The Thomas Paine quote makes me think it is a “FreeThinkers” video.  You know, “Doing good without doing God.” The video is well produced and compelling.  As a director of a very well known not-for-profit charity that receives generous support from churches and the secular I can say it appeals to those people who are at the end of the long road to atheism/apostasy. Cradle catholic who thinks we are too authoratative and rigid so they go to the contemporary methodist service, but then find the whole communion thing too awkward so the casual community bible church is next, but there is still too much judgement. Finally the large mega-church where you can find a meaningful positive message with “focused” chariable ministires turns into wow look how much we spend on _______, and the pastor drives a Jaguar and parking is just too cumbersome so I’ll just stay home and “do good” by being a good person and give money to “worthy” charities. Sadly that’s about 80% of the community I live in.

Extremely cynical.

What’s ironic is that I would imagine the churches that are successful in encouraging people to tithe are also helping them to thrive.  When their lives have been changed by conversion, people tend to want to invest in helping others to find the answers too!  People with a solid grasp of their faith tend to be happier, and less of a problem for society because their conscience is working.  (okay, there are always an few bad apples in every bushel). 

I note some of the organizations the director approves of: amnesty (which is pushing abortion); yoga; green causes; and animal rescue.

Anyone else feel like we are tilted to the left?

I like to look at it this way: the Protestant denominations (no, they are not Churches) feed the heart, but only the Faith can feed the head. Baptist services are truly inspiring things that really draw you in. Unfortunately, when you investigate the teachings of the preacher you soon realize he offers nothing of substance. This lack of intellectual food does not discourage some people, and it just so happens that many of these people are women. Protestant congregations are most enthusiastically represented by women. Men are not so affected by appeals to the heart. We need something else.

That “Catholicness” of which you speak is the result of 2000 years of highly intellectual debates throughout Europe. The Reason behind the Faith is what energizes me, and this has been completely stripped from the Protestant derivations, including Islam.

There is only one true Faith. Ecumenism within the Church is usually run by people who have forgotten that. Our task is to bring these lost sheep back into the Church, even as it is under attack (as it will always be). Of course, having been raised in an atmosphere of intellectual impoverishment (Rationalism in place of Reason) they may not understand at first. We shouldn’t give up. Above all, we must not trade our God-given Reason for emotional appeals and pseudo-scientific rationalisms.

One thing I noticed right away when I became Catholic is the use of the term “donation” instead of “offering” for the Sunday collection.  That word feeds right into the mistaken mindset of the Church as a charitable organization and not the place where we offer up our very lives!  That word is for the Red Cross, not for the Church.
Donations are small, painless, irregular.  Offerings are just the opposite.

I recently came into full communion with the Church after a long journey from Baptist, to Reformed, to Anglican, to Catholic.  I am pleased to discover no manipulation for “my pocketbook” but an overall message that we should give to God what we can of time, talent, and treasure.  This video is devilishly deceptive and promotes a deep suspicion of institutions and organizations, rallying around the authority and autonomy of the individual. I agree with Matthew Warner that the video seems to be centering on mega-churches, but nevertheless its powerful message (partly due to catchy graphics and an upbeat groove) plays into the idea that you can’t trust what anyone says, money and power are behind everything.

Giving—ah, such a touchy subject regardless of the audience.  I agree with the blog author that Catholics need to be distinctive in all aspects of life.  Giving, theology, history, admission of failures, etc.  However, I would like to note and respond to PAUL BENNETT’S comment:  I like to look at it this way: the Protestant denominations (no, they are not Churches) feed the heart, but only the Faith can feed the head. Baptist services are truly inspiring things that really draw you in. Unfortunately, when you investigate the teachings of the preacher you soon realize he offers nothing of substance. This lack of intellectual food does not discourage some people, and it just so happens that many of these people are women. Protestant congregations are most enthusiastically represented by women. Men are not so affected by appeals to the heart. We need something else.
RESPONSE:  Please get your data in order - Baptists, are by and large NOT a denomination in the essence of a hierarchy (no episcopate).  For example, Southern Baptists are a convention made of churches (yes the ecclesiastical kind as found in the Bible)who voluntarily unit but are not bound by any decree from a higher authority other than the Sacred Scriptures.  As to lack of intellectual food (properly understood as spiritual meat - see Heb 5:11-14), I would agree but it is not necessarily the preachers but the audience.  You preach to the level where communication of the message connects with the audience.  As a former RC, I remember trying to understand the “Catholiceze” used to explain all the mysteries, mysticism, mass itself, etc.  You have a language (just as every church does) that relates to the group as a whole.  “Offering” or “donating” are words that are strange to Catholic givers.  Try using the time set aside for giving in church as a worship—for that is what it is.  Baptists acknowledge that giving cannot be mandated (1 Cor 9:7).  No one signs a pledge card or makes a verbal commitment, all giving is a conscientious decision—but when properly taught and the example is given, many will respond as 2 Cor 8:8-9 delineates. 
Now, a few last thoughts to Mr. Bennett’s words - “The Faith” you imply is your version of the body of belief as defined by the Magisterium, et al.  However, the Sunday AM service is almost always a message dedicated to the “heart” for that is the essence of preaching.  Other services are teaching (for the intellect).  When put together and properly exegeted and applied, spiritual growth become prevalent.  But not all those who profess to be born again are—spurious faith, wheat and tares, the 4 types of soil in Mt 13, apostasy as in 1 John befall all groups—yes, even Rome’s.
Women are more attentive and attending than men—would not dispute that for Baptists of Catholics.  In Protestant circles, feminism is the elements that drive the worship, decor, flowers, colors, etc.  Men, in our society are relegated to places of leadership but many see no purpose because the churches have failed to properly educate their flocks.  Catholics have catechisms, booklets, liturgy, classes, RICA, but still fail to hit the mark.  Why?  Maybe, just maybe, the smoke and mirrors of millennial cover-up and corruption at various times (not all the time), the hijacking of the ancients to proof text strange dogmas and doctrines, the now view that Bible Study has some validity (as interpreted by the elites of the past and present) make the I=idea of worship and mystery strange and can (or at least I would image) be viewed as sacrosanct to adults who “come home to Rome.”

I’m a Catholic and I didn’t get the connection you are trying to make.

Do our Catholic Churches ‘sell hope, coffee, DVDs, books and private education’? No, yet our Catholics continue to give.

I think generally, Catholics realise their obligations to give due to their being part of the family of God through the covenant. I’m not sure if we give -or with-hold our giving- just because the priest doesnt wear his Roman collar.

But I’m not comfortable about the Catholic Church needing to be ‘distinctly Catholic’. One professor of mine in Steuenville once said, that the mistake in the Post-Reformation period, was that when Protestants focused on ‘faith’ we cried ‘works’ even louder. When they focused on ‘Bible’, we cried ‘Tradition’. When they focused on ‘Jesus’ we cried ‘Mary’! And we were impoverished because it was not about either-or but both-and.

So, I will say, just do what Vatican 2 asks us to do and lets not get stressed up if the Protestant Church down the road is also doing it.

Yoga as a worthy cause?  Lol…Yoga is a religious practice.  So do they mean we can give to religion, just not Christianity?  Buddhism is okay?  I didn’t see any Mosques or Temples in that video.  One has to wonder if all the churches disappeared, how much would people really give?  Without the Spirit of Love to inspire us, there would be no reason to give.  Tho there would be plenty of motive to take.

