423_popeTail_hd.hmedium.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 181px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1d7u1sbI/AAAAAAAACck/RYwxMTOOFkw/s400/050423_popeTail_hd.hmedium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664339393130930" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br />So, in our grief, we mourn his passing. We mourn not for him who is in bliss and for whose homecoming the heavens rejoice but for ourselves because of whom we have lost. We feel the pain and loss of the Apostles when their Lord and Teacher died. <span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1vLu1sgI/AAAAAAAACdM/N1JYj3EOQA4/s1600-h/divine-mercy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1vLu1sgI/AAAAAAAACdM/N1JYj3EOQA4/s400/divine-mercy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664635745874434" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span>But just as He rose again, we too believe that Pope John Paul II will rise again to be with us in the company of the martyrs and angels and all the holy men and women of God when the Lord Jesus comes again on the Last Day. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB25ru1syI/AAAAAAAACfg/XnshwDVFgac/s1600-h/r3057060359.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB25ru1syI/AAAAAAAACfg/XnshwDVFgac/s400/r3057060359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665915646128930" border="0" /></a>We thank the LORD for freeing this man, who had to much to say and so much Truth to proclaim, but could not speak, so many places to go to spread the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ but could not move, so much to do, yet had not the strength, for freeing this man from the prison that his body had become so his Spirit could soar.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Tbu1spI/AAAAAAAACeU/JCekgvu3Odk/s1600-h/pope_ratzinger_250.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Tbu1spI/AAAAAAAACeU/JCekgvu3Odk/s400/pope_ratzinger_250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665258516132498" border="0" /></a>We thank the LORD our God for giving us the gift of this man, for his life and for his teaching, for his joy and his faith but most of all, for his love, in which we see a glimmer, darkly, as through a glass, of the pure and true Love of Jesus Christ our Lord. <span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2nLu1svI/AAAAAAAACfE/60UHi2DN1Qo/s1600-h/r923252614.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 186px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2nLu1svI/AAAAAAAACfE/60UHi2DN1Qo/s400/r923252614.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665597818548978" border="0" /></a></span></span>Pope John Paul II has always asked us to be not afraid. He has now gone forth unafraid into the presence of the Lord whom he faithfully served.<span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Ubu1ssI/AAAAAAAACes/oVoZ8rwHoQ8/s1600-h/pope-ratzinger.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 177px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Ubu1ssI/AAAAAAAACes/oVoZ8rwHoQ8/s400/pope-ratzinger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665275696001730" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> He has always exhorted us to open wide the doors to Christ. May the Lord Jesus Christ now throw wide open the Gates of Heaven for his good and faithful servant. <span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1u7u1seI/AAAAAAAACc8/OibaVprEnGU/s1600-h/capt.nyye18112121801.ye_pope_nyye181.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 179px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1u7u1seI/AAAAAAAACc8/OibaVprEnGU/s400/capt.nyye18112121801.ye_pope_nyye181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664631450907106" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Throughout his life, Pope John Paul II has sought to follow the Lord Jesus and imitate him. May the Lord Jesus show him His face and let His Countenance shine on Him and speak to him the words that all of us hope to hear, "Come good and faithful servant, to the reward that has been prepared for you before the foundation of the world".<br /><br />Farewell, dear Father. <span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">May the Angels lead you into Paradise. </span></span>May the Martyrs receive you at your coming and take you to Jerusalem, the Heavenly City. May the Choirs of the Angels receive you, and may you, with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting.<br /><br />Amen</blockquote><br /><br /></span><span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1eLu1sdI/AAAAAAAACc0/4Q05qs2eBxU/s1600-h/3436942723232%257Ffp46%253Dot%253E2337%253D6%253A3%253D425%253DXROQDF%253E23237%253C%253A52%253A6%253C9ot1lsi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 195px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB1eLu1sdI/AAAAAAAACc0/4Q05qs2eBxU/s400/3436942723232%257Ffp46%253Dot%253E2337%253D6%253A3%253D425%253DXROQDF%253E23237%253C%253A52%253A6%253C9ot1lsi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048664343688098258" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">Of course, it did not end there. The Sacred College of Cardinals went on to elect Pope John Paul's good friend and collaborator, the man he called from Bavaria to serve him as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for so many years. </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">I can't help but think the the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II would be greatly pleased by this, that his friend has been elected to succeed him and carry on the work of shepherding Christ's people. </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">I am always reminded of this image, of the Cross being passed on to Cardinal Ratzinger, as one Pope to another. In all our trials and worries about the Church, we have to remember that it is Christ's Church and it is He who guides it through the tempests of time until if finally comes to rest in the harbour of eternity.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB26Lu1s2I/AAAAAAAACgA/goSCLydRDLg/s1600-h/Ratzinger_appears_with_Pope_John_Paul_II_during_a_Mass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 172px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB26Lu1s2I/AAAAAAAACgA/goSCLydRDLg/s400/Ratzinger_appears_with_Pope_John_Paul_II_during_a_Mass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665924236063586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">I hope you have enjoyed these thought of mine and do please share your on thoughts with me as we commemorate this great man who for many years served as our Father on earth, through whom we get a glimpse of the Eternal Father in Heaven from Whom all Fatherhood springs.</span><span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB3YLu1s3I/AAAAAAAACgU/Bb6GFPyJ_fM/s1600-h/two_popes_wideweb__430x286.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div> Thank you.<br /><br /><blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center">O Blessed Trinity,<br />We thank you for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II<br />and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care,<br />the glory of the cross of Christ,<br />and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him.<br /><br />Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy<br />and in the maternal intercession of Mary,<br />he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd,<br />and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is<br />the way of achieving eternal communion with you.<br /><br />Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will,<br />the graces we implore,<br />hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. </p> <p align="center"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;">Amen.</span></p> </blockquote> </blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PS.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Tbu1sqI/AAAAAAAACec/yjxzIJrOk0M/s1600-h/popecomputer1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 174px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB2Tbu1sqI/AAAAAAAACec/yjxzIJrOk0M/s400/popecomputer1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048665258516132514" border="0" /></a>In his day, the Servant of God, His Holiness Pope John Paul II was not above browsing the pages on this humble blog, although your scribe's request to have a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, attached to a visit exceeding one minute was forwarded to the Apostolic Penitentiary and lost in the paperwork. So, Your Holiness, Pope Benedict, if you're reading this, how about it, eh?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RhB26Lu1s2I/AAAAAAAACgA/goSCLydRDLg/s1600-h/Ratzinger_appears_with_Pope_John_Paul_II_during_a_Mass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://andrew4jc.blogspot.com/2007/01/at-death-of-john-paul-ii.html" target="_blank">For Don Stanislaw's memories of that day, see here.