St. Drogo: Patron Saint Of Coffee!
Working at Starbucks on All-Saints day, I got into a conversation with a customer about saints and their patronage. I wondered if there was a patron saint of coffee. And the answer is YES! Well, sort of. St. Drogo is the patron saint of coffee house owners. Close enough I say.
St. Drogo was born in 1105 of Flemish nobility. His mother died giving him birth, a fact that emotionally crushed him when he learned of it at age 10; he imagined himself responsible for her death. Later in life he practiced extreme penances, possibly to expiate this guilt. He was orphaned in his teens. At 18, he disposed of all his property and became a penitential pilgrim, making 9 trips to Rome. He was also a shepherd for six years at Sebourg, near Valencienne, France, working for Elizabeth de la Haire. Drogo was revered for his holiness. He reportedly had the ability to bilocate, with witnesses seeing him simultaneously working the fields and attending Mass. Stricken with an unsightly bodily affliction during a pilgrimage, he became a hermit at Sebourg in Hainault for 40 years surviving on barley, water, and the Eucharist. He died around 1186 at Seboug, France.
So, next time you go to Starbucks (yes, that's the ONLY coffee shop you should be going to ;-) ) think of St. Drogo!
Friday, November 04, 2005
Catholic School Nixes American Girl Fundraiser
A Roman Catholic school is canceling a fashion show by American Girl, a manufacturer of a popular line of dolls and children's books, amid criticism that it is contributing to an organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
St. Luke School in Brookfield notified its parents of the decision through bulletins at Masses over the weekend. Money raised through ticket and raffle sales was to go toward a new playground and a refurbished library.
"It's a bargain we'll just have to pass up," wrote Frank Malloy, St. Luke pastor. "The cost is too high. Our integrity isn't for sale."
read it all here.
A Roman Catholic school is canceling a fashion show by American Girl, a manufacturer of a popular line of dolls and children's books, amid criticism that it is contributing to an organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
St. Luke School in Brookfield notified its parents of the decision through bulletins at Masses over the weekend. Money raised through ticket and raffle sales was to go toward a new playground and a refurbished library.
"It's a bargain we'll just have to pass up," wrote Frank Malloy, St. Luke pastor. "The cost is too high. Our integrity isn't for sale."
read it all here.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Response To A Blog
Earlier today I read a blog from a friend of my wife's from college and was pretty distressed by the spin she put on my post from Monday titled Danny's Dilemma Deferred, Distress Distinguished.
A quote from her site reads as follows, "Basically he said that he wants to go to the Catholic church because they hate the gays and beleive in transubstantiation."
Now, I have reread my post a couple of times and nowhere in it could I find myself saying that I wanted to be Catholic because they hate gays. I didn't even mention transubstantiation. (Although, I do believe in transubstantiation.)
I am leaving the Anglican Church because of their actions at General Convention 2003, yes. General Convention 2003, however is only the tip of the iceberg. But I, nor do any orthodox Anglicans, Catholics, or any professing Christian hate gays. That is not Christianity. Please listen to me when I say this and try to suppress the gay/lesbian propaganda against the church. Liberals in ECUSA have said that orthodox Episcopalians are upset about a gay bishop because they hate gay people. That is simply not true! (The revisionists of ECUSA are so inclusive until they disagree with you and then watch out!)
Christians are called to respect the dignity of every human being. And part of respecting their dignity is speaking the Truth in love. The problem with a gay bishop or priest (besides homosexuality being against scripture and having Lambeth 98 affirm that it was contrary to scripture) is that they are supposed to be leaders and role models of their Christian flock.
During the ordination of a priest, the ordinand is asked by the bishop:
Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And Will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?
To which the ordinand responds:
I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.
A priest is also asked:
Will you do your best to pattern your life (and that of your family, or household, or community) in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to your people?
The priest answers I will.
Gene Robinson, who divorced his wife to be with his gay lover, should have been defrocked as a priest for not following these vows. He is not a wholesome example. But as we have come to see the Anglican Church has no discipline. (Look at Bishop's Spong, Ingham, and Pike to name a few.)
Let's see what is required of bishops!
At the bishops ordination he is asked:
Will you guard the faith, unity, and the discipline of the Church?
The bishop to be responds:
I will, for the love of God.
He has not guarded the Faith as a priest. He should not be a bishop.
If a heterosexual priest divorced his wife to be with his lover he would not be made a bishop!
Although I do know of a heterosexual priest who did divorce his wife for his lover and he is still a priest. One of the reasons I am leaving the Anglican Church.