I cannot relate this video in any way to the Catholic Church. The large flashy structures in this video often with “larger than life” preachers in dress and message speaks to an entirely difference experience. I have never heard the word donation used at my parish. Even our Sunday collection envelope has the word “offering”. During the Offertory at Mass the gifts of bread and wine and the Sunday collection is carried in procession. As a Catholic, my faith (which is connected to my church)and my heart are intertwined. Faith is not always about the emotional high one achieves or the fellowship although these are good things. What is important is my relationship with “my God” in the Catholic Church who gives me the best gift of Himself in the Eucharist. Through God’s grace I become someone who gives time, talent and treasure as Nick so aptly put it. There is a deliberate attempt in this video for sure to disconnect organized religion from any type of giving. That is not a good thing.

Many good Catholics now refuse to give to the “middleman”-church, local parish, sunday collections- since a percentage of what they give-eg in many places 10%- goes to a bishop and it is the bishops who have paid out somewhere around $2,000,000,000 [that is billions] to settle abuse claims due largely to bishop malpractice and negligence-and in some cases even actions by a bishop himself. [which brings to mind the hypocrisy of having the faithful fingerprinted, background-checked, and “educated” on how not to embrace with both arms-how many bishops’ fingerprints are on file around the country? how many have been “re-educated”?]Giving “direct” prevents the bishops from getting any more money from the faithful to pay for their own failures; giving things, e.g. a new laptop, to the parish school or the St Vincent Society also insures that the bishops will not get any more pieces of silver from the pews.

Adrian - You are nervous about being distinctly Catholic, see the first post in the combox.  If you want to compel people to give you need to make an emotional case for their gifts of time, talent and treasure. By being distinctly catholic (proper mass, celebrating feasts, availability of confession, a daily prayer life of angelus, vespers etc.) you will draw the hearts of those who understand that giving to the Church is giving to God. They understand the seeds planted and the fruits that are born of them are a result of their trust in God because he gave us the church to rightly interpret scripture, and guide us in faith and morals.  The video is propaganda from atheists because it frames the church as corrupt in all cases, but it is good from the fact that you should discern where your dollars go.  The bottom line is that it is not either the church or some secular org. It is both, but it requires a well formed conscience that only comes from being distinctly Catholic.

@guy mcclung ‘Many good Catholics now refuse to give to the “middleman”-church, local parish, Sunday collections” When “good” Catholics fail to support their local parish with weekly mass attendance and their Sunday offering, the entire parish suffers.  Staff gets cut, and services are discontinued. This impacts everyone in the parish and in the community. As faithful Catholics wee must first of all, attend weekly Mass and support our parish financially. Our priests have not chosen their vocations based on finances but on service. But, their service and the services offered by the parish cannot be met unless we respond in generosity. Being angry and refusing to give does no one any good but instead hurts all of us.

A response to mcclung:

Huh???

You are making this stuff up right???  Fingerprints???

There is some truth in the video. There are some abuses taken by churches. I cringe at the thought of certain pastors living like royalty while some of their most devoted members tithe ‘til it hurts and live at or near poverty level. I also notice that many TV evangelists are preaching at one time and hawking their wares at other times. I guess there’s not enough millions coming in through the regular collections that these (poor) people need to supplement their incomes by other means.
  So many decent churches don’t raise enough money to pay their bills or, perhaps, make enough money to fund small but wonderful charitable works. These churches don’t seem to be selling the same prosperity some mega churches do, but they tend to be overshadowed by large wealthy and powerful congregations.

  All this having been said, If one looks at the facts, you will find that the people who give regularly to a church are also the ones who give the most to charitable organizations outside of the church. You may also find that a majority of those clamoring about the wealth of churches give little or none yet expect the rest of us to do their charitable giving by coercion of the federal government.

  Just imagine how charities would suffer if it weren’t for those awful Christians.

I think you information would have had more impact if there had been some back ground (or a link) to the source of the video.  The name of the wen site pretty much sums it up.  Unfortunately this sort of garbage appeals to our brain damaged young “progressives”.

Let’s pray that somehow Christ’s message (and the real Catholic Church)will somehow reach these folks.

“About ExChristian.Net
The ExChristian.Net blog exists for the express purpose of encouraging those who have decided to leave Christianity behind. It is not an open challenge for Christians to avenge what they perceive as an offense against their religious beliefs. Please read the site disclaimer prior to posting comments.”

“Punish the bishops”.We are all cringing about the sexual abuse tragedy.The Church has been deeply wounded by the whole affair. Fiancially,some areas of the Church will never recover without some outside help.
You are afraid that some of our offerings will go to help us recover from the financial sting.Now,Do you want the Church to return to “home churches? Do you want the punish the bishops so that the essential mission of the Church is crippled? Is your hatred of the bishops greater than your love of the Church? As St.Peter so well said,:“Pecunia tua tecum eat in perditione.” (“Let your money go with you into damnation..)”
No use trying to be a sore toe on the Mystical Body.It’s still the Mystical Body with a limp.Your reaction,though understandable,multiplied by one thousand means that Catholic Charities will have to close down,Catholic Schools will dieappear,Churches will have to close for lack of congregations or to pay for settlements,and the mission that Christ gave to the Church will suffer until you either remember the purpose of the Church,or the love of God takes the place of your indignation.

The first thing that struck me was that the video said 63 million Americans attended Church on Sunday, and 21 million gave 10% or more of their income.  I doubt it.  I really, really doubt it.

Yes, there are churches that due abuse their faithful.  That’s why we have such things like the evangelical counsels . . . when followed, they prevent such abuse. 

It’s clear that the authors of this video are missing one important thing, or, actually, person . . . God himself.  No matter how much good we do, we can’t get away from the fact that we are going to die and go back to be judged by God himself.  God himself is our ultimate purpose, and I doubt I’d care about too many other “good causes” were it not for him.

First and foremost , Divine Science revealed in the letter to the Hebrews ( Faith defined and it’s triumphs set forth) Hebrew 11:3, as I quote ” By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God , so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear”
Divine Science alo revealed the meaning of the ” Word of God” : any expression of God’s Mind or Will ( Word of faith- Roman10:8)
Divine Science also revealed to us the meaning of Mind : Image and likeness of God ( Genesis 1:26) Mind specially created ( Genesis 2:7, ) In Christ there is a New Creation , also in the Image of God( Roman 6:4;7;6)
Divibe Science revealed in the First Letter to Timothy 1:8 in reference to the law ( Charge respecting Misuse of the Law ) as I quote 1Timothy 8-11 ” But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly ,for the unholy and profane , for murders of fathers and murders of mothers , for manslayers , for fornicators , for abusers of themselves with men, for men stealers, , for liars, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine ; according to the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust”
Catholicism ( Catholic Church and all it’s members) have a great understanding of our foundation ,meaning we understand the First Church History : In a true sense of the term ” The Acts ” is the first book of Church history.Luke has the grasp of the situation of the real historian. He is not a mere chronicler.He is interpreting for us the origin and early growth of Christianity .The cause of Christ has much to be grateful for in that the first historian if Christian origin was Luke. The ” Acts” : A Book of mission - The dominant note of the book is the missionary cause. The disciple first had to understand the significance of the life and message of Jesus .They had won back faith and hope by the resurrection of Christ .With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost they grasped the full meaning of the work of Christ in relation to the Old Testament and the present ( see Peter’s address in Acts Chapter 2) they were charged with power to expound that story to others.
THIS IS CATHOLICISM , THIS VIDEO OF COURSE DEMONSTRATES THE IGNORANCE OF HUMAN WISDOM ,WHEN THE PENETRATING LIGHT OF DIVINE SCIENCE ( LIGHT IS THE IMPERISHABLE LIGHT OF THE LAW,INCARNATE WISFOM SHINES ON IT)
Divine Science revealed the organization of civil government ( publication of the law : THE GOSPEL TO BE OREACHED AND TAUGHT EVEN AS LAW ( Mark 16:15) cross reference with ( 2 Timothy 2:2)
Hope this was helpful !!!!!!

