Edmonton Archbishop bans Holy Communion on the tongue

Reminiscent of the false flag of H1N1 when many bishops in Canada had the temerity to bow to public health officials and alter liturgical norms and practises. Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton has banned Holy Communion on the tongue -- a norm, a law in fact, over which he has no power to affect.

In a January 6 letter to priests, due to the apparent "escalation in influenza" various "temporary" measures were enacted in addition to the banning of the Body of Christ on the tongue including the elimination of the distribution of the Precious Blood, emptying of Holy Water fonts and the practice of shaking hands at the Peace.

The reception of Holy Communion at Mass by the people is not mandatory, only the priest celebrant is required to complete the Sacrifice. If the influenza was so serious, then all should have refrained on order of the Archbishop and made a Spiritual Communion which would have come under his authority.  The banning of distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue is not within the Archbishop's purview. The Law of the Church provides that it is the norm and it is communion in the hand that is the indult, the exception.

During H1N1, Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary also bowed to secular authorities and went so far as to suspend the Holy Mass by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter after they asked the people to make a "Spiritual Communion" so that the priests would not be forced to violate Church Law, disobey the bishop or their consciences. The actions of Bishop Henry came to an abrupt halt after intervention from the Vatican. In a response to a letter to Bishop Henry by this writer, he responded by twisting the words of Pope Benedict XVI's letter accompanying Summorum Pontificum to elevate his authority over the Vetus Ordo beyond what the letter or motu proprio actually stated.

This matter was clearly dealt with previously.

In Toronto, Holy Communion was also banned on the tongue during the H1N1 scam, though the FSSP which was here at the time did not follow it and three months later, they departed Toronto. In Ottawa and Vancouver for example, no ban on the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue was demanded in the either Form of the Roman Rite.

What is most shocking to this writer, beyond the arrogance of the Archbishop of Edmonton to flaunt the Law of the Church, is that after nearly a month, this word has finally become known. Are the Catholics of Edmonton that careless about what their role is when bishops act in error and restrict their rights or are there just so few that receive the Lord in the traditional manner? Do any of them even know their rights or do they even care?

There has never been a study with any hard data that the distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue, properly administered, leads to any proliferation of influenza. Not even during the Spanish Flu epidemic a century ago, when all received on the tongue, was such a measure taken.

Ironically, as reported in the Catholic Register, whilst President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Smith, urged Canadian Catholics to "stand up for their religious rights" and he worried about the "erosion" of religious rights.

Except perhaps when the erosion is from within.

From a historical point-of-view, may I refer you to this letter from 98 year old Msgr. Vincent Foy who will soon celebrate his 75th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.

Well, Edmonton Catholics, what do you say?

Pastoral Scene

Influenza Precautions Announced

Posted in [Archdiocesan News] By Lorraine

In light of the recent escalation in influenza cases in Alberta, Archbishop Richard Smith has directed that parishes in the Archdiocese implement a number of temporary measures to guard against the spread of disease. These include:

• Discontinue the reception of the Precious Blood as part of any public celebration of the Eucharist.
• Limit the reception of the Body of Christ to the hands only.
• Suspend the practice of shaking hands during the Sign of Peace. This can be replaced by a bow or an intentional nod of the head toward those around you.
• Empty all holy water fonts.
• Be mindful of the importance of basic health measures. For example, thorough hand washing is an effective means of preventing the transmission of infectious material (nasal secretions, saliva, etc.) from soiled hands. Make alcohol-based hand sanitizing solution or tissues available in the church entrance.
• Encourage all parishioners to remain home at the first sign of illness, especially a cough or fever, out of respect for their brothers and sisters. Those who stay home can view a televised Mass onSalt+Light Television, on EWTN Television, or online at www.canadiandailymass.com. They can also make a Spiritual Communion; instructions for this are posted on our Divine Worship page. 
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should sanitize their hands immediately before receiving Communion themselves and avoid touching their face or other surfaces such as handrails before distributing Communion. Rub hand sanitizer over the hands until completely dry. (The sanitizer must evaporate or stay on the skin for 10 seconds to achieve any antibacterial/antiviral effect.)
• Pastoral care team members who bring the Blessed Sacrament to shut-ins should not attend any homes where influenza is known or suspected to be present.
• All pastoral care visitors to hospitals and nursing homes, whether clergy or lay volunteers, must observe all posted infection control procedures at these institutions (e.g. hand sanitizing, gowning, masking.)