</a></blockquote><a href="http://andrew4jc.blogspot.com/2007/01/at-death-of-john-paul-ii.html" target="_blank"></a>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-83681219873767788242012-04-03T14:29:00.002+08:002012-04-03T14:37:39.969+08:00Remembering the Late GreatIt's been so many years and the face of the Catholic Church has changed and so has my understanding of the faith and my growth in the spiritual life. There's one constant however that I don' t think will ever change and that's my love and affection for the Pope of my youth.<br /><br />Blessed Pope John Paul II holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of millions around the world who took great inspiration from him and looked to him as an example of personal holiness and sanctity. On this anniversary of JPII crossing the threshold of hope, I'm re-posting 2 posts whose images have brought back so many dear memories for me.<br /><br />I love our German Shepherd Pope Benedict and long may he reign. His stewardship of the Church has brought about many many many many positive changes. At every Mass, with the new translations, with pro multis, etc I give thanks to almighty God for this Pope. It's with great hope that I look forward to the continuing development of this pontificate and its legacy (Summorum, Anglicanorum et al) which will continue to resound in the Church for generations, but, JPII will always be the image that comes to my mind when someone says 'Pope'.<br /><br />The following is a repost from a few years ago. I hope the images will bring back some memories for you too.<br /><blockquote>Today, Zenit published an excerpt of Don Stanislaw Dziwisz's book, A Life with Karol.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBEDl-5A1I/AAAAAAAACIM/nTbz20d9PfA/s1600-h/42.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBEDl-5A1I/AAAAAAAACIM/nTbz20d9PfA/s400/42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026092012671664978" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7N1-5ASI/AAAAAAAACD0/S-Luu9W7HIU/s1600-h/7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7N1-5ASI/AAAAAAAACD0/S-Luu9W7HIU/s400/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026082293160673570" border="0" /></a>Now the Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Dziwisz was secretary to Pope Pope John Paul II for over 40 years. This excerpt touches on the moments surrounding the death of the Pope. Reading that brought back memories for me as well. I still remember vividly what I was doing when I heard the news.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAil-5A0I/AAAAAAAACIE/NmMDdH746Jc/s1600-h/41.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAil-5A0I/AAAAAAAACIE/NmMDdH746Jc/s400/41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026088147201098562" border="0" /></a>For your readers out there, do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news of Pope John Paul's passing? Any memories that you would like to share?<br />If you do, go ahead and leave a comment.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bF-5ANI/AAAAAAAACDM/l1BYXWKCvBE/s1600-h/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bF-5ANI/AAAAAAAACDM/l1BYXWKCvBE/s400/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026080321770684626" border="0" /></a>Perhaps these photos from my collection will refresh your memories of this great man who was so faithful to prayer, and the events and ceremonies surrounding his death.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bF-5AOI/AAAAAAAACDU/sGypWl7V0HE/s1600-h/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bF-5AOI/AAAAAAAACDU/sGypWl7V0HE/s400/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026080321770684642" border="0" /></a><p><b>At the Death of John Paul II</b></p> <p><a href="http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=102009"><b>Excerpt From Book "A Life With Karol"</b></a></p>Here is a translation of an excerpt from the book that recounts Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz's memories of his longtime collaboration with Pope John Paul II.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bF-5API/AAAAAAAACDc/ZGrBInwzXWQ/s1600-h/4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bF-5API/AAAAAAAACDc/ZGrBInwzXWQ/s400/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026080321770684658" border="0" /></a>"A Life With Karol" is the title of the volume, written by journalist Gian Franco Svidercoschi, former deputy director of L'Osservatore Romano.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bV-5AQI/AAAAAAAACDk/7bbaKuHI7SE/s1600-h/5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5bV-5AQI/AAAAAAAACDk/7bbaKuHI7SE/s400/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026080326065651970" border="0" /></a>The volume was recently released in Italy and will be published by Doubleday for the English-speaking world. This excerpt is taken from Chapter 35.<br /><br />* * *<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7OF-5ATI/AAAAAAAACD8/0EJ7PG87Ark/s1600-h/8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7OF-5ATI/AAAAAAAACD8/0EJ7PG87Ark/s400/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026082297455640882" border="0" /></a>It was 9:37 p.m. We realized that the Holy Father had stopped breathing; however, just in that moment we saw in the monitor that his great heart, after having beaten for some instants, had stopped.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdF-5AwI/AAAAAAAACHk/P-Z1l_fJNnQ/s1600-h/37.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdF-5AwI/AAAAAAAACHk/P-Z1l_fJNnQ/s400/37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026088052711817986" border="0" /></a> Dr. Buzzonetti bent over him and, raising his gaze slightly, mused: "He has passed to the House of the Lord." Someone stopped the hands of the clock at that hour.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9q1-5AbI/AAAAAAAACE8/O31Elvp96t4/s1600-h/16.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9q1-5AbI/AAAAAAAACE8/O31Elvp96t4/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084990400135602" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBATl-5AsI/AAAAAAAACHE/oyvu-vCQ8_o/s1600-h/33.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBATl-5AsI/AAAAAAAACHE/oyvu-vCQ8_o/s400/33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087889503060674" border="0" /></a>We, as if deciding all together, began to sing the Te Deum, not the Requiem, because it wasn't mourning, but the Te Deum, in thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift he had given us, the gift of the person of the Holy Father, of Karol Wojtyla.<br /><br />We wept. How could one not weep!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdV-5AyI/AAAAAAAACH0/ARjm1HG-xyU/s1600-h/39.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdV-5AyI/AAAAAAAACH0/ARjm1HG-xyU/s400/39.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026088057006785314" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">[Andrew: Weep? I was bawling like a baby. I expected it, but still, when the moment came...<br />Looking at him lying there, lifeless, who was once so alive. Yes, I wept too. Like Father Neuhaus, the only thing that came to my mind was gratitude, and all that I could say through my tears were 'Thank you, Holy Father, thank you.']</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdV-5AzI/AAAAAAAACH8/TbvASG1s7O8/s1600-h/40.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdV-5AzI/AAAAAAAACH8/TbvASG1s7O8/s400/40.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026088057006785330" border="0" /></a>They were, at once, tears of sorrow and joy. Then all the lights of the house were turned on. Darkness came over me, within me. I knew that it had happened, but it was as if, afterwards, I refused to accept it, or I refused to understand it. I placed myself in the Lord's hands, but as soon as I thought by heart was at peace, the darkness returned.<br /></div></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NF-5AWI/AAAAAAAACEU/WrdSCzyKjcI/s1600-h/11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NF-5AWI/AAAAAAAACEU/WrdSCzyKjcI/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084479299027298" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NF-5AXI/AAAAAAAACEc/vUxrLqCoDQI/s1600-h/12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NF-5AXI/AAAAAAAACEc/vUxrLqCoDQI/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084479299027314" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NF-5AYI/AAAAAAAACEk/XJDlylHufZE/s1600-h/13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NF-5AYI/AAAAAAAACEk/XJDlylHufZE/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084479299027330" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NV-5AZI/AAAAAAAACEs/FFiDPsYQCFY/s1600-h/14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NV-5AZI/AAAAAAAACEs/FFiDPsYQCFY/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084483593994642" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NV-5AaI/AAAAAAAACE0/eOeyavUYN84/s1600-h/15.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9NV-5AaI/AAAAAAAACE0/eOeyavUYN84/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084483593994658" border="0" /></a>Until the moment of farewell arrived.