Now you may say that we are all sinners. If we kicked all the sinners out, you would have an empty church.
Yes, we are all sinners, but we are called to repent! Jesus said to the woman who committed adultery, "Go and sin no more." He didn't say, "I love you. Keep on sinning."
The Gospel is about transformation, not affirmation! Why do you think God sent his only son to die for us? We need redemption for our sinful ways. Repent and do not let Christ's death be in vain!
The blogger also said on her site, "Why is it that the rules man has created in the form of organized religion have any bearing on how I live my life and how I have a relationship with my God?"
To her I say, man did not create the rules. God did. Man is carrying out those rules because that's what God has told us and it has considerable bearing on how you live your life and how you have a relationship with God!
I thank you for reading my site (I don't need to mention your name, you know who you are.) and I pray that you truly see what God has intended for you. Transform your life to do his will. It's not easy. It's not supposed to be. Put your faith in God and you will be alright.
I write out of love for you (though you may not believe it) and wish you the best. Put away your anger and open your eyes, ears, and heart to God and you will be transformed!
For a very good article on homosexuality and scripture click here.
Earlier today I read a blog from a friend of my wife's from college and was pretty distressed by the spin she put on my post from Monday titled Danny's Dilemma Deferred, Distress Distinguished.
A quote from her site reads as follows, "Basically he said that he wants to go to the Catholic church because they hate the gays and beleive in transubstantiation."
Now, I have reread my post a couple of times and nowhere in it could I find myself saying that I wanted to be Catholic because they hate gays. I didn't even mention transubstantiation. (Although, I do believe in transubstantiation.)
I am leaving the Anglican Church because of their actions at General Convention 2003, yes. General Convention 2003, however is only the tip of the iceberg. But I, nor do any orthodox Anglicans, Catholics, or any professing Christian hate gays. That is not Christianity. Please listen to me when I say this and try to suppress the gay/lesbian propaganda against the church. Liberals in ECUSA have said that orthodox Episcopalians are upset about a gay bishop because they hate gay people. That is simply not true! (The revisionists of ECUSA are so inclusive until they disagree with you and then watch out!)
Christians are called to respect the dignity of every human being. And part of respecting their dignity is speaking the Truth in love. The problem with a gay bishop or priest (besides homosexuality being against scripture and having Lambeth 98 affirm that it was contrary to scripture) is that they are supposed to be leaders and role models of their Christian flock.
During the ordination of a priest, the ordinand is asked by the bishop:
Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And Will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?
To which the ordinand responds:
I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.
A priest is also asked:
Will you do your best to pattern your life (and that of your family, or household, or community) in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to your people?
The priest answers I will.
Gene Robinson, who divorced his wife to be with his gay lover, should have been defrocked as a priest for not following these vows. He is not a wholesome example. But as we have come to see the Anglican Church has no discipline. (Look at Bishop's Spong, Ingham, and Pike to name a few.)
Let's see what is required of bishops!
At the bishops ordination he is asked:
Will you guard the faith, unity, and the discipline of the Church?
The bishop to be responds:
I will, for the love of God.
He has not guarded the Faith as a priest. He should not be a bishop.
If a heterosexual priest divorced his wife to be with his lover he would not be made a bishop!
Although I do know of a heterosexual priest who did divorce his wife for his lover and he is still a priest. One of the reasons I am leaving the Anglican Church.
Now you may say that we are all sinners. If we kicked all the sinners out, you would have an empty church.
Yes, we are all sinners, but we are called to repent! Jesus said to the woman who committed adultery, "Go and sin no more." He didn't say, "I love you. Keep on sinning."
The Gospel is about transformation, not affirmation! Why do you think God sent his only son to die for us? We need redemption for our sinful ways. Repent and do not let Christ's death be in vain!
The blogger also said on her site, "Why is it that the rules man has created in the form of organized religion have any bearing on how I live my life and how I have a relationship with my God?"
To her I say, man did not create the rules. God did. Man is carrying out those rules because that's what God has told us and it has considerable bearing on how you live your life and how you have a relationship with God!
I thank you for reading my site (I don't need to mention your name, you know who you are.) and I pray that you truly see what God has intended for you. Transform your life to do his will. It's not easy. It's not supposed to be. Put your faith in God and you will be alright.
I write out of love for you (though you may not believe it) and wish you the best. Put away your anger and open your eyes, ears, and heart to God and you will be transformed!
For a very good article on homosexuality and scripture click here.