“Please note that the decision to impose restrictions on the liturgy was not made lightly,” Archbishop Smith wrote in a January 8th letter to priests. “It was based on prayer, reflection and consultation with Alberta Health Services, the agency which is in the best position to assess local conditions and risk. It is my intention to lift the restrictions as soon as the provincial health authorities assure us that the risk of influenza infection has dropped substantially. “

Archbishop Smith also asks that we pray for the comfort and healing of all those afflicted by the illness, those who have died, and for those who are caring for the sick.

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Buffoonery

Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Notre Shame

This is what the Pope had to say to the folks from Notre Shame.

In my recent Apostolic Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, I stressed the missionary dimension of Christian discipleship, which needs to be evident in the lives of individuals and in the workings of each of the Church’s institutions. This commitment to “missionary discipleship” ought to be reflected in a special way in Catholic universities (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 132-134), which by their very nature are committed to demonstrating the harmony of faith and reason and the relevance of the Christian message for a full and authentically human life. Essential in this regard is the uncompromising witness of Catholic universities to the Church’s moral teaching, and the defense of her freedom, precisely in and through her institutions, to uphold that teaching as authoritatively proclaimed by the magisterium of her pastors. It is my hope that the University of Notre Dame will continue to offer unambiguous testimony to this aspect of its foundational Catholic identity, especially in the face of efforts, from whatever quarter, to dilute that indispensable witness. And this is important: its identity, as it was intended from the beginning. To defend it, to preserve it and to advance it!

Franciscus

Address to delegation of the University of Notre Dame du Lac

January 30, 2014

History will judge our beloved Papa!

History will judge, as will Our Lord; and the day will come in the not too distance future when Catholics around the world will come to the realisation that we were given a grace by God to be served by a man who is arguably the greatest intellect in the Catholic Church, if not the world, since St. Thomas Aquinas. Alas, we were unworthy.

Perhaps Father Allan J. McDonald has it right, shocking as it seems. I first discovered this man, our dear Papa, with the reading of The Ratzinger Report over twenty-five years ago. From then, he had me. His intellect was profound; yet, he would talk and teach as if he were always the kindly professor intent on not dumbing down his word but ensuring they were phrased that we simple folk could understand everything he said. 

Look at the photo below; look at he love in his eyes, on his face. I miss him; I miss him dearly. I am still in mourning. The fact is, we may never see one like you come our way again, not in many life times and certainly, not now. They can't hold a candle to you. 

May your enemies be confounded. May they be acursed - each and every filthy one of them. Every priest, bishop, cardinal whether in a parish, cathedral or the curia itself. Every teacher, liturgist, professor and layman. May they be held accountable for their evil, their treachery, their spite and their malice against you and the Church.

Papa Benedict, may our dear Lord comfort you and bless you; may you know how much you are loved and missed.

Vox Cantoris

Ecumaniacs

A picture speaks a thousand words.

Cardinal Taurans

Then Archbishop, soon to be Cardinal Nichols

Cardinal O'Malley

Brit Hume of Fox News on abortion

I was fortunate to have watched this live last evening.

Silencing of the lambs

Clearly, the people who March for Life need reminding because every year there are violent riots and blood in the streets of Washington.

Look at how the evil one has used these tweets to mock the Catholic faith and the cause for Life!

Some would like to see these lambs lead to the slaughter.

Like the One who did this, indeed, the True Lamb!

Who are the real Pharisees, today?

Perhaps, he should get off of Twitter.

“Whatever You Can Do to Stop Communion in the Hand Will be Blessed by God” ~ Fr. John Hardon S.J.

It has been my practice for many years now, when attending the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite, and receiving Holy Communion, I neither approach a layperson, nor do I receive in the hand from a priest. I only go to a priest, or deacon; and I only receive on the tongue. I say this not to exalt myself in any way but to express my coming around to the grave error of receiving Our Blessed Lord in the hand. 

A priest friend on Facebook recently had a post about how to cause a war amongst Catholics and his comment referred to opening the debate on the topic. It was about communion in ht hand. There were hundreds of posts and it got heated. The ignorance of Catholic laity is mind-boggling. The deceit on how it was came to be is tragic.