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-SF-5AjI/AAAAAAAACF8/-5U8o8Br0bw/s1600-h/24.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-SF-5AjI/AAAAAAAACF8/-5U8o8Br0bw/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026085664710001202" border="0" /></a>There were all those people, all the important people who had come from afar. But, above all, there were his people, his young people. There was a great light in St. Peter's Square, and then the light also returned within me.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKV-5AlI/AAAAAAAACGM/v2437r5Re_0/s1600-h/26.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKV-5AlI/AAAAAAAACGM/v2437r5Re_0/s400/26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087730589270610" border="0" /></a>The homily over, Cardinal Ratzinger made that reference to the window, and said that he was surely there, seeing us, blessing us.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-SF-5AkI/AAAAAAAACGE/5za2xf_unzM/s1600-h/25.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-SF-5AkI/AAAAAAAACGE/5za2xf_unzM/s400/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026085664710001218" border="0" /></a>I also turned around, I could not but turn around, but I didn't look up there. At the end, when we reached the doors of the basilica, those who carried the coffin turned it slowly, as though enabling him to have one last look at the square, his final farewell to men, to the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-R1-5AhI/AAAAAAAACFs/14sLJX1MyBw/s1600-h/21.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-R1-5AhI/AAAAAAAACFs/14sLJX1MyBw/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026085660415033874" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-R1-5AiI/AAAAAAAACF0/fGEov6XzOcw/s1600-h/23.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA-R1-5AiI/AAAAAAAACF0/fGEov6XzOcw/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026085660415033890" border="0" /></a><br />Also his last farewell to me? No, not to me. At that moment, I wasn't thinking of myself. I lived that moment along with many others, and we were all shaken, distressed, but for me it was something I shall never be able to forget. Meanwhile, the cortege was entering the basilica; they were to take the coffin to the tomb.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9q1-5AdI/AAAAAAAACFM/-br_vUwYK7c/s1600-h/18.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9q1-5AdI/AAAAAAAACFM/-br_vUwYK7c/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084990400135634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9rF-5AeI/AAAAAAAACFU/MDZ301tUuMo/s1600-h/19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9rF-5AeI/AAAAAAAACFU/MDZ301tUuMo/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084994695102946" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9rF-5AfI/AAAAAAAACFc/LdaeLxA1Svs/s1600-h/20.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9rF-5AfI/AAAAAAAACFc/LdaeLxA1Svs/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084994695102962" border="0" /></a>Then, precisely at that moment, I began to think: I have accompanied him for almost 40 years, first 12 in Krakow, then 27 in Rome. I was always with him, by his side. Now, at the moment of death, he walked alone. And this fact, my not being able to accompany him, pained me much.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9q1-5AcI/AAAAAAAACFE/j5DJ_ZU6Ujo/s1600-h/17.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA9q1-5AcI/AAAAAAAACFE/j5DJ_ZU6Ujo/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026084990400135618" border="0" /></a>Yes, all this is true, but he has not left us. We feel his presence, and also so many graces obtained through him.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBATl-5AtI/AAAAAAAACHM/qajKUFLt5Ow/s1600-h/34.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBATl-5AtI/AAAAAAAACHM/qajKUFLt5Ow/s400/34.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087889503060690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdF-5AxI/AAAAAAAACHs/b_ZSCoydwEU/s1600-h/38.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAdF-5AxI/AAAAAAAACHs/b_ZSCoydwEU/s400/38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026088052711818002" border="0" /></a>[Translation by ZENIT. Published with permission of Rizzoli International Publishers]<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAT1-5AuI/AAAAAAAACHU/uCuN4EsKOTg/s1600-h/35.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAT1-5AuI/AAAAAAAACHU/uCuN4EsKOTg/s400/35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087893798028002" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Though Pope John Paul has gone to his reward, I was still devastated. The Church had just lost Her earthly shepherd.<br /><br />But God did not abandon his people and in due time, came the news of great joy.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKV-5AmI/AAAAAAAACGU/4wk01n-4pbI/s1600-h/27.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKV-5AmI/AAAAAAAACGU/4wk01n-4pbI/s400/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087730589270626" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Habemus Papam!</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKl-5AnI/AAAAAAAACGc/j-j3gRsRuWk/s1600-h/28.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKl-5AnI/AAAAAAAACGc/j-j3gRsRuWk/s400/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087734884237938" border="0" /></a><br />And this man, Pope John Paul's faithful collaborator for so many years, came to impart his blessing from the great Loggia of St. Peter's.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBATV-5AqI/AAAAAAAACG0/kvhwcr3iSx8/s1600-h/31.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBATV-5AqI/AAAAAAAACG0/kvhwcr3iSx8/s400/31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087885208093346" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAK1-5ApI/AAAAAAAACGs/BNYuK9DZL-o/s1600-h/30.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAK1-5ApI/AAAAAAAACGs/BNYuK9DZL-o/s400/30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087739179205266" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">He, who had stood so many times at the side of his friend, had now taken his seat as Successor to St. Peter, the Apostle and Vicar of Christ on Earth.</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKl-5AoI/AAAAAAAACGk/8EwqMCfEd4Y/s1600-h/29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcBAKl-5AoI/AAAAAAAACGk/8EwqMCfEd4Y/s400/29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026087734884237954" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I rejoiced, and the world rejoiced too.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7N1-5ARI/AAAAAAAACDs/VVN_IBF_NkA/s1600-h/6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7N1-5ARI/AAAAAAAACDs/VVN_IBF_NkA/s400/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026082293160673554" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Although with the current state of the Church, even if one is tempted just to shrug and entrust everything to Providence, we must always remember that the Holy Spirit is always at work within Her, guiding Her way. We remember the promise of Christ, Her Head, that come what may, be they liberals, communists, fundamentalist Muslims or the Blair government, the Gates of Hades shall NOT prevail. In that promise, I take comfort.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7OV-5AVI/AAAAAAAACEM/lrFUHsoC2rI/s1600-h/10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7OV-5AVI/AAAAAAAACEM/lrFUHsoC2rI/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026082301750608210" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">As for His Holiness, the Servant of God Pope John Paul the Great, I remember him not only as he was in death.</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5a1-5AMI/AAAAAAAACDE/c01LuWzYuX0/s1600-h/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA5a1-5AMI/AAAAAAAACDE/c01LuWzYuX0/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026080317475717314" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">But as he was in life. I will let his example and teachings continue to inspire me in my journey of faith and I will walk along the narrow path with his words ringing in my ears, come what may, 'Be not afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!'.</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7OF-5AUI/AAAAAAAACEE/pHDFQSFVyG4/s1600-h/9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YC87epvokPc/RcA7OF-5AUI/AAAAAAAACEE/pHDFQSFVyG4/s400/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026082297455640898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">PS: I'm really really jealous of this kid. What I wouldn't give to be in his shoes. =)</span></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></span>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-20686352635568494462011-11-29T11:02:00.001+08:002011-11-29T11:03:23.691+08:00Be the kind of manBe the kind of man that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the Devil says "Oh crap, he's up".Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-53778552620857908012011-11-03T10:03:00.000+08:002011-11-02T11:30:16.204+08:00Schola cantorum IC Penang's latest threads<div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVghc1JVYvQ/TrCsbN18exI/AAAAAAAAI8I/pU4HkQJHhYE/s400/DSC01605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670221514431822610" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>This one is taken by me. The other pic, with me actually in it, is blur. =.=</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt8pfIoL0hM/TrCsbs5s4YI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/GU3Rx-vK340/s1600/DSC01603.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt8pfIoL0hM/TrCsbs5s4YI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/GU3Rx-vK340/s400/DSC01603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670221522769076610" /></a>Schola cantorum in action. Singing O Sanctissima in 4 part harmony.Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-50773175665827911762011-11-02T10:03:00.005+08:002011-11-02T10:34:42.363+08:00Our newly renovated Church<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjdL3fSlD1I/TrClRNGWTRI/AAAAAAAAI5s/XExvxIiYdWI/s1600/DSC00887.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjdL3fSlD1I/TrClRNGWTRI/AAAAAAAAI5s/XExvxIiYdWI/s400/DSC00887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670213645852101906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left; "><div style="text-align: center; ">General view of the Sanctuary. Big six candlesticks, stained glass windows of the Assumption in the center, and from the left, St. Peter, St. Francis Xavier, St. John the Baptist and St. Paul. In front of the main altar is the Lamb of God seated on a scroll with 7 seals.</div></div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qDWEwCZIMg/TrCryUFNndI/AAAAAAAAI78/jK8uKG9Z8G0/s1600/DSC06478.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5K82euFmlfY/TrClU0y_7cI/AAAAAAAAI6c/werBJ8Sr1zU/s1600/DSC01553.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5K82euFmlfY/TrClU0y_7cI/AAAAAAAAI6c/werBJ8Sr1zU/s400/DSC01553.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670213708047969730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Details from the Gothic arches above the doors and the statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Joseph on the walls. The opposite walls have the statues of St. Therese and St. Anthony.</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yiqW3flMjc/TrClTgzQURI/AAAAAAAAI6U/pILPTVnSRHo/s1600/DSC01552.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yiqW3flMjc/TrClTgzQURI/AAAAAAAAI6U/pILPTVnSRHo/s400/DSC01552.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670213685500465426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">General view of the nave. The pews are really ugly, a remnant of the Spirit of Vatican II.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bIgWDDByng/TrClS-VpvII/AAAAAAAAI6E/b6mgsfZHhnA/s1600/DSC01555.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bIgWDDByng/TrClS-VpvII/AAAAAAAAI6E/b6mgsfZHhnA/s400/DSC01555.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670213676249496706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">The statue of Mary inside the Church flanked by stained glass windows of the Annunciation and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8cqjBSJdpg/TrClRtvigAI/AAAAAAAAI58/8hog-pbAjiQ/s1600/DSC01549.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8cqjBSJdpg/TrClRtvigAI/AAAAAAAAI58/8hog-pbAjiQ/s400/DSC01549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670213654614802434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">The stained glass window of the Nativity. The memorial above commemorates the Catholic dead from World War II with an inscription that reads "Their tomorrow for our today"</div></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">For those of you who don't remember, here's what the Church used to look like. It was renovated in 1970's so it was chock full of the Spirit of Vatican II.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xiv43hNuI1o/TrCqZOAKbVI/AAAAAAAAI7A/V4MOaWkVAb4/s1600/DSC05489.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xiv43hNuI1o/TrCqZOAKbVI/AAAAAAAAI7A/V4MOaWkVAb4/s400/DSC05489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670219281091685714" /></a><br />The High Altar was really really high, as if modelled upon the Confessio of St. Peter's only there's nothing below it, just the sacristy. Note the ugly holes in the walls which was pretty trendy in the 70s. Yucks.<div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPdZjwZPUok/TrCqYYjuAvI/AAAAAAAAI60/1PWny3PNdhw/s1600/DSC07905.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPdZjwZPUok/TrCqYYjuAvI/AAAAAAAAI60/1PWny3PNdhw/s400/DSC07905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670219266745303794" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vztM0JDSgVA/TrCqX5qLnkI/AAAAAAAAI6o/N4XY2jrPzU8/s1600/DSC07945.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vztM0JDSgVA/TrCqX5qLnkI/AAAAAAAAI6o/N4XY2jrPzU8/s400/DSC07945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670219258450910786" /></a><div>The sanctuary was also weirdly shaped and took up a lot of space. The entire crossing was taken up by the sanctuary. Now, pews fill the nave up to the half the crossing.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rx87ft4XzjM/TrCqaJDYZvI/AAAAAAAAI7M/nGSBcLpKS_c/s400/DSC07953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670219296942876402" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXx0r2pWY0g/TrCqbHfD2OI/AAAAAAAAI7Y/Q59LcX3Avu0/s400/DSC06390.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670219313701968098" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>The trendy hall-like nave. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qDWEwCZIMg/TrCryUFNndI/AAAAAAAAI78/jK8uKG9Z8G0/s1600/DSC06478.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qDWEwCZIMg/TrCryUFNndI/AAAAAAAAI78/jK8uKG9Z8G0/s400/DSC06478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670220811731836370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>Note the tiny crosses in the walls above the doors which collected dust and would spread it around when the wind blew through it. What the heck were they thinking? Were they thinking? Old photos show stained glass above the doors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_UPGwHAjp4/TrCrx1GmxsI/AAAAAAAAI7w/P7dMZQhG8Jc/s1600/DSC06401.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_UPGwHAjp4/TrCrx1GmxsI/AAAAAAAAI7w/P7dMZQhG8Jc/s400/DSC06401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670220803416180418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-15164154521410055862011-10-14T16:51:00.002+08:002011-10-14T16:56:38.499+08:00A new star in the blogosky<div style="text-align: left;">Dear Takamasa Ishihara (no, not the famous Miyavi, he's more of a Myvi) recounts the first part of his conversion experience. Do go and say hi.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://taka4jc.blogspot.com/">http://taka4jc.blogspot.com/</a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 343px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ossCJAHyvt0/Tpf5DpKytDI/AAAAAAAAI38/2Hw9ZmtMEfI/s400/4462a3e513_55966777_o2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663268897427731506" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(NOT Miyavi)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-bVST89oYU/Tpf5Dx10e7I/AAAAAAAAI4I/3zPfJanTnUI/s400/dsc00040sna7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663268899755686834" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Myvi</div><div><br /></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-75869147897589304132011-10-14T16:13:00.000+08:002011-10-14T16:14:15.986+08:00Priest of the future<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vsGkTfTlP0/TpfvL4rCI4I/AAAAAAAAI3w/-TzfrK5_2D4/s1600/313366_10150315054286557_536186556_8484337_574972606_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vsGkTfTlP0/TpfvL4rCI4I/AAAAAAAAI3w/-TzfrK5_2D4/s400/313366_10150315054286557_536186556_8484337_574972606_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663258043912168322" /></a>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-34720242977058369792011-10-13T14:36:00.000+08:002011-10-13T14:36:00.634+08:00They really are<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw3M2TUNCDQ/TpU1ii6Xc1I/AAAAAAAAI3o/lwpJzEB-X1g/s1600/37187_869832651448_21706405_46641402_987374_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw3M2TUNCDQ/TpU1ii6Xc1I/AAAAAAAAI3o/lwpJzEB-X1g/s400/37187_869832651448_21706405_46641402_987374_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662490974091703122" /></a>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-67128472449258827052011-10-12T11:49:00.011+08:002011-10-12T14:19:09.276+08:00Without and within<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKUKxveaP1M/TpUtfCzzCgI/AAAAAAAAI20/I-OV-Gq3k04/s400/RUBENS-Pieter-Pauwel-Christ-at-Simon-the-Pharisee-1618-20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662482117841586690" style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">While He (Jesus) was speaking, a Pharisee asked Him to dine with Him; so He went in and sat at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that He did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness. You fools! