Restful get-away:

The kayak I borrowed to spend a late morning in the Pensacola Sound between Gulf Breeze and Santa Rosa Island.

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Thank you Patty and Jean Marie.

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"I do"

On my regular, daily evening bike ride this past Saturday I passed this wedding just getting under way. The Bride walks up the aisle. The wedding took place on the edge of the water along Palafox Place.

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Our Lady of St. Joseph

St. Joseph's own painting of Our Lady of St. Joseph, which hangs in our Narthex, is now one of the works which hangs from the wall of a local business in Brownsville.

Thanks to Donna O'Neal her talent.



Three paintings hang on the side wall of a local business. Ours is the farthest left:



These 2 shots show how it looks on the wall from a closer perspective:






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Off Balance: A Beautiful Story for Parents and Children

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It's Time to Get Serious about a Very Misunderstood Situation in the Church

Those who have been half following and half not following the reported skirmish between the Vatican and the American Nuns owe it to themselves to know the truth. Most articles wrtten about this uissue have contained untruths. It's time to know about what we speak. For this reason I am including here - for those who want to be intelligent about the issue - two articles and a You Tube presentation by those associated with this present situation.

1.Nun Too Accurate Reporting
By Ann Carey
June 4, 2012

The mainstream media has had a field day with the June 1 press release of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) accusing the Vatican of causing “scandal” and “polarization” by identifying doctrinal problems within the LCWR that need to be corrected. What is really an internal Church matter about the proper role of an organization that has canonical standing in the Catholic Church has become a hot topic in a media that seems to delight in any controversy within the Church, especially one that involves challenges to its authority.

Headlines like “U.S. Nuns crack back at Vatican crackdown” (USA Today, June 1) and “American nuns come out swinging against Vatican” (CNN, June 1) might be funny if they weren’t so very ignorant. In fact, ignorance and bias have marked much of the media’s coverage of the doctrinal assessment of the LCWR by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Or perhaps it’s laziness, for it is clear that many of the people writing about this issue know little about the Catholic Church and even less about the background for this story.

The June 1 New York Times editorial “When in Rome, Speak Up for Reality,” is a prime example of this ignorance/laziness/bias. For starters, the LCWR does not represent 80 percent of the sisters in the U.S., as the Times and many other media outlets claim. It represents only its 1,500 members, and sometimes even that is questionable, for it was only the LCWR 21-member national board that met and issued the June 1 press release well in advance of the August LCWR annual membership meeting.

Further, only members of leadership teams of religious orders belong to LCWR: The grassroots sisters in religious orders do not belong to LCWR, and have neither voice nor vote in the organization. Many of these sisters have told me they resent the LCWR claiming it represents them.

The Times editorial also claims that “many” see the Vatican action as “retaliation” for the LCWR endorsement of Obamacare, which the U.S. bishops opposed because of abortion funding and lack of conscience protection. If the editorial writers had read the CDF document, they would have seen that the decision to conduct the doctrinal assessment was made in 2008, when George W. Bush was still president and Obamacare was just a dream.

The Times and other media also persist in interpreting the Vatican action as insensitive to the good works sisters have done and continue to do. Again, if one actually read the CDF document, it would be clear that the good works of sisters are generously acknowledged and praised, and the CDF made clear that its action applies only to the 1,500-member LCWR.

However, good works do not justify doctrinal deviations, and again, the Times and most media have ignored sections in the Vatican document that discuss serious doctrinal problems such as a “rejection of faith.” And the issues cited in the document under the heading of “radical feminism” (a term called “a particularly dated canard” by the Times) include distortions of faith in Jesus and the structure of sacramental life, as well as undermining the doctrines of “the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the inspiration of Sacred Scripture.”

These are all major doctrines of the Catholic Church, not just “basic, nonheretical questions about gender equality in the church,” as the Times editorial claims.
Such sloppy and incomplete reporting leads one to think that the Times and other secular media rather enjoy playing up any controversy related to the Catholic Church, even when they do not know the facts.

— Ann Carey is author of Sisters in Crisis: The Tragic Unraveling of Women’s Religious Communities.


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Written by John Allen, reported for the National Catholic Repoprter:

In the wake of Tuesday’s meeting with representatives of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the Vatican official responsible for a recent crackdown said he still believes the relationship can work, but also warned of a possible “dialogue of the deaf,” reflected in what he sees as a lack of movement on the Vatican’s concerns.
Cardinal William Levada is seen in a 2009 file photo. (CNS photo/Tony Gentile, Reuters)Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, floated the possibility that should the LCWR not accept the reforms outlined in an April 18 assessment, the result could be decertifying it in favor of a new organization for women’s religious leaders in America more faithful to church teaching.
Levada strongly rejected charges that the move against the LCWR is based on “unsubstantiated accusations” or lacks transparency, both complaints leveled in an LCWR statement issued last week.