It goes without saying that it was an abuse. It began in Belgium and Holland and rather than suppress it, Pope Paul VI allowed it where it had already occurred. From that point in 1969, it took nearly a decade for it to become a reality in the United States after the late Cardinal Bernardin was able to finally achieve his goal of seeing it come into force through manipulation and dissent from the wishes of Paul VI. Sadly, it become the norm in Canada in 1969 only days after South Africa which was the first country outside of Holland and Belgium to manipulate Memoriale Domini to permit this.

I want to be clear. This is not a judgement on my part of any priest who provides Communion in the hand to the faithful, nor to those who receive in that manner. The Law of the Church permits it. It cannot in any way be considered a sin on the part of the priest or the communicant as it is permitted by the Church. It is legal; but it is not right and that is a different matter.

It is up to each of us to stop this practice; but know this, it cannot come from the priest. Any priest who would refuse to give the Holy Eucharist in the hand would be violating the communicants right to determine how they receive and would incur the wrath of his bishop. It is however, within the power of the laity, you and me, to fix this. Think about it. You can change this practice which was never asked for by the faithful. You can change it for the whole Church. You, and you and you and you -- one person at a time. Remember the example of our beloved Benedict influenced to this no doubt by Bishop Athanasius Schneider Look even at the example of Pope Francis and the effort at St. Peter's to control the practice. 

The day is coming when it will be banned and recognised that it was nothing less than an abomination and condemned as an error in which the great majority of Catholics whom unbeknownst to them,  have taken part. May we be forgiven.  

There is this most excellent post by John Andrew Dorsey at Church Militant Blog and this from Catholic Insight which I encourage you to read. In the article by Dorsey, he comments about the middle-east tradition of placing a morsel of food in the mouth of the guest at dinner. He shows this iconography on the book cover to highlight the point. I can attest to this being of Lebanese ancestry. It was very common for our dear mother, particularly with that delicious raw Kibbeh, to call us to the kitchen and she would place a little morsel in our mouths before dinner. It is not far-fetched to conclude that Our Lord at the Last Supper may have indeed performed that same act of love. As an aside, if you followed that link to the Kibbeh, we always had a fresh sprig of mint and a cross formed in it as well!

Kitchener Ontario Pastor about to break Canon Law!

Invites protestant laywomen to preach at Mass!

Catholic priest to be warm-up act...

Kitchener - Father Joseph de Viveiros, C.R. is Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Kitchener, Ontario. This Sunday coming, January 18, two protestants are clearly listed in the bulletin as "preaching" during three Catholic Masses. When contacted by Vox and asked to comment about this clear breach of Canon Law, Father indicated in a hushed tone that "really a Catholic priest" would be delivering the homily and the protestant ministers would be providing a "reflection." 

One could suppose that this is a sneaky way to get around Canon Law. Homilies are to be delivered firstly by the celebrating priest or another priest whom he designates, or a deacon if necessary or of course, the bishop, if present in choir. A lay man or woman, even this corrupt Catholic, even a Seminarian installed as an Acolyte or Lector is simply not permitted to undertake this within the Mass.

When asked who would be allotted more time, the priest or the heretic, Father de Viveiros, politely replied, "this conversation has come to an end."

In an effort to confront this clericalism and an assault upon the faithful Pope Francis, referred to the creation of "little monsters" as an example of what happens with deformed formation. Is this what our Holy Father was referring to? 

Disobedience of Canon Law?

Insulting the parishioners deserving of sound doctrine and homilies? 

Dismissive of the concerns of a Catholic layman?

We really don't know what our Holy Father meant and so we are left to interpret from one day to the next what he means, but in the view of this writer, this kind of abuse comes pretty close to being "clericalism" as perpetuated by "little monsters."

However, this is not the future of the Diocese of Hamilton, this is its quickly fading past. I've met the future on numerous occasions and one be one they are a cause to rejoice. There will continue to be some bumps along the road, this being one; but make no mistake, this priest's example is one of a false ecumenism and a false hermeneutic and no matter what anyone thinks, that fact did not change with the election of Pope Francis.



From the bulletin...

