EWTN Opens Studio in the United Kingdom

EWTN Global Catholic Network Opens U.K. Studio

Facility Located at Historic Walsingham Site

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network has opened its first studio and office in the United Kingdom. The facility is located in a converted home in the historic Village of Walsingham, north of London. The town is the home of one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, which dates to 1061. The formal dedication took place on Tuesday, August 29 in a ceremony attended by EWTN Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw; Monsignor John Armitage, Rector of the Shrine; and the Most Reverend Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia.

“This is a particularly important step for the continued development of EWTN in the U.K.,” said Network Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “This new facility will allow us to greatly expand our capacity to produce programming for our European channels as well as to more easily incorporate content from the U.K. into our other channels around the world.

“It is also appropriate that this new facility is located just steps from the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, which for centuries has been one of the most important centers of Catholicism in Britain. Every year hundreds of thousands of people come to Walsingham on pilgrimage,” said Warsaw. “I'm very happy that EWTN now has a presence in this extraordinary place and can share what happens here with our audience around the globe.”

The three-story building named "Annunciation House" contains EWTN’s studio and a street-level reception and welcome center that introduces the Network to visitors. The facility allows Shrine pilgrims to enjoy clips from EWTN’s most popular television shows, original films, documentaries and more.

In addition to producing programs with leading Catholics from across the U.K., Warsaw said EWTN hopes to form a strategic collaboration with the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham that will help the Shrine carry out its mission to evangelize.

In a letter of congratulations read at the dedication, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, wrote: “Over the last 950 years Walsingham has been a place of pilgrimage, proclaiming the joy of the Annunciation; in this new chapter of its history, I welcome the opportunity for the Shrine and EWTN to work together as servants of the New Evangelization.” 

Shrine Rector Monsignor John Armitage noted that “Walsingham is very much the crossroads of the Catholic Church in England. The Church needs to be at the crossroads, particularly an organization in communications. So we are delighted as a Shrine to be able to welcome EWTN to come here as an organization in their own right, but at this place where so many pilgrims come from all over the world.”

EWTN transmits dedicated television and radio channels for the U.K. and Ireland. Those services are available on the Sky satellite platform, cable and video streaming platforms throughout the region. The Network also transmits two additional television channels for the European continent.

The project in Walsingham was made possible through the work of Saint Clare Media-EWTN, Ltd., the Network's not-for-profit affiliate in Britain. That entity conducts marketing, fundraising, and program production for the EWTN U.K. television and radio services, as well as the creation and distribution of news content in collaboration with EWTN's global news outlets.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 37th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN’s 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 268 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN services also include radio channels transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; the largest Catholic website in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including “The National Catholic Register” newspaper, and several global wire services; as well as a publishing arm.

Pope Francis secure behind his walls

While Pope Francis declares anyone who owns guns and dares calls themselves "Christians" are in fact hypocrites ...

...and tells other nations not to build walls for security because they aren't Christians either, he sits safely behind his huge walls... 

People waiting outside Vatican City Wall

 ...while his personal well armed Swiss Guard protects him. 

We all pray the day never comes when any of our popes are attacked or killed, but the fact is, more likely than not an attack will come. As long as the demonic theology of Islam continues, Christians will be under threat. 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - It is perhaps "only a matter of time" before Rome is hit by a Barcelona-style attack but security forces are ready in case the Vatican is targeted, the head the Swiss Guard has said.
Security has been stepped up at religious sites throughout Italy, including at the Vatican, since last year, when a truck driven by a suspected Islamist militant killed 86 people in the French city of Nice.
Barriers and police and army vehicles have been placed around St. Peter's Basilica to make it harder for a vehicle to gather speed in an attack such as the one last week in Barcelona, which killed 13 people.

What Christ's Holy Catholic Church once taught about Islam...