“In reality, this is not a surprise,” he said, insisting that the process began four years ago and that its results are based not on secret accusations but “what happens in their assemblies, what’s on their website, what they do or don’t do.”
Levada also denied press reports that retired Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston helped instigate the move against LCWR, saying, “He’s not involved in this.”
Levada made the comments in an interview with NCR held shortly after the meeting between officials of his office and Sr. Pat Farrell, president of the LCWR, along with Sr. Janet Mock, the group’s executive director.

The LCWR is the largest umbrella group for the leaders of women’s religious orders in the United States.

Capping a four-year review, in April, Levada’s office issued a stinging eight-page assessment of LCWR, citing “serious doctrinal problems” and “doctrinal confusion,” including alleged “silence” on abortion and other pro-life concerns, a policy of “corporate dissent” on matters such as women priests and homosexuality, and the inroads of “certain radical feminist themes.”

After Tuesday’s meeting, Farrell and Mock released a statement describing the session as “open” and saying LCWR would ponder its further response in upcoming regional meetings and at an August national assembly. They declined to comment beyond the statement.

In his NCR interview, Levada said he believes the breach between Rome and the LCWR can be repaired.

“I believe it can work,” he said. “That’s my hope and prayer.”
At the same time, Levada described the risk of a “dialogue of the deaf,” saying the Vatican has been in talks with LCWR for four years, but along the way the group has made choices that, in Levada’s eyes, signal it’s not taking their concerns to heart.


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Where is Jeff Foxworthy when you need him?

Cool, huh?
Glasses used at a local wedding for the toasting of the Bride and Groom:




Where would we be without our mason jars?


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Today is Corpus Christi Sunday

This short 4 minute film is titled: God in the streets of New York. It's about a Eucharistic Procession in the Big Apple. Perfect for today.

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Stand Up for Religious Freedom: Friday at Noon

Bishop Parkes speaks to all gathered:



part of the crowd:

Donna O'Neal's Opening Night Reception at Pensacola State College: Best of the Coast Invitational

her family gathered:



Two of her works:

Bishop Gregory Parkes Ordination Mass: June 5, 2012

Michael and Perryn's Wedding

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Can you see it?

The cutest Albino squirrel having fun in the Church garden:
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(here he is in the tree,to the right of the trunk, betw trunk and limb)

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The Prayer Before the "Indy 500" last weekend

This prayer is offered by the "new" Bishop of Indianapolis: Bishop Chris Coyne. And he's right on target. Enjoy, I sure did:







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This is good!

The followng line is one that I read about the present confrontation between the HHS and the Catholic Church. The writer is speaking to the Bishops of the United States. I love this:

Every bishop is given a crosier upon his ordination to the episcopacy. A crosier is a shepherd's staff. It is a six to seven foot long staff that a shepherd uses to beat the crap out of wolves. That's your job. Beating the crap out of the wolves - not killing all of the sheep yourself so that there is nothing left for the wolves to eat.
MAN UP!!!! FIGHT, YOU FOOLS!!!

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Happy Memorial Day: 2012

Memorial Park: Pensacola (below)

Confirmation: Round Two

Front: Tyler Jacobs / Back left Raymond Borras / Back right Travis Freddie

Celebrating Pentecost 2012 with the Sacrament of Confirmation:

Summer Officially Begins this Weekend:

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Celebrating a Birthday at the Ball Park

The field:

The Pensacola Wahoos:

The gang celebrating: Sunnie Gates, Sister Maureen, Theresa (Birthday girl), and Brenda Long

The park:

The gang:

Prison Chaplain not allowed to celebrate Mass:

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If you haven't read this, you should: (my comments at the end)

For a quarter century, Monsignor Ed Lofton has served as one of 86 volunteer chaplains at the Charleston County jail. Bringing calm to inmates and jailers alike is considered essential to his mission.



But carrying wine into a facility where alcohol is labeled as contraband hasn’t come without controversy. He has fought and won that battle before.

For 15 years, he has consumed 1 ounce of sacramental wine during Mass without incident. Inmates partake only in the bread.

But this week he lost a fight.

Chief Deputy Mitch Lucas, the jail’s administrator, has told Lofton to replace the wine — brought to the jail in a TSA-approved container designed for holy water — with grape juice.

He booted the chaplain Tuesday after he refused to do so.

Lucas said the move was necessary because Lofton had threatened to sue on the basis of a civil-rights violation. He didn’t want the chaplain to continue visiting the jail and “gathering evidence” for a court claim, Lucas said.

The action has denied inmates a First Amendment right and a religious rite that’s “at the heart of what the Catholic Church is all about,” Lofton said. He added that he would ask for Lucas’ firing during a meeting today with Sheriff Al Cannon.