WEEK of PRAYER for CHRISTIAN UNITY Jan. 18/19 – 25/26 We begin with a Prayer Service, with Taizé style songs, Sun. Jan. 19, 7:30pm at St. Anthony Daniel Parish. The week continues with a Pulpit Exchange for the Churches of Forest Hill on Jan 25/26:  Rev. Dianne Cunningham (Highland Baptist) will preach at our 5 pm Mass;  Rev. Katharine Edmonstone (Forest Hill United) will preach at our 9 & 11am Masses;  Fr. Joseph will preach at Forest Hill United Sun. at 10am. Join us at the Concluding Event on Sun. Jan. 26, 2pm at Forest Hill United. Members from Calvin Presbyterian, Forest Hill United, Highland Baptist and St. Francis Catholic churches will be involved in the service. Please join us to celebrate our similarities and differences with our Christian brothers and sisters. 

Canon Law is clear:

Canon law # 767 "§1. Among the forms of preaching, the homily, which is part of the liturgy itself and is reserved to a priest or deacon, is preeminent; in the homily the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian life are to be explained from the sacred text during the course of the liturgical year."

"§2. A homily must be given at all Masses on Sundays and holy days of obligation which are celebrated with a congregation, and it cannot be omitted except for a grave cause."

"§3. It is strongly recommended that if there is a sufficient congregation, a homily is to be given even at Masses celebrated during the week, especially during the time of Advent and Lent or on the occasion of some feast day or a sorrowful event."

"§4. It is for the pastor or rector of a church to take care that these prescripts are observed conscientiously."

For more information, please review the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) where it states:

“The Homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate.” (GIRM 66)

At the request of Pope John Paul II, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament in Rome issued the document, Redemptionis Sacramentum (RS), for the purpose of stopping liturgical abuses. Regarding the preaching of the homily, the document reiterates GIRM 66 and adds the following:

“It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the Eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon [law]. This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.” (RS 65)

“If the need arises for the gathered faithful to be given instruction or testimony by a layperson in a Church concerning the Christian life, it is altogether preferable that this be done outside Mass. Nevertheless, for serious reasons it is permissible that this type of instruction or testimony be given after the Priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion. This should not become a regular practice, however. Furthermore, these instructions and testimony should not be of such a nature that they could be confused with the homily, nor is it permissible to dispense with the homily on their account.” (RS 74)

Non-Catholic ministers who are invited to "speak" on the Sunday of Christian Unity, in the spirit of ecumenism, does not enjoy an exemption to the above instructions. His/her speach cannot be confused with the homily, nor be a substitute for the homily that the priest is obligated to present to the faithful.

“As was already noted above, the homily on account of its importance and its nature is reserved to the Priest or Deacon during Mass. As regards other forms of preaching, if necessity demands it in particular circumstances, or if usefulness suggests it in special cases, lay members of Christ’s faithful may be allowed to preach in a church or in an oratory outside Mass in accordance with the norm of law. This may be done only on account of a scarcity of sacred ministers in certain places, in order to meet the need, and it may not be transformed from an exceptional measure into an ordinary practice, nor may it be understood as an authentic form of the advancement of the laity. All must remember besides that the faculty for giving such permission belongs to the local Ordinary, and this as regards individual instances; this permission is not the competence of anyone else, even if they are Priests or Deacons.” (RS 161)

The document goes on to explain that abuses such as this “are not to be considered of little account” and are to be "carefully avoided and corrected.” (RS 174)

“Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.” (RS 184)

Redemptionis Sacramentum reiterates GIRM 66 and adds the following:

• It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon [law]. This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom. (RS 65)
• If the need arises for the gathered faithful to be given instruction or testimony by a layperson in a Church concerning the Christian life, it is altogether preferable that this be done outside Mass. Nevertheless, for serious reasons it is permissible that this type of instruction or testimony be given after the priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion. This should not become a regular practice, however. Furthermore, these instructions and testimony should not be of such a nature that they could be confused with the homily, nor is it permissible to dispense with the homily on their account. (RS 74)
• As was already noted above, the homily on account of its importance and its nature is reserved to the priest or deacon during Mass. As regards other forms of preaching, if necessity demands it in particular circumstances, or if usefulness suggests it in special cases, lay members of Christ’s faithful may be allowed to preach in a church or in an oratory outside Mass in accordance with the norm of law. This may be done only on account of a scarcity of sacred ministers in certain places, in order to meet the need, and it may not be transformed from an exceptional measure into an ordinary practice, nor may it be understood as an authentic form of the advancement of the laity. All must remember besides that the faculty for giving such permission belongs to the local ordinary [bishop], and this as regards individual instances; this permission is not the competence of anyone else, even if they are priests or deacons. (RS 161)