Fifth Lateran Council 1512-17 A.D. 
SESSION 12 - 16 March 1517 
 We are suitably carrying out the duty of our office when we renew again that reform of the whole church and its affairs which we have accomplished with profit; when we plan to apply suitable remedies for the unchallenged observance of the reform and to make provision for cathedrals and metropolitan churches so that they may no longer be without their pastors; and when we supervise these remedies with ever-present attention and untiring efforts, by means of which we may be able to render the Lord's flock, which has been entrusted to our care, acceptable and submissive in the sight of the divine majesty. Our aim is also to crush the Turks and other infidels standing firm in the eastern and southern regions. They treat the way of true light and salvation with complete contempt and totally unyielding blindness; they attack the life-giving cross on which our Saviour willed to accept death so that by dying he might destroy death, and by the ineffable mystery of his most holy life he might restore life; and they make themselves hateful enemies of God and most bitter persecutors of the christian religion. Strengthened by defences not only spiritual but also temporal, we may be able, under God's guidance and favour, to oppose the bitter and frequent sallies by which, in wild rage, they move savagely amidst christian blood.

...is long gone now. Those teachings went out the window with the spirit of Vatican II. 

The lets all be friends and kiss the demonic Koran book of lies approach hasn't worked either. 

For centuries Islam has wanted to kill Christians. Nothing has changed except the Catholic Church's teaching on Islam. Hold to the old authentic Faith my friends! Kissing demonic books and trying to befriend people who are plotting how to remove your head from your body is not the way to go! Reject the spirit of Vatican II nonsense and trust in the authentic proven teachings of Christ's Holy Catholic Church. 

God help us! 

In Christ, 


Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 

***Previous post on the Catholic Church and Islam: #FlashbackFriday teachings on Islam and the Catholic Church over the centuries:  
http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2016/07/flashbackfriday-catholic-church-then.html 


Sources: 

https://twitter.com/TheVaticanNews/status/901216636694396928

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/18/politics/pope-francis-trump-christian-wall/

http://connecticutcatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2015/07/christians-with-guns-are-distrusting.html

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2017/08/26/vatican-prepared-in-case-of-barcelonastyle-attack--swiss-guard-chief/

http://www.guns.com/2017/04/16/guns-swiss-guard/

Mark Shea declares President Trump an Anti-Christ

...based on nonsense. 

Apparently, a protestant woman by the name of Paula White is one of President Trump's spiritual advisers and she said the following... 

“They say about our president, ‘Well, he is not presidential.’ Thank goodness. Thank goodness. Thank goodness,” White said. “And I mean that with all due respect. Because in other words, he is not a polished politician. In other words, he is authentically — whether people like it or not — has been raised up by God.” “Because God says that he raises up and places all people in places of authority,” she continued. “It is God who raises up a king. It is God that sets one down. When you fight against the plan of God, you are fighting against the hand of God.”

Shea got his undies in a twist over this statement because he did not recognize that White, in her own protestant way, was referencing Sacred Scripture. 

Romans 13 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)  
13 Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.3 For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.4 For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.5 Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.6 For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.7 Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.

And because Shea doesn't know these Bible verses or deliberately ignored them, he concluded that #676 in the Catholic catechism is a better fit for the current Pro-life, God bless America, freedom of religion protecting President Trump. *funny, I don't recall Shea ever referring to Obama, the baby butcher as an antichrist*

CCC 676: The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the “intrinsically perverse” political form of a secular messianism. 

Shea is of course, as he so often is, wrong. 

Shea writes: 

"Do I think Trump is The Antichrist? No. Do I think he is *an* antichrist? Yes. Antichrists are a dime a dozen.  You don’t need to puke pea soup to be an antichrist. You merely have to oppose Christ."

Not so fast Jack. It is the denial of God that makes one an antichrist according to Sacred Scripture... 

[1 John 2] 22 "Who is a liar, but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is Antichrist, who denieth the Father, and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. He that confesseth the Son, hath the Father also." 

Trump is no pillar of Christianity, but neither is he denying whom God is. All protestants "oppose" Christ in one way or another because they reject Christ's Holy Catholic Church and oppose Her teachings. That makes them protestant, not de facto antichrists. 