“They pull this on me after I’ve been doing this for years,” said Lofton, who leads St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church in Summerville. “It’s pretty bad that I have to fight for something the Constitution allows. But this is religious freedom, and I’ll fight for it again.”
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Fortunaltely, the State of South Carolina just changed this policy (hurray for publicity!) and Mass can be celebrated.
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My comments:

In the 1970's when I was a Chaplain to 5 of Florida's State Prisons, celebrating Mass could be a real chore. Even though these guards knew me, I went every week, every time I showed up I was patted down and searched. NO Alcohol! And that meant NO Mass wine allowed. So, for a few of the institutions I was only permitted to have a Communion Service. However, in Florida State Prison, our major center at the time, I WAS ALLOWED to celebrate Mass and so I did.

It was a very hostile situatuon on the part of the Guards, not the prisoners.

I say no more.

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My great-niece, Adrianne and my great-nephew, Brandon

My Niece, Frannie

First Holy Communion, 2012

Today is the Feast day of St. Matthias

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The first act of the apostles after the Ascension of Jesus was to find a replacement for Judas. With all the questions, doubts, and dangers facing them, they chose to focus their attention on finding a twelfth apostle. Why was this important? Twelve was a very important number to the Chosen People: twelve was the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. If the new Israel was to come from the disciples of Jesus, a twelfth apostle was needed. But Jesus had chosen the original twelve. How could they know whom he would choose?


One hundred and twenty people were gathered for prayer and reflection in the upper room, when Peter stood up to propose the way to make the choice. Peter had one criterion, that, like Andrew, James, John, and himself, the new apostle be someone who had been a disciple from the very beginning, from His baptism by John until the Ascension. The reason for this was simple, the new apostle would must become a witness to Jesus' resurrection. He must have followed Jesus before anyone knew Him, stayed with Him when He made enemies, and believed in Him when He spoke of the cross and of eating His body -- teachings that had made others melt away.


Two men fit this description -- Matthias and Joseph called Barsabbas. They knew that both these men had been with them and with Jesus through His whole ministry. But which one had the heart to become a witness to His resurrection. The apostles knew that only the Lord could know what was in the heart of each. They cast lots in order to discover God's will and Matthias was chosen. He was the twelfth apostle and the group was whole again as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. That's the first we hear of Matthias in Scripture, and the last.


Legends like the Acts of Andrew and Matthias testify to Matthias' enthusiastic embrace of all that being an apostle meant including evangelization, persecution, and death in the service of the Lord. How does one qualify to be an apostle? Clement of Alexandria says that Matthias, like all the other apostles, was not chosen by Jesus for what he already was, but for what Jesus foresaw he would become. He was elected not because he was worthy but because he would become worthy. Jesus chooses all of us in the same way.


St, Matthias is usually pictured with an open Bible, for his preaching the word, and an axe, the instrument of his beheading.

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Our new Bishop-elect visits Pope Benedict XVI

Every 7 years the Bishops of the world must meet with the Holy Father as well as meet with other Vatican office heads. Pictured first: Bishop-elect Gregory Parks, 6'8 with Pope Benedict, 5'4:

Bishop-elect greets Pope Benedict:

The Bishops of Florida and Pope Benedict XVI:

Stronger: by Kelly Clarkson

Video from Seattle's Children's Hospital: .

This ia AMAZING: really!

(youll have to go to You Tube for this one, just make a click) .

Sunday and Everyday Worship is about:

Maybe a priest one day?

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She grows up.

From birth to age 12 in just a few minutes. Parents might really enjoy this: . .

Give your Mother an early Mother's Day gift

Show her this ...and tell her you love her. . .

Today is the feast day of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes:

This video is well worth viewing. As one who has visited Lourdes and benefitted from that experience ...




Bernadette Soubirous is the saint of Lourdes, France. Visionary and messenger of the Immaculate Conception, she told us the very words of the Virgin Mary, spoken in the native Basque tongue of Southern France and Northern Spain. She spoke words teaching of the merits of prayer, penance, poverty and church. In the first and most widely recognized Marian apparition of modern times, a personal message was delivered also to Bernadette—She would not find happiness in this world, but only in the next.

She was to die twenty–one years later in 1879 after a prolonged and painful illness. She remained hidden in a convent about 300 miles from home, a refuge from the interrogations and the pilgrims that never ceased seeking her. At thirty–five, her strong–willed manner gave way to her frail body, and she finally entered into her eternal happiness.

While she took with her the knowledge of certain secrets the Virgin gave her, one secret remained hidden in our presence. The most spectacular of all the incorruptibles, Bernadette's miraculously preserved body remained buried in a damp grave for thirty years until the cause for beatification was taken up. To this day, the body of Bernadette is a profound source of inspiration and of mystery surrounding the ways of the Lord. The face of Bernadette is one of surreal beauty, and will remain for us always the face that gazed into the eyes of the Mother of God.

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As her body lies in state today:

Our Confirmation Class: 2012

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uh, oh !

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And guess what happened earlier today ..........

Happy Easter from me and some of my children:


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.The Cross on Pensacola Beach





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Holy Saturday ... we wait ...

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Good Friday ...

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