[phisheep]

I've been banned before, I'm playing it safe this time. And I really don't think people who respond with "you're an asshole bigot antihuman rights pig head who should be shot" to the comment "I don't buy girl scout cookies" are worthy of a response. As if its some crime to be pro-life on these boards.

With all due respect, rage, that's not at all what happened in that thread (and you never got that response that you 'quote'). Plenty of people called you out for not responding, not defending your arguments, some questioned your stance and one or two were sarcastic (and one was sarcastically in your favour if you ever noticed).

But that's not 'playing it safe', ducking out of a thread like that. Asking for trouble more like.

Anyhow. I'm not going to discuss it more here. This is Catholic-GAF, and I still welcome you.

EDIT: If you want to continue this conversation, PM me rather than clutter up this thread.

[Pollux]

How's everyones Lent going? Everyone still on the wagon for what they gave up?

[Alucrid]

I've been banned before, I'm playing it safe this time. And I really don't think people who respond with "you're an asshole bigot antihuman rights pig head who should be shot" to the comment "I don't buy girl scout cookies" are worthy of a response. As if its some crime to be pro-life on these boards.

I actually have good news for you, that whole thing wasn't real! Planned Parenthood never distributed any materials to the Girl Scouts so you can join me and many other Catholics indulging in our desires for Samoas, Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils and, my personal favorite, Tagalongs.

[phisheep]

How's everyones Lent going? Everyone still on the wagon for what they gave up?

Fighting temptation as always. Roll on springtime when I can take it out on the garden. Two Daffodils emerged so far, so in about a weeks time I will be working out hard early mornings.

[xavi42]

How's everyones Lent going? Everyone still on the wagon for what they gave up?

Going great. Going to do some 40 Days for Life vigils next week.

[bonesmccoy]

How's everyones Lent going? Everyone still on the wagon for what they gave up?

Lent has always been a 'work in progress' for me, and then it suddenly ends. This time however I'm borrowing a page from a fellow Gaffer and essentially having 1 meal + 2 snacks per day. It should be easier to keep than 'Give up Coffee', which is something I've tried and failed at too many times.

I do keep the fast from meat all through the year. My mum - a stalwart ethnic Catholic from England - forced my family to adhere to that tradition. I'm really glad she did, for even when I had my atheist/agnostic spell in my late teens - early 20s, I kept that corporal discipline active. I do believe that little connection helped in my eventual return.

phisheep, sage advice.

[ragemasher13]

I actually have good news for you, that whole thing wasn't real! Planned Parenthood never distributed any materials to the Girl Scouts so you can join me and many other Catholics indulging in our desires for Samoas, Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils and, my personal favorite, Tagalongs.

That was never the issue, if you bothered to read my very first post I said that since the Girl Scouts support planned parenthood, I don't support them. End of story. And you guys asked for my justification? Its because I'm pro-life. After that it was just an endless stream of vitriol that I didn't want to justify with a response.

[bonesmccoy]

rm13, take it easy!

lol @ ChristianMingle.com ad

[Gila]

Going great. Going to do some 40 Days for Life vigils next week.

Awesome! Where abouts you doing it?

I have an overnight vigil to do on Saturday (2-7am) can't wait :D (and in Vancouver, Canada)

[bigosc2k]

Is it weird for people to tell me Happy Ash Wednesday?

[Alucrid]

Is it weird for people to tell me Happy Ash Wednesday?

A little since Lent is supposed to be a time of penance/repentance.

[xavi42]

Awesome! Where abouts you doing it? I have an overnight vigil to do on Saturday (2-7am) can't wait :D (and in Vancouver, Canada)

We are pretty much neighbors, I am from Seattle. :)

[phisheep]

Is it weird for people to tell me Happy Ash Wednesday?

Yep, that is just strange. Wait until Happy Good Friday (or do people generally understand that one more?).

[Gila]

We are pretty much neighbors, I am from Seattle. :)

Nice! I'll keep you guys in my prayers

[bonesmccoy]

Nice! I'll keep you guys in my prayers

And I'm in Victoria!

My wife is from Vancouver, and when we're there visiting we usually attend St Augustine's in Kitsilano. And the odd time we're in Seattle, we hit up a Jesuit church that's right next to the Space Needle. I can't remember the name.