If Shea's view were correct, then Shea as an ex-protestant would clearly be declaring himself (and all current non-Catholic Christians) to have been an antichrist for a good portion of his life. One wonders, does Mark Shea consider himself a reformed antichrist? 😏

We can clearly see President Trump's belief in God in the many speeches and statement he's made. President Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast... 

[in part] TRUMP: "I was blessed to be raised in a churched home. My mother and father taught me that to whom much is given, much is expected. I was sworn in on the very Bible from which my mother would teach us as young children, and that faith lives on in my heart every single day.The people in this room come from many, many backgrounds. You represent so many religions and so many views. But we are all united by our faith, in our creator and our firm knowledge that we are all equal in His eyes. We are not just flesh and bone and blood, we are human beings with souls. Our republic was formed on the basis that freedom is not a gift from government, but that freedom is a gift from God." 

 Another example, when Syria used chemical weapons on its own people. 

[President Trump] "On Tuesday Syrian President Bashar al Assad launched a horrible chemcial attack on innocent civilians using a deadly nerve agent. Assad choked out the lives of helpless men, women and children. It was a slow and brutal death for so many. Even beautiful babies were cruelly murdered at this very barbaric attack. No child of God should should ever suffer such horror. "Tonight I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched. It is in the vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons. There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council. "Numerous previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all found and failed very dramatically. As a result, the refugee crisis continues to deepen and the region continues to destabilize, threatening the United States and its allies. Tonight I call on all civilized nations to join us in seeking to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria and also to end terrorism of all kinds and all types. We ask for God's wisdom as we face the challenge of our very troubled world. We pray for the lives of the wounded and for the souls of those who passed. And we hope as long as America stands for justice and peace and harmony , we will in the end prevail. Good night and God Bless America and the entire world." 

Shea declares that because Trump when asked about his faith and asking God for forgiveness for his actions stated, “I am not sure I have. I just go on and try to do a better job from there. I don’t think so,” he said. “I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture. I don’t.”, he must certainly be antichrist. Again, that makes Trump a Protestant, not an antichrist. Shea clearly has a hard time separating the two.

By the biblical definition there are billions of antichrists in the world...pagans, Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, Buddhists, atheists, etc,...but Trump is not among them. 


My message to Mark Shea...😇

In Christ, 


Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 


Sources: 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markshea/2017/08/trump-spiritual-advisor-paula-white.html#disqus_thread

http://religionnews.com/2017/08/22/trump-paula-white-raised-up-by-god/

http://www.wltx.com/news/nation/president-trump-no-child-of-god-should-suffer-such-harms/429393512

http://time.com/4658012/donald-trump-national-prayer-breakfast-transcript/


P.S. 
I don't think Mark Shea likes me...😎

Can we say #Snowflake? 😊 

EWTN: Called and Chosen docudrama

EWTN's ‘Called and Chosen – Fr. Vincent R. Capodanno’

Showcases Military Chaplain’s Heroics On & Off Battlefield

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN is proud to announce the premiere of “Called and Chosen – Father Vincent R. Capodanno.” This EWTN original docudrama depicts the life of a former Maryknoll missionary turned military chaplain, who died at the age of 38 on the killing fields of Vietnam administering the sacraments and pulling others to safety. The film premieres 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 30, with encores at 3 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 2; and 3 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 4. (Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.)

“For several years now, EWTN has been focused on creating more original, high quality movies, documentaries, and docudramas,” said EWTN Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw. “We are especially proud of this docudrama, which shows that this extraordinary priest gave his life, not because he cared about the politics of war, but because he cared about the men who were dying on those fields; men who needed God and the sacraments; men who needed what only a Catholic priest who was unafraid to die could give them.”

“Called and Chosen” was filmed in New York and California with James Kelty, who has written and directed a number of films for EWTN, including the award-winning “Kateri.”