I also would like to know the “background” of this video…from whence it came! Then I would be better informed as to how to respond. As Catholics we need to support our churches with our time, talent and treasure..but we need to know how our money is being used..for instance, we are told in a general way the weekly collection amount as well as the weekly expenses. Most weeks we fall several hundreds of dollars short! Never is this addressed by the pastor publically and yet there is always a second collection taken up for “causes” outside the parish. These collections are never under a thousand dollars and often over by several hundreds of dollars…enough to make up the weekly deficit. It all seems mystifying and inexplicable how this parish continues year after year to operate and never seems lacking. We used to send money directly to a sister parish in a third world country. Again several thousands of dollars. NOW we send the money to a fund controlled by Bishops in another state who “dole” out the money to several needy parished…a middleman approach that will probably affect the amount we give since we see our money no longer going directly to the sister parish….In short, why do the Bishops always seem to have the local control? When we were told about the millions the Bishops gave to leftist political organizations like Acorn afew years ago I stopped giving to the Bishops fund…too shadowy and political overtones. Anyway to the point of this article? The video seems directed at the mega evangelical churches…not the Catholic Churces specifically yet if the philosophy were applied to all Churches we would be included I am sure…whoever is responsible for this video is anti-religion…and is for sure leaning liberal left!

I agree that we need to be distinctly Catholic. That is exactly what sets the Catholic Church apart from the tens of thousands of non denominational churches in the United States. “We” are rich in tradition and it is no small detail that the Catholic Church is the church that Christ founded. The Catholic Church donates millions to charity and our behind the scenes philosophy has always been to help our neighbor near and far. The Mass speaks to God’s goodness and that translates to those of us in the pews loving others; loving enough to help those in need. Part of the Catholic “experience” is giving to others. I did notice in this film there was mention of giving to animals and the environment and yoga - how about giving to fight for the unborn that are killed everyday??? There was no mention of that. Fighting for the unborn is something that is distinctly Catholic and I’m so proud of that! @ Giancarlo.The comment from mcclung about fingerprinting, background checks probably refers to the process that is followed when any adult seeks employment or volunteers to work with children in the parish. Diocesan policy requires background checks to make sure that no one has a record as a sex offender.

here’s a typical diocesan “application” and policy. How many bishops have been “background checked?”  They left the gate open, let the wolves in, sometimes knowingly, some of them were the wolves, and they do this to everyone now?  Unfortunately, now that they have turned parishes into businesses and dioceses into social welfare agencies, with them only money talks and baloney walks . Yes, love them; no, don’t enable them.                                        CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF POLICY ON BACKGROUND CHECKS
(EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS)
Purpose of Background Checks
As church, the Catholic Diocese of (the “Diocese”) values the safety and well being of all of the people it serves. The Diocese also values and supports the efforts of all of its employees and volunteers serving
the church and its people. Because the Diocese recognizes the need to prudently protect its human and material resources, it is our policy to conduct background checks on prospective and, from time to time, current employees and volunteers. Our background check includes a review of law enforcement records to locate any history of criminal activity.
Conviction of any crime does not, however, automatically preclude employment or service as a volunteer.Individual facts and circumstances will also be considered. Personal and previous employment references, if
available, may also be checked. In addition, driving records will be checked for persons whose responsibilities may include operating a motor vehicle or vehicles in service to the Diocese. Credit histories may be reviewed for persons who may have access to substantial funds as part of their responsibilities. The Diocese has chosen Incorporated, a pre-employment specialist with offices in to conduct background checks of employees and volunteers. Any offer of employment, confirmation of volunteer status or continued employment or volunteer status
is contingent upon the satisfactory results of any background checks made by, or on behalf of, the Diocese. Please complete the questionnaire below along with the Authorization form which accompanies this Policy and sign
below to acknowledge your understanding of the Diocese’s Policy on Background Checks.
Yes No
1. Are you presently being investigated or under a procedure to consider either your
removal as a volunteer, discharge for misconduct by your present employer, or, if you
offered a resignation, your previous employer?
2. Have you ever been reprimanded, disciplined, discharged, or asked to resign from a
prior position of employment or volunteer?
3. Have you ever resigned from a prior position without being asked, but under
circumstances involving an investigation of sexual contact with another person, of
mishandling of funds, or of criminal conduct?
4. Have you ever been charged with or investigated for sexual abuse of another person?
5. Have you ever been charged with, pleaded guilty or “no contest” (nolo contendere) to,
or been convicted of any crime involving sexual abuse of any person or another crime
or moral turpitude? (Moral turpitude is an act of baseness, vileness or depravity in the
private and social duties which a person owes another member of society or society in
general and which is contrary to the accepted rule of right and duty between persons,
including but not limited to theft, murder, rape, swindling and indecency of a minor.)
6. Have you (a) ever been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic offense; or (b)
ever entered a plea of guilty or a plea of “no contest” (nolo contendere), or has any
court ever deferred further proceedings without entering a finding of guilty and placed
you on probation or in a public service or education program for any crime other than
a minor traffic offense?
NOTE: If you have answered yes to any of these questions, please explain, in detail below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acknowledgment
I understand that any falsification or willful omission of fact made in my application for at-will employment or
volunteer status or in connection with any background investigation may be sufficient grounds for rejection of my
application, or if discovered after an offer of employment or confirmation of volunteer status, for immediate
withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment or volunteer status. I agree to read and become familiar with
the rules and policies of the Diocese, and that my employment or volunteer status is “at-will” in that it can be
terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either the Diocese or
myself, except as otherwise provided by law. I understand that no agent or representative of the Diocese, other
than the Bishop via a signed, dated and written document, has the authority to enter into any agreement for
employment or volunteer status for any specified period of time or to make any agreement contrary to the
foregoing.
_____________________________________ ______________________
Signature Date
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF
Authorization for Background Checks
I the undersigned employee/volunteer/applicant for employment or volunteer status acknowledge that I understand the need for background
checks for the Catholic Diocese of (“Diocese”). I agree to fully cooperate in the Diocese’s background investigation efforts
and to sign any waivers or authorizations that may be necessary to obtain access to relevant information. In the event that any former employer,
educational institution or federal, state, or local government agency will not release reference information or criminal history information directly
to the Diocese, I agree to personally request such information to the extent permitted by law. I further do hereby release, hold harmless, and
forever discharge the Bishop of the Diocese, Incorporated, all local, state and federal repositories, all previous employers and
educational institutions, and the respective subsidiaries, affiliates, representatives, officers, agents, employees, successors, insurers and assigns
of any of them (collectively “releasees”), from any present or prospective claims of any kind, arising or resulting from, any alleged liability for
conducting background investigations, reference checks and/or credit checks. I further agree to indemnify and hold all releasees harmless for any
liability any of them may incur because of their reliance upon this release.
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND IT FULLY. I RECOGNIZE THAT I AM RELEASING, DISCHARGING AND
HOLDING HARMLESS, THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ,INCORPORATED AND OTHERS,
FROM LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY PRE- OR POST-EMPLOYMENT OR VOLUNTEER STATUS INVESTIGATIONS TO
BE CONDUCTED WITH RESPECT TO ME AND MY HISTORY.
Print Full Name___________________________________________________________________________________________
Print Maiden or other Names used____________________________________________________________________________
Current Address___________________________________________________________________________________________
(City, State, Zip)
Previous Address__________________________________________________________________________________________
(City, State, Zip)
Social Security Number ______-_____-______ Driver’s License Number__________________________________ State ______
Race __________________ Sex ______ Date of Birth __________________________________
Signature_________________________________________________ Date ___________________
***************************************************************************************************************
TO BE COMPLETED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF
Contact Parish/School/
Person___________________________________ City ________________________________________________________________
State(s) for criminal record check other than current state of residence:_______________________________________________________
Please check below if the position includes one or both of the following:
______________ Driving as part of the job responsibilities
______________ Access to funds of over $1,000.00
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________
DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE/YOUTH PROTECTION DATE
COORDINATOR