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But give for alms those things which are within; and behold everything is clean for you." -Luke 11:37-41 I was serving Mass yesterday evening, and I was tired after a day at work and sleepy and it was very warm, especially under the layers of cassock, surplice and street clothes. When the Gospel reading began, I thought it was the familiar white-washed tombs reading. But a closer listen showed something different. </span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txAnVHLya_A/TpUtYwdNZvI/AAAAAAAAI2o/ni2sElfxGNU/s400/34839326_454f6607cd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662482009835792114" /><div><pre style="text-align: -webkit-auto; pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "></pre></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; ">How much more ashamed would my Lord be if called upon to claim me as one of His own before His Father, me a sinner. And I was ashamed to claim to be a follower of My Lord and God? How stupid can I be? I now make the sign of the Cross, not to show off, but to own up to being a Christian, a follower of the Crucified one. It was not easy. It was a process that took time. I was still very reticent about drawing attention to myself and it took great effort of mind and will to do it, consistently. But in doing so, it forced be to guard by behaviour and my manners, to be worthy of that great sign of our salvation. It's the same reason I wear a crucifix. I kneel down to pray, not to show off, but that's the way I was taught to pray. We kneel when approaching our Maker and Creator. Despite what others might think or what others might be doing and even if no one does it. Not to feel superior, but because it's the way our conscience dictates that God should be approached and while our bodies can still do so, let us kneel!. If it becomes something that's too easy, something done without thought, then stop. If it's done to glorify yourself, then stop. But if it's difficult, if it's not something that you really want to do cos it draws attention, it makes you guard your tongue and your behaviour, then consider doing the externals.<br />The Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner and Jesus did not perform the ritual ablution but dived straight in. I guess the poor Pharisee let his astonishment show for he was in for a very stern rebuke. On the surface, the message, now familiar, should be pretty clear. It's a message that those who tend to neglect the outward elements of the faith, be it attending Mass, praying, fasting, wearing a crucifix or even dressing decently often fling in the face of those of us who either do those things or try to promote them. It's what's inside that's important, it's the heart (or thought) that counts. Cut all the externals and focus on the internals and stop being so legalistic and Pharisaical and all will be fine. A closer reading firstly reveals that the message cuts both ways! "You fools! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?" So, the dish should be cleaned on the outside AND inside. For God not only made the heart, but the body as well and what is in our heart should be manifested outwardly, not in a showy, self-serving and self-promoting way like the Pharisee who prayed loudly on the steps of the Temple extolling his own righteousness in contrast to the tax-collector, but in al way that should come naturally.<br />What's inside will come through and will shine through. In a non-Christian country like Malaysia, wearing the external symbols of the faith, such as a crucifix brings no benefit to the wearer but instead serves as a proclamation and a visible sign of the Christian faith. When the authorities are so afraid of letting crosses be erected on the tops of Churches, this tangible presence of Christianity and Christ and the sacred in the public square is something that should be promoted. <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n8HdY_4--gY/TpUuG0why7I/AAAAAAAAI3A/YUW847PdYDA/s400/crucifix.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662482801264544690" style="white-space: normal; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /> Similarly, making the sign of the Cross in public, especially when we pass by a Church. It reminds ourselves and others of the Presence that dwells within those walls. It's not an easy thing to do. It draws attention. And for many of us, the last thing we want to do is to draw attention to ourselves. Especially when you're an adolescent. I can relate to that. When I was a kid, I was taught to make the sign of the Cross when passing by a Church. When I grew older, the gestures became smaller and faster until it was no more than a small sign made by my fingers over my heart (when no one was looking). However, one day, when I was taking the bus, I noticed a lady making a prominent sign of the Cross as we passed a Church, and everyone was looking. I remembered feeling very very ashamed, for being ashamed. I was ashamed of the sign of the Cross, ashamed of what others might think and in so doing, forgot how my Lord must have felt to see me 'deny' Him in public. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qelwbqrzeYk/TpUvhFUT0VI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/imc-iiop8oU/s400/stainless-cup-with-saucer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662484351897817426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The Gospel reading reminded me that yes, although what's inside is important, what we do externally is important as well. It's doubly hard to be a Christian inside and out, to be clean inside and out. But we are psycho-somatic beings, we are not disembodied spirits, but beings of both body and soul. That unity should always be manifested in all we do, for the greater glory of God.</span></div></div></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-64880254005549374152011-10-10T13:47:00.004+08:002011-10-10T13:49:37.659+08:00The original Egyptians<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CCqkmsY78Mc/TpKHV396AqI/AAAAAAAAI2g/E3p1FN2XDWE/s1600/301379_210666522331793_111849972213449_536912_381139768_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CCqkmsY78Mc/TpKHV396AqI/AAAAAAAAI2g/E3p1FN2XDWE/s400/301379_210666522331793_111849972213449_536912_381139768_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661736491428741794" /></a><br />I was moved by this photo on Facebook of the Coptic Christians, the original inhabitants of Egypt, who were killed in the latest round of violence against Christians. Some were crushed by police and army vehicles.<div><br /></div><div>O Holy God, how long?</div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-24303486935550979562011-10-08T10:49:00.000+08:002011-10-08T10:49:00.535+08:00The Hound of Heaven<div>Father John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:</div><div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 206px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTPwCekyNmU/To6_Hx1bEQI/AAAAAAAAI2Y/OrBP9n4szMU/s400/2005_11_17_Gutierrez_SettlementReached_John_Powell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660671922008690946" /><div>Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. </div><div>I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day. I was unprepared and my emotions flipped. </div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... Very strange.</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. </div><div><br /></div><div>He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew. </div><div><br /></div><div>When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?"</div><div>I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.</div><div>"Why not," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."</div><div><br /></div><div>I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then I called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line -- He will find you! At least I thought it was clever. </div><div><br /></div><div>Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before I could search him out, he came to see me. </div><div><br /></div><div>When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. </div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_H7YYXnpeo/To6-uuyscPI/AAAAAAAAI2I/XK30feOUvW8/s400/4194J8AZ9JL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660671491695210738" /><div>"Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick," I blurted out. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks."</div><div>"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked.</div><div>"Sure, what would you like to know?" he replied.</div><div>"What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?