The document goes on to explain that abuses such as this "are not to be considered of little account" and are to be "carefully avoided and corrected." (RS 174)

The Pastor with the Sheep

Nota Bene: It is a sad state when someone with a computer can take the article below from Rorate and Da Porta and interpret something that is not there and then use it for one's own self-serving satisfaction that does nothing but bring disrepute upon themselves and perpetuate a myth in many Chanceries that "traditional" Catholics are everything from unstable to just plain weird. To label those who wrote the articles below as engaging in "idol worship" is simply repugnant and to state it publicly causing slander to good people simply for reporting on an event and the respect arising from it to a particular Cardinal is nonsensical. Anyone who would interpret the article in such a manner cannot be taken seriously. There will be no link to it here, lest we feed the bear. This kind of behaviour is indicative of the spiritual and emotional state of those who would do such a thing, it says nothing of Catholics who support tradition in the use of the Vetus Ordo or who desire a more solemn celebration of the Novus Ordo. What this kind of public commentary does is to make those who are the enemies of tradition dance with glee and it must be condemned. It says more about the writers of such drivel than it does about anyone else. The sowing of this kind of division displays at the least the puerile hypocrisy and at the worst, a dangerous display of spiritual deformation. It is done by little bloggers with few readers and nationally syndicated bloggers. Let us pray that these brothers and sisters in Christ will seek the spiritual and emotional support necessary to move forward in life, freed from their ills and demons and learn to be productive members of the Catholic community rather than engage in that which they purport to condemn. This division and slander has nothing to do with the movement of those supporting the Traditional Mass and has everything to do with the despair to which those that would promote such scandal, have sunk. Vox.

From our good friends at Rorate Caeli blog originating at Da Porta Sant' Anna 

In the anomalous current trend to avoid clear positions on anything and to play down even the memory of the rituals associated with the Church in favor of dramatic, dialectical, and combative statements about poverty, no one finds the time to go down into the street and give living witness as asked for by the Pope in a loud voice during the Chrism Mass of March 28, 2013.  The words of Pope Frances echo in our hearts:  “…I ask this of you: be pastors who smell of the ‘smell of your sheep’.  May you hear these words!”  To this we say: Would that these words were heard! Would that these pastors were seen!

And we today have seen and heard only Cardinal Burke, a true pastor down among his sheep.

Nota Bene: It is a sad state when someone with a computer can take this article at Rorate and Da Porta and refer to them as "Idol Worshippers" and publicly state it causing slander to good people simply for the respect that is shown to this Cardinal. Anyone who would interpret this in such a manner cannot be taken seriously. This kind of behaviour is indicative of the spiritual and emotional state of those who would do such a thing, it says nothing of Catholics who support tradition in the use of the Vetus Ordo or who desire a more solemn celebration of the Novus Ordo. What this kind of public commentary does is to make those who are the enemies of tradition dance with glee and it must be condemned. The sowing of this kind of division shows at the least hypocrisy and at the worst, a dangerous display of spiritual deformation. It is done by little bloggers with few readers and nationally syndicated bloggers and you know who you are and you have been called out.

Canada's Primate named Cardinal

At today's Angelus in Rome, Pope Francis announced the new cardinals to be installed at the next consistory and included is the Primate of Canada, the 24th successor of François de Laval, Canada's first resident prelate, Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix . Cardinal Lacroix

Pictured upon his installation as Archbishop with Marc Cardinal Ouellet, he met Pope Francis in July and when finding out he was Archbishop of Quebec, the Pope said, He said when he introduced himself as the archbishop of Quebec, "the Pope replied, 'Ah, Quebec! Land of missions, a land that has known many great missionaries!'"

Archbishop Lacroix said he indicated to the Pope that Quebec wants to continue in the footsteps of the great missionaries, and the Pope responded, "Quebec must rise again."

"He would like us Quebecers to find again our faith that gave us life and that built our country," Archbishop Lacroix said. "We have to find again our roots of faith, rise again as Christians and find once again the Gospel in our lives."

The 56 year old prelate was named Archbishop nearly three years ago and was an Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec only two years before that. Canada has  been blest twice this week, with the appointment of the new Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa and now our new Cardinal. Both these men are solidly faithful and are at the forefront to lead the new evangelisation in Quebec and all of Canada.

God bless Cardinal Lacroix.

God bless Canada.