[xavi42]

I like this message sent out by the President of Georgetown after this recent mess involving Ms. Fluke and Rush Limbaugh. It just goes to show the Catholic tradition and way of thinking is not necessarily always shown accurately and truthfully in the media. But I think we are more in line with the sentiment of this letter:


Dear Members of the Georgetown Community:

There is a legitimate question of public policy before our nation today. In the effort to address the problem of the nearly fifty million Americans who lack health insurance, our lawmakers enacted legislation that seeks to increase access to health care. In recent weeks, a question regarding the breadth of services that will be covered has focused significant public attention on the issue of contraceptive coverage. Many, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, have offered important perspectives on this issue.

In recent days, a law student of Georgetown, Sandra Fluke, offered her testimony regarding the proposed regulations by the Department of Health and Human Services before a group of members of Congress. She was respectful, sincere, and spoke with conviction. She provided a model of civil discourse. This expression of conscience was in the tradition of the deepest values we share as a people. One need not agree with her substantive position to support her right to respectful free expression. And yet, some of those who disagreed with her position – including Rush Limbaugh and commentators throughout the blogosphere and in various other media channels – responded with behavior that can only be described as misogynistic, vitriolic, and a misrepresentation of the position of our student.

In our vibrant and diverse society, there always are important differences that need to be debated, with strong and legitimate beliefs held on all sides of challenging issues. The greatest contribution of the American project is the recognition that together, we can rely on civil discourse to engage the tensions that characterize these difficult issues, and work towards resolutions that balance deeply held and different perspectives. We have learned through painful experience that we must respect one another and we acknowledge that the best way to confront our differences is through constructive public debate. At times, the exercise of one person’s freedom may conflict with another’s. As Americans, we accept that the only answer to our differences is further engagement.

In an earlier time, St. Augustine captured the sense of what is required in civil discourse: "Let us, on both sides, lay aside all arrogance. Let us not, on either side, claim that we have already discovered the truth. Let us seek it together as something which is known to neither of us. For then only may we seek it, lovingly and tranquilly, if there be no bold presumption that it is already discovered and possessed."

If we, instead, allow coarseness, anger – even hatred – to stand for civil discourse in America, we violate the sacred trust that has been handed down through the generations beginning with our Founders. The values that hold us together as a people require nothing less than eternal vigilance. This is our moment to stand for the values of civility in our engagement with one another.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioia
President
Georgetown University

[Gila]

What's General Absolution?

Went to a talk by Fr. Lucien Larre a couple days ago with a friend, afterwards there was confession which we both went to. And when we were leaving, my friend asked if I had received "General Absolution as well." I said "yeah, I think he said something like that" and she high-fived me

Then the day after I went to another friends house (who studied theology) and when we mentioned we had received general absolution - The theology friend was kinda iffy and didn't like that. But my friend affirmed by saying that "it was alright, we received it individually and not all together" The theology friend was like "phew, sorry I just had canon-law (?) on the back of my mind"

I had no idea what was going on, I was just nodding lol

[phisheep]

What's General Absolution? Went to a talk by Fr. Lucien Larre a couple days ago with a friend, afterwards there was confession which we both went to. And when we were leaving, my friend asked if I had received "General Absolution as well." I said "yeah, I think he said something like that" and she high-fived me Then the day after I went to another friends house (who studied theology) and when we mentioned we had received general absolution - The theology friend was kinda iffy and didn't like that. But my friend affirmed by saying that "it was alright, we received it individually and not all together" The theology friend was like "phew, sorry I just had canon-law (?) on the back of my mind" I had no idea what was going on, I was just nodding lol

There's a special thing called "General Absolution" where a priest can absolve lots of people all at once without hearing their individual confessions - usually only when everyone is in imminent danger of death or, with the bishop's permission, something similarly time-constrained but not so severe.

Your theological friend was quite right to be worried if you had really received one!

I think maybe your first friend got the terminology wrong for something else?

[bonesmccoy]

Holy Week!

Since I have 3 kids, ages 4 and under, I won't be attending my diocese's Chrism Mass.

Holy (or Maunday) Thursday has always been one of those 'nights' for me. This probably sounds weird, but I find it so much easier to capture and understand the gravity of this night's events than I do the events on Friday afternoon.