I think the point McClurg (and in a way others here including myself) is referenced in the opening sentence of this article..”...there are people out there ...”. “It is the “people out there” part…Yes, there are people out there, always have been, who are anti-religion in general and anti-church, specifically Catholic, who can do great harm to the Body of Christ. We need to be strong in our faith and constant in our dedication to spread the Truth so the number of these opponents will be reduced and the Truth protected. However there is at this time (just before, during and since Vatican II) a considerable number WITHIN the sacred Body of Christ, dissenting, even aposticizing, the Truth and inflicting great harm and injury to the Body of Christ. It would seem that the real danger to the Catholic faith lies within. It is this danger mcclurg and others here see as perhaps most insidious to the faith especially when coupled with all other enemies the church has. Not to be too paranoid about this but at least let’s address it when discussing topics like this. There are no insignificant numbers of members of the hierarchy involved, even at top levels. Here in the United States they do their greatest harm when acting in the body of the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) which really is not an authentic nor approved voice of Rome and yet they often act as if they are authorized to act without the approval of the Vatican. This is a dangerous situation for the Catholic church and one would be advised to think seriously about supporting financially this group which seems to think that all dollars collected from innocent parishioners is theirs to dispense as they see fit…even for if not mostly for political purposes…usually left and liberal! One really cannot discuss the Church’s affairs today without addressing this very real and isidious part of the Church.

My apologies to Guy McClung for mis-spelling your name! As to your comment concerning our Bishops ( “love them -but don’t enable them”)
I would add this: KNOW your Bishop! The one heading your diocese. Many of them, if not most, are good and honest shepherds within their jurisdiction and loyal followers of Christ. Support these bishops with all your heart and soul and with prayer. Be watchful and responsible about the collections taken up each Sunday. My advice and practice is to always support your parish in all endeavors..especially those most directly affecting your own parish. As for second collections become knowledgable in as much as possible where that money goes. I only contribute to those that receive the money directly and never give to any collection that is going to benefit the USCCB directly. Admittedly it is not always easy to know the difference…but then I just lift that to the Lord and ask Him to direct its path. In the last analysis we must walk our journey humbly beside Him and leave matters that are beyond our control up to His will.

After reading Matt’s article and watching the video, my first thought was Thank You Lord Jesus for founding Your One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  John 21 vs.15-17….When therefore they had breakfasted, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “SIMON, SON OF JOHN, DOST THOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE DO?”  He said to him, “Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” He said to him, “FEED MY LAMBS.”  He said to him a second time, “SIMON, SON OF JOHN, DOST THOU LOVE ME?”  He said to him, “Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” He said to him, “FEED MY LAMBS.”  A third time he said to him, “SIMON, SON OF JOHN, DOST THOU LOVE ME?”  Peter was grieved because he said to him for the third time, “DOST THOU LOVE ME?”  And he said to him, “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.”  He said to him, “FEED MY SHEEP.”  Teach, Govern and Sanctify.  Bring them back Good Shepherd of the Sheep, Back to the Faith which Saints believed of Old,  Back to the Church which still that Faith Dost Keep, Thus May we all One Bread, One Body Be, through this Blessed Sacrament of Unity.

That is the whole purpose of de-emphasizing the uniqueness of Catholicism by The V2 clerics and their lay elves….making parishes shrink. A review of the Church’s progress on a simple spreadsheet will reveal the effectiveness of their modus operandi.

The only “new” thing under this film-maker’s sun is his own personal imprint on his use of half-truths to get his message across. Just the same, a half-truth is a lie.
  The people who put this together seem more than a bit envious of the tithes and donations flowing into all the respective churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. Hmmm, why they even sound very similar in their snooty we have a better idea of where your money’s going to or not going to and we can do a better job than “organized religion”— to all those “experts” on Wall Street and fiscal conservative think tanks promoting the “Social Security is a Ponzi scheme” line ... all the while these same snooty experts are dying to get their hands on the money that’s in the SS Trust Fund. If it was just a “filing cabinet full of paper” as President George W. Bush (in)famously described it, why did he and his pals want to privatize it before and still after the Wall St. Crash of 08?
  So what’s this now, coming from atheists and sundry First Amendment absolutists, e/a, an attempt to ape the Fiscal Right Wing on Social Security, our other social safetynet programs, and play the tried, tested and proven successful—spread as many half-truths around as possible to discredit our tax-exampt religious institutions and further divide the American populace. Yes, I had to give them a bone by mentioning one of their bete noirs, the tax exempt status of religious institutions, but come on now, there are other tax exempt social agencies we can point fingers at if this is the kind of rabbit-hole nitpicking game they’re trying to snag us into.
  One of the Fiscal Right’s biggest honchos, Grover Norquist, who chummed with the likes of Jack Abramoff and Tom Delay, once famously quipped that one of his dreams was to drain the government of its money and eventually strangle it in the bathtub. Does anybody see a pattern here coming from our more secularist opposites?
  I’m not big on conspiracy theories; not in the least ... but let’s face it, to paraphrase LBJ on the difference between chicken salad and chickencrap, when it comes to this video, and a seemingly strong coincidental tactical “slant” or “framing” of one’s particular argument or goal, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between whatever chickencrap LBJ was snorting at and the chickencrap put forward lately by the Fiscal Right on the social safetynet and the Secularist Wrong when it comes to maintaining the tax exemption status for religious institutions.
  LBJ was no friend of the religious exemption, but he sure had more than keen operating brain-matter than chicken crap to know that going after this exemption is a dangerously losing proposition, stupid social policy and DUMB POLITICS.
  But of course, anybody who’d buy into the notion that people join religious institutions in order to buy coffee when they can get it by the barrel for free ... well, they mustn’t also be able to tell chicken salad from chicken crap either.