Kelty will be among the guests interviewed in the special “EWTN Live” which airs at 8 p.m. ET, the night of the premiere. Other special guests will be George J. Phillips, Chairman of the Board of the Father Capodanno Guild (who served with the priest and whose testimony is also in the film); and Mary Preece, Vice-Postulator of Cause of Father Vincent R. Capodanno.

“Not only was Father Capodanno a hero, he was one of those people who had charisma while still being a very humble person,” Kelty said. “People just wanted to be around him -- everyone who knew him told me that.”

“Called and Chosen” is most riveting in the last hour of the 90-minute film, which intersperses the testimonies of those Marines with whom Fr. Capodanno served with realistic battle scenes that put viewers into the heart of the action. We see a Military Chaplain who went into battle – even though it wasn’t required of him – armed only with the weapon of his faith.

Father Capodanno died exactly where he wanted to be, where he knew God willed him to be. As one Marine who served with him said upon seeing Father’s body: “Every other American I had seen killed had a very terrified look on their face. He was at peace.”

John Elson, EWTN’s Director of Program Acquisitions and Co-Productions, sums up the film’s likely impact on viewers. “After watching the heroism of this Military Chaplain, viewers will be encouraged to take to heart the message that Father Capodanno imparted to his men before they went into what would be this young priest’s final battle. It was: ‘Do not be afraid this day, for God is with us.’”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 37th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN’s 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 268 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN services also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; the largest Catholic website in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including “The National Catholic Register” newspaper, and two global wire services; as well as a publishing arm.

Questions for Catholics

So this was going around Twitter tonight and I thought I'd take a stab at it. And I am passing this on to other Catholic bloggers to do too! 😇

1)  Latin 
2)  Convert
3)  2007
4)  2007
5)  The Virgin Mary 
6)  The Virgin Mary 
7)  Have never been to Extraordinary, but I dream of it. 
8)  I'm a Catholic gypsy at the moment, haven't attended mass at my official parish in ages (too progressive). I attend assorted parishes around my state looking for a new home parish. Mostly I feel like the Jews in the wilderness (see more on that HERE).
9)  None currently 
10) Hail Mary, Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen, Our Father 
11) Answered above 
12) My blessed "I'm A Catholic, Please call a Priest" necklace, holy water bottle & rosary beads - never leave home without them! 
13) Advent 
14) Holy Guardian Angels (Oct.2) 
15) Consecration 
16) It's as hard to find as Bigfoot around here! 
17) 2 weeks ago 
18) Coming from Protestantism hearing "vocational life" was completely foreign to me. If only I'd been raised Catholic...
19) Too many to pick from - hate hearing new or folk type music at Mass. Give me old Gregorian Chant every time! 
20) Favorite Catholic meme...

21) I have a ton of favorite Catholic movies, love the Bernadette/Lourdes movies, "Going My Way" and "Come to the Stable" are my top favorites. 
22) Do Christmas carols count? I love "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Oh Come all Ye Faithful" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" 
23) I'm no expert on encyclicals as I haven't read a whole lot of them, but I would say JPII's "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" and Benedict XVI's "Deus Caritas Est" (as they are currently sitting beside me at my desk😎). 
24) Blue 
25) "Ave Maria" and "Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary" 
26) The verses in John 21 where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. 
27)  There are so many! I probably pick up St. Faustina's Divine Mercy Diary the most often (love reading this during Lent). 
28) Blogging? 😇
29) Pope St. Gregory I, Pope Pius X, Pope St. Leo the Great 
30) ?
31) my best friend
32) Dominicans 
33) Seeing people hold hands and raise them up during the Our Father at Mass. 😕
34) The Sacraments! 


Passing this on to other bloggers...lets see you post on this. Leave a link in my comments area so I don't miss your post answers! 

God bless! 


In Christ, 

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 



Thanks to JenToInfinity on Twitter for inspiring this post! 