The Feast Of All Souls
I was listening to a radio show today and a lady called in to talk about praying for the dead in Purgatory. I thought her explanation was great. She said that God so loved us that not only did he send his only begotten son to die for our sins, but he made Purgatory to be a place where souls can go that may not be worthy of a direct ticket to Heaven in order to escape Perdition. Now is a good time to pray for loved ones who have passed. May God release them from Pergatory. And....when you're done praying check out Michael Liccione's site Sacramentum Vitae for a great article on Purgatory and All Souls!
I was listening to a radio show today and a lady called in to talk about praying for the dead in Purgatory. I thought her explanation was great. She said that God so loved us that not only did he send his only begotten son to die for our sins, but he made Purgatory to be a place where souls can go that may not be worthy of a direct ticket to Heaven in order to escape Perdition. Now is a good time to pray for loved ones who have passed. May God release them from Pergatory. And....when you're done praying check out Michael Liccione's site Sacramentum Vitae for a great article on Purgatory and All Souls!
Pontificator’s First Law: When Orthodoxy and Catholicism agree, Protestantism loses.
Here's a great article by Al Kimel over at Pontifications about the (un-) catholicity of Anglicanism.
Al's comment, "So why do Anglicans continue to insist that Anglicanism is catholic? My best guess: It is a way to reassure themselves that Anglicanism is just as good as Catholicism and Orthodoxy, if not better (this was particularly important for me during my thirty years as an Episcopalian), with perhaps a not so subtle suggestion that Anglicanism is Protestantism in its fullness, i.e., Protestantism-plus."
That's exactly how I was as an Anglican. I wanted to reassure myself that we were "in there" with the Catholics and the Orthodox.
Here's a great article by Al Kimel over at Pontifications about the (un-) catholicity of Anglicanism.
Al's comment, "So why do Anglicans continue to insist that Anglicanism is catholic? My best guess: It is a way to reassure themselves that Anglicanism is just as good as Catholicism and Orthodoxy, if not better (this was particularly important for me during my thirty years as an Episcopalian), with perhaps a not so subtle suggestion that Anglicanism is Protestantism in its fullness, i.e., Protestantism-plus."
That's exactly how I was as an Anglican. I wanted to reassure myself that we were "in there" with the Catholics and the Orthodox.
Hot Dogma!
This is the best place to get a hot dog in Pittsburgh! The shop is actually a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and can be found in the back of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. They are also going to be featured on the Food Network on Nov. 8. If you are in the area, stop by for lunch. They have a great staff and an awesome atmosphere. I suggest the Germany or the New Yorker!
Visit there site here.
This is the best place to get a hot dog in Pittsburgh! The shop is actually a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and can be found in the back of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. They are also going to be featured on the Food Network on Nov. 8. If you are in the area, stop by for lunch. They have a great staff and an awesome atmosphere. I suggest the Germany or the New Yorker!
Visit there site here.
A Wake Up Call To ECUSA
This comes from the back cover of Joseph Ratzinger's book On The Way To Christ:
Jesus Christ is as popular as ever. Films, books, and news articles ask,"Who was Jesus Christ?" Even outside of Christianity he continues to appeal to people. And yet for so many, the popular Jesus is not the Jesus of Christianity. The popular Jesus makes no demands and never challenges people.
In this series of meditations, Pope Benedict XVI says that the true Jesus, the Jesus of the Gospels, "is quite different, demanding, and bold. The Jesus who makes everything OK for everyone is a phantom, a dream, not a real figure. The Jesus of the Gospels is certainly not convenient for us. But it is precisely in this way that he answers the deepest question of our existence, which keeps us on the lookout for God, for a gratification that is limitless, for the infinite. We must again set out on the way to this real Jesus."
The emphasis added is mine. DG Jr.
This comes from the back cover of Joseph Ratzinger's book On The Way To Christ:
Jesus Christ is as popular as ever. Films, books, and news articles ask,"Who was Jesus Christ?" Even outside of Christianity he continues to appeal to people. And yet for so many, the popular Jesus is not the Jesus of Christianity. The popular Jesus makes no demands and never challenges people.
In this series of meditations, Pope Benedict XVI says that the true Jesus, the Jesus of the Gospels, "is quite different, demanding, and bold. The Jesus who makes everything OK for everyone is a phantom, a dream, not a real figure. The Jesus of the Gospels is certainly not convenient for us. But it is precisely in this way that he answers the deepest question of our existence, which keeps us on the lookout for God, for a gratification that is limitless, for the infinite. We must again set out on the way to this real Jesus."
The emphasis added is mine. DG Jr.
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