Matthew, I couldn’t agree with you more. It is so true that we have the greatest gift God could have given us, Himself, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass from which all graces flow to us, the wellspring of life in the Sacraments, and all the truth one needs for salvation and eternal life. It is a gift, the “Pearl of Great Price”, that is under appreciated and not understood, which is the reason so many catholics wind up in error and in other churches. What does it mean to be authentically “catholic”? The years following Vatican Council II were full of confusion. Blessed John Paul II did all he possibly could to restore truth and, now, the voice of Pope Benedict and those Bishops who are in full communion with him, is the answer to these “religion” and “social justice” dilemmas.  The further one moves away from the Vicar of Christ and the Teaching Magesterium of the Church, the deeper one walks into error and darkness.

Dear Matthew,
I couldn’t agree with Patricia’s comments more…..Since Vatican II Mass as we knew it has radically changed, so much so that quite a few of us left to find other Catholic denominations who adhered to the Pope such as the Byzantine Church part of the Eastern Rite…..We felt lost in the new Mass like a fish out of water…The reverence we once knew (gone), the Consecration of the Mass (known to many as just a meal), the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist (was known as the un-bloody sacrifice of the Mass(interpretation lost).....Granted as a child growing up in our faith and attending Mass which was said in Latin, the understanding went over my head however, as one matures and develops a deep understanding of why the vernacular of the liturgy was said in Latin it became more meaningful….Although Latin is known as a dead language, it was a way people could communicate with one another…..I now attend the Latin Extraordinary (TLM) and feel I have come home. Mass is packed with young and old families and we feel blessed. It is a crime to see what has been done away with during the most important part of the Mass .......
Thanks.
MaryJo Morse<morsemrayjo@yahoo.com>

@MaryJo….A very poignant…and sadly true experience had by many..but the Mass ( in which the bread and wine are changed ...TRANSUBSTANTIATED.. into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ) a re-presentation of Calvary, an un-bloody sacrifice, still happens even when not in Latin but in the venacular. Those of us who chose to remain in the pews of the Latin Rite are still worshipping this greatest of mysteries. One must not appear to another (those who went to the Eastern rite churches) to be “more Catholic” than their brethren who remained in the current Latin rite. Forgive me but that is the impression your comments gave.
Jesus’ final prayer on earth was for us “all to be one” as difficult as that may be at times. Right now the Catholic Church here in the States is undergoing still more “change” as we prepare to use still another “new” translation. In the meantime the Pope is talking up more and more vociferously the Tridentine Mass and its beauty, making it more likely to become common again in the parishes. Patience and perserverence are
in great need for those in the pews and is never a worthless exercise for a Christian, especially a Catholic Christian. Most of us do not have the
“luxury”, let alone the need, to go “Eastern” in order to worship at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which is the “glue” that holds ALL Catholics
everywhere together as the Mystical Body of Christ.

MaryJo, don’t give up the ship!  ThirstforTruth, thank you for this encouraging and inspiring post. Prayer and Perseverance and a lot of help from Our Blessed Mother, the Angels and Saints!  Thank you Lord for Your Gifts to us.

Mark Mills, I totally agree. It makes me sad to see poor people giving there food money to the church while their pastor drives off (with a driver) with a Mercedes.

I’ve been to churches of ALL denominations and there are some lost bunches.  I have never been to a church that asked for a donation.  The video is atheist propaganda that tries to discourage people from going to church.  I see that some of you have bought into it by saying “That’s just at Protestant or Baptist churches but not Catholic ones”.  All those “Catholic” experiences many of you talk about I have witnessed at non-Catholic churches

I didn’t know Yoga was a religious practice.  I do it for exercise.  What about Pilates?

Mark,

Yoga is a discipline in the Hindu Faith.  I’m not saying it can’t be done strictly as an exercise (though I highly recommend that you scrutinize the beliefs of the instructor and see if they are injecting New Age or Pantheistic beliefs into the classes) My point was that the video suggested we spend our money on Yoga and not religion.  It was the hypocrisy of that statement I was addressing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

When videos and their accompanying paper-propaganda are released to the public, it’s our duty to pounce on it in rapid fashion to expose what really lies under its soothing and smooth way of presenting their beef with organized religion, particularly Christianity. What really lies under it all are just that, the LIES of the half-truths they use to present what they want you to also buy into, their view of what the full picture is. If they want to be mistaken and bring others with them, that’s bad enough. It’s worse if we don’t immediately call them out for what they are: Liars.

I have learned that Yoga is not compatible with our Catholic Faith.  Many do not know this.  Here is a link with many reputable Catholic sources for the facts you need to know on Yoga, TM, Reiki, Energy Medicine and other New Age practices.  I found them very informative.  God bless.http://womenofgrace.com/newage/?p=206#more-206

Here is article from a Catholic Priest, Fr. Bill Kneemiller of the Dioces of Davenport, who was involved in Yoga and now warns others about the dangers.                                                                                              http://www.catholicmessenger.org/articles/2011/01/20/opinion/guest_opinions/doc4d2ddb6eb021c530661137.txt

Patricia, Hi!,
It is quite obvious you know exactly what our Latin Mass depicts and was/is responsible for attracting non-Catholics once they were/are exposed to this special Mass, become converts.
My concern was that during the late 80’s and through the 90’s the new English speaking Mass became prevalent and our traditional Latin Mass diminished.  It was at that time in my life I had to make a decision, most especially since the new Mass now has the Altar facing the pews of parishioners.  The Crucifix is now behind the priest, the Tabernacle is off to the side of the church and children being taught CCD as well as adults in the RCI program are taught that instead of transubstantiation(the unbloodied sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross) they are told it is merely a meal…Well, it certainly isn’t a “Happy Meal”.
Today, the parish I presently attend has the TLM at 12:00 noon every Sunday. However, this beautiful Mass you and I cherish is now being said in very few parishes and enjoyed only on certain days during the week or sometimes once a month on a particular Sunday in other parishes throughout the diocese.
Luckily the Pope has given His Bishops the option to allow parish Pastors to say the Latin Mass on their own volition.
Hope to see you at Mass one day Patricia…May God Bless and keep you in His Loving Tender Heart.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
MaryJo

Patricia, an article by Anthony Esolen in the June/July 2011 edition of First Things should give you encouragement for the changes to come. Sorry I can’t link it for you now, but I just read it recently and it’s great. Esolen, in “A Bumping Boxcare Language” literally tears apart what he calls “Nabbish” wording ... a play on the North American Bible, the official “American Bible” for Catholics here.
  What also gave me special pleasure while reading this article was surmising what angst his points must be giving the Kumbaya die-hards still lingering our respective diocesan chanceries and parish rectories across the land. It’s a pretty sad commentary on the “New Order” that in order for a Catholic to hear once lofty prayers/rubrics used (almost on a word for word basis) during any Eucharistic Prayer, he or she’d have to visit an Episcopalian parish and listen to the prayers taken out of their latest Book of Common Prayer, which the old timers in the Episcopal Church spent considerable time taking it apart. (If only a lot of them knew what we had to put up with no thanks to the levellers who took over American diocesan and parish liturgical committees following the end of Vatican II.)