EWTN Press Release: Television Schedule

EWTN’s Best Ever Season Preview

Irondale, AL (EWTN) –  Whatever type of television program you prefer – movies, documentaries, music, talk shows, educational/inspirational/or children’s programs – this fall the Network to watch is EWTN.

Learn about the life of the soon-to-be beatified Fr. Stanley Rother, be inspired by the heroic life and death of Military Chaplain Fr. Vincent Capodanno, celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun in a dramatization of Our Lady of Fatima’s final apparitions in Portugal, enjoy on-location interviews with business owners whose faith guides their business decisions, discover how to be a force for good on the Internet – and much more!

Get a sneak peek, featuring clips from all of EWTN’s new shows, when EWTN President Doug Keck hosts the “EWTN Season Preview.” Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday, Aug. 14; 1:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Aug. 15; 10:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 18; and 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19.

This Season’s highlights include:

Be inspired by this military chaplain's heroic life and death in EWTN's “Called and Chosen – Father Vincent R. Capodanno.” 

“Called and Chosen – Father Vincent R. Capodanno.” This powerful 90-minute EWTN original docu-drama about a military chaplain’s life and heroic death debuts at 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Aug. 30. But be sure to tune in at 8 p.m. ET for a special “EWTN Live” interview with Director James Kelty; Mary Preece, Vice-Postulator of Father Capodanno’s Cause for Canonization; and George Phillips of the Capodanno Guild. Encores at 3 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 2; and 3 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 4. 

“Beatification of Father Stanley Rother:” In the week leading up to this priest’s Sept. 23 beatification, EWTN will air a special documentary about the life of the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified. This Oklahoma-born priest turned Guatemalan missionary was warned not to return to his mission while on a home visit – but this shepherd refused to leave his flock and was martyred. Father Charles Connor hosts the special as well as EWTN’s live coverage of the beatification. 

“The Message of Fatima”: The conclusion of this popular EWTN original mini-series celebrating the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima culminates this fall. Episodes with the final two apparitions will air at 6:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 13, and 8:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 13, the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun! But don’t miss the Nov. 4 episode, which recreates subsequent apparitions to Lucia dos Santos in which Our Lady requested the First Saturdays Devotion. 
“MASSterpiece Donut Shop:” This high-end EWTN’s children’s program with “Donut Man” Host Rob Wahl explains the Mass so children – and adults! – can learn to understand and love it. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Mondays, beginning Sept. 4, with an encore at 9 a.m. Saturdays, beginning Sept. 9. 

A Force for Good: Enjoy on location interviews with business owners who rely on their Catholic faith to manage their businesses, their employees, and their lives. This EWTN co-production with The Catholic University of America, hosted by Dr. Jay Richards, debuts weekly beginning 10 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 8. Encores at 5:30 a.m. ET Mondays, and 1 p.m. ET Tuesdays. 

“Life on the Rock”: This completely revamped weekly half-hour show, which debuts in October, features the priests of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word in different segments that help viewers rock the New Evangelization. 

“Digital Catholics:” Sister Helena Burns helps young people use their social media prowess to become a force for good on the Internet. 
“An EWTN Holy Land Experience:” Travel to the Holy Land with Fr. Joseph and Fr. Mark in these special programs that will not only air on EWTN television, but live on EWTN’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ewtnonline. Join EWTN’s Holy Land Facebook Group for behind-the-scenes photos, videos, and Q&A’s with the hosts! 
There’s much more in store for viewers this fall! For a complete listing of programs, go to www.ewtn.com and search under the “Television” tab. Note: Times and dates are subject to change so please check for updates at http://www.ewtn.com/multimedia/weekly-schedules.asp.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 37th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN’s 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 268 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; the largest Catholic website in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including Catholic News Agency, “The National Catholic Register” newspaper, and several global news wire services; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division.

 

Catholic body prayer?

Why do the Catholic laity insist on adding things to the Mass that aren't there? And why don't priests correct them? 