</div><div>"Well, it could be worse.</div><div>"Like what?”</div><div><br /></div><div>"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life.” </div><div><br /></div><div>I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><div>"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me. Then you said, 'But He will find you.’ I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My clever line. He thought about that a lot!) "But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God.And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. </div><div><br /></div><div>But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? </div><div><br /></div><div>You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an afterlife, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: </div><div><br /></div><div>'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving..’</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><div>But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them. </div><div><br /></div><div>"So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him.</div><div>"Dad."</div><div>"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.</div><div>"Dad, I would like to talk with you."</div><div>"Well, talk.”</div><div>"I mean. It's really important."</div><div>The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"</div><div>"Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him.</div><div>"The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning." </div><div><br /></div><div>“It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."</div><div>"It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years." </div><div><br /></div><div>"I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long."</div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tX3tFT-prPU/To6-2ygC4sI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/bGGdCh7I6Q4/s400/Hound-of-Heaven.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660671630129685186" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Then, one day I turned around and God was there. </div><div><br /></div><div>"He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks."</div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. </div><div><br /></div><div>"But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love.. </div><div><br /></div><div>You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it..” </div><div><br /></div><div>"Oooh.. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call." </div><div><br /></div><div>In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we scheduled a date. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. </div><div><br /></div><div>He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before he died, we talked one last time. </div><div><br /></div><div>"I'm not going to make it to your class," he said.</div><div>"I know, Tom."</div><div>"Will you tell them for me? Will you...tell the whole world for me?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."</div><div><br /></div><div>So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could. </div><div><br /></div><div>If this story means anything to you, please pass it on to a friend or two.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes. </div><div><br /></div><div>With thanks, Rev. John Powell, Professor,</div><div>Loyola University, Chicago</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Full disclosure: Fr. Powell was sued for molesting a young lady in the late 60's and admitted to it and paid compensation. He is a Jesuit.</div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-83275759361010189182011-10-07T16:22:00.003+08:002011-10-07T16:26:47.338+08:00Anathema sit!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>If I were starting a blog about dogs, I'd call it Anathema sit. If a seminary were looking to name their dog, Anathema would be fantastic.<div><br /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBxgN77mbFY/To63WaDZBGI/AAAAAAAAI18/32LcB1oJri4/s400/8423_137558895722_593855722_3089884_7157453_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660663377229841506" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Furry will not be amused</i></div><div><br /></div></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-77684989145741607532011-10-05T16:53:00.008+08:002011-10-05T17:32:26.978+08:00Do what you can, with what you have, where you are<span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rK_DYiWXGg4/Towbls8BI1I/AAAAAAAAI0U/WhEixP0rDw0/s400/396px-General_George_C._Marshall%252C_official_military_photo%252C_1946.JPEG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659929166229873490" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span">Maybe you're a young Catholic who has come to realize, perhaps through personal study, perhaps using the latest technologies to browse through the various blogs or read the numerous articles that lament the current state of the Catholic Church in your country and in your parish or perhaps you just used your logic and your eyes (and ears) and woke up and smelled the lack of incense. </span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span">On the blogosphere at large you hear talk of a Benedictine Marshall Plan. Some of you who did not live through the 2nd World War and the recovery of Europe through the help of the American General George C Marshall (pic), who became the post-War Secretary of State to President Truman and the Europe Recovery Program, nicknamed the Marshall Plan, may have no idea what it's all about. Well, Europe was in a state of almost total devastation, especially areas of Germany and France where the war took it's heavy toll. So General Marshall came up with a plan to get Europe back on it's feet again and in it's basic essence, that's what the Marshall Plan is, to assist those countries who were down and out and give them the tools (in Europe's case, cash and credit) to get back to a certain level of stability, and then prosperity.</span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz03uu6u48E/TowbtU8BgII/AAAAAAAAI0c/E_JU1loQQsw/s400/506px-US-MarshallPlanAid-Logo.svg.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659929297226399874" /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz03uu6u48E/TowbtU8BgII/AAAAAAAAI0c/E_JU1loQQsw/s1600/506px-US-MarshallPlanAid-Logo.svg.png" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>The Marshall Plan for the Catholic Church of our day stems from the realization that the Church, especially in areas of Europe and in other First World countries most severely and almost everywhere else as well, is pretty much a devastated landscape after the post-Conciliar period. In my own country, Malaysia in the years prior to the Council, numerous Churches were being built and immediately packed to the brim with converts and young Catholics from large families. The Church ran schools and hospitals and was a presence and a force in society. However, since the immediate post-Conciliar buildings of Holy Spirit Church in Green Lane and Risen Christ Church in Air Itam were constructed in 1969, a 40 year period elapsed before the Church of the Divine Mercy was consecrated last year. The old seminaries which were bursting at the seams and the host of nuns and brothers from the religious orders have all dissipated in the years after the Council when the hope of a New Springtime spiralled into not only a demographic winter, but more rather the clutches of a new Ice Age.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">These pictures of the German city of Dresden before and after the bombing can be an analogy of what has occurred in he Church in the period after the Council.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjkwbwNA0eM/TowfK7crv4I/AAAAAAAAI1M/sEGnAVtz9B0/s400/a1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659933104315023234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A general view of the City, once known as the Florence of the North, before (above) and after (below) the bombing</span></div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hrkFdKtXL8/TowfLP0HaCI/AAAAAAAAI1U/Ya6WPbTyq-M/s400/a2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659933109782013986" /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbkbp7-qrZU/TowfLjWla6I/AAAAAAAAI1c/nBFXHjauSqI/s400/h1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659933115026860962" style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">The corridor within the Stalhof, before (above) and after (below) the bombing</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-O5L7ppD_M/TowfLsFbmRI/AAAAAAAAI1k/isznEkpFSrY/s1600/h2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-O5L7ppD_M/TowfLsFbmRI/AAAAAAAAI1k/isznEkpFSrY/s400/h2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659933117370833170" /></a>When people think of the Church, in it's pre and post-conciliar forms, the images below, of a Papal Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite celebrated by the optimistic Blessed Pope John XXIII and a clown Mass in the Novus Ordo are often what comes to mind.