11 - 20 of 68 Comments

1. Rob

   1 year ago

   Hi JoAnn, nice to see you are back. How's the grandchild? You have all been in my prayers. Now to the point..... :) As a catechist I have always taught with the mantra, "meet them where they are." You don't beat people over the head with things they are not ready for. JoAnn, I hear you about needing to take responsibility for our faith. But getting to the point of acknowledging that is a process all it's own. But I think the point that Stephany is trying to make is that I do think the clergy have a responsibility to preach about those things that are killing us. The lack of silence on these issues has no excuse. Our Church's silence on marriage, the family, and life issues is part of the reason why we find ourselves in the predicament we are in. You can't expect "1 hour only Sunday Catholics" to be the army that is going to rise up and fight the ever growing secular culture. And they especially are not on issues they have never heard any teachings about.

2. Vance

   1 year ago

   JoAnn, I appreciate your post about educating ourselves and not casting blame on the Bishops and clergy. I agree that all Christians have a duty to educate themselves through bible and catechism studies and and actively working for charity and life. We have all heard about the "Religious Right". I am complaining about the "Religious Left". The 'Religious Left' are folks like Sister Carol Keehan of Catholic Health Services and Fr. John Jenkins of Notre Dame as examples. Keehan is back in the news again because she over rode the USCCB in the Obama HHS Mandate by publicly give her approval for Obama's so-called "Accommodations" while the USCCB rejected it. Keehan refused to walk it back. John Jenkins refused to sign on a Notre Dame Faculty petition protesting Obama's HHS mandate. These are two out of many within our ranks of the Bishops and clergy. Both Keehan and Jenkins are accountable to their diocesan Bishop. Where are these Bishops? If I were their Bishop, Keehan and Jenkins would be out the door so fast it would make their head swim. It is my prayer that Christ gives Keehan and Jenkins's Bishops their walking papers.

3. JoAnn

   1 year ago

   Stephany: Thanks for your response. I am a cradle Catholic too. I was born before WWII and I still learn things about our Faith everyday. You are right about the "rogues" in our Faith and "if" I hear teachings that contradict our Faith, I call them out on it. There are "rogues" in all faiths. And, you are right. they mislead many. But, it does not excuse them from seeking the "truth." It's like if you get a ticket for speeding and you tell the officer that you didn't know the speed limit. He may tell you, ignorance of the law is unacceptable. Well, that goes for our Faith too. Ignorance of our Faith is unacceptable. I have been very fortunate. The parishes that I have been in throughout life have been wonderful. Not everyone is in love with their Faith like you and I and many on this board. They sit in church once a week (if that) and take verbatim everything they hear. Maybe they make it to church on Christmas and Easter. And, they will tell you they know their Faith. How foolish they are. The worst thing the Church did was let the government take away her voice. President Johnson is the one that did that. Which, by the way, is unconstitutional. You sound a lot like me. I'm one of those people that does research and verifies what goes into my ears. I don't know your age and that might be the reason you say there are too many pulpits that are silent. Most of my faith education came before the 60's when we still heard "fire and brimstone" from the pulpits. After that, I was on my own and made it my business to absorb everything I could about our awesom Faith. God bless.

4. JoAnn

   1 year ago

   One more thought. Learning about our Faith is a lifetime quest. Jesus said. "Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you." Sadly, we find it easier to blame everything else but our own laziness. God bless.

5. Stephany

   1 year ago

   JoAnn, Thanks for reading my post. However, I don't back down on this. As a cradle Catholic, I know my faith and am more than willing to share it for the Glory of God.. My criticism is with those who are charged with shepherding the flock but are focused elsewhere and fail to teach. I agree, there are many ways we Catholics seek to grow in faith, and I am deeply grateful for the wonderful Priests and Bishops along the way who have nurtured my faith and been a source of growth to me and my family. There are workshops, events, conferences, websites, Pilgrimages, ministries, religious education classes, etc. These have provided opportunities for me to deepen my faith, and to share it with others, thanks be to God. We are called to live that faith, not just in Church on Sunday, but throughout life.
   However, when the Alinskyites have influence in parishes and chanceries, the teachings of the faith are undermined by the philosophy and tactics of the radical who dedicated his book to Lucifer.The goal is political power and some clergy choose to be silent about the issues of importance, because of their alliance with a certain political party. Specific teachings of the faith are "used" when convenient but other truths such as respect for life, are minimized. This confuses the laity, who are hungry for the truth but go unnourished. A new generation of wonderful Bishops has emerged. The situation has improved greatly, but much damage has been suffered by recent generations. It is sad.
   