Coming into the Church from Protestantism, I had a very clear (and apparently wrong) idea that Mass was Mass, and it would be the same at any Catholic parish I attended. I wanted order, uniformity, a truly universal Church where all Masses were alike. I wanted the Catholic Church I had fallen in love with- the one that didn't resemble Protestantism where everyone did their own thing because everyone is their own pope. 

I expected priests to follow the same rubrics in all parishes and I expected the laity to follow the instructions set down in the missal for Mass. The missal isn't complicated. The readings are there and it tells you when to stand, sit or kneel. Easy-peasy right? Not for some folks.

What the missal never says is to hold hands or lift your hands in the air during the Our Father (except for the celebrants of the Mass- but I am talking about the laity). My interpretation (for what its worth) is that if it doesn't say "do this...", you don't simply stick something in there you want to do. Others see things differently and have decided to either hold hands, stretch out their hands like the priest, or combine the two as we see here from St. Raymond Parish, Philadelphia from earlier this month.

I know why I used to lift my hands in the air when I was a Protestant during services. It is a verse from the New Testament (there are several other verses as well, some in the Old Testament) and encouraged by the ministers to join them in raising our hands (the only 'priesthood' is among all the believers). This was done to show the congregation was the same as the minister- mere believers. Ministers were nothing special.

1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention."

But that isn't how a Catholic Mass works...or so I thought when I first became Catholic a decade ago. The missal said "stand" and I stood, the missal said "sit" and I sat, the missal said "kneel" and I knelt. The missal never said "hold hands" or "raise your hands in the air" etc., so I didn't, but others do. I don't get that. 

What are these people trying to do? Put their own personal stamp on the Mass? By gesture attempt to show the priest he's nothing special, that they are all equally members of the 'priesthood' as happens in Protestantism? Or maybe they just want to let Protestantism creep into the Mass?

The USSBC statement reads: 

"Q: Some people hold hands during the Lord's Prayer, while others hold their hands out like the priest.  Is there a prescribed posture for the Our Father?A: No position is prescribed in the Roman Missal for an assembly gesture during the Lord's Prayer."

To a person who likes order at Mass, this is chaotic and in some cases actually causes division in some parishes between the hands clasped in prayer folks 🙏, the raise your hands in the air folks 🙌, and the hold hands folks, and the hold hands while raising them in the air folks.😕 

When Canon Law states: 

Can.  907 In the eucharistic celebration deacons and lay persons are not permitted to offer prayers, especially the eucharistic prayer, or to perform actions which are proper to the celebrating priest.

I guess I'm a dope, but to me that means I don't get to raise my hands in the air, as that is proper only to the priest. To others Canon 907 has nothing to do with the Our Father at Mass or any hand position. 

With no clear direction from our Bishops, we get confusion in the pews with everyone doing their own thing. No unity in this prayer at the moment. 

The Bishops/priests could at the very least tell people to put their arms down, even if the hand holding continues.  

Orans position (hands raised in the air): 

"Among the laity this practice began with the charismatic renewal. Used in private prayer it has worked its way into the Liturgy. It is a legitimate gesture to use when praying, as history shows, however, it is a private gesture when used in the Mass and in some cases conflicts with the system of signs which the rubrics are intended to protect. The Mass is not a private or merely human ceremony. The symbology of the actions, including such gestures, is definite and precise, and reflects the sacramental character of the Church's prayer. As the Holy See has recently pointed out, confusion has entered the Church about the hierarchical nature of her worship, and this gesture certainly contributes to that confusion when it conflicts with the ordered sign language of the Mass."

If all that hand-holding, arms in the air stuff isn't bad enough, where does it stop? We all know from history that the progressives in the Church never stop pushing the limits and often reach into new age areas for their next gimmick- like sand in the holy water fonts during Lent.😩  

But about those assorted positions for prayer...what if a dozen people decided they wanted to lay prostrate during the Our Father? Or worse, assume some loony yoga position? Since the USSBC states "no position is prescribed" what's to stop the next new thing from making its way into our Mass? 