[bonesmccoy]

How could I forget? My favourite painting (that I've seen in person) is about that night:

[Gila]

Happy Easter all!

Deo Gratias :)

[bonesmccoy]

Happy Easter!

[Pollux]

HAPPY EASTER!!!

[Gila]

So one of my best friends just had a baby! And I didn't buy a baby shower gift, so I need to find something for her (it's a girl). Any ideas? I don't want a baptism gift just yet, just something that is somewhat unique with meaning. I'll probably purchase online, and hopefully it'll come from a Catholic source instead of a China-made eBay item lol

Thanks guys

[phisheep]

So one of my best friends just had a baby! And I didn't buy a baby shower gift, so I need to find something for her (it's a girl). Any ideas? I don't want a baptism gift just yet, just something that is somewhat unique with meaning. I'll probably purchase online, and hopefully it'll come from a Catholic source instead of a China-made eBay item lol Thanks guys

I'm new to this idea of a 'baby shower' (only first came across it a few months ago).

But I think if you want something unique and with meaning, save it for the baptismal gift, which gives you a bit more think time. For the baby shower stick to something practical like whichever of nappies/books/clothes etc they don't have (enough of) yet.

[Pollux]

Anyone ever gone through the discernment process?

[Gila]

Anyone ever gone through the discernment process?

To the religious vocations? Of course, I think we all have (or still are)

On a side note, I bought a bottle of chartreuse for a married couple that are close friends of mine. They wanted it for after their daughters baptism, ahh the liquer looked so cool. Their packaging was awesome, can't wait to try it out.

[Pollux]

To the religious vocations? Of course, I think we all have (or still are) On a side note, I bought a bottle of chartreuse for a married couple that are close friends of mine. They wanted it for after their daughters baptism, ahh the liquer looked so cool. Their packaging was awesome, can't wait to try it out.

Very nice. I've never had it, but I would love to try the green one just because of the color lol

As far as the vocation goes...I've toyed with the idea for a while now, but within the last 6 months or so it's gone from a fanciful idea to all I'm thinking about in my free time. Decisions...decisions....Either way it's all extremely confusing.

[Gila]

As far as the vocation goes...I've toyed with the idea for a while now, but within the last 6 months or so it's gone from a fanciful idea to all I'm thinking about in my free time. Decisions...decisions....Either way it's all extremely confusing.

Oh yeah definitely, to be honest any kind of vocation could be confusing; religious orders, consecrated life, marriage. It's obviously not something to decide upon haste.

Do you have any spiritual guidance? I remember when I was contemplating it (mind you I was very young, around 15) I wanted to enter for the most wrong reasons. My close mentors all entered seminary and were discerning it - and since I looked up to them a lot, that was the primal reason why I wanted to join. Of course, through maturing mentally and spiritually it was stupid. And fast forward now, one of them got married and just had a daughter and the others just left the seminary after 4 years. So it's kinda cool to see that, even though you enter it's still a discernment process and it's not called upon everyone.

lol wow, sorry I kinda went overboard with personal experience for an answer.

[Pollux]

Oh yeah definitely, to be honest any kind of vocation could be confusing; religious orders, consecrated life, marriage. It's obviously not something to decide upon haste. Do you have any spiritual guidance? I remember when I was contemplating it (mind you I was very young, around 15) I wanted to enter for the most wrong reasons. My close mentors all entered seminary and were discerning it - and since I looked up to them a lot, that was the primal reason why I wanted to join. Of course, through maturing mentally and spiritually it was stupid. And fast forward now, one of them got married and just had a daughter and the others just left the seminary after 4 years. So it's kinda cool to see that, even though you enter it's still a discernment process and it's not called upon everyone. lol wow, sorry I kinda went overboard with an answer.

Haha it's all good. Out of curiosity did any of them make it through? And what type of seminary did they join, was it for a particular order or just a diocese?

I fell away from the Church after high school while I was in college so 2007-2011. But around 2010 I started getting back into just reading theology, philosophy, history, etc. The Catechism was a big help in understanding everything since, let's be honest, catechesis generally sucks these days. The good news about that is that people in my generation and a little older so mid-20s to early 30s seem to realize that and are taking a much firmer stance on teaching the Catechism; and it seems that the majority of young men entering seminaries, and the ones being ordained, these days are quite a bit more traditional than even those from 10-15 years ago. Just something I've noticed. But yea, I've toyed with the idea for years and as I got more in depth in my "research", something just clicked.