My husband who is a convert probably would not have entered the Catholic Church if Mass had only been celebrated in Latin. I, too, prefer hearing the words opposed to reading along in a misselette. Before anyone comes to the wrong conclusions about my statement I can assure you that both of us are faithful to the teachings of the church Catholics. We both teach RCIA at our parish and I can assure you that there is absolutely nothing that is watered down in any way or has a built-in agenda. As a matter of fact, we make it a point to tell those who are entering RCIA that we teach what the Church teaches. Reverence can be found in the Novus Ordo Mass as well as the Latin Mass. I believe it’s best to focus on whatwe bring when we go to Mass and what do we take with us when we leave?

Steven, thanks for the tip. It is a reminder to remember specifically Father John Nuehaus in my prayers for priests today, Thursday, dedicated to praying for priests.  He was a blessing, missed by many.  Father John pray for us.  It is amazing that Episcopal and Anglican Churchs have retained beauty in some areas where the American Catholic Church made changes to accomodate those who THREW OUT the old to bring in the new. Mary Rose, you are right in saying that reverence can be found in the Novus Ordo.  We live in an amazing time in the Church, with Pope Benedict establishing the Anglican Ordinariate, promoting the celebration of the Tridentine Mass, calling it the Extraordinary Form, the restoration of the sacred language to some parts of the Mass.  So much happening.  I started attending the Tridentine Mass when a generous priest responded immediately to the Holy Father’s directives for wider availability. A renewed appreciation for this most beautiful Holy Mass followed.  Reading the English translation of the Latin prayers revived my faith in what is really going on, the beautiful music and chants, many of which I haven’t heard since my grade school choir days, settled my spirit and touched my heart in a way I can’t explain. It was good. I have to say, so many times, I would have a desire well up in my heart for those who have never experienced this beautiful Mass to have this blessing, and, a sorrow that it wasn’t now. Maybe, I can say I felt my Catholic Faith and identity, mind and heart.  Now, if I miss the EF and attend NO, I know the same holy and sacred things are happening, the best of all, receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. But, now, kneeling down at the altar rail is something that I want to do as often as I can. It is just awesome and makes you feel as if something very special, or rather SOMEONE very special is about to come to you. Some of the “hymns” sound like songs and don’t contain the awesome teaching, adoration and expressions of love that the older hymns so. So, I look forward to Sundays.  I have to say I am beginning to feel a little torn. All of my family members, those who still practice their faith, attend the NO and so I will be staying connected there.  One thing for sure, Pope Benedict XVI is the right man for the job at hand.  God is so awesome.  The Holy Spirit is at work in him, all bishops in communion with him and, thank God, in the lay faithful who love Holy Mother Church and want to extol her beauty, teachings, and life in all FULLNESS.  Peace and blessings

@Joseph D’Hippolito…Your comments sound like they are coming from the outside looking in…Matthew’s perspective is the opposite so while your
comments are interesting the viewpoint Matthew has is more authentically Catholic. Your viewpoint seems to come from a somewhat anti-Catholic perspective…one we Catholics hear quite frequently from those who really are not so much interested in the Catholic distinction…as perhaps the Catholic extinction!

@ThirstforTruth - Your comment to Joseph was spot on.

@Joseph D’Hippolito - “As I see it, the Catholic Church has spent far too much time trying to prop up a sense of institutional pride. If it is to be (if not remain) truly Christian, it must take the opposite tack. It must divest itself of all interest in secular prestige. It must stop looking at non-Catholic Christians in a condescending manner.” These are your opinions, Joseph,and, unless you can provide specific examples to back this up, have absolutely no merit. I think your “mission” is Catholic bashing so perhaps you need to look at yourself to see what pride and condescension looks like and not point your finger at the Catholic Church.

Joseph, one of the things that makes us “distinctly” Catholic is the Teaching Magesterium of the Church, that is the Pope and all the bishops in communion with him.  Sacred Scripture, Tradition and the Magesterium of the Church are the three guideposts by which Catholics can know and live the fullness of Life that Jesus brings to us.  The Catholic Church has much to share with our brothers and sisters. Matthew, it is inspiring to me, as an older Catholic, to see the younger generation seeking more truth and fullness in the Church. The Sexual Revolution in the 60’s was an attack against the dignity of the human person and, utltimately, against the Divine Person of Jesus Christ, present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.  All of the things you mention that make us “distinctly” Catholic, the Fullness of Truth for Salvation (Teaching Magesterium) the Seven Sacraments, receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, come to us from the Wellspring of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass entrusted to Holy Mother Church, through the Holy Priesthood, instituted by Jesus Christ, to bring us the Fullness of His Life. The celebrations that were, in years past, an everyday part of our life in the Church, began to dwindle and disappear, after Vatican Council II, when many ran with some changes and began to strip the Churches of many devotions, especially to Our Eucharistic Jesus and His Blessed Mother, processions in their honor, inspiring prayers, acts of reverence, beautiful art and music, and, changes in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that were not good.  It was a time of out with the old and in with the new.  Many, especially, the younger generation, have this awareness that they were deprived of something wonderful, and, are now seeking after it. Truth, Beauty, Goodness and Supernatural Mystery have taken a direct hit from the enemy, and, the world had been feeding us just the opposite for many years now.  Thank God things are changing and the Holy Spirit is moving hearts and minds to restore what was lost and to give the Fullness of New Life in the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the Church and the world, with Our Blessed Mother and Her Immaculate Heart, as the Star of the New Evangelization, proclaimed by Blessed John Paul II.  Jesus, Our King Mother Mary, Our Queen. Viva La Papa!

“It must foresake those elements that are excessively esoteric.” “It must give to Christ the place it currently gives to Mary.” Whoa,Nellie!What esoteric elements of revealed truth would you jettison? You just crossed two lines that automatically put you beyond the pale and tell us that you have some fundamental problems with your faith.We are NOT free to reject what the Church reveals divine truth and still remain Catholic.
Then you go on a distinctly non Catholic pov about the honors we give to
Christ’s Holy Mother.To praise the Mother in no way detracts from the worship and love we know are due to her Son.It is always under stood that Mary is not divine.That we owe her honor and devotion and not adoration.
The one element of the reformation(deformation) that is especially hateful to me is the blasphemous attitude towards 0ur Holy Mother.I wish you would seriously examine what your thoughts are about Christ,Mary and Holy Church because there’s something that you have misinterpreted somewhere.

To Joseph from Joseph.
The Catholic Church can’t change or cover up its more esoteric dogmas.God gave His teachings and the Church promulgates His teaching.It has no authority to changes what it has received.
0ne of the most sacrilgeous teachings of the Reformatio(deformation) is the stupid notion that to honor Mary steals something from God.The ancient teaching of the Apostles and the people they taught (Iranaeus,Clement of Rome,Ignatius of Antioch)all speak before 1AD speak of honoring Mary,the Mother of God.The Church has always made the distinction between honor and adoration.Mary is not divine,just the most perfect of God’s human creations.She herself in her apparitions claims to be the humble handmaid of the Lord whose task it is lead her children to her divine Son.
Joseph,reflect deeply on these points.Your comments show that you have already crossed TWO lines that put you outside the pale of the Church.You have an obligation to reinvestigate the Church’s claims,to pray,to ask question and rejoin the faith of your Fathers.