Don't laugh! It could happen! 

From the Society for the Propagation of the Faith the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago I found some instructions on numerous different types of prayer, including the new to me "body prayer". 

Quote: One way to think about the many different types of prayer is to look at it as a kind of communication with God. There are different ways to communicate with God.  Consider these types of prayers:

Rote Prayers: These are prayers that you memorize and repeat.  These are prayers that the church tradition has passed down for many years.  Sometimes they are said over and over so that the meaning goes far beyond just the words.  With rote prayers we are telling God that we believe.  The Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Creed are examples of this.

Spontaneous Prayer: These are prayers that come straight from the heart.  The words are all your own.  When you pray this way you can tell God about what ever is on your mind. Sometimes you will say thank you, sometimes pray for someone you know or sometimes you want to ask for something.

Meditation: This kind of prayer involves our imaginations. When you meditate you envision yourself there with Jesus.  You need to focus your thoughts on the scene or story.  You could also meditate on the life of a saint or another event in your life where God spoke to you. 

Contemplation: This is a difficult form of prayer!  It requires you to only think about God.  You need to not only focus your mind, but you focus only on God!  Go somewhere quiet and sit comfortably, then think “I am in the presence of God.” (it really is difficult) 

Body Prayer: This kind of prayer uses your whole body posture.  The way we move also comunicates with God.  Some people like to kneel, some like to dance, and some like to walk (in a labrynth).  This helps you to think and pray about how God is a part of your life.  Give this one a try, look at the example below! [end quote]

Source: http://www.wearemissionary.org/old-mca/mitc/catholic-causes/

This Catholic "body prayer" is quite similar to what I see at my local Novus Ordo Mass during the Our Father! So is all this hand-holding, hands in the air stuff during the Our Father what the Archdiocese of Chicago calls "body prayer"? 

Is "body prayer" with all these assorted prayer positions as seen in the diagram the next craze to infiltrate the Novus Ordo Mass?😞 As if the hand holding and hands in the air wasn't bad enough. Now we've got "body prayer" diagrams (why encourage the ding-bats?). You just know some flake is going to do this stuff at Mass (probably a liturgical dancer). It's only a matter of time. 

My deepest prayer and solution for all this nonsense happening at Mass is to simply put away the Novus Ordo Mass and return to the Tridentine Mass. 🙏

Please Lord, have mercy on us!


In Christ, 

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 



Links: 

http://catholicphilly.com/2017/08/news/local-news/local-tolton-ambassadors-spur-devotion-for-saintly-black-priest/

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/posture-during-the-eucharistic-prayer-and-our-father.cfm

https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/orans_posture.htm

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P38.HTM

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/upload/praying-with-body-mind-and-voice.pdf 

Reverend Hillary Clinton?

When Hillary declared "deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed." I had no idea she'd decide to become a preacher and start her own religion! 

Quote: "After losing to President Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton has reportedly indicated what she would like her next endeavor to be.
At a recent photo shoot for his new book, the former secretary of state reportedly told her pastor, Bill Shillady, that she wants to follow in his footsteps and become a pastor, as she now believes that it is time to speak out about her faith, according to The Atlantic." 

Just what the world needs the morally bankrupt Hillary spreading her delusional faith beliefs to the masses in some mega church somewhere. 

In Christ, 

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 

sources: 

http://www.westernjournalism.com/report-hillary-clinton-wants-pastor/

photo: http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/30/politics/clinton-faith-private/index.html

Nothing like celebrating a Catholic Saint with paganism

This is a Catholic celebration in honor of Saint Kateri's feast day.

And what's a good old Catholic feast day without Native American smudging? 

Quote: "Guests and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament gathered July 15 at the National Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in Bensalem to celebrate the feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha and Native American cultures.
The event on the shrine grounds was attended by members of the Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy and the St. Kateri Circle led by Chief Buffy Red Feather Brown. The day included prayers, hymns, craft-making and a presentation on St. Kateri’s life."