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WHgm7Iiwa8/Towe4OKp88I/AAAAAAAAI0k/83E3zwFzU1A/s400/PapalMass1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659932782922167234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Papal Mass celebrated by Blessed John XXIII</div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UT1RvjKqIBw/Towe5BuBWnI/AAAAAAAAI1E/ff9-hr1Yoco/s1600/la5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UT1RvjKqIBw/Towe5BuBWnI/AAAAAAAAI1E/ff9-hr1Yoco/s400/la5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659932796760709746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Various modern 'interpretations' of the Mass of Paul VI</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luz2zQHAxqM/Towe4xB56bI/AAAAAAAAI08/mLB88yqhRSk/s1600/199-ClownMass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luz2zQHAxqM/Towe4xB56bI/AAAAAAAAI08/mLB88yqhRSk/s400/199-ClownMass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659932792280705458" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7SqK0bdLKs/Towe4iRZegI/AAAAAAAAI00/u_oa30bNzgY/s1600/6a00d834515d1e69e200e54f4e111a8834-800wi.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7SqK0bdLKs/Towe4iRZegI/AAAAAAAAI00/u_oa30bNzgY/s400/6a00d834515d1e69e200e54f4e111a8834-800wi.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659932788319156738" /></a>You know this, you're not stupid. What then can you, a mere layperson do? That's a good question and one that I asked myself, many many moon ago when I was less old. In this series of posts, I hope to provide some concrete ideas of what you (who we shall call a Papal Ninja because you're quick, fast, agile and effective, working in secret behind the scenes) can do. We shall stick to the doable, in the here and the now.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The image below, of Pope Benedict XVI celebrating the Papal Mass in St. Peter's Basilica is the goal of the Benedictine Marshall Plan, a restored, vibrant and growing and most importantly, faithful Church.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ymvH7R8dI/Towe4TYgLgI/AAAAAAAAI0s/ej4J_znnWpA/s400/benedict.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659932784322424322" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJhjpRVQZTc/TowblfL3mfI/AAAAAAAAI0M/LQL-UP6VDw8/s400/single-brick.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659929162538260978" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " />Let our plan be a smart plan. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. We are not Pope, or Cardinal Prefect or Archbishop or Bishop. We are not in Holy Orders and neither do we walk the Corridors of Power as movers as shakers. But besides offering up our prayers and sufferings in a spirit of reparation and asking the Lord to help us (which is indeed essential! and of the utmost importance and must never be forgotten or set aside no matter how 'busy' we think we are) let us take the words of Our Lord to heart when the told His Apostles: "You give them something to eat yourselves". </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Let us be one among the many in this slow, brick by brick effort to recover our Catholic identity. Let us begin with ourselves. We shall see how in the coming posts. Lamenting (ranting) can only do so much good. After a while, we should let the whining stop, pick ourselves up and do something about it.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Theodore Roosevelt 26th president of US (1858 - 1919) quoting Squire Bill Widener, of Widener's Valley</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaYSavCAuuU/TowbbzXrHdI/AAAAAAAAI0E/1vHYpwPJh3g/s1600/brick_wallpaper_new.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaYSavCAuuU/TowbbzXrHdI/AAAAAAAAI0E/1vHYpwPJh3g/s400/brick_wallpaper_new.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659928996157791698" /></a></span>Hope for the future: Dresden today.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4mt2ht0lrE/Towjz3j2NTI/AAAAAAAAI10/u29uusZ05mo/s1600/Dresden_stallhof.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4mt2ht0lrE/Towjz3j2NTI/AAAAAAAAI10/u29uusZ05mo/s400/Dresden_stallhof.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659938205692474674" /></a>The rebuilt and restored Stalhof and a general view of the City of Dresden today.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pxlZVUwNzSo/TowjzhwHvlI/AAAAAAAAI1s/tRmgLDIurl4/s1600/Dresden%2BView%2B1sm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pxlZVUwNzSo/TowjzhwHvlI/AAAAAAAAI1s/tRmgLDIurl4/s400/Dresden%2BView%2B1sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659938199838375506" /></a></span></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-57803159872465886612011-10-05T15:16:00.006+08:002011-10-05T15:26:08.195+08:00Eucharistic miracle in Poland<div>Whenever there are Eucharistic miracles, such as the one in Lanciano, it has been in response to some doubt or lack of faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is also a lesson for all priests and those handling the Host to be most attentive and careful of the precious treasure they are holding in their consecrated hands!</div><div><br /></div><div>Are we guilty, in our actions and in the way we behave before the Blessed Sacrament or in the manner we receive? Let us be more attentive to this greatest of the treasures of the Church, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and approach Him with all reverence and adoration.</div><div><h1 class="entry-title" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; zoom: 0; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7em; line-height: 1.2em; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); "></h1></div><blockquote><div><h1 class="entry-title" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; zoom: 0; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7em; line-height: 1.2em; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); "><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/02/3180305/polish-catholics-see-miracle-in.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Polish Catholics see miracle in communion wafer</span></a></h1><div class="byline_creditline" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; zoom: 0; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); "><h4 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; zoom: 0; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >By VANESSA GERA</span></h4><h4 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; zoom: 0; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Associated Press</span></h4></div></div><div>Roman Catholics in Poland gathered Sunday for a special Mass celebrating what they see as a miracle: the appearance on a communion wafer of a dark spot that they are convinced is part of the heart of Jesus.</div><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93wkQE6utDU/TowFCqS6LzI/AAAAAAAAIz8/fVTbE982TDw/s400/977-8GWEh.St.55.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659904374969347890" />The communion wafer in question developed a brown spot in 2008 after falling on the floor during a Mass in the eastern Polish town of Sokolka. Two medical doctors determined that the spot was heart muscle tissue, church officials have said.<br /><br />Bialystok Archbishop Edward Ozorowski said during the Mass that in history, the "substance of Christ's body or blood has become available to the human senses, and this also happened in Sokolka."<br /><br />"For God, nothing is impossible," Ozorowski said.<br /><br />The dark-spotted wafer was carried aloft in a reliquary by a golden-robed priest in a procession and was put on display in the town's church of St. Anthony as about 1,000 faithful looked on, according to a report and footage carried by the TV station TVN.<br /><br />Catholics believe that the bread and wine that priests use during the sacrament of communion - or the Eucharist - are changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.<br /><br /><div>The nun's discovery sparked huge interest among the faithful in this deeply Roman Catholic country, sparking large numbers to flock to Sokolka. Though some believers consider the object miraculous, the Vatican is still examining the matter and has not yet officially decided whether to declare it a miracle, church spokesman Andrzej Debski said.</div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5V_Ii-8ujc/TowEdGT2lbI/AAAAAAAAIzs/7F0OfHJ73zg/s400/122-129EFm.St.55.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659903729654470066" /><br />A group of rationalists complained about the matter in 2008, and called on authorities to investigate if a murder or other crime was involved if human flesh was indeed found on the wafer. Police say they have no evidence of any crime.