Eh Giuseppe,since when is deovtion to the Saints a sign of inferiority,or a lack of confidence in Christ.Christ still remains the bridge between God and man.Are we asking our Blessed Mother to perform miracles?0r the saints to perform miracles.Nope.The words of the Hail Mary contradict your assertion “pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.“To embrace Christ in Holy communion is to go directly to Him..this no feeling of inferiority.Marys role as Spouse of the Holy Spirit might be the cause of what you consider to be her usurpation of the role of the Holy Spirit.That is twisted thinking and a profound misunderstanding of the very doctrine about Mary’s role in our salvation.Some badly instructed Catholic indeed may not have all the niceities of theology,but their faith in the saints nowhere implies a lack of repect for God or of faith.The Catholic Encyclopedia sates:“blasphemy may be indirect in that is directed against God;s   attributes ,His angels,saints etc.“So the deformers are still blasphmers.Church doctrine is right up there for those who know where to look.Excesses occur,but no one,even the most ignorant of souls would ever say.Hey,comm on! What are you talking about?You almost used the words of the Church when you say that God foresaw Mary as the channel of Christ’s incarnation.It IS all about God’s seeing her “fiat” and therefore of conferring the immaculate conception.Still,your pervert Catholic teaching by even thinking that we overemphasizing Mary.The fact that foresaw Mary’s fiat doesn’t lessen the fact that she freely gave it.Her freewill,her decision,her glory.As for your attack of Blessed JohnPaul’s teaching,the Holy Father did not abolish Capitol punishment, he used his apostolic authority to put conditions on its use.That was his right.That was his duty in explaining scripture and tradition.Man,heresy and attitude have somehow infected your outlook.The Prots have somehow gotten to you. I don’t want to go into all the rest of the points.I just want to share with you the joys of the Faith.I can assure you that Mary knows you by name and that she really is praying for you because of your sincerity.I want to share with you the infinite joys of the Eucharistic Presence.I want to share with you the ecstasy of a Rosary well said where we experience the mysteries of Christ’s life,death and resurrection.I wish I could express the joy of being able to say Mass and feel Him so close.Could I suggest that your read ROME SWEET HOME by Scott Hahn,a minister who became a Catholic theologian.Giuseppe,I ask God’s blessings on you for your happiness and peace.

Thanks Father Joseph for expressing so well what “distinctly Catholic”
is really about…it is about returning hope for doubt, truth to bolster faith…and most of all love towards those who are most in need! The rest is really all small stuff! May I add my prayers to yours and all others here for Jospeh to find the peace and happiness we are all seeking. I could also recomment the Scott Hahn book you mentioned.

@Joseph D’Hippolito - Your comments about the Church and Mary come across as someone who knows the “inner workings” of the Church. No Catholic believes they cannot pray directly to God and we do it all the time especially at Mass when we receive Communion, and when we recite the Lord’s Prayer. The Blessed Virgin Mary is known as the most perfect intercessor because we know that she is the mother of Jesus and because she is in heaven. Asking our friends to pray for us certainly has merit but when someone is in heaven we know they are with God. The gifts and actions of the Holy Spirit are taught to all children preparing for Confirmation so there should be no confusion in the role of the Holy Spirit and that of the Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church does not look at anyone regardless of their religion as somehow being inferior. That is your flawed impression. One person’s opinions or comments, Fr. Joseph for instance, does not speak for the Church. However, the Church must continue to affirm the Truth as given to her by Christ. Speaking the Truth is not condescension. The Church cannot say all Christians have the fullness of the Truth as handed down by Christ to the Apostles because they do not. This does not mean the Church considers herself better in some way. It means she is handing down what was handed to her and she obligated to defend it.

I am tired of Protestants butting into these forums and telling how we should or should not pray or worship.

Do you suffer from Catholics stepping in and correcting your religious practices?

I have gone the full route of going from atheism to many religions during my life until settling on one. While everyone has an opinion I notice that of all the religions the Fundamentalist Protestants are the most critical and intrusive.

It is not nice to criticize the religion that brought forth to the world the Bible you purportedly base your faith in.

PS - To the fundamentalists I addressed in a prior comment:

How did the Rapture go, folks?

I do not apologize for calling the reformation the deformation.It is directly responsible for the religious and moral mess we have today.It fractured the unity of Christianity.It introduced error into theology and perverted through its heresies the understanding of our relationshp with God.I am not condescending,I am furious and sneering that this perfidious event has caused the damnation of many thousands of souls since it raised its ugly head in the 16 century.This does not have anything to do with my repect for my separated brethern.
Duh,I know about the corruption in the Church at that time and am disgusted with all the abuses that gave rise to heresy and errors.The Council of Trent, gave the Church a good cleansing and made us seriously
put our house in order.But to say that the reformation in itself is in anyway good is to say that cancer is good because   it made me stop smoking.

Patricia, thank you for your reply and I’m glad I could make your reading more pleasurable and informative. At least when you’re praying on your knees at the rail or in the comfort of a favorite chair…and it’s perfectly peaceful and calm, just think of the clamor caused by so much theological nitpicking over whose more truly Catholic than the other guy and know the Lord must also be grateful for getting a break in large part to your prayers for this calm!
  My! How we keep forgetting how often Jesus couldn’t wait to scoot off for some peace and quiet and get all the din over who sits with whom at what spot at the table ... no matter how many times he made it clear he and his Father loves us all equally.

Again, may I suggest everyone here lift poor Joseph up to the Lord in prayer…instead of acting like “more Catholic than the Pope”? It is obvious Joseph has “problems” with the Catholic Church that only the dear Lord in His Infinite Wisdom and Compassion is capable of “fixing” and He will in His own good time…and place and circumstance. Who knows this better than His Mother, Mary, who surely is watching out for Joseph whether he knows or cares at this point. Let it rest in the hands of the Lord!

@Joseph - “I recall going to Mass at a hospital chapel (where my dying mother was a patient) on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The priest, the hosptial’s chaplain, said in his homily that Mary was “the greatest person who ever lived.” I thought, “Really? So what was Jesus, chopped liver?” That is the kind of excessive Marian devotion that must be challenged w/in the Church and, sadly, isn’t.”  You misunderstood what the priest was saying. Mary is a human being (person). Jesus is Divine with two natures so we cannot attribute to Him being the greatest person that ever lived because He is God. Since it was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception the priest was honoring Mary as the perfect person who ever lived. My husband came to Christ as a result of the intercessory prayer to the Virgin Mary. Her role never is to be equal or greater than her Son, her role is to bring us to her Son. You need to understand the difference.

Joseph…That is YOUR interpretation of what the priest said…We were not
there so we can have no knowledge of what he in particular meant..We can
only tell you what the Catholic Church teaches about the subject of Mary the Mother of God. We believe as Mother of God she represents the greatest among men (meaning all humans)and we venerate and honor her as such. No where is she taught as being divine and worthy of worship. If you heard even a priest say that..he was wrong. But as you know that this is not correct teaching (if that is what he said) then you can attribute that to error, not Church teaching. What is really your point? If you disagree with what those here have stated as Church teaching so be it.
Then you, like this priest, are in error.