Not to worry, its all Bishop approved. 

INCULTURATION,WORSHIP, AND SACRAMENTS

Liturgy and inculturation are major topics of conversation

at all levels in ministry to Native American

Catholics. No attempt was made in this survey to

assess the degree of inculturation that is envisaged

or attempted, but the survey asked, “Do the Native

people in your arch/diocese use their religious symbols

and rituals in their communal prayer life?”

Fifty-one dioceses (just under 30 percent of the

total) replied “Yes” to this question and described

the symbols and how they are used. A number of

dioceses stressed that these symbols and rituals are

used only on special occasions; others indicated that

they are incorporated into the ongoing worship of

the community. Among the most common symbols/rituals

are the following:

• Smudging (blessing, purifying) with cedar, sage,

sweetgrass, and tobacco

• Eagle feather used in blessings

• Dance and drums used for liturgies

• Indian music in liturgy (one diocese noted that

Br. Martin Fenerty, FSC, has composed five

Masses based on Native American melodies)

• Indian naming ceremony in conjunction

with Baptism

• Native attire used in local and diocesan

celebrations

• Four-directional prayer

• Sweat lodge

• Statues, relics of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

• Medicine wheel

• Native crucifix and cross

• Sacred vessels, decorations, and vestments

with Native designs

• Sacred pipe

The incorporation of Native symbols and rituals in

communal worship is much more common in

parishes/ministries serving Native Americans on

reservations or in rural communities than in urban

settings. Some of those ministering to Native

Americans noted that the diversity of tribes, and thus

symbols, in urban areas makes it difficult to find symbols

relevant to all the groups to whom they minister.[clipped]

Even Archbishop Chaput has prayed in sweat lodges and gone on vision quests. 😕 

I don't get it and I'm part Native American, so is my ex-husband so my kids get it from both sides of the family. I've been to Pow-wow's, many of them over the years (prior to becoming Catholic) and Native American celebrations. It is part of my family's heritage, that doesn't change the fact that scared pipes, medicine wheels, smudging, sweat lodges (used to talk to entities) etc., are all part of Native American paganism. 

How can you be Catholic while still clinging to pagan "scared" objects and practices like the medicine wheel? 

What's a medicine wheel you might be wondering? 

Quote: "We believe that the Medicine Wheel creates a vortex of healing energy that comes out of the ground and spirals out into the surrounding area, thus benefiting all living things. It is mirrored by another Wheel in the Spirit World.  Heaven and Earth are joined together by a tube of energy that flows between the two Wheels and to stand in The Wheel is to be part of that joining. The more we do ceremony in the Wheel, the stronger its energy and connection become. It is a beacon of Light shining out to illuminate the darkness and radiate healing and understanding into our community and to all the Earth."  

How about that sacred pipe?

Quote: "The pipe ceremony is a sacred ritual for connecting physical and spiritual worlds. "The pipe is a link between the earth and the sky," explains White Deer of Autumn. "Nothing is more sacred. The pipe is our prayers in physical form. Smoke becomes our words; it goes out, touches everything, and becomes a part of all there is. The fire in the pipe is the same fire in the sun, which is the source of life." The reason why tobacco is used to connect the worlds is that the plant's roots go deep into the earth, and its smoke rises high into the heavens."

Does any of that sound compatible with Catholicism to you? 

It's paganism!

Quit straddling the fence. Either you're Catholic or you're not. Give up the pagan sacred items and embrace Catholicism. 



In Christ, 


Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 


Sources: 

http://catholicphilly.com/2017/07/photo-features/celebrating-native-american-life-on-st-kateris-feast/

https://cruxnow.com/faith/2014/09/03/blending-rites-and-rituals/

http://wwwmigrate.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/native-american/resources/upload/NA-Catholics-Millennium.pdf 

http://mesacreativearts.com/html/medicinewheel.html

http://www.native-americans-online.com/native-american-pipe-ceremony.html