PARISH REPORT: Church Designates “Peanut-Free Pews” For Kids Who Snack At Mass

December 23, 2015 By Larry D

(AoftheANews) SAN JOSE – Beginning next Sunday at St Hazel’s, parishioners whose children suffer from peanut allergies will have the option to sit in three ‘peanut-free’ pews. The parish council approved the proposal during their November meeting, in response to a mother’s petition to create a ‘safe snacking space’ for her three-year old daughter, diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy. “We’re proud of our accomplishment,” Fr Al Mond told AoftheA News. “Our mission at St Hazel’s is to create a warm, hospitable... Read more

2 Simple Steps On Becoming A Bona-Fide Woman Priest

December 21, 2015 By Larry D

1) Get yourself some D&D dice. 2) Roll a female cleric. And you won’t be ex-communicated latae sententiae, either! Bonus! Image credit: Benjamin Esham [Creative Commons] via Flickr (dice) Jonathon Nowak [Creative Commons] via Flickr (woman) Read more

UPDATE: Salt Lake Diocese Issues Report On “Bleeding” Host

December 16, 2015 By Larry D

I posted on November 27, a story where a church in the Salt Lake Diocese preserved a consecrated host that appeared to start bleeding after it was placed in water. The diocese ordered an investigation, and it has concluded. It’s not blood. Here’s how the diocese’s official statement starts: Summary Conclusion: In November of 2015, it was alleged that a consecrated host (communion bread wafer) from Saint Francis Xavier Church in Kearns, Utah, appeared to be bleeding. A thorough investigation has... Read more

“Why I Left Church Militant” – A Former Employee’s Tale

December 15, 2015 By Larry D

Interesting read from a former Church Militant employee. The young man, who blogs under the name Miles Ecclesiae, describes his experience with detachment and a plain matter-of-factness. There is no bus driving here. He still has admiration and respect for Michael Voris, as a person and fellow Catholic. However, it’s the way things are being done at Church Militant that bothered this man’s conscience, that caused him to leave. Here’s how his story starts: This is a very weird blog post for me.... Read more

Resist Sarcasm? I’m Trying!

December 14, 2015 By Larry D

I was asked to contribute a piece to Aleteia today, a short reflection for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. They liked it enough to publish it – I hope you like it, too. Sarcasm I now see to be, in general, the language of the Devil; for which reason I have, long since, as good as renounced it. —Thomas Carlyle Last week Elizabeth Scalia tweeted Aleteia’s post “56 Ways to be Merciful during the Year of Mercy.” After reading it, I tweeted... Read more

The Remnant Petitions Pope Francis: Change Course, Or Quit

December 11, 2015 By Larry D

It’s come to this. Back on The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and corresponding with the start of the Year of Mercy, The Remnant issued an “urgent” appeal, asking Pope Francis to change his ways, or if that’s not possible, then to resign the Petrine office. They’re hoping for 1,000,000 signatures. From The Remnant: Your Holiness: […] A growing number of Catholics, including cardinals and bishops, are coming to recognize that your pontificate, also the result of an unexpected election, is likewise... Read more

Things Not Said In Scripture, #4

December 9, 2015 By Larry D

I am so not a fan of Children’s Liturgies. I don’t think Jesus is either. Read more

The Blind Muslim Trust Experiment

December 9, 2015 By Larry D

In light of Donald Trump’s recent and repeated asinine proclamation he would ban all Muslims from entering America if he became President, I thought posting the following video was apropos. This is just one of a series of ‘Social Experiment’ videos. Are they a bit schmaltzy? Maybe to the more cynical folks out there. But I dunno – it wouldn’t hurt Donald Trump and his campaign staff (and maybe his supporters, too) to watch this. While I don’t share their beliefs – I... Read more

Solemnity Of The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

December 8, 2015 By Larry D

“Thus, through the offspring of a woman, God himself will triumph. Goodness will triumph. That woman is the Virgin Mary of whom was born Jesus Christ who, with his sacrifice, defeated the ancient tempter once and for all. This is why in so many paintings and statues of the Virgin Immaculate she is portrayed in the act of crushing a serpent with her foot.” – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (taken from Magnificat magazine) Image Source: The Immaculate Conception, by Giovanni... Read more

Top 10 Rejected Slogans For The Jubilee Year Of Mercy

December 7, 2015 By Larry D

The Jubilee Year of Mercy, called by Pope Francis, officially begins Tuesday, December 8. There’s all sorts of info and background at the official Jubilee of Mercy website. It’s all rather exciting. The slogan for the Jubilee is “Merciful Like The Father” (Not a huge fan of the logo – it just looks weird – but that’s neither here nor there). I like the slogan – being created in the image and likeness of God the Father means we must be like Him. Thus, we are to be... Read more