St. Joseph, St. Andre, St. Margurite, Blessed Francois Laval, pray for Canada.

Canada's newest bishop

How wonderful that on the feast day of the wonder-worker of Canada, St. Andre of Montreal, that the Church in Canasda would receive a son of that city as a new Bishop. Pope Francis has appointed Father Christian Riesbeck, CC (Companion of the Cross) as Titular Bishop of Tipasa in Numidia and Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa. Bishop-elect Riesbeck served in parishes staffed by the Companions in Kingston, Hawkesbury, Pendleton, Brockville and was Houston in Texas. He was ordained in Ottawa on October 12, 1996 and was educated at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto (M.Div.) and Licentiate in Canon Law from St. Paul's University in Ottawa.

It may seem minor, but when I see the pectoral cross worn in the traditional way, over the heart, it sends a clear message. Friends, at age 43, this bishop is the future. He will be an Archbishop some day, perhaps of Ottawa itself. This is the future, not the weak, ineffectual episcopacy which thinks that water bottles are the greatest threat to mankind. To paraphrase Msgr. Bux, may the Patron Saint of Canada and the wonder-worker of Montreal pour out grace from heaven to open the eyes of all bishops to have the zeal for life as this one, or close them as heaven might see fit.

The Fathers of the Companions of the Cross founded in Ottawa by the late Father Bob Bedard and are filled with zeal for Christ. Below is a speech given by Bishop-elect Riesbeck at the Ottawa 40 Days for Life. We have been blest and we don't deserve it.

Let us pray for this young bishop and for the future of the Church in Canada.

Thank you St. Joseph!

Thank you St. Andre!

Epiphany of the LORD - Masses on January 6

While technically speaking, in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite, Epiphany of the Lord falls on January 6, it is most often transferred to the Sunday nearest, thus we have the great Solemnity as early as January 2 and as late as January 7; absurd. 

Happily, in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, it is on January 6. This year in Toronto there are three Masses on Epiphany. The usual churches of St.Lawrence the Martyr at 11:00 AM and Holy Family at 11:30AM will offer the Read Mass for Epiphany (Low Mass). In the evening, a Sung Mass will be held at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church on  Yonge Street in Richmond Hill at 7:30PM.

A blessed Christmastide to all

Pray for Archbishop Neinstedt

From Archbishop Neinstedt:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is a difficult letter for me to write to you. This past weekend I learned of an allegation from a young man whom I anointed in the Sacrament of Confirmation who alleged that he believes I inappropriately touched his buttocks during a public photo session following the ceremony. Please allow me to say that I normally stand for those photos with one hand on my crozier (staff) and the other either on the right shoulder of the newly confirmed or on my pallium (the short stole), which hangs from my chest. I do that deliberately and there are hundreds of photographs to verify that fact.
I do not know the individual involved; he has not been made known to me. I presume he is sincere in believing what he claims, but I must say that this allegation is absolutely and entirely false. I have never once engaged in any inappropriate contact with a minor and I have tried to the very best of my ability to serve this Archdiocese and the church faithfully, with honor and due regard for the rights of all, even those with whom I disagree.
I have taken strong stands on the moral teachings of the Church and been criticized for it. I would not have done so if I did not believe those teachings and was personally bound to living up to them in practice.
True, I am a sinner, but my sins do not include any kind of abuse of minors. I have met victims and I know the lasting damage that such abuse causes.
The psalms from the Liturgy of the Hours have had a special echo in my heart these past weeks as I pray for those in distress. “But God does hear the cries of the poor. Blessed be the Lord.”
I hope that the investigations can be thorough but quick. I already long to be back in public ministry—to be able to serve as the Lord has called me to serve.
I regret this will be my last column until the present investigations are complete. These days will give me the time to pray for you and the individual involved. I ask that you pray for me too. 

With every good wish, I remain
Cordially Yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

What does Vox think?

This is what happens when you take on the homosexualist mafia as this good Archbishop has done. Evil is lurking everywhere in the Church of Christ my friends. The persecution is underway but they will not win. Christ has already won it for us.

Pray, pray for Archbishop Nienstadt and the clearing of his name. May St. Peter Damian intercede to the LORD to free the Church from these evil men who would tear Her down for the sake of sodomy.