At that point I was dating this girl, Catholic girl although she was not very religious at all, but at that point we had been together about 2.5 years. Our relationship started deteriorating and we broke up recently. But even during the last 6 months I had already started looking into vocations and steps on the discernment process. So here I am now, trying to figure it all out.

I'm not going to lie, if I were to apply today it would have to be FSSP.

[Gila]

Haha it's all good. Out of curiosity did any of them make it through? And what type of seminary did they join, was it for a particular order or just a diocese? I fell away from the Church after high school while I was in college so 2007-2011. But around 2010 I started getting back into just reading theology, philosophy, history, etc. The Catechism was a big help in understanding everything since, let's be honest, catechesis generally sucks these days. The good news about that is that people in my generation and a little older so mid-20s to early 30s seem to realize that and are taking a much firmer stance on teaching the Catechism; and it seems that the majority of young men entering seminaries, and the ones being ordained, these days are quite a bit more traditional than even those from 10-15 years ago. Just something I've noticed. But yea, I've toyed with the idea for years and as I got more in depth in my "research", something just clicked. At that point I was dating this girl, Catholic girl although she was not very religious at all, but at that point we had been together about 2.5 years. Our relationship started deteriorating and we broke up recently. But even during the last 6 months I had already started looking into vocations and steps on the discernment process. So here I am now, trying to figure it all out. I'm not going to lie, if I were to apply today it would have to be FSSP.

So all of the seminarians I know entered into SCK (Seminary of Christ the King) which is the only one in my province, its just a diocesan priesthood seminary. And from there (the one with the baby) furthered his studies into the Norbertines Order at St. Michaels Abbey (California). Then two others joined that same order and the same monastery, one of them has already taken his first vows and the other will take it in August. And then I know multiple people who have studied philosophy at SCK and saw that they weren't called upon that life and now have returned back into secular jobs.

I definitley agree with you that the Catechism is not how it used to be, especially in this era of technological and material hindrances. But we were so blessed to have John Paul II to encourage studying the catechism amongst the youth and now Pope Benedict XVI leading with that mindset.

I'm not familiar with FSSP, but thank you for making me research something now haha. Missionaries of Charities Fathers caught my eye lol

[Pollux]

So all of the seminarians I know entered into SCK (Seminary of Christ the King) which is the only one in my province, its just a diocesan priesthood seminary. And from there (the one with the baby) furthered his studies into the Norbertines Order at St. Michaels Abbey (California). Then two others joined that same order and the same monastery, one of them has already taken his first vows and the other will take it in August. And then I know multiple people who have studied philosophy at SCK and saw that they weren't called upon that life and now have returned back into secular jobs. I definitley agree with you that the Catechism is not how it used to be, especially in this era of technological and material hindrances. But we were so blessed to have John Paul II to encourage studying the catechism amongst the youth and now Pope Benedict XVI leading with that mindset. I'm not familiar with FSSP, but thank you for making me research something now haha. Missionaries of Charities Fathers caught my eye lol

Agreed.

FSSP, interestingly, only performs the Tridentine Mass. No Novus Ordo. Which I love, b/c the NO was part of the reason I drifted away in the first place.

MCF...the one founded by Mother Theresa?

[Gila]

Agreed. FSSP, interestingly, only performs the Tridentine Mass. No Novus Ordo. Which I love, b/c the NO was part of the reason I drifted away in the first place. MCF...the one founded by Mother Theresa?

Haha

Yup MCF was from Blessed Teresa. I've worked a lot with the sisters of MC - the things they do are astonishing

[Pollux]

Haha Yup MCF was from Blessed Teresa. I've worked a lot with the sisters of MC - the things they do are astonishing

Agreed.

It get's confusing, doesn't it, because there are countless orders/seminaries/etc. and then within the priesthood there are religious priests and secular priests...

Makes my head spin lol

[Gila]

lol yup, a lot of stuff

Anyways great to see some discernments from Gaf! I'll be praying for you

[Pollux]

lol yup, a lot of stuff Anyways great to see some discernments from Gaf! I'll be praying for you

I'm taking it very slow right now b/c I don't want the recent break up to be something that pushes me in the wrong direction. Basically as you said, don't make the decision for the wrong reasons.