   

6. JoAnn

   1 year ago

   Stephany & everyone else out there blaming our priests and bishops for our lack of education regarding our Faith: Stephany, you asked who will Jesus blame? I say He will blame every Catholic out there complaining. What churches are you guys going to? Have you ever heard of self-education? If you are not hearing what you want to hear from the pulpit, then it's time to go to a different parish or talk to your pastor or priest. Has everyone forgotten we have a beautiful book called the Catechism of the Catholic Church? If we are not educated about our Faith then we have no one else to blame but ourselves. How about Bible Studies? There are so many beautiful on-line Catholic networks you can refer to also. No, my friends, pointing fingers at someone else for our lack of knowledge regarding our Faith is the easy thing to do. Education of our awesome Faith rests on us also. By the way, Hi eveybody. Been on vacation but you all have been in my prayers. God bless.

7. Joe Rivera

   1 year ago

   Let me get this straight. We "Catholics" are supposed to go to a "secular" court to tell us "yes, you are right"?
   
   I didn't know there was a "court of conscience". The Church has it's own legal system, does it not?
   
   How about doing this in our resistance. JUST SAY NO!
   
   There is no such thing as winning in a secular court for a Christian. Ask any lawyer, as soon as you show up, you CEDED JURISDICTION TO THE COURT! Sooo, you've already lost!
   
   You may get a decision favorable from time to time, but "Court Opinions" are just that-opinions, and opinions given, can be taken away.
   
   God's Law is eternal.
   
   Just don't participate. Make them arrest or try to file suits against us!
   
   JUST SAY 'NO'!
   

8. andrew

   1 year ago

   Whether you agree with Obama's contraception plan or not, the first amendment to the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,..." The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, a new bill supported by these oppressive backwards-thinking idiots is clearly in violation of the 1st amendment.

9. vance

   1 year ago

   Stephany, great post. You accurately articulated the problem that exists in our church. I believe to time has come that we the faithful need to start holding these Alinskyite Bishops and priests feet to the fire. These are not misguided or naive individuals. They are fully aware of what is going on. Their lack of action is deliberate and cogent. It is evil. We have all heard the old saying, "Evil loves it when good people do nothing". These are bad guys doing nothing.

10. Stephany

    1 year ago

    Rob, I agree with you very much on the lack of teaching regarding those truths held sacred by our Church. You are right, it is rare, if ever, that the subject rolls out of a homily, or an adult education class, or a workshop or seminar. Too busy, too distracted, too one sided, you name it, the excuse list is long. What about the souls lost? Who will Jesus hold to account for this?
    A few years back, a local paper published a puff piece about Planned Parenthood displaying a photo taken at a workshop sponsored by PP. A young teen was gazing at a condom in her hand and her mother sat proudly beside her. A tasteless photo of "sex education, compliments of PP.. The caption could have read "come and get it" or "open for business". PP was proud to present this workshop. Catholics are the dominant religion in this area and PP was definitely trolling for clients. Not a word of protest from our Shepherds.
    A huge Diocesan event for Pro Life was not covered by the same newspaper, in spite of being informed of it. When I called to ask why,I was told they had not opened my email. (The subject line had read "Pro Life Event") What does that tell you?
    Too many Bishops and priests are aligned with the Alinsky organizations throughout this country. A certain priest lists Obama as his role model. What does that tell you?
    We heard mushy "you need to vote comments" before the election but nothing regarding the horrific record and history of Obama regarding life and what it could mean to us.. Some concerned Catholics paid large advertising costs to bring the truth to our brothers and sisters. But it was not to be reinforced at the parish or diocesan level. A couple of months later, after Obama was safely ensconced in the white house, the Bishops are putting out the postcards regarding the FOCA. One pro life priest (some aren't) was in total disgust, as the effort should have been made BEFORE the election. It wasn't of course, because of the idealogy of the Diocesan leadership. Alinskyites abound in the Diocese.
    Many in the laity have tried, yet met with a concrete wall of indifference. A tasteful, yet truthful abortion display at a pro life event had to be hidden away. Catholics streamed out of Mass and sniffed in disgust at the pro life efforts being made outside to bring attention to this crucial teaching on the anniversary of Roe v Wade.
    Now we have this radical attack on Christianity and Catholicism, direct and frontal even from some within the church. Those same catholics mentioned above probably won't care. The free condoms and pills are more valuable than freedom itself. Trust in the government replaces trust in God. Pope John Paul was called an "old man" by Fr. McBrian of Notre Dame fame. Go to the National Catholic Reporter and read some of the comments there. You feel sick to your stomach at the pompous self righteousness of those who call themselves catholic yet think they know better than the true and good teachings of our Faith and belittle those who hold true.
    It's not all about abortion. It's about basic right and wrong. What we have now is the highest level of selfishness witnessed in my years of life. The same can be said for perversion. The latest "control" in the form of mandates if not checked, at some time could require families with three or more children to give one to some same sex couple who can't have children, (for obvious reasons) but want one. You have too many, they have none, you must give them one of yours, since you belong to the "state" now. Sound far out??? What is happening today would not have been imagined just fifty years ago. Don't think it can't happen with the level of radicalism in this administration.
    
    

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