Response to Father Tom Rosica's Salt + Light lawsuit

Further to the public release by Father Tom Rosica of Salt + Light's lawsuit against Fountain of Love and Life here is their response, notable, that they were, as faithful Catholics, trying to resolve this amicably and charitably out of the public eye!

Do you receive as our Pope and Emeritus desire?

OFFICE FOR THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF

Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling

The most ancient practice of distributing Holy Communion was, with all probability, to give Communion to the faithful in the palm of the hand. The history of the liturgy, however, makes clear that rather early on a process took place to change this practice.

From the time of the Fathers of the Church, a tendency was born and consolidated whereby distribution of Holy Communion in the hand became more and more restricted in favor of distributing Holy Communion on the tongue. The motivation for this practice is two-fold: a) first, to avoid, as much as possible, the dropping of Eucharistic particles; b) second, to increase among the faithful devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Saint Thomas Aquinas also refers to the practice of receiving Holy Communion only on the tongue. He affirms that touching the Body of the Lord is proper only to the ordained priest.

Therefore, for various reasons, among which the Angelic Doctor cites respect for the Sacrament, he writes: “. . . out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands, for touching this Sacrament. Hence, it is not lawful for anyone else to touch it except from necessity, for instance, if it were to fall upon the ground, or else in some other case of urgency” (Summa Theologiae, III, 82, 3).

Over the centuries the Church has always characterized the moment of Holy Communion with sacredness and the greatest respect, forcing herself constantly to develop to the best of her ability external signs that would promote understanding of this great sacramental mystery. In her loving and pastoral solicitude the Church has made sure that the faithful receive Holy Communion having the right interior dispositions, among which dispositions stands out the need for the Faithful to comprehend and consider interiorly the Real Presence of Him Whom they are to receive. (See The Catechism of Pope Pius X, nn. 628 & 636). The Western Church has established kneeling as one of the signs of devotion appropriate to communicants. A celebrated saying of Saint Augustine, cited by Pope Benedict XVI in n. 66 of his Encyclical Sacramentum Caritatis, ("Sacrament of Love"), teaches: “No one eats that flesh without first adoring it; we should sin were we not to adore it” (Enarrationes in Psalmos 98, 9). Kneeling indicates and promotes the adoration necessary before receiving the Eucharistic Christ.

From this perspective, the then-Cardinal Ratzinger assured that: "Communion only reaches its true depth when it is supported and surrounded by adoration" [The Spirit of the Liturgy (Ignatius Press, 2000), p. 90]. For this reason, Cardinal Ratzinger maintained that “the practice of kneeling for Holy Communion has in its favor a centuries-old tradition, and it is a particularly expressive sign of adoration, completely appropriate in light of the true, real and substantial presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ under the consecrated species” [cited in the Letter "This Congregation" of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1 July 1, 2002].

John Paul II, in his last Encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia ("The Church comes from the Eucharist"), wrote in n. 61: “By giving the Eucharist the prominence it deserves, and by being careful not to diminish any of its dimensions or demands, we show that we are truly conscious of the greatness of this gift. We are urged to do so by an uninterrupted tradition, which from the first centuries on has found the Christian community ever vigilant in guarding this ‘treasure.’ Inspired by love, the Church is anxious to hand on to future generations of Christians, without loss, her faith and teaching with regard to the mystery of the Eucharist. There can be no danger of excess in our care for this mystery, for ‘in this sacrament is recapitulated the whole mystery of our salvation.’”

In continuity with the teaching of his Predecessor, starting with the Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the year 2008, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, began to distribute to the faithful the Body of the Lord, by placing it directly on the tongue of the faithful as they remain kneeling.

Rosica and Salt + Light sue group of Chinese Catholics!

Why is Father Tom Rosica and Salt + Light suing a group of faithful Chinese Canadian Catholics and better still, why are they "Tweeting" it for all to see?

Father Tom Rosica is Excecutive Producer of Salt + Light and a Vatican spokesman. 

Who does this on Twitter?

How ugly is this for to air such as this in public!