</div></blockquote>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-70841288446752375182011-10-04T14:38:00.002+08:002011-10-04T14:49:33.678+08:00Brilliant quote from Blessed Pope John Paul the Great<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPRM1njqdc8/ToqsQcMYkOI/AAAAAAAAIzU/NqQdjIEhZL8/s1600/blessed_john_paul_ii-229x300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPRM1njqdc8/ToqsQcMYkOI/AAAAAAAAIzU/NqQdjIEhZL8/s400/blessed_john_paul_ii-229x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659525280190468322" /></a><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. </i></div><div>-Pope John Paul II : Homily in Orioles Park at Camden Yards - 8 October 1995</div></blockquote><div></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-13400925591055096622011-10-03T10:16:00.005+08:002011-10-04T11:00:55.068+08:00This I swear<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xROo-kuVbgk/TokfAufDnlI/AAAAAAAAIzE/2BqNgmRLAco/s1600/pope-saint-pius-x-16.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xROo-kuVbgk/TokfAufDnlI/AAAAAAAAIzE/2BqNgmRLAco/s400/pope-saint-pius-x-16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659088504106491474" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div>I've signed the Oath Against Modernism. Have you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xROo-kuVbgk/TokfAufDnlI/AAAAAAAAIzE/2BqNgmRLAco/s1600/pope-saint-pius-x-16.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cYquw_aa0Y/TokfA1TqsZI/AAAAAAAAIzM/pZpqCzz9wfg/s400/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659088505937768850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 290px; " /></a></div><div><blockquote><div><b>THE OATH AGAINST MODERNISM</b></div><div>Given by His Holiness St. Pius X September 1, 1910.</div><div><br /></div><div></div></blockquote></div><blockquote><div><blockquote><div>To be sworn to by all clergy, pastors, confessors, preachers, religious superiors, and professors in philosophical-theological seminaries.</div></blockquote><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 147px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SeME4toSeyE/TokelU1l1SI/AAAAAAAAIy0/OWGt_wV3AUM/s400/pope-saint-pius-x-15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659088033365218594" /><div>I Andrew Khoo, firmly embrace and accept each and every definition that has been set forth and declared by the unerring teaching authority of the Church, especially those principal truths which are directly opposed to the errors of this day. And first of all, I profess that God, the origin and end of all things, can be known with certainty by the natural light of reason from the created world (see Rom. 1:90), that is, from the visible works of creation, as a cause from its effects, and that, therefore, his existence can also be demonstrated:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Secondly, I accept and acknowledge the external proofs of revelation, that is, divine acts and especially miracles and prophecies as the surest signs of the divine origin of the Christian religion and I hold that these same proofs are well adapted to the understanding of all eras and all men, even of this time.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thirdly, I believe with equally firm faith that the Church, the guardian and teacher of the revealed word, was personally instituted by the real and historical Christ when he lived among us, and that the Church was built upon Peter, the prince of the apostolic hierarchy, and his successors for the duration of time.</div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Fourthly, I sincerely hold that the doctrine of faith was handed down to us from the apostles through the orthodox Fathers in exactly the same meaning and always in the same purport.</div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLxGrwZtOnk/TokfANASVhI/AAAAAAAAIy8/DoM1cqSr148/s400/528px-Pius_X_COA.svg.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659088495119062546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 400px; " /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore, I entirely reject the heretical' misrepresentation that dogmas evolve and change from one meaning to another different from the one which the Church held previously. I also condemn every error according to which, in place of the divine deposit which has been given to the spouse of Christ to be carefully guarded by her, there is put a philosophical figment or product of a human conscience that has gradually been developed by human effort and will continue to develop indefinitely. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fifthly, I hold with certainty and sincerely confess that faith is not a blind sentiment of religion welling up from the depths of the subconscious under the impulse of the heart and the motion of a will trained to morality; but faith is a genuine assent of the intellect to truth received by hearing from an external source. By this assent, because of the authority of the supremely truthful God, we believe to be true that which has been revealed and attested to by a personal God, our creator and lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>Furthermore, with due reverence, I submit and adhere with my whole heart to the condemnations, declarations, and all the prescripts contained in the encyclical Pascendi and in the decree Lamentabili, especially those concerning what is known as the history of dogmas. I also reject the error of those who say that the faith held by the Church can contradict history, and that Catholic dogmas, in the sense in which they are now understood, are irreconcilable with a more realistic view of the origins of the Christian religion. I also condemn and reject the opinion of those who say that a well-educated Christian assumes a dual personality-that of a believer and at the same time of a historian, as if it were permissible for a historian to hold things that contradict the faith of the believer, or to establish premises which, provided there be no direct denial of dogmas, would lead to the conclusion that dogmas are either false or doubtful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Likewise, I reject that method of judging and interpreting Sacred Scripture which, departing from the tradition of the Church, the analogy of faith, and the norms of the Apostolic See, embraces the misrepresentations of the rationalists and with no prudence or restraint adopts textual criticism as the one and supreme norm. Furthermore, I reject the opinion of those who hold that a professor lecturing or writing on a historico-theological subject should first put aside any preconceived opinion about the supernatural origin of Catholic tradition or about the divine promise of help to preserve all revealed truth forever; and that they should then interpret the writings of each of the Fathers solely by scientific principles, excluding all sacred authority, and with the same liberty of judgment that is common in the investigation of all ordinary historical documents.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I declare that I am completely opposed to the error of the modernists who hold that there is nothing divine in sacred tradition; or what is far worse, say that there is, but in a pantheistic sense, with the result that there would remain nothing but this plain simple fact-one to be put on a par with the ordinary facts of history-the fact, namely, that a group of men by their own labor, skill, and talent have continued through subsequent ages a school begun by Christ and his apostles. </div><div><br /></div><div>I firmly hold, then, and shall hold to my dying breath the belief of the Fathers in the charism of truth, which certainly is, was, and always will be in the succession of the episcopacy from the apostles. The purpose of this is, then, not that dogma may be tailored according to what seems better and more suited to the culture of each age; rather, that the absolute and immutable truth preached by the apostles from the beginning may never be believed to be different, may never be understood in any other way.</div><div><br /></div><div>I promise that I shall keep all these articles faithfully, entirely, and sincerely, and guard them inviolate, in no way deviating from them in teaching or in any way in word or in writing. Thus I promise, this I swear, so help me God.</div></div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I think many bishops, priests and professors who took this oath have perjured themselves in the revolution that occurred after Vatican II and may God be their judge, for the damage their collective action, and inaction, their abdication of their duty and their sacred trust have caused God's Holy Catholic Church.</div></blockquote><div></div>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14011761.post-44543412556689283562011-09-29T10:54:00.002+08:002011-09-29T10:54:56.378+08:00No, really... LOL<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUJ1a4zDz_4/ToPd7IvmVNI/AAAAAAAAIys/8WvtjvJ1QRA/s1600/315087_10150838334415585_649770584_21206414_1130227710_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUJ1a4zDz_4/ToPd7IvmVNI/AAAAAAAAIys/8WvtjvJ1QRA/s400/315087_10150838334415585_649770584_21206414_1130227710_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657609564936623314" /></a>Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09356738924839809045noreply@blogger.com1