@ Joseph…Find a Catholic Catechism…you have misinterpreted what is meant by the Immaculate Conception which is the teaching that Mary herself was conceived without original sin…God created her as the perfect receptacle for His Divine Son’s conception. Immaculate Conception refers to Mary’s own conception in the womb of St Anne…many, including some poorly catechised Catholics, mistakenly believe it refers to the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb…it does not! All this indicates to me is that you have your own misconceptions about Catholic teaching and argue from many false premises about what you THINK is Catholicism. Perhaps a thorough reading of the catechism would put you on more solid ground when going to Catholic websites and trying to argue from ignorance which results in circuitous thinking.

@ Joseph - your statement:  Besides, Amy, why does the Catholic Church accrue Mary’s glory to Mary instead of to God? Mary would have no glory if God didn’t give it to her. The immaculate conception was an act of God but few Catholics seem to realize that and give God the praise that He deserves for it
RESPONSE:  Let’s stop the Mary merry-go-round, please.  God does not share His glory (Isa 42:8; 46:11) PERIOD.  Mary is blessed in that she was chosen to bear the Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world, who was created in her womb a little lower than the angels (look up the Biblical reference).  God’s plan of redemption did not start after the Fall, but in eternity past (Col 1:15-20; Heb 1:1-3 as examples).  Mary was not one of many who would be a candidate, but the lone woman (virgin) to bear God’s only begotten Son.  Luke correctly notes that after Jesus was circumcised, Mary went to the temple and offered sacrifices for her purification (sinless folks don’t do that).  John 1:14 explains that Christ, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us.  Why?  Phil 2:6-11; Gal 4:4-5; Heb 2:14-18; 9:11 and other texts do not diminish Mary at all—they do not mention her!  The Immaculate Conception—how can such a mystic concept gain so much traction ( well, it did take 1800+ years).  The test is the book of Hebrews - what was needed for redemption?  A church institution that serves as a conduit of grace?  The Mother of our Lord (as Luke aptly notes) to supplant the Trinity especially the work of Jesus?  Was not a Great High Priest essential to the once-for-all satisfaction of the Father’s wrath (Heb 10)?  But to believe all of these texts would require a thorough rethinking of your belief system.  It is synergistic, not monergistic.  It is shrouded with mysteries and mysticism and Magisterium edicts that would make one tremble at checking out things for themselves.  Ah, Trent is still alive and well but strangely not thrust to the forefront of today’s RCC for its prohibitions of things to read, threats of excommunication, sins so mortal that penance may not be enough to cleanse the Catholic leper, would make the present day embodiment of “God’s True Church” a bit less palatable. 
This blog has generated so may interesting points and just as many disjointed arguments along with much insensitivity and incivility (deformation, etc), that all the puffed up, chest beating, me Tarzan aggression makes one small(er) rather than defending even a spurious belief system.  Let us part with love and a sense of meeting again in the great ether to reconcile, embellish, or just discuss our true views without the sardonic sarcasm, innuendo, or vituperative diatribes.  Peace.

@ Joseph - I don’t know what happened to you to get you to the theological point that you are. If you were at one time Catholic it is sad that somehow you drifted away.St. Paul tells us “we work out our salvation through fear and trembling”. If there were no need of a response on our part to the redemption that Jesus offers, St. Paul would not have said this. Mary is the perfect intercessor and it’s sad that you have not experienced this as I personally have. I prayed to her that my husband would come to faith. My prayer was that she show my husband who Jesus is. As a Jew my husband only knew of Jesus as someone who Christians believe in and that’s about it. Today, my husband loves Jesus with all of his heart as is being ordained a Permanent Deacon. This does not happen without Divine assistance. I believe the prayer was heard by Mary who brought it to her son. It was the first step on my husband’s journey of becoming Christina. All of these things that happen are mysterious and yet if you would just allow yourself to think, “what if all of this is true?” I invite you to enter a Catholic Church and sit before the Tabernacle where Our Lord waits for us to come and pray to Him and spend quiet time. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in the Truth that you seek. God’s blessings.

That was an extremely interesting video. It is well-made and easy to understand. I find it fascinating that the idea is to get people to tithe 10% of their income (I presume from the types of causes listed and the type of people appealed to that this is in addition to the taxes progressives advocate for government programs, but perhaps I’m wrong and this is aimed at liberal libertarians) to charities and “causes.” Yoga (??????) seems to be in there because it is the sort of thing that many “non-religious but spiritual” people find to be good in some vague way and would like everyone to do—but a cause? Oh well.

It is aimed at people who already don’t trust churches and lumps them all together into a sinister, money-stealing whole. Churches offer “private education”!!! Those luxury hounds. When we know very well that many church schools are for small sects (there is a Seventh Day Adventist school near me) and for the poor (the Episcopal Church in my city operates only one school and it is for poor children, much to the dismay of many Episcopal parents who would like a school). Have you ever tried to run a school? Nobody’s making a mint at it! The video mocks the gullibility of people who go to church, but is aimed at equally gullible people who believe, in spite of evidence everywhere, that churches in America do nothing but “line their pockets.”

On the other hand, it is aimed at getting people who probably give very little (statistically, people who have no religion give almost no money, time, and resources to anything but political causes and rallies) to donate as much as religious people do. It would be a good thing if they did. I wish they would just cut the disdain for everyone else. I agree with Matthew—a Catholic identity is one way to counter this impression that we are all the same. Sadly, though, many of the megachurches and denominations think we are plenty distinctive as we are and are just as anti-Catholic as they were were we were more distinctive. So trying to be more like them has not helped in that arena.

Guy McClung: I don’t know what your point was by posting the background check, but if you don’t understand that it was lawyers and American criminal law that caused the mandatory background checks, then you have your head in the sand. I find the background checks and fingerprinting to be profoundly insulting and degrading, and useless to boot (A person who is a “successful” child abuser won’t have a record and so won’t show up on these checks—giving people the false idea that everyone who “passes” is not a child abuser. Also, very little of the sexual problems that have turned up were child abuse.). I refused the fingerprinting for about five years until I really needed to get it to work at my childrens’ school. But I know very well where the mandate came from: It’s a CYA move from lawyers.

When in the last 50 years have you heard a priest point out let alone promote the Catholic Churches teaching on Contraceptive from the Pulpit????. I only heard once on a regular basis from a now retired Catholic priest from my Parish in Wolcott Ct.,the real faith. That priest pointed out that Transubstaniation-reality of Christ is in the Eucharist. He told parishoners that if they did not belive in the Real Presc. in the Eucharist they should NOT receive communion in a Catholic church.That was the first and ONLY times it was spoken of in the last 50 Years by any priest ever in a Catholic church.                Too often the wishy washy generic Catholic faith being preached from most pulpits has caused a decline in the faith exactly the the same in liberal Jewish and Proteswtant faiths. Bring back ther Baltimore Cathecism and the Latin mass and an authentic Catholic faith in addition to the local Venacular mass and I bet you there will be a revival in the Catholic faith.

Why are those comments posted on Google’s search engine?

In my view this is 100% political. Note the causes include with equal weight yoga, amnesty, clean energy and animal rescue as well as some more basic needs. Note the emphasis on tax dollars inferring churches should not get tax breaks. Notwithstanding the obvious lack of anything other than social charity as is well detailed in the article and other comments, this is simply a promotion of atheistic socialism. There is a large element within the Democrat party (not accepted by all members I hope)who consider atheistic socialism to be the progressive view of our future. Such extreme socialism MUST be atheistic because all citizens must accept that all rights (including life or being allowed to continue life) come from the state. Otherwise individuals will not accept it.