And thanks, same to you!

[Sutton Dagger]

Was wondering what Catholic GAF thinks about comments made by Australia's highest ranking Catholic, Cardinal George Pell on Atheists 'certainly' going to heaven? It was from a debate between Pell and Richard Dawkins a few weeks ago. The particular question is asked at around the 41 min mark. HERE

[bonesmccoy]

Was wondering what Catholic GAF thinks about comments made by Australia's highest ranking Catholic, Cardinal George Pell on Atheists 'certainly' going to heaven? It was from a debate between Pell and Richard Dawkins a few weeks ago. The particular question is asked at around the 41 min mark. HERE

Cdl. Pell is correct. That's the standard teaching of the Church.

What do you think about it? Have you had run-ins with Christians eager to condemn atheists to the pits of Hades?

[Pollux]

What do y'all think about Father Barron? And have any of you watched his YouTube videos?

[chubigans]

Never heard of him. What's he all about? (on iPod at work so I can't see vids).

[Pollux]

Never heard of him. What's he all about? (on iPod at work so I can't see vids).

He's the Priest who made the "Catholicism" series. Pretty intelligent guy.

and also....

Oh SSPX, y'all so crazy. Some of these people are seriously crossing the line into sedevacantism.

Long Sermon, but start around the 3 minute mark, and it just gets crazier from there.

My favorite part is when he accuses Pope Benedict XVI of being a heretic and preaching the heresy of modernism. SMH.

[Pollux]

Would just like to remind everyone that tomorrow is a Holy Day of Obligation...Feast of Corpus Christi.

[Gila]

Nice thanks for the reminder!

[bonesmccoy]

My favorite part is when he accuses Pope Benedict XVI of being a heretic and preaching the heresy of modernism. SMH.

Kind of interesting how there's this widely believed idea that the Vatican comes down on the 'Left' harder than it does on the 'Right'.

Fr Barron is an interesting dude. His work is really important in reconnecting Catholics with their faith. 'Course, there's a lot more to it than feeling awesome about buildings and the Bible.

[Pollux]

Kind of interesting how there's this widely believed idea that the Vatican comes down on the 'Left' harder than it does on the 'Right'. Fr Barron is an interesting dude. His work is really important in reconnecting Catholics with their faith. 'Course, there's a lot more to it than feeling awesome about buildings and the Bible.

Agreed, although I think that belief comes from the fact that the average lay person sees what's happening with the American Nuns right now and also with SSPX (if they even know that SSPX exists) and sees the Vatican offering an "olive branch" so to speak to the hardline traditionalists. At least that's how I understand it.

And I agree with you about Fr. Barron, and while there is much more than feeling awesome about buildings, Church history, and the Bible...for a generation as poorly catechized as ours was, well, it's definitely a start at getting people interested again.

[Pollux]

Friendly Reminder: Holy Day of Obligation today - Assumption of Mary.

Actually it was the 15th but the Sunday Mass will count as fulfilling the Holy Day of Obligation.

[Gila]

I witnessed a Solemn High Mass on this day of the beheading of St. John the Baptist, it was so cool. I've never been to a full Tridentine Mass before...now I have to go brush up on my latin lol

[Pollux]

I witnessed a Solemn High Mass on this day of the beheading of St. John the Baptist, it was so cool. I've never been to a full Tridentine Mass before...now I have to go brush up on my latin lol

Fuck ea. we got another one!!!!!!!

[Gila]

Another what?

[Sye d'Burns]

I witnessed a Solemn High Mass on this day of the beheading of St. John the Baptist, it was so cool. I've never been to a full Tridentine Mass before...now I have to go brush up on my latin lol

I think he hit the wrong thread.

Good for you! A solemn high Mass is something to behold. Do you have a Latin Mass offered regularly in your area? If so, are they typically silent or sung (Missa Cantata?)

If you're just getting into the Tridentine Mass, I would recommend just observing for your first few weeks. When I first started, I tried to keep up with a missal and it was an exercise in futility. Once you're familiar with the flow of the Mass, the use of the missal will become second nature after a bit. Within a few months, I had mostly memorized the responses requiring a missal.