Salt + Light ‏@saltandlighttv 22 Nov

Salt and Light’s legal claim against Paul Yeung: We thank you for your concern and support.  You can read abou... http://bit.ly/1bYQNy7 

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Maria Divine Mercy found: PR expert exposed as the fraud she is

Maria Divine Mercy: The Woman Behind the Curtain

November 18, 2013 AM – NEW REVELATIONS – Developing

Since Nov. 8, 2010, a woman identifying herself as Maria Divine Mercy, a Catholic messenger from God and the Last Prophet, has posted nearly 1,000 messages from Jesus, the Virgin Mary and God the Father on the Website TheWarningSecondComing.com. She has nearly 35,000 international Facebook followers and dozens of worldwide geographically-local Facebook sites. The main FB site, Jesus to Mankind, shows an image of a happy Jesus as messages report of cataclysmic global devastation and Satanic influences leading to the end times and schismatic separation of her followers from the institutional church. MDMers, as her devoted followers are known – possibly numbering hundreds of thousands – have turned into a cult-like mass of sincere, truth-seeking believers who have generated plenty of formal reaction from Catholic hierarchy, religious commentators and theologians.

She has passionate advocates and adversaries.  She has averaged four visions a week for three years that repeat prophetic warnings from a hundred years-worth of seers, and adds lots of her own to the mix, creating a worldwide discussion-frenzy and divisiveness within communities and families, split for or against. Her internet site ranks as the finest-looking bunch of Web pages for any prophet since…well…ever.  She has marketing skills!

But nothing is known of her identity. Until now.

PR GIRL GETS TAGGED

Mary McGovern

A mosaic has formed that leads to the door step of Mary Carberry, 58, of Dublin, Ireland, who does business under her maiden name of Mary McGovern. She has four children. Two have worked for her firm, McGovernPR, including her daughter Sarah Carberry, 28, and a 27-year son, a Web page designer. The 27-year-old company, McGovernPR, has won international awards for its skill in marketing products and ideas. Other Carberry companies are CultureLink, headed by her husband, John Carberry, and Digital Future Link, headed by Sarah.  Mary, John and their adult son live in Muldowney Court, MalahideCounty, Dublin, Ireland.

FULL REPORT HERE!

Rob Ford

Our City has been much in the news lately with the tragic personal situation involving our Mayor, Rob Ford. 

First and foremost, this is a personal tragedy for him and his family. I've met Rob Ford. I've had him respond numerous times to concerns as a Councillor and as Mayor. I've seen Rob Ford in action with disadvantaged youth and heard the testimony of those who know the good this man has done. For five years, he has been slandered, attacked, insulted, mocked, besmirched, ridiculed and bullied. He has fallen victim to his own demons and it was those people who did the above who drove him to it. Yes, he opened the bottle. Yes, he put the pipe in his mouth; but these wretched demons handed him the bottle and lit the match.  

I voted for Rob Ford the last time. If he is able to get the help he needs and runs again, I will vote for him again. 

Toronto Catholic Witness has written the most accurate and pointed summation of all that has been going on that can be summed up with this:

"Rob Ford is essentially a poke in the eye of Toronto's elites on the part of middle class suburbanites who feel disenfranchised and taken advantage of. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a greater insult to the powers that be than to foist an overweight, football loving, beer swilling mayor on them". 

On this Sunday, my fellow Torontonian Catholics, let us say a prayer for Rob, first and foremost for his health of mind, body and soul and for his family. I have and will continue to do so.

It would to well for us all to remember the maxim of St. Philip Neri when considering whether to mock him or not, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

Appeal for funds for a Seminarian

Dear Friends,

There is a young seminarian well known to me studying in a the Seminary of St. Philip Neri of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest in Gricigliano, Italy. As one might expect, he comes from a home-schooled family of eight children. He is well-respected by the seminary and is doing well in his courses. He is known to me personally as is his family. He is being supported by many people in his studies but it is not enough. He prays daily at Mass for all of his benefactors.

I am going to be right up front. 

Funds are needed to aid in the continuing of his formation for his tuition. The goal is to raise $10,000 in Canadian funds by Christmas. This will cover all of his needs this year and get him started on next year.

I can personally attest to this young man and his family.

If you are in Canada, you can make a donation to the Toronto Traditional Mass Society and a grant will be sent directly to support him at 100% of your donation for which you will receive a tax receipt for 2013. Outside of Canada, the receipt may apply.

You may also make the donation directly here through Canada Helps.

You may also donate by cheque with a note Seminarian JH and mail a contribution to:

Toronto Traditional Mass Society
3701 Lakeshore Boulevard West
STATION LONG BRANCH
P.O. Box 48577
Toronto, Ontario
M8W 4Y6 

For more information, please write to me at

voxcantoris@rogers.com

God bless you.